2022 WRX vs 2022 Civic SI, Which would YOU pick? //  

I really wanted a 2022 Civic Si but the markups ruined it for me. It's not the fastest car but you get so much tech. To keep it short; bought a 2022 WRX at MSRP and I dont regret it. 😂

I was DEAD SET on a Civic Si. I've owned faster cars, including a C55 AMG with a protune, ceramic coated headers, cams, the whole shebang. But since childhood, I've wanted a high revvy Civic Si. It was the "everyman's sport compact" and the new one saw a return to what the Civics of yesteryear looked like. Plus, I have a Ninja for the speed now, so I didn't need my daily to be blistering anyway. The Civic had the perfect blend of high MPG, reliability, and that classic Honda zest that is present in all their sport oriented cars. ... That was until I contacted four separate dealerships. They either didn't have any or wanted a whopping $48,000 for one. Yes, FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND dollars. Not for a Type R, but just an Si. These stealerships actually thought I would be willing to cough up BMW money for a Honda sport compact economy car with slightly less power than a Camry Hybrid. I visited a Subaru dealership nearby; hated how the new car looked. I owned a 2019 WRX that I (sorta) enjoyed (I guess)... But it certainly wasn't even close to my favorite of the cars I've owned (Infiniti G37S, Focus ST, C55 AMG, 2019 WRX). Decided to give the test drive a shot anyway. ... BLOWN. AWAY. It drives like a Focus ST with AWD and less heat soak. Quick to flick around, rotates in corners, fantastic rigidity. There's finally a sense of solidity in this car unlike previous WRXs. I adored my Focus ST, but my gripes were traction and heat soak. This WRX fixed that, AND gave me an extra 20HP. Compared to the 2022, my '19 feels like an absolute alpha build prototype. The main difference, and arguably most crucial, is the way it builds power. The easiest way I can describe it is... The 2019 feels reluctant. The 2022 feels eager. When you floored the 2019, it would give you the beans, but in a, "But daaad, I don't WANNA!" sort of way. Zero gut punch or adrenaline. In the 2022, it's kind of like a German Shepherd, "WEEEEEEE AGAIN AGAIN LET'S GOOOOO." You finally feel the rise in your stomach the way a WRX should provide during acceleration. That was the character that I missed from my old Focus ST in the previous WRX. This new one has all of it and more. Premium pkg with STI Short Throw (mandatory, trust me). MSRP was something like $34,500. I bargained the dealer down to $32,XXX. ZERO regret. The thing drives like a B8.5 Audi S4 with slightly less pull and a widely available manual transmission.

I considered an Elantra N, Civic Si, and a GTI before buying my WRX. The only Civic Si in my area was marked up $5000 by the dealer. The only Elantra N in my area was sold. There were no GTI's in my area. Ultimately, I wanted AWD as I am not a fan of FWD performance cars. The wheel spin (or aggressive traction control...especially on wet or slick surfaces) combined with the wheel hop on hard launches is just a turn off. I did not want all the "bells and whistles". I was THRILLED when I discovered the WRX didn't have them. I don't want safety nannies. I wanted the most old school analog car I could find. I also don't like digital gauges. What happens when that screen goes out? The WRX checked all the boxes for me. I wish it was even more old school than it is. I'd love it if it had no screens and just a standard DIN sized radio that could be easily replaced. I even like the old school key. With the $5000-$6000 I saved over buying the other cars, I have put on coilovers, tinted the car, got an AccessPort, bought an Drunkmann tune, upgraded the brake pads, rotors, and fluid, and upgraded the speakers. I'm still under what any of those other cars would have cost and I venture to guess I can out run any of them on a twisty road.

I just went through this decision. The Si was an appealing option with the fuel economy being as good as it is. In the end I bought a 2023 WRX in WRB. AWD and more power made the choice easy. I absolutely love my WRX, couldn't be happier with it. Love the content dude!

That was a completely fair and objective comparison. You’re pumping out really good content 🍻

I love both brands. We always had an outback, still do. Had my eye on WRX and GTI but ultimately went for a 23 Si. I have my toy already 15 Camaro SS2 so needed a daily. Soon as I sat in the Si I mentily made my choice. Had a great mix of new and old. Car is fun as hell as a daily.

