Honda announces pause on manual transmission for 2026 Civic Si and Integra A-Spec

Honda confirmed that the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine coupled with a six-speed manual transmission will be discontinued after the 2026 model year, ending the manual variant of the Civic Si and its Acura-branded counterpart, the Integra A-Spec. The company attributed the pause to "evolving business conditions," a phrase that points to tightening emissions regulations that favor automatic transmissions. Because manuals cannot be calibrated to meet precise fuel-efficiency and emissions targets, they have become a regulatory liability.

Honda also highlighted that the EPA has signaled future rule changes but has not yet finalized them for 2027, making it difficult to plan low-volume powertrain combos. Although the statement frames the change as a temporary pause, no timeline for a return has been given, suggesting the manual may stay absent unless consumer outcry grows. Remaining 2026 manual models are expected to command higher resale values as dealers capitalize on limited supply. The shift underscores a broader industry trend toward uniform, automatic-only drivetrains driven by regulatory and market forces.