2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan

As much as we like the Civic Si in coupe form, Honda just hit a tape-measure shot with the newly-unveiled Civic Si Sedan that was first previewed as a concept at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year. We're so pleased, that we almost forgive them for witholding the Civic 5-Door and 3-Door from the US market. Almost -- but that's a gripe for another day.
The Civic Sedan is a better looking car than the coupe, so it's not surprising that the Si treatment looks great here. The transformation is very straightforward. Take one Civic sedan, add the Si mechanicals, interior, and visual cues, and voila! -- you now have a high-revving sport sedan that carries four in comfort.
If you're concerned that the sedan's added weight will make it less enjoyable fret not: it only weighs 60 lbs more than the coupe. Winding the Si's 197-hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC up to its 8,000 rpm redline through the 6-speed manual should be as fun as ever. Factor in the snazzy looks and the more practical bodystyle and ladies and gents, we have a winner.
(Pics, Press release after the jump)
[Source: Honda}








PRESS RELEASE:
The Award-Winning Civic Lineup Expands to Include Civic Si Sedan and the Only Natural Gas-Powered Passenger Car Available to Retail Consumers in the U.S.
TORRANCE, Calif. – The eighth generation, 2007 Honda Civic features a well-equipped and technologically-advanced Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe lineup highlighted by an environmentally-responsible Civic Hybrid, a dedicated natural-gas powered Civic GX and an ultra-sporty Civic Si Coupe and Sedan.
Nearly identical mechanically to the Civic Si Coupe, the Civic Si Sedan features a high-performance 197-horsepower i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential and a sport suspension. Also of note, a dedicated natural gas-powered version of the Civic debuted mid-year 2006.
The Civic represents an extreme transformation of design and dynamics while establishing new segment standards with clean and efficient i-VTEC engine technologies and advanced standard safety equipment like side curtain airbags and the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure.
The most noticeable features of the Civic include its expressive exterior styling, a high-tech and spacious interior, and fun-to-drive performance. The Civic further rewards drivers and passengers with as many as seven ways to listen to audio entertainment – including XM® Satellite Radio, MP3/auxillary input jack and WMA support and an accessory iPod® adapter that connects the popular music player to the Civic's audio controls.
Designed with a sweeping roofline and a sleek windshield angle, the Civic conveys an advanced one-motion profile with a low, wide stance. Available in two distinctive body styles with four engine choices and four transmissions, the Civic represents one of the most diverse vehicles in the automotive industry with 183 combinations of models, trim levels and color variations.
In keeping with Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, standard safety equipment includes Honda's exclusive ACE Body Structure for enhanced vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility and collision energy management. The ACE Body Structure enhances frontal collision energy management through a network of load bearing structures in the front of the vehicle. Conceived around "real world" safety, this newly developed front-end frame structure incorporates new upper and lower frame members to significantly enhance energy dispersion in a frontal collision. In addition, the Civic provides a long list of standard safety equipment including side curtain airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front head restraints and a 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Honda's commitment to safety extends to pedestrians as well as vehicle occupants. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, the Civic's hood and fender areas are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian.
Honda stylists and engineers prioritized sophistication to create a high-quality, advanced and sporty interior space with the latest technology, storage areas compatible with the latest electronics and innovative styling. More standard features and new available features like a voice activated navigation system highlight Honda's dedication to elevating the interior of the Civic to an entirely new level.
A two-tier instrument panel positions priority gauges, like the speedometer, up high in the driver's field of vision. The body width allows the seats to be wider and more supportive, and a spacious multi-function center console accommodates up to 20 compact discs and performs armrest duties for both front occupants.
The latest generation of the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on Si, Hybrid and EX models and features a 6.5-inch motorized display that opens and closes for access to the internal single-disc CD player and a new digital audio card reader that can play MP3 and WMA files from CompactFlash® and similar media via a PC card adapter. The navigation system features more than 7 million points of interest and the voice activation can control the navigation menus and the audio system, along with entering city and street names.
