The typical answer is no: in the United States, the 1998 Civic EX did not come with Honda’s VTEC system. VTEC was reserved for higher-performance variants such as the Civic Si, and some non-U.S. markets offered VTEC on other trims. If you want to be certain about a specific car, check the engine code or VIN to confirm.
Context: VTEC in the sixth-generation Civic
The sixth-generation Civic (1996–2000) offered VTEC on select models. The sportier Civic Si used a VTEC-equipped engine, while the EX trim in the U.S. most often ran a non-VTEC engine. Market variations existed, so a non-U.S. Civic EX or a swapped engine could differ from the standard U.S. lineup.
How to tell if your car has VTEC
If you’re trying to verify a 1998 Civic EX, look for tells such as the engine code on the block or a VIN decoding, and inspect under the hood for VTEC-related components (VTEC solenoid, distinctive valve-cover badges, or related oil and vacuum lines). A VTEC-equipped engine will typically have hardware and performance figures that differ from non-VTEC versions.
Here is a quick reference to help you understand where VTEC appeared within Civics of that era.
- United States: Civic EX generally did not include VTEC; Civic Si and other high-performance variants used VTEC engines.
- Other markets: Some EX variants in other regions or later years offered VTEC, but the standard 1998 US-spec EX did not.
Bottom line: For the typical 1998 US-spec Civic EX, VTEC is not present. If the car is a non-US model or has had an engine swap, the situation could be different. Verify with the engine code or documentation to be sure.
Summary
In short, the standard 1998 Honda Civic EX shipped to the United States does not have VTEC. VTEC was available on the Civic Si and certain other variants or markets, and a particular car should be confirmed by engine code or VIN to rule out exceptions.
Does the 98 Civic EX have VTEC?
Top-level EX models are endowed with a 127-horsepower VTEC engine. Whichever level you buy, front disc/rear drum brakes are standard, with anti-lock standard on the top level EX, so braking is good.
What's the value of a 1998 Civic EX now?
A 1998 Honda Civic EX Sedan 4D has depreciated $240 or 10% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $1,999 and trade-in value of $890.
How do I tell if my Civic has VTEC?
If a Honda engine has VTEC or i-VTEC it'll say it on the valve cover/top of the engine where it says Honda.
Does the Honda Civic EX have VTEC?
The EX trim (Canadian Si trim) came equipped with the 1.6-liter SOHC VTEC 16-valve D16Y8 4-cylinder engine.