Is the 2023 Honda Civic Si a BETTER sport sedan than a Kia Forte GT? 

I actually cross shopped the Civic Si and Forte GT, and I ended up with the Kia. Even without the markup, the Honda was more expensive for less content. I agree that the Si drives better, but the Forte is close enough while also having features that are a must-have for me. Largely, I did not want a cloth interior because I have a dog and you can never get all of the fur off of cloth seats. I also really wanted ventilated seats because I drive long distances and hate getting back sweat in the summer. The cherry on top for the Forte GT was a much more prominent exhaust sound; it makes it clear that it's not just a regular Forte without going too far into boy-racer territory.

I have been a Honda Owner for over 25 years, but my new Kia Forte GT line is an amazing car. I saved over 10k because Kia was willing to negotiate.

I have a 2023 Forte GT and Love it. The only thing missing is a limited slip diff.

WOW Joe, This is the car I just bought at team Honda 2 weeks ago!!!! I can't believe Your vid is on the car I just got! Same color and everything, this video just hyped me up to get it, have to wait a month for it to come in but when it does I'll be over the moon!!!!

Thank god it's manual

The sand paper joke for the center arm rest made me laugh out loud in public, thanks Joe 😂

That stick shift punch line lmao I can't

SI is good for MSRP anything over isn’t worth it

I love my 2020 SI coupe. It's a great daily driver and a fun ride. Congrats on your CTR Joe!

The 11th gen Civic looks good all over. The Sonic Grey is tasteful and the interior with the red trim is a nice touch. The US models should have fog lights standard across all trim levels and there should be connectivity for the rear seat passengers. Thanks Steven for your camera work and Joe thank you for the review 👍👍

I forgot this car has fake engine sounds. I unplugged the module the first time I heard them.

....The Canadian Version is better. 😩

Always the love the raw, humorous, and honest review. Keep it up!

Every Honda has the same profile.

I picked up my 2023 Civic Si a couple of weeks ago. A huge thank you for your multiple great reviews on the 2022 Si. It is an all around perfect enthusiast daily driver car.

Folks just get yourself a 2022 model and save some money. Not worth the 2023 SI, not to mentioned everything is practically the same AND Honda failed again to bring all the things the Canadian model has like dual climate control, fully digital speedometer and tachometer, fog lights etc. Just disappointing to see them repeat what they did to the US consumers again for the 2023 model and I was a sucker that bought the 2022 US model hoping they'd change for the 2023 to trade it in but nope.. def gonna look for something else now.

Love the color and sporty look. I’m sure it will be fun to drive with the manual..worth the price

As a happy owner of a 2023 Kia Forte GT (MT), I have to say that I'm digging the look of the Honda Civic Si. It does look sporty.

some dealers are pricing these at like 40k not worth it for a 1.5 engine that blows up so fast.

Honda really knocked it out of the park on the civic's design. Damn near perfect.

Man I love driving the 2022 Civic Si. One of the most fun cars on the road.

The forte gt is better especially that Honda is copying designs on to other cars. It's more well equipped has a dct option. I do wish the type r came in sedan form and had a dct option

I love this gray and the Civic is a beautiful car loving the Forte that's another beautiful subcompact car the Forte is a great car the Civic is much fun to drive both cars are great believe Civic might run longer.

Just got a Gt manual in steel grey it's nice and quick, $26k. Lifetime warranty

The idea is to push customers towards the Integra for the upgraded amenities, although you need the top-of-the-line trim to even get a manual. But you do get the fog lights, adaptive dampers, heated seats, dual climate control, leather, hatchback, full exterior LEDs, better sound system, and more.

This grey is really nice in person. Always have to check out my neighbors when I pass by 😂

SGP was the color I was hoping to get when I was initially looking for my Si. Couldn't find it, but found a Black for basically MSRP when everyone else was parking them up 5k so I took it. Now I've got a FL5 in SGP coming in, so I guess all things work out in the end!

Sport injected as what si stands for and you get it in this. Honda knows how to make a fun manual that handles so well

GTI is probably better driving and faster Base GTI cost same as Si

Honda>Hyundai No brainer

It's laughable to me that Kia and Hyundai are being compared with tried and true Japanese brands like Honda. Bro, it's not even close. Kia and Hyundai stack their cars with tech, bells, and whistle so that mostpeople won't notice that their mechanical reliability just isn't quite there yet.

Why can't they make this trim with a hatchback (and no, I don't want to buy the integra instead)?

As always a comprehensive upbeat review. Regarding fog lights I hear ya, something looks like it's missing without them. Fogs look nice and offer additional light when needed. The current generation Lexus ES350 no longer offers fog lights either, obviously another way auto manufacturers continue to cost-cut.

With dealer mark ups these civic si models are looking closer to 35-40k dollars man… I’d love to get one but I can’t justify that much when there’s better performing vehicles that are around the same market price.

