Honda replaces displacement with a turbocharger and the result is a torque-rich Civic Si. We drive it on the streets of Maryland to test if its worthy of the Si badge.
I've been watching John since I was 8 years old. This man introduced me to so many cars and truly helped turn me into a gear head. I'll shed a tear when he retires.
First time I got behind the wheel a Civic Si, it was in 2009. That was a fun car, the high revving N/A 2.0 made for great cornering power. Then this came out, test drove one in Pearl white and brought it home the same day. I’ve put about 5,000 miles on it already, and I can say, this car even with a 1.5 non Vtec Turbo four cylinder. Is fun, practical and super efficient when treated right on a road trip. I’ve achieved 40+ MPG on road trips with mine already! It handles beautifully in corners, and doesn’t seem to hesitate when thrown in at higher speeds, slices corners like I’ve never experienced in any car in this class. I’ve been eager to see Motor Week’s review of the new Si, I wasn’t disappointed when I brought mine home. I’m glad to see the team wasn’t disappointed either!
Almost a year later and another 10,000 miles, I can still say, this is the best Si that I’ve gotten behind the wheel of. The perfect blend of a daily driver, and spirited driver either at the track or on the way home, the all season tires that come with from the factory (besides the summer tires) keep solid footing during all driving conditions. I did snag a set of stud less winter tires and wheels for PNW winter driving, those help the car be even more solid during the random acts of snow in the winter months in the SW Washington area. I’d love to see a long term follow up with the 2017 Civic Si, I would say I’m happy with mine, just curious as to what the staff thinks after some time and miles! I hope to see more reviews for a long time, I’ve been watching for as long as I can remember and have always loved the show. Great work Motor Week!!
Why do you love it? VTEC made Honda famous with its performance against Turbo engines. it simply requires a more engaging driving experience and more focus then a turbo or high displacement engine car. John Davis first should stop licking European ass before making a shot at VTEC fan boys.
@@BlayzedBlue old tech? Every manufacture used variable valve timing today! That's Honda tech! Honda fan boys have been boosting B and Ks for years now ..we know a dud when we see one...
I have owned Honda's for 30 years and this Si is by far the best. I don't miss VTEC and I don't miss high redlines with no torque. Honda is smart to adopt the small displacement-turbo philosophy and this engine does not disappoint. It makes plenty of usable power and I can easily achieve 40+ mpg on the way to work. Also this version of the 1.5L is not just a bigger turbo with more boost as the vid states. There are beefier internals and sodium filled valves among other things. You also get a limited slip dif and suspension bits from the Type-R. At $24K, you can't beat the value.
I agree. I had a 05 S 2000 before but don't miss the VTEC -- 6200 rpm on S2000 until the power comes on. While I miss the S2000 the Si is a great compromise with enough oomph and decent handling. Plus, with the sedan I can actually carry something.
XenomorphLV426 More likely it's your perception of what a card should be that is skewed? If all you look at is outright performance numbers... you're missing most of the picture.
I had an '04 S2000. I miss it like crazy, but now I have a wife and a newborn daughter. This car seems like a good compromise of a sporting S2000 spirit and Accord practicality.
Just bought that same red civic si in red! Canada gets LED lights and navigation. I have owned bunch of 8th Gen si and 1999 civic si and this is by far the best yet
It's 2017 and my 1993 Honda Prelude Si VTECH is just as quick if not quicker at 14.8 quarter mile. Glad I still have it with original 88K miles. Nice review John Davis.
Alex Levy the Si will win no problem vs a prelude stock for stock in the real world and not going based off magazine 0-60 times. I would know about the prelude since I have a heavily modded prelude that's NA.
My buddy just got one of these. My test drive of it seems to match up with your driving impressions. By the way, I like the music choice (for the first time ever, I totally love the background music!), forget the haters!
The only thing I question is the midrange torque. The K24 has a lot of torque and get up and go, so I’m not entirely sure where that remark came from. I know the L15 has more torque but still, it’s not like the K24 doesn’t have any either.
I don't like how BIG the Civic has become---you could make a case for it being a midsize car now. Unfortunately, the only Honda left in the compact class is the homely Fit, which looks like a 10 year old Chevy Aveo hatchback.
