In most U.S. markets, the 1998 Civic VTEC produced about 160 horsepower. The exact figure can vary by market and trim, but 160 hp is the commonly cited specification for the main VTEC-equipped model in the United States that year.
Context and scope
The 1998 model year marked Honda’s continuation of VTEC technology in the Civic, but horsepower varied by region because different markets used different VTEC-tuned engines. While the most familiar US-spec figure is 160 hp, other regions sometimes listed higher outputs due to local tuning and emissions requirements.
US-market details
The US 1998 Civic Si, the primary VTEC-equipped variant in the States, used the B16A2 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engine. It was rated at 160 horsepower in the official specification sheets of the era, establishing the Si as the performance pinnacle of the Civic lineup for that year.
International variations
In Japan and Europe, VTEC-equipped Civics used different engine versions and calibrations. These regional variants commonly reported outputs in the range of roughly 170–185 horsepower, depending on the specific engine code and market regulations. The most extreme high-performance Civic versions from that era (not sold in the U.S. in 1998) reached around 185 horsepower.
Notes on measurement and reliability
Horsepower figures refer to crankshaft horsepower (peak power) measured under standardized testing. Real-world numbers can vary with maintenance, altitude, gearing, and testing conditions, so individual cars may show slight differences from the listed specs.
Summary
The 1998 Honda Civic VTEC’s most widely cited figure for the U.S. market is 160 horsepower for the Civic Si variant. International versions of the Civic with VTEC often carried higher peak outputs, generally in the 170–185 horsepower range depending on market and engine variant.