All Civic audio systems provide as much as 350 watts through seven speakers on EX Coupe and Si models, including an external amplifier and 8-inch subwoofer. All Civic audio systems have MP3/WMA CD playback capability. Auxiliary audio input jacks are standard equipment on LX and above trim levels allowing for portable music device playback through the car's speakers. XM Satellite Radio is standard on navigation-equipped EX, Si and Hybrid models. The Civic LX Coupe models have a six-speaker 160-watt audio system with a single-disc CD player (four speakers for the LX sedan). All audio systems feature Speed-Sensitive Volume Control (SVC) that automatically adjusts the volume based on vehicle speed. Audio displays include CD/MP3 text readout, and the coupe provides a customizable welcome screen (non-navi).
Civic Si Sedan and Coupe
The Civic Si Sedan embraces the styling and performance of a Civic Si Coupe, marking the first time that "Si" performance is available in the Civic Sedan. Similar to the recently introduced Civic Si Coupe, the Civic Si Sedan will serve as another performance halo for the Civic line-up with a 197-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC 2.0 liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine with an 8,000 rpm redline, mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission. The 139 lb-ft. of torque @ 6100 rpm adds to the high-performance characteristics. Helping to put all that power to the ground is a helical-type, limited slip differential for improved traction and cornering performance.
The Civic Si Sedan showcases the performance potential of the Civic platform to the highest degree. It can carve through twisty roads like a sports car, sprint from 0 to 60 quickly and still provide the everyday practicality of a Civic with its legendary quality, refinement and durability. Its exclusive exterior features a low-profile rear spoiler wing, aero cladding and Si emblems. Its sporty interior has deeply bolstered seats, red fabric stitching and unique trim panels. The Civic Si Sedan chassis has 17-inch dark silver alloy wheels, 215/45R17 high-performance tires (summer tire available), and 4-wheel disc brakes.
Civic GX
Based on the award-winning 2007 Civic, the ultra-clean Civic GX produces near zero emissions, makes owners eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit and can be refueled with a convenient home refueling appliance, "Phill" (available through qualifying Honda dealers in California). The Civic GX is the only dedicated natural gas-powered passenger car available to retail customers in the United States.
The Civic GX achieves an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated city/highway fuel economy of 28/39 miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent. Currently natural gas is approximately thirty-five percent less expensive than gasoline when purchased at a refueling station, and can be more than 50 percent cheaper than gasoline when supplied by a Phill home refueling appliance.
Natural gas fuel is an ideal lower-cost alternative to gasoline and is primarily a domestically produced fuel with a price that has proven to track below that of petroleum fuels. Proclaimed the "cleanest internal combustion engine on Earth" by the EPA, the GX is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. The Civic GX meets these strict emission standards, as natural gas is a clean-burning fuel. Natural gas-powered vehicles are part of Honda's energy strategy to offer the best available technology for the reduction of air pollution and petroleum dependence and serves as an enabling technology for hydrogen fuel cell cars in the future.
Civic Hybrid
The Civic Hybrid provides clean and efficient technology to deliver the highest fuel economy of any 2007 Civic and most environmentally-responsible gasoline powered Civic ever. A new generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist® (IMA®) technology helps the Civic Hybrid achieve an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 49/51 miles per gallon.
The Civic Hybrid is equipped with Advanced-Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) equipment in all 50 states and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard equipment. The Civic Hybrid can deactivate all four of its cylinders and operate using only the electric motor in certain low-speed cruising situations. Power is provided by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a 20 horsepower electric motor, producing a combined 110-horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 123 lb-ft. torque @ 1000-2500 rpm. Compared to a 2007 Civic Sedan with an automatic transmission, the Civic Hybrid provides a city fuel economy increase of approximately 63 percent and a highway fuel economy increase of approximately twenty-seven percent. These impressive statistics have garnered from the 2006 World Car of the Year award jury, "The Greenest Car."
Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe
Rich with features, the Civic Sedan and Coupe provide a long list of standard equipment across its entire trim level lineup with high quality audio systems, intelligent ergonomics and innovative storage functionality. The award-winning Civic has earned the prestigious "North American Car of the Year" award and Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" accolades in 2006.
