Mitsuoka M55 RS: The $56K Manual Honda Civic with Retro Muscle Car Styling for 2026

Japanese automaker Mitsuoka has unveiled the M55 RS, a retro-styled Honda Civic with manual transmission, exclusive aesthetics, and a premium price tag. The limited-edition model marks the latest in Mitsuoka’s line of Civic-based muscle car impersonators, blending nostalgia with modern performance.

M55 RS: A Manual Civic with Muscle Car Flair

The M55 RS is a manual-only variant of Mitsuoka’s M55 series, featuring a sportier focus than its predecessors. Following the sold-out M55 Zero Edition (2024) and the extended M55 1st Edition (2025–2026), the RS leans into a driver-focused design while retaining the brand’s signature retro muscle car aesthetic.

Note: The M55 RS is not based on the Civic Type R. Instead, it uses the Honda Civic RS as its donor vehicle, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS). Power is sent exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox. Mitsuoka has not adopted the hybrid e:HEV RS variant with its simulated gearbox.

Exterior Design: Muscle Meets Retro

The M55 RS retains only the doors, windows, and roofline from the donor Civic. The front and rear ends are fully redesigned to evoke classic American muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger and Japanese sports cars such as the “Kenmeri” Nissan Skyline. The result is a five-door fastback with a bold, retro silhouette.

The RS stands out with:

• Special badging and exclusive color options:
• Shore Blue Metallic
• Nardo Grey
• Redesigned alloy wheels (specifications undisclosed)
• Identical front splitter and rear spoiler to the standard M55

Interior Upgrades: Bespoke Touches for Enthusiasts

The cabin features Mitsuoka’s signature ringed leather seats with:

• RS embroidery and contrasting red stitching
• Leather gearknob with red accents and carbon-style inserts
• Mitsuoka emblem on the steering wheel

Other interior elements, including the dashboard, infotainment, and switchgear, are carried over from the donor Civic RS.

Limited Production and Premium Pricing

Mitsuoka will produce just 55 units of the M55 RS for 2026, with no confirmed plans for future production. Pre-orders open on April 24, 2026, exclusively through Mitsuoka dealerships in Japan.

The M55 RS carries a price tag of ¥8,888,000 ($55,700), making it:

• ¥1,320,000 ($8,300) more expensive than the CVT-equipped M55 1st Edition (250 units planned for 2026)
• Double the price of a standard manual Honda Civic RS, which starts at ¥4,398,900 ($27,600) in Japan

Mitsuoka’s M55 RS (top) vs. M55 1st Edition (bottom).

"Mitsuoka continues to prove that nostalgia sells—and enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium for a car that looks like it’s from another era."