2019 Honda Civic Si

Overview

Not only is the Civic Si among the best performance values in the country; we named it one of our 10Best Cars. While it shares that award with the Civic Sport and the Type R hatchbacks, the Si is the only one of the three that is available as either a coupe or a sedan. 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 attractiveness—or lack thereof. Still, the Si enthralls enthusiasts with its ethereal chassis, manual-only transmission, and 205-hp turbo four-cylinder. Its acceleration isn't as spellbinding as its ride and handling, but the bang for your buck is nearly unbeatable.

What's New for 2019?

For 2019, the Si version looks the same on the outside but adds some new and much appreciated bits on the inside. Its previously frustrating touchscreen interface now features a volume knob for the audio system (hallelujah!) and physical buttons. Likewise, the climate control receives a hard button for fan speed. Honda also increased the size of the Si's cupholders, simplified the steering-wheel controls, and updated the switch for the electronic-parking brake. The sedan can now be painted Platinum White Pearl, and the coupe can be sprayed in Tonic Yellow Pearl. The summer-tire package is no longer available from the factory, but those who want the extra grip can order a set from the dealer.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Eager chassis, fun power-to-weight ratio, high performance at a low, low price.
Dislikes: We miss the high-revving Honda engines of old, less power than quicker rivals, awkward clutch action.

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 manual transmission is a joy to row. The Si is powered by a 205-hp turbocharged four-cylinder that sends its power to a six-speed manual gearbox and then on to the front wheels. Once you've found the torque, zipping around in the Si is a gas. The car is light enough that you'll rarely want more power—the coupe version we tested sprinted to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds—even though some of its competitors offer significantly more horsepower. And once you've mastered the springy clutch, the transmission and the engine play well together.

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. While it shares its basic underpinnings with the regular Civic, it has a stiffer suspension, standard 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 it corners and how much feedback comes through the nicely weighted steering wheel. The version we tested needed 159 feet to stop from 70 mph with its optional summer tires.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

In theory, the Si offers the best of both worlds. It's a blast to drive and earns almost 40 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. In our real-world fuel-economy test, the Si fell 2 mpg short of its government rating during our test, but its 36-mpg result matches the effort of a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Low-slung seating height, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, super-useful center console.
Dislikes: Sport seats won't please everyone, slow touchscreen response time, hatchback rivals have more cargo space.

The interior of the Si is relatively spacious and comfortable, but the lack of option packages means that drivers are stuck with gaudy, narrow sport seats—a good fit for some, but not for others. Plus, the Si's rear spoiler impeded rearward visibility in our tests, and some of us found it tacky. The Si sedan has an extra 1.5 inches of rear legroom compared with the coupe, but even the coupe has more rear legroom than some four-door rivals.

The 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. The audio system also finally receives a volume knob, which instantly makes it more user-friendly.

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 Golf GTI for real-world hauling prowess. Honda's clever small-item storage solutions carry over from the Civic; the Si has the most interior cubby space compared with similar rivals.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Civic Si performed very well in its crash tests, but new government guidelines have changed how awards are earned. None of the driver-assistance technology that is becoming the norm on new cars is available, but the enthusiasts who will flock to the Si may not care.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai has the best warranty in this class as it does in most others, but Honda's warranty closely tracks with the offerings of the Si's other competitors.

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance