2018 Honda Civic Si

Overview

Not only is the Civic Si among the best performance values in the country, we named to our 10Best Cars for 2018 list. As with all Civics, the Si versions have practical interiors and competitive cargo storage. Too bad all of these hi-po Hondas are so highly stylized inside and out, a trait that divides us concerning their design. Still, the Si captivates enthusiasts with its solid chassis, manual-only transmission, and 205-hp turbo four-cylinder engine. The Si's bang for your buck is nearly unbeatable.

What's New for 2018?

Other than a starting price increase, the Civic Si coupe and sedan enter 2018 without any alterations or enhancements.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Civic Si is powered by a 205-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that sends its power to a smooth-shifting six-speed manual gearbox and then on to the front wheels. The engine makes its 192 lb-ft of torque fairly low in the rpm range, but there's a bit of turbo lag at low revs, so you’ll still want to keep the tach above 3000 to feel the engine in its full glory. The Si is light enough that you’ll rarely want more power—it sprints to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds—even though some of its competitors offer more horsepower. The Si is that rare example of a car that can drive like a little terror when you want it to but also cruise placidly when you don’t. You’d be hard pressed to find another front-wheel-drive car that handles this well with a ride this compliant.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The interior of the Civic Si is relatively spacious and comfortable, but the lack of option packages means that drivers can't do much personalization. Automatic two-zone climate control is standard, and there are touches of leather on the steering wheel and shift knob. The heavily bolstered cloth front seats are superbly supportive, but they might feel cramped to larger drivers. The Si sedan has about as much trunk space as similarly sized coupes and sedans, but it can’t match the hatchback version or rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI for cargo room. The Si has an impressive amount of cubby space and there's a center console with cupholders that slide to expose the deeper storage below.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Civic Si’s infotainment system is light on flashy features, but it has the ones we care about the most. 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, including a subwoofer. The Si comes with the frustrating HondaLink infotainment system from the standard Civic. We’d happily live with the slow reaction times if the system were a little more intuitive, but there’s no easy way to direct-tune radio stations, and volume is adjusted via an infuriating touchscreen slide instead of a knob.

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.