Japan’s Most Head-Turning Manual Civic Looks Nothing Like the Honda You Know

As an efficient commuter car, the Honda Civic isn’t really a vehicle that wows with its styling or remains burned into your brain after it’s driven away. 

Even in its most potent guise, it’s still a pretty conservative sedan. While the Type R treatment means it benefits from a big wing and looks like it’s spent a little time in the gym, it’s hardly a dramatic transformation.

Mitsuoka

That’s where aftermarket outfits like Mitsuoka come in. Having taken the world by storm with its vision of a muscle-inspired Civic back in 2023, the Japanese coachbuilder is now returning with another rendition that’s like no Honda you know.

A muscle-inspired Civic RS

It’s called the M55 RS, and it represents the latest chapter in Mitsuoka’s efforts to give the eleventh-generation Civic some classic visual appeal. After first unveiling the concept in time for its 55th anniversary, the outfit has since kept its order books full with runs of Zero and First Editions.

Mitsuoka

Like its predecessors, then, the car takes inspiration from 1970s classics in a way that blurs the lines between Skyline and Charger. While the Civic shows through in the profile, otherwise, it makes for a pretty convincing old-school facade.

Now, Mitsuoka’s changes don’t extend deeper than the squared-off sheet metal. However, in keeping with the new RS designation, it’s now based on Honda’s Japanese-market Civic RS.

Mitsuoka

Specifically, the gas version. On the road, power comes from a 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter engine rather than the brand’s 2.0-liter e:HEV hybrid powertrain.

While this means that the RS doesn’t bring a performance increase compared to past M55 creations, Mitsuoka has given it a few choice updates as part of the designation. 

In addition to making the only transmission option a six-speed manual, the outfit is offering the M55 in two new exclusive colors (Shore Blue Metallic and Nardo Grey). Predictably, there’s also plenty of special badging, and Mitsuoka has given the throwback interior some slick red accents to complement the fancy digs. 

Mitsuoka

This is nothing for Mitsuoka

If you weren’t already familiar with Mitsuoka, the coachbuilder is a name that deserves to be on your radar. 

That’s because, as eye-catching as this Civic-based overhaul may be, it’s ultimately small potatoes compared to some of the Japanese outfit’s other projects.

Mitsuoka

From straightforward Porsche Speedster replicas to the lengthy La Seyde made famous by a cameo on The Grand Tour, Mitsuoka’s efforts span a wide variety of years, makes and models.

Some, like the Orochi, proudly (read: divisively) stand apart as something unto their own. Others, such as the Miata-based Rock Star, attempt to bridge the worlds of Japanese reliability and American flash.

Regardless of whether Mituoka’s creations align with your particular tastes, you have to admire the commitment. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this kind of recreation amounts to high praise.  

Mitsuoka

Availability and pricing

As Mitsuoka operates in Japan and the M55 RS is based on Honda’s JDM Civic RS, unfortunately, it’s not destined to reach U.S. shores.

That’s probably for the best, as it’s set to be a hot commodity, and it comes at quite a premium over a regular Civic. Mitsuoka will be building just 55 examples for 2026, and each one will start at ¥8,888,000 (roughly $55,000).

Mitsuoka

Mitsuoka M55 RS

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