Yes, it does look like the old Aveo---I think most people would see the resemblance. And I never said that it performed like an Aveo, or that it has the same space dimensions inside. The Fit is ugly, big time.
@justsomeguytoyou _ The Honda Fit is the best in its segment and it is another Japanese car that sits right in front of European junks, like VW Polo which is a piece of shit German car. Ugly is your subjective distorted perception of the Fit, but you are objectively an idiot if you assess the Fit or any car by its looks ...
They obviously kept power down to make room for the Type R. This car is for those who want a daily driver that is quick on its feet and fun to drive. It does that very well. if are needy for more, get the Type R.
The problem with that is if you make the Si the perfect amount, you won't go after the Type R, which is what Honda wants you to do. It's smart business, nothing personal.
Same, the new Si has definitely grown on me a lot. I own a 2000 Civic SiR myself. Just to clarify the SiR/Si are both the same cars. In the US it's just the Si and in Canada/Japan it's called the SiR. However the newer generations do not carry the SiR name anymore, just Si.
There's big benefits of the Si. LSD, stiffer suspension with adaptive dampers, bigger brakes, etc. are pretty significant upgrades. An LSD on a fwd car is a particularly beneficial upgrade. It may not be all that much faster, but it will put power down much better in turns, and overall have much higher limits for probably not a much higher price.
How can people complain about that performance and gas mileage plus it comes in a manual with really attractive pedals. The type R is gonna be a beast.
I drove one, I thought it was really great for a daily. Great low end and mid range torque but not much on the top end. Interior was great, much better than a Focus ST. A golf GTI in Canada is about $35k, while one of these can be had for under $30k. If I was going to leave it stock, or close to stock, I would get this Civic. He is right about the clutch feel. There was no feel until about half way up, but it does start to bite after about 1/8th of moving the clutch up, but you only notice that on flat level ground. If you jump straight to roughly half way when releasing the clutch, then you get some feel.
I wanted, I really, really wanted to turn up my nose at this car for being a 1.5T, but this car is fun and better than my 8th gen in almost every way. Almost.
that's sad. an Si meant something as far as HP figures and DISPLACEMENT. they shoulda kept the VTEC(2.4), no TURBO, gave it a 7800 RPM and had the the HP @ 245/200ft tq that would been a nice Si
Why can't Acura use manuals anymore? Where's the integra version? I have a TL 6 speed man. But the its last Acura I'll buy unless they bring back the clutch pedal.
I had to look that up. Wow, they even dropped the ILX six speed. Oh well anybody that cares will get the Si or Type R. At least the NSX is back, I won't complain about the lack of a stick in that though, if I had the deep pockets for one I would not want a stick.
Did you not notice the rev hang? The bottom end power doesn't come close to the GTI or Focus ST. Everything else about the car is great. Great seats, handling, brakes, and steering. Definitely need to go 2.0T.
Sergio Aguirre been down the modding route. Always turns into stupid money and you would be voiding the warranty on an engine with no real history since it is so new. Wish it had the 2.0
Only thing I don't like are those plastic bumper vents. 15.2 in a daily car isn't that bad. I daily my Turbo Cobalt and even though it's faster it doesn't always matter in a daily commute.
I like his take on the "internet hate". As always, just a bit out of touch.. I personally don't "hate" this new SI. But it does seem very contrary to what SI's have always been. Not because the turbo. But because Si's have always been rev happy and exciting, this thing only revs to what, 6,500? And no Vtec?! How can you have an SI with no Vtec? But I get it, that's where the new Type R comes in.
Sergio, no need for the patronizing sarcasm. I'm aware of the boost rush, one of the more enjoyable cars I've had was an MR2 Turbo. I also had and AP1 S2000, and I've got to admit, the MR2's 2L Turbo was more usable day to day than the S2K. But the S was more exciting when revved out. Both were such great cars.. But I digress. That is what I suspect the Honda faithful are bemoaning online with this latest crop. Hondas have always had these fizzy, rev happy I4's. Like a Honda Sportbike on four wheels. But with the new Civic SI redlining at a sub par 6,500, it just seems odd... At least the Type R runs up to 7, on par. And has Vtec.. Yo.
I was expecting at least 220hp, I do understand it can't come anywhere near the Type R in power but come on.....220 is still a long ways off. At this point I feel this Si is a dud because of it. I do feel it will probably get a boost in power in the next few years but until then everyone will just want a Type R instead.
