When the FE1 Honda Civic Si first went on sale just a few years in the past, individuals tended to like the way in which it drove and the way in which it seemed, however they complained it was lacking out on sure options the automobile ought to have completely had. Stuff like a full-digital gauge cluster, an LED shift indicator (from the Sort R) and heated seats had been notably absent from the U.S.-spec model of Honda’s scorching sedan. With the Civic’s 2025 facelift, these options are all normal on the Si. Oh, completely happy days.
To me, that is proof that bullying works. Honda noticed everybody and their moms complaining about how the Civic Si in different markets like Canada bought these options and determined to close us up by simply giving them to us. These new — and really welcome — additions in tandem with nicer wheels, revised entrance and rear fascias, a extra inflexible physique and barely retuned suspension make the already unbelievable Civic Si simply that little bit higher. By higher, I imply it’s one of many budget-friendly driver’s automobiles you should buy right this moment.
Full Disclosure: Honda flew me all the way down to Nashville, put me up in a swanky resort and handled me to the whole lot the Music Metropolis needed to provide simply so I might drive the refreshed Civic Si.
Certain, it’s nice that Honda added far more normal gear to the 2025 Civic Si, however that’s all pointless if it’s not a enjoyable automobile to drive. I’m completely happy to report the brand new Si is certainly a particularly enjoyable automobile to drive with two main highlights. Even when you ignore the $31,345 base worth (together with vacation spot), there are only a few automobiles which might be stronger handlers or have a greater shifter really feel than the 2025 Si.
Each single shift up and down the usual six-speed handbook gearbox is tight and crisp. Throughout my drive, I discovered myself shifting even after I didn’t must due to how great of an expertise the transmission is. To make you seem as a good higher driver than you already are, the 2025 Civic Si comes with auto rev-matching downshifts, now accessible on each gear — older FE1s didn’t have it on the second-to-first shift. The system completely blips the throttle each single time, and passengers who don’t know the rev-matching is automated are going to suppose you’re an important driver. Because the revs climb, so does the depth of the gauge cluster–mounted shift lights. On the 6,600 RPM redline, they flash and beep, letting you recognize to shift up and benefit from the expertise once more.
The opposite large spotlight of this automobile is the way in which it steers and goes round a nook. As with each Civic Si, the steering really feel is unbelievable. It’s completely weighted, particularly within the Sport mode which provides it some further heft that I fairly like. You get tons of suggestions via the small-diameter steering wheel, letting you recognize the place the sting of adhesion is with out ever having to second guess whether or not or not you’re about to start out understeering.
This excellent really feel additionally interprets to the chassis and physique management. Honda upped the Civic Si’s rigidity for 2025, making it even tighter than it was earlier than. I drove this automobile within the moist and dry, and even at larger speeds it’s simply so rattling confidence-inspiring that you just by no means need the twisties to finish. There are only a few sedans — no matter worth — that go round a nook even half in addition to the Civic Si. I imply that.
The best way this automobile drives is so goddamn good that you just’ll nearly overlook you aren’t shifting very quick. One of many few parts of the Civic Si to not see any modifications for 2025 is the powerplant. It’s the identical turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 used within the pre-facelift automobile, nonetheless placing out 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. That will not sound like a lot (as a result of it isn’t, particularly in comparison with the competitors), but it surely’s loads for this automobile. Honda says the 2025 Civic Si nonetheless weighs underneath 3,000 kilos even with its added gear. That’s fairly an achievement.
Anyway, due to its light-weight traits and unbelievable dealing with setup, the Civic Si thrives as a momentum automobile. Certain, it takes a bit bit to rise up to hurry — about 6.8 seconds to 60 mph when you’re actually good at shifting — however when you’re going, the sensations you’re feeling are just about second to none. When people discuss “sluggish automobile quick is healthier than quick automobile sluggish,” I normally inform them to close up and cease being nerds, however the Civic Si provides loads of credence to that argument. It actually doesn’t sound sluggish both. For 2025, Honda added some enhanced faux engine noise that makes the Si sound a hell of rather a lot just like the Civic Sort R. I’m normally not a fan of this kind of stuff, but it surely sounds fairly convincing.
The 2025 Si’s inside acquired just a few extra options and a few considerate updates due to the bullying Honda went via for not simply giving them to us within the first place. The massive ones come within the type of a ten.2-inch LCD gauge cluster, pulled from different Civics and the Acura Integra, that replaces the outdated half-LCD-half-analog gauge cluster the U.S.-spec Civic Si was saddled with. Like in all of its different functions, the cluster is fairly customizable and very straightforward to make use of. You may set it to indicate the entire data your little coronary heart might ever need. It’s actually a welcome addition.
The second large addition is the heated entrance seats. That’s proper child, now even the U.S. will get heat asses up entrance. Toasty butts are now not reserved only for Canadians. See, you guys, bullying works. Typically automakers really hearken to what journalists and prospects need. It’s a fantastic factor to observe occur. Fortunately, the addition of warmth is the one factor that’s modified concerning the in any other case beautiful fabric bucket seats.
For about $32,000, it’s onerous to discover a comfier, extra well-bolstered seat. Certain, it might be good in the event that they had been electrically adjustable, however that may most likely push the Civic Si over 3,000 kilos, and no one desires that.
On the tech facet of issues, Honda added Google Constructed-In to its 9-inch touchscreen, which integrates the Play retailer, Google Maps and Google’s dogshit assistant factor, if that’s one thing you’d be into. The Si additionally comes with a complementary three-year knowledge plan to maintain all of this working, however as soon as that’s over, you’ve bought to pay up. Honda additionally added two USB-C ports up entrance, and who doesn’t love that? (Particularly as a result of there’s no wi-fi charger accessible.)
Apart from that, the Civic Si’s inside stays the identical for 2025, not that there’s something fallacious with it. The Civic has among the best non-luxury interiors you should buy right this moment, so I’m not precisely damaged up over the truth that Honda didn’t fuck it up. Just about the entire supplies really feel beautiful, and also you and three of your adult-sized associates may have no drawback becoming within the automobile. Headroom is ever so barely restricted within the rear seats for me at 6-foot1, however apart from that, each seat (apart from the bitch seat within the center) is comfortable sufficient for a chubby grownup. There’s even loads of room within the trunk to your stuff and issues. Who might ask for extra?
The one actual modifications on the surface for 2025 are a revised entrance fascia that’s meant to look a bit extra aggressive, a darker tint to the taillights and a brand new matte-black wheel design. You’ll be hard-pressed to see these variations except you’re some kind of Civic nerd, however that’s OK when you ask me. The eleventh technology Civic has all the time been a good-looking little automobile in each sedan and hatchback kind, and that continues to be true for the brand new automobile. There are not any choices accessible for the Si, simply white or grey paint for $455 — crimson and black are normal.
People, the up to date Civic Si is a beautiful little sedan. It has all the time been for the reason that FE1 first hit the scene, but it surely’s simply very nice to see an automaker hearken to its prospects about points (that had been small, admittedly) and treatment them. With the addition of key options like a greater gauge cluster, a extra well-sorted suspension, heated seats and sick-ass shift lights, the Civic Si went from being among the best low-cost fanatic automobiles you should buy to a automobile that’s punching effectively above its weight class no matter worth.
