The Honda Civic – including the Type R – has been discontinued in South Africa, bringing down the curtain on one of the Japanese brand’s most iconic nameplates…
- Honda discontinues Civic derivatives in SA
- Civic RS sedan & Type R hot hatch both gone
- Brand’s local arm cites “market dynamics”
Honda Motor Southern Africa has confirmed to Cars.co.za that the Civic RS sedan and Civic Type R hot hatch have been discontinued in South Africa, bringing down the curtain – locally, anyway – on one of the Japanese automaker’s most iconic nameplates.
As a reminder, global production of the Honda Civic – which is currently in its 11th generation – started way back in 1972 and continues today, meaning this model still serves as the Minato-based brand’s longest-running automotive nameplate.
In a statement issued to Cars.co.za earlier this week, Honda Motor Southern Africa confirmed that “both the Honda Civic and Civic Type R have been discontinued in the South African market”.
“Overall, this decision forms part of our broader strategy to focus our product portfolio on models that are better aligned with current market dynamics and consumer demand. In particular, the South African market continues to show a strong and growing preference for SUVs, and we are therefore placing greater emphasis on this segment going forward.”
From the 2nd quarter of 2023 until now, the local Civic range had comprised just a pair of derivatives: the Civic 1.5 RS CVT sedan and the FL5-series Civic Type R 6MT hatchback. The Civic 1.5 RS was last priced at R725 000, while the Type R hot hatch had been available for R1 021 600.
The RS-badged version of the Civic sedan employed a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which delivered 131 kW and 240 Nm to the front axle via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Civic Type R, meanwhile, had held the title of the local market’s most powerful front-wheel-drive hot hatch, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine generating 235 kW and 420 Nm. These peak outputs were channelled through a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Technically, the Civic entered the South African market back in 1982, though that version was badged in Mzansi as the Ballade – a nameplate incidentally discontinued locally (along with the BR-V) late in 2025. However, in 1996, the EK-series Civic hatchback was launched here alongside the closely related Ballade sedan.
For the next 30 years in South Africa, the Civic badge was used on both hatch and sedan models (as well as on a 9th-gen station-wagon iteration known as the Civic Tourer). The 11th-gen version touched down in August 2022, with the line-up limited to the Civic RS saloon. The FL5-series Civic Type R followed in April 2023.
In terms of local sales, Honda Motor Southern Africa reported only a combined Civic total to industry-representative body Naamsa each month, with 90 units registered in 2023. That figure increased slightly to 110 units in 2024, with our records suggesting 74 units were sold locally in 2025. A further 11 units were reported over the opening 7 months of 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why has Honda discontinued the Civic range in South Africa?
A: Honda Motor Southern Africa officially discontinued the Civic RS sedan and Civic Type R hot hatch to align its portfolio with local consumer demand, according to a statement issued to Cars.co.za. The brand says it is shifting its strategic focus toward the strongly growing SUV segment.
Q: What were the final pricing and peak outputs for the Honda Civic RS and Civic Type R in SA?
A: Before discontinuation, the Civic 1.5 RS CVT was priced at R725 000 and featured a 1.5-litre turbo engine producing 131 kW and 240 Nm. The flagship FL5 Civic Type R 6MT was listed at R1 021 600, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo engine sending 235 kW and 420 Nm to the front wheels.
Q: How long was the Honda Civic badge present in the South African market?
A: The Civic line has a 44-year legacy in Mzansi, beginning locally as the Ballade in 1982 before using the Civic nameplate in 1996. Over decades, the badge spanned hatchbacks, sedans, wagons and performance Type R models until its exit in 2026.
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