2017 Honda Civic Si

Overview

The Civic is a well-liked and respected member of the compact-car class, but its tuned-up sibling, the Civic Si, has inspired a completely different level of fandom over the years. The exterior differences between the base Civic and Si are seemingly minimal (if you can ignore the Si’s ghastly rear-deck spoiler), but the Si turns heads, as if it’s something far more extraordinary than its sub-$25,000 price would suggest. And, in fact, it is. By taking the body and soul of a normal, turbocharged Civic and adding adaptive dampers, a stiffer suspension, and 31 extra horsepower, Honda has created something new and almost entirely excellent.

What's New for 2017?

The Si is a new addition to the Civic lineup for 2017, eagerly awaited ever since the last version went out of production in 2015. The underpinnings and engine are largely shared with the regular Civic, but they’re modified specifically for this model.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

There’s only one available powertrain for the Civic Si, and it’s very good—although its small turbo engine does suffer from boost lag when the revs are low. The six-speed manual is a joy to row. The Si is powered by a 205-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that sends its power to a six-speed manual gearbox and then on to the front wheels. The engine makes its 192 pound-feet of torque fairly low in the rpm range, but you’ll still want to keep the revs above 3000 to feel the engine in its full glory. The Si is that rare example of a car that can drive like a little terror when you feel like it but also cruise placidly when you don’t. The Si shares its basic underpinnings with the regular Civic but has a stiffer suspension, adaptive dampers, and retuned steering. The ride is so smooth over rough roads that you could almost forget that the Si was designed for grander things. Dial up the intensity on a back road, and you’ll be impressed at how flat the Si corners and how much feedback comes through the nicely weighted steering wheel.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Civic Si's interior is relatively spacious and comfortable, but the lack of option packages means that drivers are stuck with gaudy, narrow sport seats, and the Si’s tacky rear spoiler impedes rear visibility. Automatic two-zone climate control is standard in the Civic Si, and there are touches of leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. The heavily bolstered, manually adjusted cloth front seats are superbly supportive, but they might feel cramped to larger drivers. The Si has about as much cargo space as its two-door coupe and four-door sedan competitors, but it can’t compete with hatchback rivals such as the VW Golf GTI for real-world hauling prowess. Honda’s clever small-item storage solutions carry over from the Civic.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The Civic Si is a new model for 2017, but it uses the balky HondaLink infotainment system from the standard Civic. We’d happily live with the slow reaction times if the system were a little more intuitive. The Si’s infotainment setup is light on flashy features, but at least it has the ones we care most about. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are two USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming. There’s only one available stereo, but it has 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Honda Civic Si’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.