Which Honda Civic is top of the line?
The top regular Honda Civic trim is the Touring; if you include performance-focused models, the Civic Type R sits at the very peak of the lineup.
Here is a closer look at how Honda defines top-of-the-line status within the Civic family, what you get at the highest non-Performance trim, and how the Si and Type R fit into the spectrum.
Regular Civics: the peak of the standard lineup
In the regular Civic lineup, the highest-spec non-performance trim is typically the Touring. Below it are other trims that balance price with features, such as EX-L, EX, Sport, and the base LX. Exact feature sets can vary by model year and region, but Touring is commonly the most equipped version you can buy without stepping into a performance variant.
- LX
- Sport
- EX
- EX-L
- Touring
For most buyers, Touring represents the culmination of the standard, road-ready Civic experience, offering extras like a larger display, enhanced interior features, and additional comfort and convenience items compared with the base trims.
Performance variants and the ultimate flagship
Beyond the regular lineup, Honda offers sport- and performance-oriented Civics that sit above the standard Touring in emphasis and price. These include the Civic Si and the high-performance Civic Type R, with Type R serving as the top-spec, track-focused model.
- Civic Si: a sport-tuned variant with more dynamic driving characteristics and typically a manual transmission.
- Civic Type R: the performance flagship, with a turbocharged engine, aggressive tuning, and track-oriented features.
In short, if you’re shopping the broad, non-performance Civic lineup, Touring is the top trim. If you want the fastest, most aggressively tuned Civic, the Type R is the ultimate choice, with the Si offering a middle ground for sportier driving.
Summary
Overall, Touring is the top-of-the-line trim within the regular Honda Civic lineup in recent model years. For maximum performance, the Civic Type R stands above all other Civics, while the Si sits between Touring and Type R as a sportier option within the standard range.