The majority of Civics are produced and assembled using domestic and globally sourced parts in the United States and Canada. Civic Coupe and Civic Si models are solely produced and assembled at the Honda of Canada Manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ontario. Civic Sedan models for the U.S. are primarily produced and assembled at the Honda of America Manufacturing plant in East Liberty, Ohio. Civic Sedans are also produced and assembled at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. Some Civic Sedans and all Civic Hybrid models are produced and assembled in the Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Suzuka, Japan, manufacturing facility.
All fuel economy figures based on 2007 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary.







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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Josiah 9:12AM (9/01/2006)
Lack of AWD makes me sad :(
What is this going to be priced at?
If it's well below the price point for a WRX I can understand.
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vitas 12:30PM (3/12/2007)
The rear spoiler is hideous! Hope I can get the car without it. Other than that, looks great.
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Rob 9:20AM (9/01/2006)
i likey! except for the slightly tacky spoiler thingy on the trunk, it looks great. i got a chance to drive my sister's (regular) civic ex while i was down in austin a couple of weeks ago, and i loved how it looked and drove. while she had to add herself to a waitlist and pay almost sticker for it (the demand down there for it was THAT good) i think it was worth it. can't wait to see these on the streets :)
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epilonious 9:24AM (9/01/2006)
I dunno. I'm not a big fan of Honda's "let's squeeze an insane amount of power out of this 2.0 litre with balance shafts and VTEC" school of race design. While it's impressive, all that power is in the last 1000 RPM's and you need to work the 6-speed gear-box and basically time shifts off the rev limiter to utilize the power... and usually, the low end performance is afflicted making the cars horrible daily drivers requiring lots of extra shifts and clutchwork. I also can't stand that two-level console with digital speedometer (it's nearly impossible to tell your speed if it's winding up quickly) and I don't know why they felt the emergency brake needed to be closer to the driver than the shifter...
But, while it's not for me, it's nice to see Honda recognizing the market for practicality brought by two doors and extra rear headroom. This will probably appeal to the buyers looking for a sportesque ride that still need to occasionally carry people-n-things.
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Sid 9:29AM (9/01/2006)
Will this be cheaper than the Mazdaspeed3? It doesn't stand a chance when it comes to performance.
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aardvark 9:31AM (9/01/2006)
Finally! i've got 230k miles on my Integra GS-R Sedan, and haven't been able to find a car that has matched it's blend of fun and practicality. The fact that I'm partial to Honda didn't make the search any easier.
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djbango 9:36AM (9/01/2006)
good bye TSX
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Dave T. 9:48AM (9/01/2006)
it should be priced exactly like the Si Coupe.
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me 10:48AM (9/01/2006)
Well, it is good they are announcing this right after their Civic coupe got one of the lowest IIHS side impact rating I have seen, for a car with side airbags. Now at least you can get an Si that is close to as safe as they advertise they are.
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srivendel 5:57PM (9/01/2006)
It wasn't the IIHS test, it was NCAP, which is a different test from IIHS. Stop spreading rumors that aren't true. The coupe earned 3 starts in the NCAP government test. "One of the lowest ratings I've seen" makes it sound like the sky is falling. It's not. Stop trying to scare people. IIHS hasn't tested the coupe, but the sedan earned 5 stars.
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Michael Karesh 10:06AM (9/01/2006)
Something about the Si appeals to me. Certainly not the instruments, which I hate. But as long as it was a coupe, I could never think of buying one. A 5-door would be best, but a sedan might do.
Odds are the powertrain will disappoint me during the test drive. I've driven the Acura RSX before, and this is a similar engine in a similarly heavy car. I generally like peaky engines--I find the Mazda RX-8 plenty fun to drive--but the RSX engine didn't do it for me. Maybe the Si will feel different.
Has anyone driven both? How do they compare?