Love the Honda SI and the Hyundai Elantra N. Both come in a 6-speed manual and with a turbo . The problem is that it is difficult to find one locally to test drive and compare. And then there are the markups S.H Honda dealership are putting on top of msrp. I watched a prior video on Elantra N, and now this video. Both reviews are great, and making the decision a more difficult choice. Thank you for sharing

Definitely si > forte even if the forte is faster with the DCT.

17:11 “maybe get some Cubans, mmm, Cuban sandwiches” 😂 this dude is too funny lmao

Funnily enough, I got a Kia forte gt ad on this video😂

When the first model year of the 11th Gen. Si came out, I was looking for it all over the place, basically ignoring all other options. I wanted a 6-speed and just fixated into an Si. Then, I stumbled upon a VW GLI Autobahn and that’s what I ended up getting. So many more features in a package that’s comparable to this Si: DCC, heated and ventilated leather seats, more horsepower, bigger sunroof, etc. And I got it in the pure grey color. Still, this Si is great to look at and I’m sure it’s great to drive

Love the color Joe. The SI is a good sweet spot in my opinion if u don't want to pay top dollar for a Type R. Can't wait for the 2023 Honda Pilot media event! I saw my first one on the road today in the flesh!

Thanks for not comparing this slug to the Elantra N for once. The forte is the right car to put it up against

Joe mentions my car again. 2022 Forte GT. The Civic Si is a great car BUT it's about $6000 more than a Forte GT and comes with way less features. Heated, cooled leather seats with electronic adjust. DCT option, wireless phone charging, dual zone climate and longer warranty are all standard on the Forte GT. BUT I wouldn't keep the Forte past the warranty. The Civic Si has a more quality built inside and out.

I love that sonic gray with the flat black. And NO WAY would I choose Kia over a Honda and it’s reputation for reliability and performance

I don’t understand the 200HP, the SI in 2024 should have a minimum 250HP by now! Cmon Honda!!! What generation SI is this again?

My everyday sedan!! Amazing review Joe.

Yeah I think the Kia Forte GT with the GT2 package better for my option I appreciate the review though it helped me make my decision. 👍

I preferred the 2021 Civic is much better looking car than this cheap Accord!! ahh my bad Civic!! Good job raiti's

Just bought a ‘22 Canadian spec Civic Si today that I came across already in the states! Loving it & plenty of creature comforts 😎

Joe, every time you and Lori do work with a Honda dealer, challenge them on their insane markups on cars like these.

200hp is a joke for a car that’s supposed to be “sporty”.

Went with the 23 Forte GT 6speed last summer. Overall I was a little more impressed with the GT over the Si after driving and taking a deep dive on both vehicles.

Perfect timing. I pic up my Canadian spec si Monday at 4. White pearl

This car is probably my favorite entry level sport sedan. Decent power, a fun drive, a decent amount of features, and most importantly, the same practicality as a normal Civic, so you won’t sacrifice the daily livability. And the price is really good in my opinion, you can get this for the same price as a Camry SE (if you can get around dealer mark ups). About the all season tire issue, I’m the outlier and I actually prefer the all seasons. In North Carolina, the weather can get pretty nasty so even though you are sacrificing the handling slightly, you won’t have to worry about bad weather which makes it more practical. I wish it would be a no or lower cost option so the customer could choose. But if I was to get a new car, this would probably be at the top of the list.

As a Canadian, its a rare joy to hear an American being envious of the Canadian market version. Now American's get a taste of what Canadians deal with all the time. Thanks Honda!

I've contacted 3 honda dealers near me to inquire about the this car. In total they are all charging 38 K..If they were actually charging around MSRP I would get this for sure.

This car will last 250k on a single engine, Kia would go thru 3 😆

When is the Honda Accord 2023 full review coming?

Pretty neat car. Anything with a manual is cool beans today.

For me, this would be the perfect car, with one exception.... it would have have been nice if Honda would have offered a power driver's seat to be able to get the proper "H' point in order to relieve lower back pain. It may seem small, but for someone with lower back problems, not having that feature is a deal killer for me.😒 Great review, Joe!

This honda civic is so dammmm nice.

Hey Raiti's Rides How Are You Can You Make The 2023 Ford F-150 LARIAT

Honda fumble this US variant Si. I have the 10gen and if I lived in Canada it would be an good upgrade. KIA is killing the Si... They get leather interior and heated seats and cooled!!!!! I'm a huge Honda fan but this US Si was a huge let down. I get why they water down this Si so people will buy the Integra A spec, but that's not even worth the price they are asking for....

Man I really like your videos, it's interesting to know more about the car market in the United States, I'm from Brazil.

Nothings cooler than a 200 horsepowers front wheel drive fart can that has less horsepower than a mini van

I'm pretty amazed that the Civic Si has been at or around 200hp for almost 20 years.

I really want one of these joe!

But when it comes to reliability, Kia is nowhere near Honda

There’s a lot of clouds where you live. I don’t even see clouds these days.