I have the 22’ si strictly as a daily and i have 9k miles with no regrets.

I purchased my 23' civic Si towards the end of December. The 2022 WRX was a very close second. What came down to it was what I valued. With the shifter, the auto rev matching, the adaptive cruise control were the main winners for me. Although the Si is significantly slower, it has more creature comforts that I valued that eventually won over the WRX. Maybe if I was at a different point in my life where I didn't need the adaptive cruise control or lane keep assist, I would definitely get the WRX. But, the value you get for the Civic was hard to beat, assuming you can find one at MSRP. The civic Si is not worth anything over MSRP. Love the videos man!

I appreciate the honesty in the comparison, since your a subaru channel its nice to know that your not just going to say "yea wrx is better, everything is better" cus then whats the point of watching lol kudos!!

Started with S2000 for 9 years, got a used 13 Wrx kept it stock and non stop issues , test drove a 10th gen Si and fell in love. I enjoy Hondas precision feel and reliability

I currently have both the Si and WRX. 2020 former, and 2020 then 22 latter. Here are my thoughts. (As well as thoughts on other options I have owned) 2020 Si… I am not a fan of the aesthetics of the newer most recent gen Si, but that is subjective. The overall power train is roughly the same in the latest model. I also had a 2015 Si. My thoughts…. If buying new or used. For a stock driving experience, the older 2.4L NA Si was great, the engine and transmission seemed a perfect pair. One of the smoothest combos I have driven. I really liked that car and how it drove. The newer turbo Si isn’t as smooth of an experience, but still pretty nice. A simple tune really wakes up the car, especially if you reduce the turbo ramp time. I am not sure how eliminating the turbo ramp time would affect the engine, but minimizing hasn’t seemed to do anything negative. Turbo lag is basically gone. (It can be eliminated using a tune, but I would not consider that good for road use, combined with no turbo ramp, likely would stress the motor a lot more) The car peps up and is very quick with a tube, especially when accelerating at highway speeds for passing. It was actually quicker than my 2020 WRX when passing at highway speeds. Off the line, it was slower, but not by too much. (Both cars stock but with a tune) I like the driving position and gear shift position better in the Si for what that matters. Overall the interior layout is more comfortable and feels more sports car like. Gas mileage… The Si is king here. It actually improved with a tune. Even with aggressive driving you get solid mid 30s mpg, cruising on the highway at 65mph, 40+ mpg. The Si has a “Sport” mode button that tightens up the steering and suspension which is nice for toning it down for in town for more comfort. Also, tunes can be set differently based on the Sports mode, so you do not have to drive around at full tune if you do not want. And you can even add options to the tunes that affect things like turbo ramp that can be changed on the fly, by basically imputing the Konomi code into the steering wheel controls. As I mentioned, my 2020 WRX vs the SI was pretty close, but I would suspect that the WRX will gain more from Mods than the SI. The 2022 WRX flips the script though, stock but with a tune, it is faster off the line and accelerating at highway speeds. I upgraded to the 22 because I was unable to get the options I wanted on the 20 at the time. I am glad I made the swap. The new model feels more refined when driving, and the engine eliminated any complaints I had for the older model. (Reminder, I am comparing stock with a basic tune only, and cannot make any statements about how the car will behave with mods) Overall the WRX is more simple in its tuning options, no options or on the fly changes, just tune and go. The WRX has the better handling without a doubt, though the Si isn’t a slouch. Until Subaru actually starts adding the advanced Eyesight features like adaptive cruise and lane assist, the Si is a superior road trip car. It practically drives itself with all the aids on, good for being a bit safer when you are zoned out after 8hrs on the road. I have also owned a 2015 Focus ST and ‘16 Fiesta ST… They are not currently in production, but for anyone looking at the used market, they are a good option. The Focus was genuinely quick, but the driving experience was a little muted due to the higher reliance on computer aiding, very comfortable ride though, more sporty feel in seating position and control location. The Fiesta was quick and light but not as fast as the Focus, the light weight and reduced electronic stability control authority meant it felt more fun to sling around in corners, very go cart like in its directness. The seating position was not sporty at all, with the shifter position and seating being very grocery getter in feel. Neither of the Fords had any tune, so I can not speak on how they behaved with one. The Subaru/Toyota BRZ/86… I had the initial year model when it was the Scion still… For pure driving enjoyment, it was a blast despite the reduced power and acceleration. I absolutely loved driving that thing on curvy backroads. It felt and rode like a proper sports car. It was kept stock, and it could be really nice with a bit of a bump in power. The interior was more basic and less integrated system wise, so swapping the radio for aftermarket would not be an issue at all, this may have changed in newer year models though. If aftermarket radios are your thing, the base model WRX looks like it still keeps the radio separate from things like climate control. And if the BRZ/86 do as well, they are the only choice. The Si has no option for a less integrated infotainment layout.