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Rhinopolis 1:47PM (5/28/2008)
I've owned a 99 civic si, an 03 rsx-s, and I just bought an 08 si sedan. The 03 rsx had a great top end, decent power around town between 3k and 4k rpms, and the handling made the car my pride every day i drove it. I've already noticed the new si to be more lively down lower in the rev range, and the fact that i can now cruise (with some level of torque!) in fifth gear around town at low speed makes it way more livable. The handling is as sharp as i expected, and 4 doors means i will be able to grow into the car should i one day have a family. I've only put 170 miles on the car and haven't gotten above 4.5k rpms yet, but once i break it in, I'll expect the same top end as the rsx-s. It feels so well put together, and as all high reving Hondas go, it constantly pulls on you to go harder. Even though there are faster ones out there, this is a very entertaining "do everything well" car. Great handling, easy to mod, reliable, economical, great resale, and fairly quick. With 4 doors now? SOLD!
Michael Karesh 10:09AM (9/01/2006)
Someone asked how the price would compare to the WRX and MazdaSpeed3. Answer: significantly lower, at least sticker to sticker. It's easier to get a decent discount on the WRX than the other two cars.
To compare prices:
http://www.truedelta.com
Only 2006 Civic in there now, but the 2007 sedan shouldn't be more than $500 over the 2006 coupe. So compare the 2006 coupe to the 2007 MS3 and 2006 WRX, and you'll get a pretty good idea of how the prices compare.
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AnonymousInsights 10:35AM (9/01/2006)
Was looking at a Civic and a Mazda 3. Wasn't too impressed to drive a 140hp Civic. Also, was looking at the TSX. This will definitely our next car. Definitely less expensive than a TSX and priced equivalently with a Mazda 3 and would look nice next to our 06 Pilot.
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AnonymousInsights 10:34AM (9/01/2006)
Just noticed no dual pipes. What up with this? And I thot this was NEAR perfect for me!
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djSyndrome 10:35AM (9/01/2006)
"Will this be cheaper than the Mazdaspeed3? It doesn't stand a chance when it comes to performance. "
Of course it will. The Si coupe runs for 20 grand, and the sedan will probably be around the same. And no, it doesn't stand a chance against the Mazdaspeed 3, nor is it meant to - it's only natural competitors on the market right now are the GTI and WRX. If I was paying the extra three grand for the 3, I would *expect* better performance.
Why don't you get off your Mazda3 soapbox for a moment and realize that not every car on the market is a natural competitor for it?
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Dave T. 10:36AM (9/01/2006)
No offense Michael but where are you guessing on the prices? It shouldn't be ANY more than the Si Coupe. That would keep it a few thousand less than the Mazdaspeed3.
Have you driven the Si Coupe? It's exactly the same powertrain. And worlds above the RSX in terms of handling refinement in my book.
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me 10:47AM (9/01/2006)
Maybe he was making the point that the better interior and the better engine in the Mazdaspeed 3 is worth a measly 3 grand! Don't be cheap when you need to keep a car awhile, you will regret it. These Si/RSX engines are nice in high rev ranges, but they suck for everyday driving where actual torque is needed to feel powerful.
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james f. 10:40AM (9/01/2006)
If this car doesnt come with an auto(like perhaps the paddle shift from the fit) than its a mistake to make it. Not to say Id want one. My brothers non si civic sedan is nicely sized yet incredibly minivanesque in feel and drive. It has nice features that just don't quite "come together" and ultimately a vehicle thats less than the sum of its parts. Lacking the slick fit n finish of the 3 or the driver centrality of the wrx this sedan SHOULD be priced less than the ms3 or a wrx yet at the end of the day arrogant honda dealers(y'know all of them) will be within a hairs breath of either superior(for the money) car.
And whats with that spoiler? Did pontiac have a design leftover from the early ninties or something?
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Fazzster 10:40AM (9/01/2006)
Having owned 89 CRX Si, 99 Civic Si, 02 S2000 and a 03 Civic Si I have to say I am a Honda fan. But when the 02 WRX came out I crossed party lines and became a Subie fan. Nothing beats the bang for the buck of the WRX. I loved it so much I picked up the 06 with the much improved 2.5L engine. Sure, Honda makes better quality interiors but i will take all wheel drive, Subies solid chassis and fast fast acceleration any day!
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