I think it all comes down to what people want more in a car. I personally went with the Forte GT manual because of the extra amenities. Fog lights, turn signals on the mirrors, heated seats, leather seats and the fact that I don’t need to run premium gas in it. Both great cars imo I just wish kia would’ve put a limited slip in it. Otherwise I have a great driving experience everyday!

Good for when you’re backing up at your local cars and coffee haha!

This new look actually works nicely for the the civic and pilot, just not feeling the accord.

I got one of these and love it put around 1250 miles on it and its such a fun daily driver

I REALLY hate the recent trend of automakers doing away with fog lights on most, if not all, of their new vehicles (I’m looking at you VW, Mercedes, Audi, Honda, BMW, Volvo, Genesis, etc.) and just having big empty black panels, or just a “nub” like this new Civic. For me, fog lights not only complete the front look of a car, but they’re also functional. Last time I checked, FOG STILL EXISTS. I live in Southern Cali and there’s fog almost every morning. They’re also useful for driving at night or in low visibility or when it’s raining or snowing…. What gives???

The guy does his homework, never missed a beat

I went over to the Honda site to see if you could spec a "base" Civic with a manual, thinking that the premium that you pay for 20 extra horsepower and a few "Si" badges wouldn't be worth it if you could get a "regular" civic with a stick. But you can't--CVT only. Happy to see Joe offer up a solid driving impression/comparison/pick between the Forte GT and the Si. PS I agree with Yuri over at Straight Pipes when he says that gloss black wheels don't look good unless you have tire shine on your rubber. Plus, they get scratched up and the ones in my neighborhood anyway look terrible 90% of the time.

Dealers are still putting $5k mark ups and their garbage dealer installed options. Saw a blue one at my local Honda and the sticker was $38k. Yikes.

Joe i was wondering, does anyone delete that fake exhaust noise from the speakers

Hello Joe, i watched your videos non stop and ending up getting one of these. You are super cool!

Civic Si is more expensive than Kia and Hyundai Si but looks significantly better and has a much stronger following..... with aftermarket support and a whole community, and long-term parts availability for those long-termers (such as myself.) I would pay for that. If you intend to swap your cars every few years, then this is unimportant. This is often overlooked. There's a aggregation/network effect here.

I don’t understand why Honda discontinued the coupe ? That’s why I won’t be buying one .

The shape has always been fine and I can definitely understand people who didn’t like it at first cause I’m like that at times with some cars. I’m completely fine with no fog lamps so that’s not a zonk in my book and that color is so lovely.

too bad the markup in my area is 10k :/

I waited over a year to get my 2022 Civic Si in Blazing Orange Pearl in Oct. 2022 at a reasonable price here in CA. It was to "replace" my 8th Gen. 2007 Civic Si with 266K, not a chance, I still love this car too, it's a keeper, fun to drive. The 2023 is the same exact car as the 2022 Civic Si, just call it a 2023. I absolutely love the car it was worth the wait for me in my opinion. My zonk would be the trunk light I saw the same one in this video. I have no clue why Honda skimped again with an incandescent instead of an LED like the rest of the cabin lights. First thing I changed with a Lasfit LED, much better can actually see in the trunk at night.

I have the 2022 honda for about a year now and I gotta tell you it's a good daily driver so much mpg. When it comes to speed it has potential but it also has it's limits so be aware. overall it's a fun car to drive.

Dude..love your enthusiasm. "A chirping tire is a happy tire" 🤣 think you sold me 🙂

I ended up with a 2020 Si. My first new new car ever and am very happy with it. These newer ones are a bit muted for my taste. The fog light thing difference between us and Canada is silly. Same as not getting a heated stearing wheel in my year car. I am in Tampa multiple times a year. I will have to stop in some time. As far as stock tires go, I wouldn't even recommend either. Ask for Michelin Cross Climate 2's and enjoy your life.

The headlights are 4 lights. Split. Most all Hondas are doing this. It’s designed as a driving light built in. Per Honda

The size of these "compact" vehicles have gotten really big! It's bigger than my dad's 2005 Accord

I love your enthusiasm about the car World 🌎 Keep up the good Work Florida man

It has some zonks but it is a great car. Fun to drive and very practical.

Rear deck needs to be longer so the proportions look more balanced.

My first car I bought with my own money was a 2012 Civic si. I miss that car.

Heated steering wheel and seats in the up north version…WTF honda!

I like the color on the car and great review. I am still probably going with Kia Forte GT since it has an available DCT transmission

I'm picking up 24 of one of these this week here in vancouver 😊

I’ve got one and love it. EXCEPT….My personal zonks: no temperature gauge and no spare tire. I’ll be fixing those issues soon.

“Tongue wrestling” LOL

I never knew the Kia Forte GT existed until this video

🇺🇸 *My brother once owned a RED Civic Si* !! *Super FUN and sporty car* !! *Honda has been building very popular cars since the 1970's* !! *Not sure it's really a comparison vehicle to such a new brand as Kia(In the USA in 1992)* !! *FAB video Joe and Steven* !! #RaitisRides 🇺🇸

Which one is better in terms of driving engagement and engine GR86 or Si?