Honda Civic 2026 News

Honda says it wants to grow its sales by nearly 50 per cent in Australia despite its local boss saying “business as usual” is dead in our market’s extremely competitive environment. The brand’s CEO Jay Joseph told CarsGuide Honda plans to hit 20,000 units a year, declaring that is a “healthier place” for the brand to be in the long run. Honda sold 15,383 units in Australia in 2025. Joseph earmarked an evolved product portfolio as an opportunity to grow sales, as the brand had done with its recently-launched Super One city hatchback, which he added had exceeded expectations. Honda has expanded its line-up recently by re-introducing the Prelude sports car, after spending years with a largely SUV-only line-up of the HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V alongside the expensive Civic hatch and Accord sedan. In the future, this expanding line-up may include next-generation products from America, with Joseph earmarking Honda’s next-generation large vehicle platform which underpins the Ridgeline ute and Pilot SUV as possibly being built in right-hand drive. Ironically given the changing market, this may also mean sourcing cars from Honda’s Chinese joint venture, which the company recently re-committed to at a global level. “When I say ‘scan the globe’ I really mean scan the globe,” he said of sourcing Hondas from China, “the economics of that are of course a little different, because for every car maker, except Tesla, the products which come out of China are developed with a joint-venture partner and the best we could do is reap half the profits of that, so we have to be careful about it.” His comments are in stark contrast to some brands that have been far faster to accept Chinese joint-venture models into their line-ups, such as Mazda (6e, CX-6e), Kia (EV5) and Nissan (Navara Pro PHEV). “They start off with a disadvantage, but I would never say never either,” continued Joseph. “If we have the opportunity to bring the right product, which meets customer’s needs, we’d certainly consider it.” “We’ve already done it in Japan, the new Honda Insight is China-sourced, so we’re not opposed to it as a company.” Other automakers turning to Chinese-built low-emissions vehicles is no accident. In the case of Nissan and Mazda in particular, there is an urgent need to bring down their emissions footprint thanks to Australia’s recently implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). It’s proving prohibitively expensive to solve with models built in Japan or South East Asia where emissions laws are comparatively lax. It also exposes a glaring hole in Honda Australia’s current line-up, a fully electric mid-size SUV, which could only be filled by the Chinese-built Honda P7. The P7, which is built alongside joint-venture partner GAC, has struggled for market share in China, with some speculating the tie-up wouldn’t be renewed past its expiry date. Honda re-committed to the deal earlier this year. It also partners with Dongfeng on the similar S7, as well as the more mainstream and affordable e:NS2 crossover. Honda’s own in-house plans also feature electric vehicles too, despite its widely-reported cancellation of three new models, which were planned for a US market entry. The brand said its Alpha 0 concept, which adopts the company’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” design philosophy would still go to production, with the concept appearing as a small SUV and electric alternative to the current HR-V. Interestingly it will be built in India (a fellow right-hand drive market) and exported for a global audience to keep costs low. The new model is expected to be revealed early next year. Joseph also earmarked the CR-V in particular as a model he thinks should be performing better in the sales charts. “For the life of me I can’t understand how that isn’t a top-10 vehicle in its segment,” he said. “The product is absolutely as good if not better than the competition so there has to be something else. We’ve got to tell more people about it. We’ve got to win that upper funnel of awareness and consideration better than we have been. “Because, we convert really well. Every Honda dealer tells me the same thing: Once we get buyers into a test-drive, we win. Once they drive the Honda, they like it better, but it’s a matter of getting them into that test drive.”

