The Civic Sport is turbocharged, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rather than a naturally aspirated unit.
Here is a detailed look at what that means for the Civic Sport in the current generation, including engine specs, transmission options, and how it compares with other Civics.
Turbocharged powertrain overview
Key facts about the Civic Sport’s engine and performance are described below.
- Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
- Power: roughly 180 horsepower
- Torque: about 177 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: in the United States, the Sport is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT); a manual transmission is not offered on this trim in the U.S.
In short, the Sport’s turbocharged setup provides a step up in performance compared with the base, naturally aspirated options, though the Si and other high-performance variants offer higher output.
How this compares to other Civic trims
To place the Sport in context, here’s how it lines up against other trims in the same generation.
- LX typically uses a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with lower horsepower than the 1.5T Sport
- EX, EX-L, and Touring also use the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with similar output, but with different feature sets and equipment
- The high-performance Civic Si is a separate model (not the Sport) and uses a more powerful turbo engine with a manual transmission option
Overall, the Sport sits as a turbocharged middle option in the lineup, offering the 1.5T boost without the higher performance of the Si or Type R, and without a manual option in the U.S. market on this trim.
What buyers should know
Important considerations for someone evaluating whether the Civic Sport is the right turbo choice for them are listed here.
- Yes, it uses a turbocharged 1.5L engine
- Output is around 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque (varies slightly by model year and market)
- In the U.S., the Sport is typically equipped with a CVT; a manual transmission is not available on this trim
For buyers who want a turbocharged Civic with a manual option, the Si remains the performance-focused alternative, albeit with a different powertrain and higher price.
Summary
Bottom line: The Honda Civic Sport is indeed turbocharged, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering about 180 horsepower. In the United States, it is paired with a CVT rather than a manual transmission, making it a practical yet spirited option within the lineup. For buyers seeking a manual or higher performance, other Civics such as the Si or more powerful variants are the alternatives.