--- title: "2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Now Offers Manual Transmission on Its Highest Trim" description: "The five-door Civic also gets new wheels and a bigger screen on the Sport trim." date: "2019-08-15" modified: "2019-08-15" authors: - name: "Chris Tsui" job_title: "Contributor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/29424/2020-honda-civic-hatchback-now-offers-manual-transmission-on-its-highest-trim" categories: - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Civic" - "compact" - "Hatchback" - "honda" --- # 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Now Offers Manual Transmission on Its Highest Trim Honda has announced tweaks to the 2020 [Civic]() Hatchback and headlining the changes for enthusiasts is the availability of a six-speed manual transmission on the car's top-of-the-line Sport Touring trim level. Previously, the [manual gearbox]() was only offered on the Sport which means hatchback Civic buyers can finally have a clutch pedal *and* the nicer infotainment system; they were previously forced to choose one or the other. This may or may not be in response to the fact that Honda, despite the manual's supposedly waning popularity, [reportedly]() sold more row-your-own's in 2018 than it did in 2017. It's also a nice contrast against Mazda's decision to restrict the Mazda3's manual [to just the top-trim, front-wheel-drive, hatch model.]() ![message-editor%2F1565892150418-2020\_honda\_civic\_hatchback\_sport\_touring\_0022.jpg]() **Honda** Depending on how good you are at spotting minor visual differences between cars, you might notice the cosmetic revisions Honda has leveled at the 2020 Civic hatch. The black [fake vents]() in the front and rear bumpers now feature a body-colored bar slashing through 'em. Oh, and if you look closely at the ones up front, you'll notice that they aren't really fake vents anymore as [Honda]() has done away with the admittedly tacky faux-air vent hexagon motif and have just left them as plain, black plastic slabs. The rears, however, remain phonily vent-y and hexagonal. Honda has also given the liftback compact new wheel designs and new interior patterns on all trims as well as a smidge of mascara, darkening the headlights which now feature wider and longer LEDs on the Sport Touring trim. ![message-editor%2F1565892201648-2020\_honda\_civic\_hatchback\_sport\_touring\_056.jpg]() **Honda** Continuing with the trim-specific value enhancements, the EX model receives an eight-way power driver's seat and leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. The Sport trim now gets the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto instead of the dinky non-touch, 5-inch LCD unit it's been saddled with before. Sport-level Civics also benefit from keyless entry, push-button start, and remote start. The base 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback starts at $22,580 including destination. Those interested in the newly-available manual Sport Touring should prepare to pay $28,980. ![message-editor%2F1565892274671-2020\_honda\_civic\_hatchback\_sport\_touring\_001.jpg]() *Honda* ![message-editor%2F1565892409408-2020\_honda\_civic\_hatchback\_sport\_touring\_012.jpg]() *Honda* ![message-editor%2F1565892434345-2020\_honda\_civic\_hatchback\_sport\_touring\_017.jpg]() *Honda* ## Author Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto. ### Author social links [Instagram]()