Most Civics today are not manual transmissions; only the performance-oriented variants offer a 6-speed manual. If you want a stick, you’ll typically choose the Civic Si or Civic Type R, while the standard Civic trims rely on automatic or CVT. This article breaks down which Civics come with a stick and what to expect from the rest of the lineup.
Current Civic lineup and its transmissions
The following overview reflects the U.S. market for the latest model years. Transmission options can vary by country and by model year.
Manual vs. automatic across trims
The current Civic lineup largely uses automatic transmissions, with the exception of two performance-focused variants that are offered with a manual gearbox.
- Civic LX / Sport / EX / EX-L / Touring: CVT automatic transmission; no manual option in these trims as of the latest model years.
- Civic Si: 6-speed manual transmission; manual-only variant with no automatic option.
- Civic Type R: 6-speed manual transmission; manual-only variant with no automatic option.
Note: Availability can vary by market. In some regions, earlier generations offered manual transmissions on more trims, but in the current lineup the manual option is reserved for the Si and Type R.
What this means for buyers
For drivers who value engagement and a traditional clutch pedal, the Si and Type R are your options. For everyday driving and smoother operation, the CVT-equipped Civics are more common and typically deliver better fuel economy and ease of use.
Summary
In short, the Honda Civic is not universally a stick. The manual transmission option exists primarily in the high-performance variants—the Civic Si and Civic Type R. The majority of the lineup uses a CVT or automatic transmission, making a traditional stick shift less common in the current generation.