Text by Tim Healey
2026 Honda Civic Si
Review
Sometimes, aging platforms feel, well, old. And sometimes, the whole package is so well executed that the vehicle feels as fresh as a nice spring rain.
So it is with the 2025 Honda Civic Si.
It doesn’t hurt the Si that the Civic, no matter the trim, is one of the strongest compact cars on the market. Even with a platform that dates back to 2021.
Aging, but not old
Take a strong platform, add a dash of spice and an extra pedal, and you have a recipe for a front-drive sleeper sport sedan that will satisfy drivers without punishing commuters.
It’s even priced affordably, assuming dealers don’t get greedy and go nuts with markups.
Engines
Underhood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that puts out 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Old-school gearheads rejoice: Honda doesn’t even let you think about getting an automatic transmission. It’s either six-speeds and row your own, or select a different Civic trim.
Visceral experience
Honda does ask for a little bit of sacrifice in the name of fun. The Si always feels a bit high strung, even when engaged in gentle cruise at highway speeds. It’s a tick louder, mostly in terms of engine noise, than your garden-variety Civic. You need to get the RPMs to really get into the best part of the powerband, and it’s a good thing the gearbox is so delightful to work with, since you’ll need to downshift for passing.
Manual transmission
At least the clutch isn’t a torture device in traffic–it’s generally light, though there is enough resistance that you can easily find the engagement point. Stop-and-go traffic won’t have you questioning your life–or, in this case, trim–choices.
Ride and handling
Honda has dialed the steering in nicely. It feels nice and heavy, if not a little too artificial. The car moves sharply in corners, with precision and very little body roll. Usually you need to pay double the price and have half the doors for handling like this.
A limited-slip differential is part of the deal, and it helps keep launches smooth, with torque steer reduced.
The brakes are up to the task when needed, with little fade after extended hard use.
Warm seats
Honda inexplicably removed heated front seats from the Si for three model years, but the company has seen the error of its ways and returned the feature as standard. Maybe some executive was exiled from Honda’s American HQ in SoCal to Ohio, home of the Accord, for a winter.
Still, you do have to give up a little bit in the name of affordable performance. Forget leather seats, for example.
Connectivity
You also have to deal with Honda’s frustratingly outdated infotainment system. It’s not the most confounding system on the market, and it’s easy enough to learn, but Honda is miles behind the competition in this area.
The raised center-stack infotainment screen also mars an otherwise eye-pleasing dash design.
Sedan only
As a matter of practicality, the Si is sedan-only. If you want a hatchback, you’ll need to spring more for the mechanically similar Acura Integra, which is the Civic’s platform-mate.
While you do need to sacrifice some goodies at the altar of speed–another example involves the tires*, which are summer-only and will require a twice-yearly swap for Snow Belters–you still get enough comforts to make the Si a viable daily driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Bose audio, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and automatic climate control are standard.
*If you want all-seasons, simply don’t select the HPT package.
Safety equipment
Standard active driver-assist systems include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot information, and rear cross-traffic monitoring.
Prices
The standard price for my test unit was $30,250. Add $455 for the Urban Gray paint and $1,095 for the destination fee, and that’s a lot of speed, plus most of the desired creature comforts, for $31,800. Again, if dealers aren’t marking up the Si. Even a 2025 model still on lots could get the dreaded ADM (Additional Dealer Markup) treatment.
For 2026, the Si is essentially carryover from 2025.
Fuel economy
Fuel economy is listed at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined.
Value
The Honda Civic Si is an almost perfect car for enthusiasts who want a sports car but need sedan utility–and don’t have deep pockets. It’s not quite as civilized in commuting duty as the slightly more expensive Volkswagen Jetta GLI, nor does it feel as spacious. But it’s the most affordable, at least leaving dealer greed out of the mix, of the 4-cylinder, four-door, affordable sport sedan class.
The platform is almost old enough for kindergarten, which is fitting since this is a car that lets out the inner child. But age is just a number, and this car still has its fastball.
Tim Healey is an experienced automotive journalist and editor. He’s had bylines at Consumer Guide, Web2Carz.com, AutoGuide.com, and elsewhere. Most recently, he was the managing editor at The Truth About Cars. He also dabbles in sports with bylines at Fighting Irish Wire and Da Windy City. He lives in Chicago.
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