Even with only 200 horsepower, the Civic Si is the best driving experience in its class.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Honda didn’t need to change much on the Civic Si to keep it relevant. The update for 2025 includes some minor cosmetic changes and the company also improved the chassis, making it even better to drive.
The Si is more expensive than its competition and has less power, but the Civic consistently ranks as one of the best-selling cars in Canada and the U.S. More power wouldn’t be unwelcome, but the Si feels well-balanced the way it is. The refresh is indicative of Honda’s focus on engineering and form over function and maintaining the stellar reputation the car already has.
The original Si hatchback was a far cry from what it is today. It was the beginning of Honda bringing small and simple performance cars across the pond. The Si had a retuned suspension, thicker sway bars and only 91 horsepower. It wasn’t much even for its time, but it was still 20 more than a base Civic thanks to fuel injection. The car was as simple as it comes, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t sophisticated. It had precise steering, well-sorted handling and an eager motor that was happiest at the top of its rev range.
Other competitors were more powerful and better equipped, but none could match the quality of the Honda. It was well put together and as reliable as the sunrise. It was also easy to drive and park, and it was fuel efficient. Nearly all of these things still apply to the Si 39 years later.
The infotainment touchscreen takes a refreshing back seat because most of the controls are physical.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The new Civic Si is one of the most expensive cars in its class, but the price tag doesn’t feel unjustified. I just drove the updated Jetta, which has a nice interior, but the one in the Civic feels a class above. There are big buttons that are easy to use when wearing gloves, and the climate control dials have a satisfying click when you turn them. The Civic’s interior is an ergonomics clinic, and the infotainment touchscreen takes a refreshing back seat because most of the controls are physical. It’s an interior that will feel fresh for years after the allure of shiny fake buttons and touchscreens wears off.
The main controls are even better. The steering gives real feedback, and the brakes have a firm, reassuring pedal feel. You can point the Si’s nose exactly where you want it, and it willingly complies. You steer with your fingertips, and there’s always a good sense of what’s happening under you. Honda has baked so much goodness into the Civic’s chassis, and the Si takes full advantage of it. It’s an easy car to drive quickly and has one of the best manual gearboxes in the world.
The Civic Si comes in a six-speed manual with front-wheel drive.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
There’s only 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque in the hopper, which puts it at the bottom end of the segment, and it’s not like the chassis couldn’t easily handle at least 50 more horsepower. The Jetta GLI, another fine sports sedan, has more power and substantially more torque, but that doesn’t make it the better car. The VW is also cheaper, but I’d still take the Si. It’s a car I’d consider owning, whereas the GLI would make a great option to lease.
Honda has always been an engineering-first car company, and it’s evident in the 2025 update, which amounts to a new bumper and a subtle garnish under the headlights. There are also new smoked taillights in the back and new wheels, but you might have never noticed any of it if I didn’t tell you. The more significant changes are the ones you don’t see, like stronger suspension and subframe mounts and additional structural supports that stiffen the chassis even more. Honda claims all sorts of benefits, like added refinement and better collision performance. They also claim an improved ride, which I can confirm feels more compliant than it did before.
If you consider the Si based solely on its price tag, competitors have it beat, but the Honda is still the best to drive and the one I’d recommend without hesitation.
Tech specs
2025 Honda Civic Si
- Price as-tested: $35,800 plus $1,966 for freight, pre-delivery inspection and fees, plus tax
- Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged inline-4 cylinder
- Horsepower / torque: 200 / 192
- Transmission / drive: Six-speed manual / front-wheel drive
- Curb weight: 1,360 kilogram
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 8.7 city; 6.4 highway; 7.7 combined
- Alternatives: Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX, Golf GTI
There are new smoked taillights, but they are hard to notice.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Looks
The grille is new, and it’s now shared with all the other Civics, and there’s a new bumper with a small gloss black lip. You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference.
Interior
There are even fewer changes inside, but they did get rid of the old-style USB ports for the newer USB-C ones in the centre console. The Si has great seats that are supportive yet very comfortable on a long drive. The U.S. models get added content this year, like shift lights above the gauge cluster and heated seats, but the Canadian-market Si has always had them, and we also get dual-zone climate controls and a heated steering wheel.
The Si has great seats that are supportive yet very comfortable on a long drive.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The Si is better at maintaining momentum through a series of corners than it is at straight-line speed. Coupled with a great gearbox and an eager engine, it’s a lot of fun to drive.
Technology
Civics are about as simple as they come, but the Si gets selectable drive modes, including a custom mode that lets you pick your combination of steering and engine responsiveness. You can now also turn off the fake engine sound in the settings.
Cargo
The trunk has 408 litres of space, which is a bit more than the Volkswagen Jetta.Kunal D'souza/The Globe and Mail
The Civic has 408 litres of space in the trunk, which is a bit more than the Jetta, and it also has more room for rear passengers.
The verdict
Simple and efficient with the best driving experience in its class.
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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