Textual content by Tim Healey
2026 Honda Civic Si
Overview
Generally, ageing platforms really feel, nicely, previous. And typically, the entire bundle is so nicely executed that the automobile feels as recent as a pleasant spring rain.
So it’s with the 2025 Honda Civic Si.
It doesn’t damage the Si that the Civic, irrespective of the trim, is likely one of the strongest compact vehicles available on the market. Even with a platform that dates again to 2021.
Getting older, however not previous
Take a powerful platform, add a touch of spice and an additional pedal, and you’ve got a recipe for a front-drive sleeper sport sedan that can fulfill drivers with out punishing commuters.
It’s even priced affordably, assuming sellers don’t get grasping and go nuts with markups.
Engines
Underhood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that places out 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Outdated-school gearheads rejoice: Honda doesn’t even allow you to assume about getting an computerized transmission. It’s both six-speeds and row your personal, or choose a unique Civic trim.
Visceral expertise
Honda does ask for somewhat little bit of sacrifice within the title of enjoyable. The Si at all times feels a bit excessive strung, even when engaged in mild cruise at freeway speeds. It’s a tick louder, largely by way of engine noise, than your garden-variety Civic. It is advisable get the RPMs to actually get into one of the best a part of the powerband, and it’s a superb factor the gearbox is so pleasant to work with, because you’ll have to downshift for passing.
Guide transmission
A minimum of the clutch isn’t a torture system in visitors–it’s typically mild, although there may be sufficient resistance that you may simply discover the engagement level. Cease-and-go visitors received’t have you ever questioning your life–or, on this case, trim–decisions.
Experience and dealing with
Honda has dialed the steering in properly. It feels good and heavy, if not somewhat too synthetic. The automotive strikes sharply in corners, with precision and little or no physique roll. Normally you could pay double the value and have half the doorways for dealing with like this.
A limited-slip differential is a part of the deal, and it helps maintain launches easy, with torque steer lowered.
The brakes are as much as the duty when wanted, with little fade after prolonged onerous use.
Heat seats
Honda inexplicably eliminated heated entrance seats from the Si for 3 mannequin years, however the firm has seen the error of its methods and returned the function as commonplace. Perhaps some govt was exiled from Honda’s American HQ in SoCal to Ohio, dwelling of the Accord, for a winter.
Nonetheless, you do have to surrender somewhat bit within the title of reasonably priced efficiency. Neglect leather-based seats, for instance.
Connectivity
You additionally must cope with Honda’s frustratingly outdated infotainment system. It’s not probably the most confounding system available on the market, and it’s simple sufficient to study, however Honda is miles behind the competitors on this space.
The raised center-stack infotainment display additionally mars an in any other case eye-pleasing sprint design.
Sedan solely
As a matter of practicality, the Si is sedan-only. If you would like a hatchback, you’ll have to spring extra for the mechanically related Acura Integra, which is the Civic’s platform-mate.
When you do have to sacrifice some goodies on the altar of velocity–one other instance includes the tires*, that are summer-only and would require a twice-yearly swap for Snow Belters–you continue to get sufficient comforts to make the Si a viable every day driver. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Bose audio, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and computerized local weather management are commonplace.
*If you would like all-seasons, merely don’t choose the HPT bundle.
Security tools
Customary energetic driver-assist methods embrace forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping help, adaptive cruise management, blind-spot info, and rear cross-traffic monitoring.
Costs
The usual worth for my check unit was $30,250. Add $455 for the City Grey paint and $1,095 for the vacation spot payment, and that’s a whole lot of velocity, plus a lot of the desired creature comforts, for $31,800. Once more, if sellers aren’t marking up the Si. Even a 2025 mannequin nonetheless on tons may get the dreaded ADM (Further Vendor Markup) therapy.
For 2026, the Si is basically carryover from 2025.
Gas financial system
Gas financial system is listed at 27 mpg metropolis, 37 mpg freeway, and 31 mpg mixed.
Worth
The Honda Civic Si is an virtually good automotive for fans who need a sports activities automotive however want sedan utility–and don’t have deep pockets. It’s not fairly as civilized in commuting obligation as the marginally costlier Volkswagen Jetta GLI, nor does it really feel as spacious. But it surely’s probably the most reasonably priced, no less than leaving supplier greed out of the combination, of the 4-cylinder, four-door, reasonably priced sport sedan class.
The platform is sort of sufficiently old for kindergarten, which is becoming since it is a automotive that lets out the inside youngster. However age is only a quantity, and this automotive nonetheless has its fastball.
Tim Healey is an skilled automotive journalist and editor. He’s had bylines at Client Information, Web2Carz.com, AutoGuide.com, and elsewhere. Most just lately, he was the managing editor at The Fact About Vehicles. He additionally dabbles in sports activities with bylines at Combating Irish Wire and Da Windy Metropolis. He lives in Chicago.
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