2027 Honda Civic Sport-L Adds More Kit Without Going Hybrid

The new trim level features goodies that were previously exclusive to hybrid trims.

While we wait for Honda to roll out the promised hotter Civic Type R, it’s giving buyers a different reason to skip the hybrid. For 2027, America's best-selling compact car gets a new Sport-L trim that adds several upscale features without requiring customers to pay more for an electrified powertrain.

Slotted between the Sport and Sport Hybrid, the new Sport-L adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Those creature comforts can make an everyday commuter feel a little more premium, and Honda is offering them for just under $30,000.

The biggest selling point is the equipment. Honda previously reserved these features, along with a silver interior trim, for the more expensive Sport Touring Hybrid, but buyers can now get them on the gas-only version. The heated front seats were previously exclusive to hybrid trims, as were dual-zone climate control, illuminated vanity mirrors, and the passenger-side seatback pocket. The Sport-L now gets those as well.

The Sport-L makes sense for buyers who want a more comfortable daily driver but don't necessarily care about the hybrid powertrain's fuel savings or extra performance. It occupies a useful middle ground in the lineup, offering more amenities than the Sport while sticking with a conventional gasoline engine.

The Sport-L sedan costs $29,790, including destination fees, while the hatchback carries a $30,990 sticker price. In both cases, it’s $1,200 cheaper than the Sport Hybrid. Of course, the hybrid offers other advantages, including substantially better fuel economy. The sedan returns an EPA-estimated 49 mpg combined, compared with 34 mpg for the Sport-L. The hatchback hybrid achieves 47 mpg combined, while its gasoline-powered counterpart is rated at 34 mpg.

Still, the Sport-L's appeal is straightforward: it lets buyers get more comfort features they might otherwise have to pay extra for, without changing the powertrain under the hood. It also makes sense for people concerned about the added complexity of a hybrid powertrain who prefer to stick with the gas-only version.

The 2027 model-year changeover brings another notable update, as the Sport Touring Hybrid gains S+ Shift. The feature debuted on the Prelude before trickling down to the mechanically related Civic. It simulates an eight-speed gearbox, and during downshifts, there’s even a “sharp, quickly curtailed blipping sound” to mimic rev-matching.

The Sport Touring Hybrid costs $33,990 for the sedan and $35,190 for the five-door hatchback.

2025 Honda Civic Si

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

The 2027 lineup also omits a notable model: the Civic Si. Production ends after the 2026 model year “due to evolving business conditions,” although dealer inventory should last into early 2027. The good news is that the Si isn't going away for good. Honda has confirmed that an all-new version will return in the coming years, but hasn't said exactly when. The “all-new” part suggests the next Si will be based on the next-generation Civic.

2027 Honda Civic Type R

Photo by: Honda

These aren't the only changes Honda is making to the Civic for 2027. The Type R recently received mechanical and cosmetic upgrades, along with standard heated front seats and darker interior accents. It now costs $49,990, or $1,300 more than before, but the price hike also brings additional safety equipment and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

What do you think?

Beyond the Si's temporary departure, Honda is keeping the rest of the Civic family fresh by balancing everyday comfort with driving enjoyment. The Sport-L caters to buyers who want a better-equipped commuter, while the Type R continues to serve those who prefer their compact car with a healthy dose of performance. With the Si set to return eventually, there's still room for a middle ground between the two.

As for a production version of the HRC concept, we're still waiting. Latest reports suggest it will launch in 2027, but Honda hasn't confirmed a timeline or whether the ultimate version of its hot hatch is coming to North America.