Honda underrated them. I have a ‘18 white sedan and these cars put about 200whp/215tq on dyno’s. Factor 10-15% for powertrain loss and your at about 220-230 hp and 235-250 tq. They’re fun haha I pulled with an ecoboost mustang from a 20 roll and was neck and neck. Absolutely love mine as a daily.
I considered this car but 200hp ain’t enough for me. Ended up with a focus st (270 hp). With incentives I only paid 26k for it. Brz made 200hp naturally aspirated and cost around this car with rwd. Idk guess it comes down to preference.
Sergio Aguirre now listen Honda fan boy all dude said was he considered one but bought a focus st instead and you get all butt hurt and start claiming 12s thru the qtr mile.....I bet u drive an automatic Accord with wheels and exhaust.....
The Si sedan looks WAY better. But like all new cars, too many electronics and too much refinement take away the real feel we all want. Nothing will EVER beat previous generation Si's. My personal favourite, the EK.
This sounds more like the kind of trance found in Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune rather than eurobeats from Initial D. The two are completely different electronic music genres.
Why were people bad mouthing this car, it was and still is a nice looking car though I wish it did came with automatic transmission cause I don't know how to drive a stick ( and yes a friend of mine tried to teach me how to drive a sick one his car which was a Civic and well I just couldn't do it)
I own a 15 9 gen si..test drove the 18 Si yesterday..wasnt impressed unfortunately..the clutch was awful..felt like nothing was there, made my stock 9 gen clutch feel like 100 pounds afterwards, the interior felt alot cheaper with fabrics and other things,they slacked alot..i love the 2 tier dash..and no ebrake handle is a bummer as well
The Si is suppose to be the Type R you can daily drive! Vtec snobs know a poor Civic when we see one. Turbo Honda engines were done by us VTEC snobs years before Honda did it. So...yea...the new Si isn't what makes Honda special...now it's more of a Toyota or an EcoBoost Ford..🤮
Nothing ruins a car more for me when they put fake plastic crap that if anything hurts the cars performance. And for 24k just starting out its kinda BS too have any fake cap for a supposed Economy car.
These are cool and affordable but not even close to fast. Just to give everyone an idea, a 5.0 Mustang running 20psi would be putting down around 1,000 horsepower. If you just want something peppy and never plan on upgrading a car, this would probably be fine, but just know that if you're looking for fast - this ain't it. My full size Toyota Avalon grocery getter would ass rape one of these like it was standing still. Why? It has a 3.5 liter V6 making 280 horsepower. The same engine used in a Lotus.
Is that supposed to be impressive or something? My car does the 1/4 mile in 14.2 seconds bone stock. If I ran 30psi I would pass him like he wasn't even there. Gas mileage - who gives a fuck. Handling - I'm sure it handles a bit better but not LOADS better. I had a Civic coupe and I take the same turns at the same speeds. This car handles surprisingly well, it just lacks road feel. Since it's a luxury vehicle it has a plush suspension, which isn't conducive to racing. I could care less since I still rape 99.9% of Civics and get 30 mpg highway doing it.
One of these tried to play with me on the highway yesterday, in my g37xs sedan. It didn't end well for the civic, even if my car weighed 1000 lbs more and had awd and automatic drag. I left him like he was standing still...
Sergio Aguirre Sorry, but that's not going to happen. This is an SI, not a type r. 14.8 seconds in 1/4. A tune and downpipe aren't getting it into the 13's, much less low 13's. This thing will always be slow.. To get this thing to 13.1 at 109, the tiny 1.5 liter would have to be built to boost over 30psi and the lag would be bad.
Infiniti GTI -- A mostly stock '00 EM1 sold for over $15,000 at auction not too long ago. How much will an ultra clean, mostly stock 10th gen go for eighteen years from now? $15k? Doubt it. These Si's have lost their charm.
Sergio Aguirre -- No one's talking about Type R Integras. The topic is the Si. Try to keep up. Will a 10th gen sell for 88% of its original value in eighteen years? I'll give you eighteen years to prove "no" wrong.
