Honda Civic e:HEV RS: hybrid hatch borrows Prelude’s S+ Shift to add emotion
honda.co.jp
Hybrid hatch joins the lineup on June 5 at 4,659,600 yen (about $29,200). Honda S+ Shift simulates stepped gear changes and tailored engine sound.
Honda has refreshed the Civic for the Japanese market and added a new e:HEV RS version to the lineup. Sales start on June 5, 2026, with the grade priced at 4,659,600 yen (around $29,200) — the second-most expensive Civic after the Type R. This is not a generation change but a focused update aimed at a sportier character and richer equipment.
The headline feature of the e:HEV RS is the Honda S+ Shift system, which the hybrid inherits from the Prelude coupe but with Civic-specific tuning. The electrified powertrain mimics the feel of stepped gear changes, sharpens throttle response and layers in a bespoke engine sound. Honda pitches the technology as a way to inject emotion into the hybrid without giving up the efficiency the e:HEV is known for.
The RS version also gets bespoke suspension tuning, a D-shaped steering wheel, metal paddle shifters, combination seats with red stitching and red accents inside the cabin. From the outside, the sportier version stands out thanks to gloss-black details, including the headlight surrounds, lower bumper trim, the shark-fin antenna and 18-inch Matte Berlina Black wheels.
The update goes beyond the RS. All trims gain USB ports for rear passengers, and the EX grade now comes with a heated steering wheel. That part is no longer about sport but about everyday comfort: passengers can charge their gadgets more easily, and the driver gets more warmth in cold weather.
