In the United States, the Honda Civic Si has been on our streets since the mid-1980s. Sure, other vehicles wore the “Si” badge, but it was the Civic that made it truly popular here because it personifies the idea of a hot hatch or a spicy economy car.
Honda
Honestly, it can do it all. It looks nice, has giggle-inducing power, handles like it’s glued to the tarmac, and gets great gas mileage. In this class, the 2025 Honda Civic Si is one of the more affordable offerings out there. As great as this little street fighter is though, perfection is still a few steps off.
Honda
Reason to love it #1: That engine is sweet
The only engine option is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. That’s good power for a vehicle weighing just under 3,000 lbs and allows the little guy to spring from 0-60 mph in the mid-six-second-zone.
The 1.5 is a tad raspy for some, but you know it’s no ordinary Civic the moment you power it on. Despite the macho engine swagger, the efficiency is impressive with an EPA rating of 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
Honda
Reason to love it #2: Macho transmission
You can get the 2025 Honda Civic Si with any transmission, as long as it’s a manual. Yup, for enthusiasts out there, it is time to rejoice. This excellent six-speed gives us short, positive throws, and an easy clutch. In addition, it has rev-matching tech, which makes the driver sound and feel more like an expert when rowing through the gears.
Honda
Reason to love it #3: A brilliantly tuned suspension
We don’t get a fancy suspension setup this year but the compromise is quite good. The sport-tuned suspension on the Civid Si has MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear suspension. Being that the Si has a stiffer chassis, with rigid upper suspension and subframe mounts, it doesn’t shudder like its lesser brethren. It also has stiffer rear suspension mounts and new supports on the lower B-pillar and even along the rear door-sill.
There is little tradeoff as the ride is just firm enough, without feeling jittery. Even potholes and bumps are easily handled; you hear them, but the physical drama is well muted. The highway ride is quite good, and the cornering grip is outstanding.
Honda
Reason to love it #4: It’s quite a bargain
With a starting price of just over $31,000, you get a lot of car for the money. Among the other vehicles in this class of beefed-up compact cars, the Honda Civic Si is one of the least expensive vehicles in this bracket. Mind you, if you want its fire-breathing brother, the Civic Type R, that will cost you about $16,000 more.
Acura
Reason to think twice #1: Yeah, that transmission option…
There are a lot of people who want the performance, but simply do not want to shift their own gears. Even for those who know how to use a manual, driving one in traffic can be a pain. As such, many lament the lack of some sort of automatically shifting transmission. If it’s that important to you you can get similar power out of an Acura Integra and its continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a few thousand more.
Honda
Reason to think twice #2: It doesn’t feel that special
Sure, it has bigger wheels, a small spoiler, and larger exhaust tips, but it still looks like a regular Civic to me. Not that it’s ugly (it isn’t) – it just lacks presence. The red-accented interior with the new 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, looks good. The seats are comfy, and seat heaters are now standard. Even the 9.0-inch infotainment system receives upgrades too.
It’s like they wanted the interior to be special, but the exterior to look a lot like a regular Civic. Still, not everyone wants a vehicle with “boy-racer” looks. There’s a new color for this year too, called Urban Gray Pearl which looks nice, but is a bit subdued on the Si.
The bottom line for me is simple: this is a bargain that gives you a fun, economical daily ride. Sure, it’s low on power compared to much of the competition, but its price and personality make up for a lot of that.
About the author
Nathan Adlen
Contributing Writer, Autoblog