Sergio Aguirre -- Hello? Again with the Type R. The ITR was was a no-holds-barred unicorn that came with individual serial numbers it was so uncommon. The EM1 was not. You're not even comparing apples and oranges here. More like apples and walnuts. 59% is nothing to sneeze at -- especially for a dressed-up eighteen-year-old economy car with a gem of an engine. Some people don't give a shit about 0-60 times. EM1s were among the last in a long line of legendary Hondas that helped Honda make a name for themselves. The fact that most people modded theirs is what makes the few remaining stock EM1s even more special. Unlike the sixth gen, people will have their fun with the tenth gen, use it up, then throw it away and buy something else. What a pity.
Sergio Aguirre -- I will overlook as meaningless your continued diatribe comparing ITRs with EM1s and reiterate to you -- again -- that there are people out there who don't mod, don't care about Integras or Preludes and don't really care if their car is the fastest in town. EM1s were special in that they were inexpensive, high-revving and just a damn fine car to drive straight out of the factory. Many fell into the wrong hands and were either wrecked or butchered beyond recognition. I see you all up and down this page slamming people who might have even the slightest snippet of criticism for the tenth gen Civic Si. Why so defensive, Sergio? Gotta rash on your pussy? You have your preference, let others have theirs.
Sergio Aguirre -- Can you read? Or are you just drunk on your own voice? EM1s were pretty much the last unadulterated Si before Honda started messing with the formula. They got uglier, heavier and lost a lot of character. Take into account that most EM1s were heavily modified mostly for the worst and you see why they're so pricey now. Fast forward to today and the new Si doesn't even have VTEC, it sounds like a queef fart and looks like a rice boy's wet dream. But Sergio says they're faster! Yay?..
There's something about Civics...the first year a new car is out, it looks shocking and new, and after you see your 1000th one on the road, you recognize the same basic Civic shape underneath it all and they just become beige. Also, really not liking their choice to do a high-boost 1.5T in this car, it leaves way less tuning/reliability margin; when you compare the 2.0 liter turbo competition to this for the price, I hardly believe it can compete. Still, it will sell because of the badge and I'm sure it's fine in and of itself. But it's definitely more of a warm hatch for tepid people than a hot hatch for the enthusiast with one parking space.
Can't get passed the ugly styling, just my opinion but Honda is failing miserably in the styling department. They've turned in to Lexus, good performance, nice interior lay out, god awful styling.
Sergio, I believe I said "in my opinion" I never stated anything about the Civic's sales. I just simply said "in my opinion" I think not just the Civic but most, if not all Honda's look kinda shitty at the moment. Last gen looked much better....again, "just my opinion".
Lol, let me try this again Sergio.....My statement was strictly my opinion. Most car reviewers are pretty much starting out every review on Honda's with a "you're either going to love it or hate it" comment right out of the gate about Honda designed cars right now. And BTW, I'm pretty sure the Toyota Corolla is selling better than the Civic. With that being said, I did say that Honda's have a nice lay out, good performance and to add to it they have tremendous reliability and a good price point. There are a lot of other factors that dictate a cars sales, not just styling. Again, the shitty styling by Honda is just my opinion.
Good Lord Sergio, can you not read? My exact words are....'just my opinion but Honda is failing miserably in the styling department". I never made the blanket statement that Honda was failing as a brand or a company. FOR LIKE THE TENTH TIME....JUST MY OPINION. I don't need you doing research all day to give me numbers or stats on how well the Honda's sell, I have eyes, I see them all over the road. And in my opinion, with my own eyes, Honda's have become a very ugly car and are in need of redesigning.
First SI thats a bust imo. That 1.5 is just not the same as the K20s. K24/k20 swap would be very interesting lol. Quater mile times are really irrelevant to me. I take my vehicles to Road America
That's the dumbest comment I've read this year about cars. The Sentra sucks. The Nismo just sucks less. Point us to a meaningful review that shows the Sentra even comes within 75% of the SI as a good, fun, car.
Nissan Sentra Toyota Corolla asss cars they always crawling I drove them back to back it sucked the sexier and faster cars are Ford Focus chevy Cruze Hyundai Elantra!
Not saying it isn't good, just saying Honda was always different and cool because they were NA, high reving, and were as faster or faster than the competition. Now they are just like everyone else, nothing special. No better and no different, except it is quite ugly, but that's opinion. Honda is no longer Honda.
