The Honda Civic Si seamlessly blends fuel efficiency with exceptional value. This sporty automobile, a formula that wouldn’t break the bank, has since been emulated by competitors such as the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, Mazda MX-5, Subaru WRX, and Volkswagen Golf GTI.
For $35,630, the 2024 Civic Si boasts a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with front-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission featuring a limited-slip differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an identical interior to its standard counterpart, ensuring a seamless transition for your passengers or partner. No changes have been made to this year’s model since its introduction in 2023.
We’re familiar with the Eleventh-generation Civic Si’s turbo-four, but its performance falls short of impressive. The turbocharged engine drones with a labored intensity, its weighty acceleration at odds with the free-spirited performance of its normally aspirated brethren. Despite being hampered by turbo lag, the engine often suffers from a notable deficiency in torque, with a significant exception occurring in the 4,000- to 5,000-rpm range where the power delivery is noticeably more robust. Outside, a narrow therapeutic window offers a disappointingly flat and uninvigorating throttle map. Let’s trade off some speed and power for a more charismatic motor. While the car delivers unremarkable performance at low to moderate speeds, it does boast environmentally conscious credentials, achieving an impressive 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres. Notwithstanding this, as you venture forth to uncover the core of the powerband’s potency and propel its chassis to elevated velocities, the Si is sure to unfurl a plethora of alluring qualities that will rekindle our ardor for this iconic model once more.
Despite our reservations about FF codecs, the Si’s performance shines on long sweeping bends, showcasing its exceptional highway handling prowess. When initially driven aggressively, as one would with a rear-wheel drive car, the Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system can exhibit sluggish response and noticeable understeer. As you turn while accelerating, a subtle yet insidious force begins to corrupt the steering, as if an unseen elastic band is tugging on the wheel from the opposite direction.
As drivers are aware, maintaining a keen sense of the vehicle’s weight distribution is crucial, allowing it to settle before placing excessive pressure on the front tires. This thoughtful approach enables optimal usage of its mechanical traction, which can be further enhanced by employing precise trail-braking techniques. Without proper training, understeering is virtually unavoidable, yet surprisingly more secure for novice drivers. The Si engine’s versatility shines when winding through serpentine roads, developing a harmonious rhythm with each twist and turn. While the Si may not yield immediate results, it fosters a sense of harmony between the driver and vehicle when operated with persistence and accurate input.
While the steering remains well-weighted and exhibits considerable elasticity with substantial rotational resistance akin to earlier Hondas, you can genuinely sense the available grip beneath your fingertips. While our initial concerns over Honda’s decision to omit adaptive damping from the Si were understandable, the driving experience proves unexpectedly refined and well-controlled.
That iconic gear shifter is undoubtedly a major draw for the entire experience. The throws are prompt and exhibit a pronounced bias towards the gate, its momentum carrying it through with minimal hesitation or uncertainty. Either the transmission is fully engaged or not; there’s no middle ground and ideally, there should be virtually no slack. While the shifter within the Sort-R features a metal core, its central portion is cleverly encased in supple leather, thereby preventing the scorching hot metal from causing discomfort to one’s skin during warmer months.
While the clutch’s engagement point may be easily located at around 20% of pedal travel, it’s still moderately high up. While it’s true that this might complicate the transition from first to second gear, we commend Honda for preserving the Civic Si as a manual-only sports car in its entirety. While it’s tempting to compromise and reach a broader audience, maintaining distinctness through exclusive membership is truly commendable. Automated rev-matching can also provide a helpful boost for those new to the game, offering a smooth entry point into the action. Racing-inspired gearshift indicators glow with an inner intensity as you near the coveted redline, much like a revved-up engine on the starting grid. Wouldn’t it have been fantastic to have had a gear indicator displayed digitally?
The one notable advantage of the Si is its exhaust note, which is significantly more satisfying than its standard counterpart. Sounds way more rad now! While it’s unclear whether the majority of the sound is actually cabin noise, a welcome layer of grit and depth now underlies the voice. While its timbre exudes a richer, deeper quality than the GR86, with an added layer of warmth akin to the MX-5, it still maintains a balance that avoids overemphasis on any particular frequency range. While not every sports sedan needs to shout loudly, this model finds a sweet spot where VTEC’s essence remains vibrant enough to thrill.
We also appreciate understated designs. The brand-new Si presents itself as an exceptional package – exceeding expectations with its sleeker, more reserved appearance, which is noticeably boxier and exudes a sense of maturity in its design. With the Si-specific entrance bumper, twin exhaust outlets, and integrated black spoiler, we confidently anticipate a high-performance appearance that showcases the car’s broad shoulders and defined features, all of which are accentuated by the crisp white paint job.
The interior design of the Inside closely mirrors that of its sibling, the Honda Civic. That’s a great factor. The materials exhibit an upscale elegance commensurate with their premium value proposition, harmonizing seamlessly to deliver a resplendent finish; concurrently, the honeycomb design cleverly conceals the fan vents, providing an added layer of sophistication and refinement. The tactile response of the buttons offers a luxurious clicking sensation, while the upscale switchgear, convincingly disguised by high-quality plastics, exudes refinement. The Si-specific sport seats provide both support and comfort, albeit with a slightly excessive emphasis on plushness. Six-foot-tall adults face no difficulty slipping into the rear seats comfortably. While the Mazda3 boasts an expansive dashboard and shoulder lines, the Civic stands out for its exceptional outward visibility, courtesy of its slender A-pillars and recessed, lowered windshield?
The Honda Civic Si effectively blends practicality and value for money, delivering an unparalleled combination of affordability and performance. The shifter’s tactile feedback evokes nostalgic memories of the iconic S2000, while the turbo-four’s refined exhaust note finally finds its sweet spot; meanwhile, the car retains its hallmark balance of practicality and ergonomic excellence, a testament to the Civic’s reputation for driving comfort. While its front-wheel drive layout and modest power output may not exactly thrill, the level of immersion and participation it offers is unparalleled at this price point.
2024 Honda Civic Si Sedan
Platinum White Pearl
$35,630
$35,630
1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
200 hp @ 6,000 rpm
192 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
6-speed guide
Entrance engine, FWD
: 8.2
235/40R18