Honda America has moved to make what many driving enthusiasts already regard as the best even better by upgrading the brand’s Civic Type R hot hatch with extra performance, additional standard features and new-generation tech. Marking six generations across 30 years of the Civic Type R, the ultra-fast five-door sports a more aggressive front fascia with a larger grille opening claimed to improve cooling and a deeper front splitter to increase downforce. Inside, a “more refined cockpit” now includes heated front seats and a new trim perforation pattern as well as synthetic suede around the instrument surround and upper front door panels. The Type R's signature alloy shift knob, interior door handles and console trim have a dark grey finish and the climate control and air vent knobs in black, a diamond-pattern mesh dash panel (with black surround) and front door panel trims in silver are designed to up the cabin’s premium feel. Under the skin, the Type R’s ‘K20C’ four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine sends 235kW/420Nm to the front wheels (exclusively) via a six-speed manual gearbox. And under the bonnet, a redesigned engine cover is reminiscent of the powerplants in early-generation Type R models sold in Japan. Other technical changes include optimised suspension damping in +R mode to reduce bounce and impact harshness, more direct brake feel courtesy of a pedal yoke spring and an improved rev match system with faster engine response for smoother downshifts. Google built-in / Google Gemini / Google Maps / Google Play Alexa built-in Auto-dimming rearview mirror Two USB-C ports Improved (dual tone) horn New colour: Meteorite Grey Metallic Tech upgrades to the Honda Sensing safety suite include improved AEB (Auto Emergency Braking) with pedestrian detection incorporating increased system visibility for motorcycles and bicycles.  Adaptive cruise control is also enhanced with improved braking and acceleration response and lane keeping assist features “improved control over road camber and other disturbances for smoother operation”. And for the first time, the Civic Type R is equipped with multi-collision brake to minimise the chances of subsequent impacts after an initial crash. The 2027 Civic Type R will arrive in US Honda showrooms this month with a MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) of US$48,695 (~A$69,900). While local sale of the upgraded Type R isn’t on the cards at this stage, CarsGuide expects another batch of current model Type Rs to land in Australia in 2027. 

Are we headed for a world where petrol is only the fuel of the rich, powering their hypercars and luxury super SUVs? It certainly appears that way. And I don’t like it… This week the car world achieved a major milestone - the average global price of electric vehicles fell below that of hybrids for the first time. And before too long we’ll see the average price of EVs drop lower than the price of petrol cars. There’s nothing wrong with that - we’re watching the evolution of the motor car, and a change in buying habits and taste in real time. What could supercharge this process and fundamentally change what fuel we use, however, is the volatility of petrol prices which have spiked dramatically due to the conflict in the Middle East.  Covering car news each day is revealing a trend and I’m not too sure I like it. High-performance and luxury car brands are doubling down on their fossil fuel focus, while mainstream brands are pushing the limits to make the most affordable electric cars. At the start of this year BMW announced it would reverse its decision to pivot away from petrol and return to producing V8 and V12 units due to their customer demands. Rival brand Mercedes-Benz did the same thing and scrapped its plan to go completely electric by 2030 and dived back into making V8s. Porsche, too, changed its mind after receiving a walloping from customers who made it very clear that Porsche to them meant power from petrol, not power from the electricity grid. Lamborghini also did an about face on EVs at the start of this year and went back to petrol, adding a hybrid system but only to make more mumbo. Yep, Lamborghini replaced its V10 Huracan which made 470kW with the V8 Temerario which makes 588kW plus another 220kW from its electric motors. Then there’s the mysterious case of Ferrari giving us the breathtaking 12Cilindri with yes a V12, which was closely followed by the even more gorgeous V8 Amalfi, before giving us the all-electric Luce which hurts to look at directly. It’s as if the brand was sending us some kind of message coded in ugliness about being asked to do something against its will.  Of course the super high end brands appear completely unconcerned by prohibitively high petrol prices affecting sales or the climate. Bugatti announced an end to the reign of its enormous 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engines in its cars like the Veyron and Chiron, but before we could even think it was going green trumpeted in almost the same breath that it was doing V16s instead. Which it did with its current Tourbillon hypercar that houses a monstrous 8.3-litre V16 engine. Yes it has a hybrid system with electric motors but it’s not to save fuel, it’s to make more power.  If you were to ask bespoke high performance vehicle maker Hennessey if it had electric cars the response would almost certainly be, “never heard of her." The brand just unveiled its US spy plane-inspired Blackbird hypercar with a naturally aspirated V8 and positioned it as the kind of vehicle that allows drivers to cover 1300km a day. Just days ago Aston Martin ran into the room boasting it was delaying its EV plans because it had found a loop hole which meant it could keep making V12s. The loop hole being that the brand had to keep V12 sales under 1000 a year. Low volume sales aren’t a worry for brands like these - not when an Aston Martin Vanquish costs more than $700,000. And unlike you and me, that's not the owner's only car… it joins a garage with five other cars in it… at least. Yes we’re talking millions of dollars and all petrol-powered. Meanwhile, the rest of us are trying to work out how we can get into an electric car for less than $40,000 because chaotic fuel prices are hurting us and we’re worried about the future resale value of petrol cars.  I’m also highly concerned about the air that my children breathe and the thought of having a car powered by burning oil that just to drives to shops, school and work sounds more and more preposterous to me. It’s like having kerosene lanterns in every room of your house rather than light bulbs To be completely clear, though, I love petrol performance cars and detest electric performance ones. Petrol has a place. My fear is that petrol’s happy place in performance cars will eventually exclude me as the fuel becomes more expensive, rarer and the food of exotic beasts I can’t afford. So what’s left? There’s the Cupra Leon VZx, Ford Mustang, Honda Civic Type R and Prelude, Hyundai i30N, Mazda MX-5, Nissan Z, Subaru WRX, Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla and VW Golf R. Watch these models closely, because they are the final 'affordable' petrol performance cars and they are all now endangered.    

The Honda Civic Type R is back in stock, but it won't stick around for long. This new batch of the Japanese sports car will be priced from $85,000 drive-away, which is $500 cheaper than the previous allocation.  There will be less than 100 (expected to be 98) units available, with deliveries expected in December. The Civic Type R is one of the most sought after sports cars on the market. It tackles hot hatch rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf R ($71,990, before on-road costs). It has not been available for mass order in Australia since August 2025, when it sold out in less than an hour. This latest batch will not be fitted with the carbon fibre spoiler as standard, with it instead available as a pricey $4100 option, which effectively makes it more expensive than the previous version once the spoiler is accounted for. The Civic Type R has been subject to several price increases during its time in Australia. It is now in excess of $12,000 more expensive compared to when it first went on sale. It will continue to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, producing 235kW and 420Nm, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.   The brand was forced to axe the Civic Type R in Europe at the start of this year, due to tightening emissions standards.  Honda is also facing emissions pressures Down Under, so it could have to make a similar move here at some point. The brand recently announced it will be investing heavily into hybrid models over the next few years. Honda has already added hybrid power to much of its range in Australia, including on its CR-V, HR-V and ZR-V SUVs. There are no plans for the Civic Type R to be given hybrid power at this stage. Bookings for the Civic Type R will open on Monday 6th of July at 12:00 pm at Honda dealers, and 3:00 pm online. Buyers will be required to place a $5000 to secure their order. 

Back in 1995, the most popular SUV in Australia was the then-new and pioneering Toyota RAV4, way down at number 43. How things have changed, with SUVs sat at seven of the top-10 spots, and then (mostly diesel-powered) ladder-frame-chassis utes making up the difference. Here are 10 reasons why Australia’s (and the world’s) SUV obsession have made motoring worse than in past decades for people who love cars.

Last month Honda Australia reopened orders for the supply-limited Civic Type R hot hatch and the entire allocation was exhausted within an hour.

Honda Australia has dropped a new allocation of its supply-limited Civic Type R hot hatch. The Japanese carmaker has claimed there’s “strong customer demand” for this hot hatch and customers that have signed up will be prioritised. Now with a starting price of $79,000, drive-away, the Honda Civic Type R is $4900 more expensive than it was when it was last on sale. It’s now also over $23,000 more expensive than the top-specification regular Civic variant, the e:HEV LX. A highlight change with this 2025 production run is a new 'Racing Blue' exterior paint colour option. It replaces 'Rally Red' in the colour options. 'Championship White', 'Crystal Black' and 'Sonic Grey' continue to be offered and are all no-cost options. There’s also a new optional carbon-fibre spoiler available for an additional $5300. Power still comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque. This is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox with drive sent to the front wheels only. It’s still covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years' 'premium roadside assistance'. Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, and the first five services are capped at $199 each. “Civic Type R has captured the imagination of Australians for generations and continues to represent the pinnacle of performance in small cars,” said Honda Australia Director of Automotive Robert Thorp. “We’re pleased to welcome the new Racing Blue colour providing a genuine performance model halo presence.” Looking beyond the Civic Type R, Honda is soon set to announce model year updates for the CR-V and ZR-V SUVs which will include more hybrid trims and Google Built-In software for the multimedia system. Additionally, the new-generation Prelude is set to launch in mid-2026 and later in 2026 Honda will launch its first electric vehicle (EV) in Australia.