Sergio Aguirre I don't understand why you take what I say as the old ones being better. What I am saying is honda lead the na world. They could have developed an even better na motor that could have easily done all these records you seem to quote. Honda did it before while being na. They could have done it again. My old civic ran 12's in the 1/4 mile and only put down 215.3 whp. It put most cars at the circuit tracks to shame. I bested porches, corvettes and tons of other cars. And that was with an na motor from the late 80's. The k series motors are beasts with minor mods. Are you saying Honda couldn't figure out how to make more na horsepower when some kid in his garage can. Honda took the easy way out. They made a low compression turbo motor with lots of boost. Yay! Just what everyone else has been doing. As I said before and a million times, it's not a bad car, just not the car Honda was known for. So Honda is no longer Honda. An na high reving engine that put all the turbo cars to shame no more.
Sergio Aguirre Only because nobody cared at the time. The ep3 civic type r had a fwd track record back in 01 on the Nurburgring. I even believe in 2000 the s2000 was the fastest 4 cyl. Nobody really cared about Nurburgring times back then. It hasn't been until recent years where Nurburgring battles started. Yes I may be living in the past, but only because I really do like the na high reving stuff. Turbos are cool too, just have a love for na. Funny you had the b20, was the ls/vtec. Oh yeah and emissions on turbo cars is only better when not in boost. I think this whole emissions thing is just a means of control these days. The environmental damage done to produce electric cars is astronomical, but nobody talks about it.
Sergio Aguirre Damn your knowledge of these cars is great. I had an eg 4-door. Ls/vtec with jdm itr pistons. Portflow did the head, skunk stage 2 cams, intake manifold, 70mm throttle body and port matching everywhere. Car was a crazy sleeper. I remember when the sti's and evo's came out. Some many sad kids after they lost to me. No honda anymore. I am interested in the si sedans though since I got a family now. My projects are fc rx7's now but I still want a fun daily that I can put a car seat in. Haha, even my rotary cars are na. I can't get over the high reving noise.
The engine is fairly decent, and I like the fact that it handles well and it has a 6 speed. But, this is the ugliest civic to ever hit the streets. Period. If it didnt have ann that electronic trash in it, I may give it a whirl. But the computer mumbo jumbo, combined with the hideous looks, is a complete deal breaker for me. Ill stick to Quad 4 cars. You know, the motors that didnt need vtec and a turbo to make this much power....
evuriday1 Whilst you're revving the nuts off an old Si, the guy in the new one will be watching you disappear in his rear view mirror. High revving engines are great fun, but low down torque and power get things done in the real world.
Maybe you need to do a little more homework, because Honda ditched the VTEC in the new SI models. Its fairly easy to find out just by looking at the specs and watching some videos. While the New SI might be just as fast as my 2013 model. Its boring and not as fun to drive. it's got no heart.
preludeF20Bking that k20 sucks ass in torque why tf will u want rev to 8k all time just to be movin least 9 gen got torque plus u get vtec earlier the 10 gen coupe looks ok still need test drive one but to me the em1 best lookin si to date
von strong if you know how to tune hondas you can get around the lack of low end torque with proper gearing. My prelude runs near 9k with a modded f20b swap and I walk v6s and walk even some v8s.
Al Fu NO! I love this format. It’s informative and not needlessly long. I don’t need 20 minutes of b-roll with annoying dubstep music in the background, some annoying 20 year old who thinks he has a clue with a biased attitude. They have new interns and new staff, the only original crew is John Davis at this point.
This response is to all the INSULTING, backwoods moronic replies. Do you also like to get out and crank start your car ?!? The fastest cars in the world, like F1 (Formula 1 race cars for the idiots who don't know shit), Ferrari's and Porsche's, etc, all use DCTs. They're the fastest transmissions. Super quick Teslas don't even have a transmission. Even regular automatics are faster. And more fuel efficient. Also, I did NOT say to stop making the manual transmission option. Just give us a Choice. Many drivers like power and good handling w/o playing with their joysticks & left foot all the time.... especially in stop & go traffic.... or ever. It's unnecessary! Going on the offensive against a simple statement like mine truly reveals your insecurity, immaturity and lack of knowledge. You Stupid teenagers should not have dropped out of school... please don't have any children.... probably too late.
