An available six-speed manual transmission transforms the 2019 Honda Civic Sport into a fun-to-drive sedan for $22,070 before discounts.
On my commute home to work on Highway 27 one day last week in a 2019 Honda Civic Sport I had a zen-like moment.
The combination of a six-speed manual transmission and a sweet-sounding Honda four-cylinder engine made me feel like I was driving a car worth twice the money. Everything felt solid. The engine was quiet, but with the promise of an audible kick if I decided to downshift and shoot past slower traffic. Frankly, 158 horsepower never felt so good.
And that’s the beauty of the Civic Sport with a stick, which Honda thoughtfully supplied for a one-week Chattanooga test drive. It has that old-school Honda performance, with all the modern bells and whistles that youngsters demand, like Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
And now that Tennessee has a hands-free mobile phone law, what better way to occupy your right hand than with a leather-covered manual-transmission shift knob?
Fast facts
› Model: 2019 Honda Civic 4D Sport› Exterior color: Crystal Black› Interior color: Black› Engine: 2.0-liter, four-cylinder› Horsepower: 158› Transmission: six-speed manual› Fuel economy: 36 mpg highway, 25 mpg city› Local Dealer: Economy Honda› Price (as tested): $22,070