Autosavant.com's Kevin Gordon reviews the 2013 Honda Civic Si Coupe. Here, Kevin provides his impressions of the car and runs its features as well as how it stacks up against the competition.
Good Review. I have the 13 SI Sedan...Very entertaining to drive...Quick Steering on Interstate...little twitchy over 65 - 70 mph. Hy mileage = 32, City 22. Power delivery is intense over 4K...the 6sp tran is Awesome...2nd & 3rd are very powerful when flooring it. Steering is so quick it feels like you are flying a little jet through the corners. You can drive conservatively below 4K all day and the occasional dart in traffic reveals a menacing screamer under the hood.
Test drove the '13 Si when I was still learning to drive manual and loved it. Most fun I've had with a transmission - put my Miata gearbox to shame (even though I still like it).
Excellent review and love the new camera angles. Sound of the engine pulling is sweet music to me. My 1st new car was a 1990 Civic Si hatch :) and glad to see that Honda is back on track with this new model. Did you talk about the Scion TC as a competitor to the new Si? Curious as to how it compares. To me, this is the closest model to the Si.
I just picked up a leftover 2012 Si for waaaay under sticker, and it's a really great car. I was shopping the FR-S, but I don't like the engine NVH issues. (Maybe in a few years when the kinks are ironed out.) The professor wasn't kidding about the transmission. Best I've used in any car under $30k. The only mildly annoying thing is the rev-hang, which I knew about beforehand and decided I could live with.
A good camera angle would be showing the speed versus RPM at each point, especially since many of us are not allowed to test drive this car before purchasing. Nice, thorough review!
@autosavant love the videos and your reviews are the best thus far... Have you done any volvo reviews because I can't seem to find any on your channel, specifically the xc90?
If I had the choice between the two today I would pick the MX-5. With that said, a Si or a FR-S would be more practical choices and if I was 18 again I would go for one of those two. The MX-5 is probably the purest driving experience of the bunch and the easiest to race/SCCA solo. Thanks!
Hi Kevin, i think your reviews are very informative and close to real world. I mean everyone knows that the car has easy access key, push button start or things like that... but what you mention in the videos is very interesting and gets me thinking that there is more to the cars than meets the eye. my sincere suggestion is, please expand your variety and organize the videos better. write some description. you have not uploaded anything in a while. please upload(if you get a chance) Passat
Great review seems like a great car. Don't know If I want to get a SI or a WRX decisions, decisions. The WRX does cost 3-4k more so I think I'm going to go with the SI.
Nice speedo block out. Smart when doing a driving review and in the day of RU-vid speeding prosecution I can't believe how many people post evidence online of them breaking the law. Enjoy your reviews...long enough and informative, good video.
It's interesting just how similar this car is to an FR-S (which I own). Both lightweight. Both powered by high revving naturally aspirated 4s. Both priced right in the sweet spot of 25k. Too me the civic is a more practical car but it's homely design and wrong wheel drive leave it firmly in the "hot compact" category while the FR-S gets serious comparisons to Porsche Caymans (see: Chris Harris.)
to answer your questions, I like your style of reviews...more in-depth, spend more time with the car like you would if you actually drove one, you should keep that the same, like you said there's plenty of other places to find the outside of the car. what else would i like to see in the future...Mercedes CLA of course, Mercedes C63 AMG, Subaru WRX, Audi A3, BMW M135, BMW Z4...i could go on, but as an avid car guy I like your reviews
please upload review for passat, comparison of passat(2014, its changing) and CC, the mercedes c300 (2014, its changing) Audi A6 TDI, new upcoming Q7 (coming soon), VW cross blue, parking aids and how well they work, i am just suggesting randomly what i think i would like. not trying to order you. just a request. thanks.
I'd take this over the MS3 or ST, like I say, more refined package. Plus the clutch shifter combo with probably the best fwd engine out there (not too much power and torque, plus n/a and revs). I'd get the sedan tho!
Let's not forget that the Si is way ahead of the competition in terms of reliability and resale value, these things count. We all know Civics still look, run and resale extremely well 10-15 years down the road. Subaru engines are crap, Mazdas rust, VWs have all kinds of reliability problems, and we don't know anything about the Focus ST's reliability. So for the price, I say the Si is still a win.
The Si still offers a lot of things that its competitors don't. The MS3 and WRX are less refined, less luxurious and less aesthetically pleasing. The Focus ST and GTI are a class more expensive for similar equipment levels. The Si is less power, but a lot more refinement and everyday comfort. That sells.
Kevin, how does the noise of the 2.4l compare to the same in the ILX that you drove? I'd expect the Si to be more "sporty" and a bit louder, but if you don't give it the beans, how is it for everyday commuting?
Honestly i love ford and the ST is an amazing car, but here is where the problem exists with the ST, the base model of the ST has a somewhat stale interior. It gets even worse if you want the heated Recaro seats because ford forces you to go to a fully upgraded package which is another couple grand, by the time that happens you're looking at spending 27k+, and you can't honestly buy an ST without that package. This is what deterred me from getting one :/
I just test drove the Si Civic and the Scion F-RS. The interior was so shitty in the FR-S I couldn't believe it. The seats were nice and bolstered but were wrapped it the grossest material I've ever \seen in a car. The BRZ Subaru had much better seating materials but the interior was so far below the Civic Si I bought the Civic. I never considered the MX-5 but I'm not unsatisfied because Honda gave me a significant price cut. I liked the drive ability of the BRZ/FR-S and the styling.
the transmission and clutch for 2013 and 2011 are same ? I am thinking of either getting 2011 civic certified or new 2013 civic SI. Please let me know.
Would this be a good first car? For reference I'm a university (college for my american neighbours) and would like to have something practical (4 seats) and a lot of fun.
this car is out of date.. Jus be honest..If ur a si person at heart thts fine.. But practically every sport coupe out there in this price range is better.. Honda needs 2 step it up or the ci will go jus like my eclipse did.. Not sayin its not a fun as car.. But come on.. We all knw the mazda, focus, volks, subarus, r jus killin this thing nowa days man
Kevin, Good job with your reviews. You give me hope that there are still some yanks in the colonies that actually enjoy spirited cars...though there are only few.
I'll take an N/A over a turbo anyday.... sorry VW GTI. ....god i'm gonna miss my CHallenger 392 SRT... and my 2012 Mustang GT....... sucks how I have to work in mexico .. ARGH!!!!
One more thing: Dear Honda, please stop advertising the Si as a car for bubblegum-princess-ninjas and start taking aim at the enthusiasts who need practicality but don't want to sacrifice fun (in other words, the GTI buyer). Also, please beat this car with a pretty stick. Preferably the one you used on the 2013 accord coupe.