For me, it was simple, real handbrake vs. electric, real gauges vs. digital screen, and finally, NONE of that emergency braking take over the car crap. Went with a 23 Limited.

WRX because I live in the northeast. Yes you could do winters here with 2wd and snow tires. But with 2wd, I find myself stuck getting at the end of my driveway in big storms after the snow plow has been going by all day or night.

Great video ... Next Tuner Talk when though???

These cars are starting to become harder to choose from!

Looked at both ended up with accord 2.0t 10 speed . Couldn't find a manual for a good price. Its fun with a few mods but Im still wanting that raw wrx feeling.

I've owned a 8th gen civic si for 13 years. Fun car!! I'm on a 22 wrx premium now, it's a different kind of fun! I was thinking of getting a 11th gen si but wanted something different...plus the wrx's are more readily available. I hope to keep this car as long as I did with the si.

I had a crosstrek with eyesight. Main reason why i traded my trek for a wrx. Way too intrusive for me for sure. I actually love that the wrx does not have these safety features.

I went to go buy and SI and the dealer quoted me $40k… SI is less than $30k lol I went to subaru the next day and ordered a premium VB for less. Value

The Sis and Integras definitely have pretty interiors, but the rev hang bugged me, the weightless clutch pedal bugged me, the electronic parking brake bugged me, and of course, putting my foot to the floor on the throttle bugged me. The WRX was just too good to pass on, and i only tried the base model when I test drove it.

Civic SI and the Golf GTi in my mind are just daily driver cars I feel that the Elantra N is the only one comparable in price-to-power to the WRX

i dont like the blind side assist any way the thing beeps all the time end you cant turn it off i trust my skill as a driver on that.

The reason I bought this wrx is the manual handbrake. subaru makes another center console for the manual handbrake. you can see they know what we want. that is all about driving pleasure.

Picked up the 2022 SI recently . The WRX was not even on my list, not because it’s not a good car it’s because I did not feel like I needed that much power for a daily and the new styling did not do it for me I wanted something low key. The thing that shocked me with the SI was the gas mileage. On the highway I was getting 40 to 42 mpg. Currently averaging 37 mpg. My biggest complaint is the stock tires are a let down, but they are usually always are.

I would be looking more into the Si because i live in California but two things kill it for me: 1. Aftermarket parts are going to net a large difference as opposed to the WRX with parts that’ll make huge visual and performance (especially). 2. Dealer markups, at least in California, are not avoidable. WRX on the other hand, were going for invoice when dealers tried moving 22’ stock recently.

If I had only two options I'd take the civic.

The only thing making me think I want the wrx over the civic is awd. But I think I'm going civic

The Civics shifter is amazing. Wish I didn't have to do 300$ in mods to still have my VB shifter feel like crap in comparison. Kind of apples to oranges. Civic is a better daily. WRX is more of a brute do everything car.

Random question but I saw your comment on how you bought a used accessport and paid the reprogram fee. Did you buy the 15/21 wrx/sti ap and then reprogram? Was it difficult?

