Every 2025 Honda Engine Ranked By Horsepower

If you’re leaning towards a Honda for your next sedan, coupe, SUV, or pickup, the information below should serve as a useful recap of what you can find under the hood for the 2025 and 2026 model years. From Civic to Prelude, we’re ranking every Honda engine available this year by horsepower, and listing the models where you can find each of them.

We check in on a highly-rated hybrid engine that’s seeing more use across the lineup, and a pair of V6s whose similar specifications hide a key technological difference deep inside. These days, Honda’s powerplants are capitalizing on rock-solid foundations laid decades ago, but adding new systems and technologies for a careful evolution.

The reputation of Honda engines is largely linked to their pioneering efforts with advanced valvetrain technologies, which are alive and well in the lineup today. The early Honda NSX made this technology popular, with early VTEC systems designed to provide a high-RPM power boost triggered by a hotter camshaft profile that could be engaged when required to open up full breathing potential for maximum performance. Later takes on this technology were more advanced and resulted in the new Variable Timing Control (VTC) system’s use in many applications. The VTC system works valve timing on a stepless, dynamic basis to make the powerplant more responsive across a wider range of situations. Today, Honda uses VTC alongside older and more proven valvetrain setups to help engines deliver the improvements to fuel economy and performance that shoppers expect.

Here’s what you can find on dealer lots today.

8

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder With Atkinson-Cycle Capability

150 horsepower / 133 lb-ft

With 150 horsepower kicking off our list, it’s the 2.0-liter four-cylinder you find in the Civic Sedan and Hatchback. This entry-level engine is anything but basic upon a closer look at the technologies inside. Specifically, advanced valve timing control capabilities allow this high-compression powerplant to run in a low-compression Atkinson-cycle mode on the fly, reducing the workload and saving fuel. This powerplant is part of the Honda K-Series family, which is well known for its long-standing blend of durability and fuel economy. According to a Reddit discussion, many owners agree that this engine won’t win you any races, but it can definitely get you to all of them.

7

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder i-VTEC

158 horsepower / 138 lb-ft

You find this slightly more powerful version of the K20C2 engine next on our list, with 158 horsepower in the HR-V. Though the powerplant code is shared between this version and the Atkinson-equipped variant in the Civic range, the HR-V’s engine is configured differently. In this application, the K-series uses conventional multi-point fuel injection and a less-complex valve timing system that isn’t capable of switching in and out of the Atkinson cycle. The compression ratio is lower, too. This particular mill is proven and is rated well by owners for the balance of fuel economy and reliability, as well as being easy to care for.

6

1.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Turbo

192 horsepower / 192 lb-ft

This is one of the most mature engines on this list. Part of the L-Series family, which dates back to the 2001 Fit, the bones of this powerplant have been around for 25 years. Now highly evolved and turbocharged, you find the latest version of the L-Series 1.5-liter turbo under the hood of the latest Accord and CR-V. You can no longer find this engine under the hood of up-level Civics, as it’s been replaced by the more efficient hybrid engine instead. Still, turbocharged Civics remain available, but only on high-performing models. Read on.

5

1.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Turbo

200 horsepower / 192 lb-ft

We arrived at 200 horsepower with the help of the slightly spicier version of the L15 four-cylinder turbo. For the Civic Si, a few tweaks to the valve timing system, compression ratio, and fine-tuning of the engine generate a bit more power and response, complete with up to 17.8 psi of boost from the turbocharger. This variation of the powerplant is exclusive to the Civic Si, which is a great performance bargain.

4

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder Hybrid

200 horsepower / 232 lb-ft

The LCF2 engine is a 2.0-liter hybrid four-cylinder gas engine that represents the latest in Honda hybrid tech. The two-motor system recharges the vehicle’s battery automatically as you drive around, and also works as the car’s transmission. This engine has strong low-end torque, a pleasing sound when worked hard, and is smooth and snappy.

Available in hybrid versions of the CR-V, Accord, and Civic this year, Honda is rolling this engine out across more of their product lineup these days as more shoppers than ever are hybrid-curious. This type of setup makes its own electricity automatically while you drive. There’s no plugging in necessary. You also find this driveline in the all-new Prelude, incoming for 2026, supported by a wide range of automaker’s best-yet handling goodies.

3

3.5-Liter V6 SOHC i-VTEC

280 horsepower / 262 lb-ft

This is the first of two V6 engines on this list. They’re practically twins, but there’s a major technical difference between them. With 280 horsepower, the J35Y6 is part of the J-Series engine family, which dates back to the 1990s. This particular variation is the less advanced version of the powerplant. You can find it in the Ridgeline and Odyssey.

Each version of Honda’s current J35Y6 engine has an 11.5:1 compression ratio, direct injection, and Variable Cylinder Management to shut down cylinders on the fly. The main difference comes down to the valvetrain. The Ridgeline and Odyssey spec V6 engine has an earlier single-cam i-VTEC system that’s proven, simple, and familiar.

2

3.5-liter V6 DOHC VTC

285 horsepower / 262 lb-ft

Virtually the same V6 is used for the Pilot and Passport, though the latest valvetrain layout is applied to replace the older SOHC i-VTEC system from the previous entry. Instead, for the J35Y8 configuration, the 3.5-liter V6 runs the latest tech by way of the dual VTC system, making it the more advanced and slightly more powerful Honda six-cylinder.

The high-tech and direct-injected V6 brings the powerplant to new levels of efficiency and power, compared to its predecessors. Variable Cylinder Management, used on both versions of the Honda V6 engine, allows cylinders to be shut down on the fly when not needed.

1

2.0-Liter Four Cylinder Turbo

315 horsepower / 310 lb-ft

The appeal of the K-Series engine extends far beyond a single machine, and it’s an aftermarket tuner’s dream, too. It’s in the top position on our list with 315 horsepower in the Civic Type R, which ships with an arsenal of motorsports-derived upgrades and specialized tuning to create the ultimate Civic experience. The highest-performing engine on our page ships with 25.2 pounds of boost at the driver’s disposal. Is there anything Honda can’t do with a K-Series?

Sources: Honda