The 2008 Honda Civic equipped with the 1.8-liter engine is rated at 140 horsepower. This article provides the figure in context, how it’s measured, and how it applies across common trims and markets.
Engine specs and horsepower
The 1.8-liter i-VTEC four‑cylinder (engine code R18A1) powers the most common US Civic trims from that year. The official US specification lists 140 horsepower (104 kW) and about 128 lb-ft of torque, with the horsepower peak occurring high in the RPM range. Transmission choice (manual or automatic) does not substantially change the horsepower rating in this model year, though torque delivery and RPM peaks can shift slightly with gearing and emissions tuning. Note that market-specific tuning can yield very small variations in power figures.
Official horsepower and torque figures
Before listing the core numbers, keep in mind these figures reflect typical US-spec Civics from the 2008 model year with the 1.8L engine. They are widely cited in manufacturer specs and automotive references for that configuration.
- Power: 140 hp (104 kW) at about 6,300 rpm
- Torque: around 128 lb-ft (174 Nm) at about 4,600 rpm
- Transmissions: 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic; horsepower rating remains 140 hp across these configurations
Concluding note: The 140 hp figure is the standard reference for the US-spec 2008 Civic 1.8L; minor market differences may exist, but 140 hp is the widely accepted baseline for this engine and year.
Trims, market context, and what to expect
In the 2008 Civic lineup, the 1.8L engine powered most LX and EX trims, while the sporty Si used a different 2.0-liter engine with substantially higher output. Buyers considering fuel economy, acceleration, or resale value should rely on the 140 hp benchmark for the 1.8L Civic in typical configurations, rather than the Si’s performance figures.
Summary
For the 2008 Honda Civic with the 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the standard horsepower rating is 140 hp, with torque around 128 lb-ft. This figure applies to the typical US-spec LX and EX trims and remains consistent across manual and automatic transmissions, barring minor market-based tuning differences. The high-rev nature of the engine means peak power is reached in the upper RPM range, contributing to the Civic’s responsive feel without the performance focus of the Si variant.