Textual content by Tim Healey
2026 Honda Civic Si
Assessment
Typically, ageing platforms really feel, effectively, previous. And typically, the entire package deal is so effectively executed that the automobile feels as contemporary as a pleasant spring rain.
So it’s with the 2025 Honda Civic Si.
It doesn’t harm the Si that the Civic, irrespective of the trim, is among the strongest compact vehicles available on the market. Even with a platform that dates again to 2021.
Getting older, however not previous
Take a robust platform, add a splash of spice and an additional pedal, and you’ve got a recipe for a front-drive sleeper sport sedan that may 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 Outdated-school gearheads rejoice: Honda doesn’t even allow you to suppose about getting an computerized transmission. It’s both six-speeds and row your individual, or choose a unique Civic trim.
Visceral expertise
Honda does ask for a little bit 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 when it comes to engine noise, than your garden-variety Civic. You have to get the RPMs to essentially get into the very best a part of the powerband, and it’s a great factor the gearbox is so pleasant to work with, because you’ll have to downshift for passing.
Handbook transmission
No less than the clutch isn’t a torture gadget in site visitors–it’s usually mild, although there’s sufficient resistance that you would be able to simply discover the engagement level. Cease-and-go site visitors received’t have you ever questioning your life–or, on this case, trim–selections.
Journey and dealing with
Honda has dialed the steering in properly. It feels good and heavy, if not a little bit too synthetic. The automotive strikes sharply in corners, with precision and little or no physique roll. Normally it is advisable to pay double the worth 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 decreased.
The brakes are as much as the duty when wanted, with little fade after prolonged arduous 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 characteristic as normal. Possibly some govt was exiled from Honda’s American HQ in SoCal to Ohio, house of the Accord, for a winter.
Nonetheless, you do have to surrender a little bit bit within the title of inexpensive efficiency. Overlook 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 straightforward sufficient to be taught, 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’d like a hatchback, you’ll have to spring extra for the mechanically related Acura Integra, which is the Civic’s platform-mate.
Whilst you do have to sacrifice some goodies on the altar of pace–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 normal.
*If you’d like all-seasons, merely don’t choose the HPT package deal.
Security gear
Normal energetic driver-assist programs embody forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping help, adaptive cruise management, blind-spot data, and rear cross-traffic monitoring.
Costs
The usual worth for my take a look at unit was $30,250. Add $455 for the City Grey paint and $1,095 for the vacation spot payment, and that’s lots of pace, 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 heaps may get the dreaded ADM (Further Seller Markup) therapy.
For 2026, the Si is basically carryover from 2025.
Gas economic system
Gas economic 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 lovers who desire 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 dearer Volkswagen Jetta GLI, nor does it really feel as spacious. Nevertheless it’s probably the most inexpensive, at the least leaving supplier greed out of the combination, of the 4-cylinder, four-door, inexpensive sport sedan class.
The platform is nearly sufficiently old for kindergarten, which is becoming since this can be a automotive that lets out the interior baby. 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 Shopper Information, Web2Carz.com, AutoGuide.com, and elsewhere. Most lately, he was the managing editor at The Reality About Automobiles. He additionally dabbles in sports activities with bylines at Preventing Irish Wire and Da Windy Metropolis. He lives in Chicago.
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