With a few mods the new gen base wrx is faster than the sti. Incase you wanna tune later on

I traded my 23 civic si for a gr corolla, the rev hang really bugged me, si very light and nimble, loved it but the GR is my new daily🙂

I like the fact you can order a CD player in the 2023 WRX I am a old man I still listen to CDs😅

Si's always limited have mark ups and accessories so $40k otd. So might as well get the integra a spec same price. Get all the things they stripped out and more. Si is slow but gets 40 mpg and damn fun around town

Drove both. Dealer had wrx for 2500 under MSRP. They had 41 of them… drove it, fun car, shifter sucked though and gas mileage was poor imo. Drove the si, had a 4K mark up, negotiated down to 32k, included alarm, all weather mats, and lifetime oil changes. I had a previous 2019 si before this new one so now I feel like if I had to do it again, I would probably go with the wrx just to try something different.

Type r vs wrx

From a purely daily driver perspective I don’t think any car comes close to the value of the civic si. Wanted an 11th gen as well before I got my 22 wrx but I’m glad I went with the subie though 😁

Is hard to get an SI at this time dealership are charging 4k above msrp

Ended up going from a VB to a 23 Civic SI. Don't get me wrong, the VB is amazing for what it is, but the SI is the more refined vehicle for daily driving

When I was shopping for a new car, all the dealers were marking them up except Subaru. Plus where I live I need AWD or 4x4 so Honda was out of the question unless I wanted a SUV, and I won’t drive a VW or Ford.

If a local dealer had any Si’s in stock I would’ve picked it over the WRX. Better build quality, more tech and better fuel economy.

I absolutely hate all those safety "features." I don't need or want the car doing crap I didn't instruct it to do, especially rev matching.

All WRX models in Australia come with 18” wheels & push button start.

Please do a video on light weight crank pully for 22 wrx . Is it good or bad ..

If the Civic SI was like 2L or 2.5L it would win easy peasy for me. Even FWD. I live in NC I almost never need AWD. That 1.5L with a transmission that can't handle too much more power without starting to slip is a nope from me. The interior on the Honda is vastly superior IMO, infotainment, seats, shift feel, steering feel, tech, sound, all of it is better. Don't mention it gets double the MPG

Mark up

i prefer the mullet..i mean civic

I just can't do FWD. It's either AWD or RWD for me.

This is an ez win for the WRX. AWD and bigger engine. Only scenario where the Civic wins is if you live in a warm climate and care about MPG.

screw creature comforts, this is a driving experience thats why I traded off my corolla for a 2023 wrx premium. Last year the wife and I bought a 2022 Honda accord touring 2.0 thats whats comforts for.

The rev-hang ruins the Si for me. Hard pass.

Great video but i feel like the SI should be compared to a higher trim since its just a higher trim civic. I was up in the air about both actually and tested them both alot. The markups were to crazy on the SI so i went with a 23 wrx limited for 6k below MSRP and i love the car!

Had both the brand new SI and the brand new integra 6 speed..... I sold the SI after the motor blew completely stock . The integra,well I traded in for the WRX because the integra is excessively expensive for what you're getting. The WRX is definitely a perfect daily driver drivers car even with the shit mileage I get,the smiles per gallon are higher than both the SI and integra. HOWEVER the only thing that I miss is the sound systems of either WRX offering are absolute shit. The Hondas are superior by light-years. Both the Bose and the Acura 3d els is superior by a fat margin than even the "upgraded" HK from the subbie. Other than that Im not missing much. Plus having a regular e brake handle is much better.

Dude ur hairline is incredible

Si wins by knock out. Plus its cheaper. If you live in snow country, maybe you need all wheel. But SI is more value for money, assuming the greedy pigs at Honda dealerships dont charge above msrp stickers.

only language i speak is HP so WRX>SI

I got a limited 22 vb wrx for 32k so.. there's no possible way a civic si was going to beat that deal. my only gripe is that im getting 19.4 mpg YIKES. But it is what it is. If I was buying a car for mpg and adaptive cruise control and more driver interference I wouldn't be getting a sports car unlike some others in the comments.

SI allllll day long! WRX will typically throw a rod well before 100000 miles. Most are tuned, and warranty pays ZERO.

you cant even compare a type r to a wrx lol

Subaru wrx all days ftw Honda civic in the garbage 🗑️

Honda wins.

I just dont care for a FF car. RWD, AWD or bust haha