The 2008 Honda Civic offered several transmissions depending on the model: a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic for most gas models, a 6-speed manual for the Civic Si, and an e-CVT hybrid transmission for the Civic Hybrid.
In more detail, the 2008 Civic lineup included several trims with different powertrains. The standard gas versions used a conventional 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic, while the sport-oriented Si used a 6-speed manual. The Civic Hybrid employed Honda’s hybrid system with an electronic CVT-style transmission (e-CVT) rather than a traditional automatic.
Transmission options by trim
The following summarizes the transmission choices for the main 2008 Civic trims.
- Gas Civics (DX/LX/EX/EX-L): 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic
- Civic Si: 6-speed manual only
- Civic Hybrid: e-CVT hybrid transmission
Availability of these options can vary by market and body style; always verify the specific vehicle’s configuration for exact transmission details.
Si performance variant
The Civic Si is equipped with a 2.0L i-VTEC engine paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, emphasizing sporty driving dynamics over fuel economy.
Hybrid variant
The Civic Hybrid uses Honda’s IMA hybrid system with an e-CVT transmission, designed to optimize efficiency rather than provide traditional automatic shifting characteristics.
Summary
For the 2008 Honda Civic, transmissions vary by model: most gas Civics offered either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic, the Civic Si used a 6-speed manual, and the Civic Hybrid used an e-CVT hybrid system. If you’re shopping, confirm the exact trim’s transmission on the vehicle’s document or build sheet to avoid confusion.