Comment: 2025 Honda Civic SI

All Honda Civics Face certain expect. They are small four-cylinder cars, so they should be practical and fuel efficient. The SI Performance sedan’s bets rise. Not only should it be the core of citizens, it also has to be interesting. Honda raises the ante by itself by calling the latest 2025 model “the most interesting Civic SI ever.”

Honda has made nine different versions of the Civic SI since 1986. I haven’t driven all the versions yet, so I can’t say whether the latest ones will produce the most smiles per mile, but I do know that every Civic SI I drive offers everything I expect. Back in 2007, my friend Jake and I brought our car (his 2002 Honda S2000 and 1998 Acura Integra LS Sedan) to the Autocross event. A friendly competitor owns a 2002-2005 Civic Si hatchback and gives me the opportunity to ride a shotgun. He likes his car, but it’s hard to tell how he drives from when he absolutely hammers the throttle. In any case, he would twist the wheels from side to side. Each conversion of the five-speed manual transmission is a violent tug or a powerful push. Even though my internal organs were rearranged, I was excited.

A few years ago, I exploded and drove the 2022 Honda Civic Si through a winding road outside Peoria, Arizona. It’s addictive, turning into a red line, the gearbox is so pleasant that I find myself downshifting and stepping on gas, not because I need it, but because I want to do it. It’s a satisfying car to drive hard.

I was filled with excitement when I saw the 2025 Civic SI on the upcoming review vehicle list. I’m very happy with the breeding model, but in 2025, SI will receive several cosmetic and feature updates. In addition to installing a new front panel and grille mesh, Honda’s design team also colored the LED taillights and adjusted the appearance of the black 18-inch wheels. My media car comes with $300 235/40 Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires that, along with the new 2025 $455 Urban Grey Pearl Paint, raises the tested price to $31,800.

Inside, the Civic Si is more comfortable and convenient, thanks to updates such as heated front seats, Shift indicators, Google and Google Assistant’s Google built-in, and the front USB-C port. Even a six-speed manual transmission makes life easier, as its rev matching feature now runs in the second downshift. The second row provides shocking legroom, but other than that, it is relatively sparse. It doesn’t have the same two-tone interior as the front bucket, nor does it have HVAC vents or charging options.

Honda goes further, making the Civic Si more rigid and gains new B-pillar and rear door sill support. To make full use of this increased stiffness, it adjusts the impact accordingly.

The idea of ​​driving a Civic Si in Phoenix stop traffic initially scared me, but it quickly disappeared. The clutch pedal was solid enough to feel light enough that my left leg never felt overworked. Despite the stiffness of the suspension, it stopped being harsh. Since the Civic SI has a fuel economy rating of 27 cities, 37 highways and 31 mpg, none of my frequent parking is at the gas station.

So, it’s easy for Civic SI to live with Monday to Friday, but what about the weekend? I hope it’s as cute as the 2022 model, and . . . most. The curved rear road allowed me to be completely addicted to the turbocharged 1.5-liter I4’s 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque without worrying about my safety or insurance rates. The more I push si, the smaller the feeling. Even though I entered the bend at a “passionate” speed, the suspension kept the car level and the right line on the right line. Again, I found myself just changing for pure joy. It’s always fun to go deep into the startup range to extract maximum power, but such a gearbox is more satisfying like the ones in the SI. Honda nailed it. The doors are closely spaced and only need a short throw to place the notch mover where it is needed.

When I was pulled apart by desert vegetation, the entire process of the L15CA’s Raspy Buzz was behind me, and I realized that the new Civic Si was a bit unfavorable: Even if the drive mode was set to normal, the electric power steering was very large, and it was slow to respond to the input and slow to the input. Its weight and lack of urgency only increase in exercise mode. On the one hand, this robustness makes Civic Si feel planted and mature. On the other hand, the lack of playfulness of the steering seems to be inconsistent with the character of the car, as the Civic Si should be fun, relaxed and pleasant, not that serious and buttoned.

Overall, the 2025 Honda Civic SI achieves a delicate balance between practicality and performance. Its combination of technology, comfort and convenience features, and interior space make it useful as an everyday driver. Its pepper engine, precise gearbox and confidence-inspiring suspension turn it into what should be the driver’s car. The updated version is “the most fun driving Civic SI ever”? I’m not sure, but I Do Knowing a special change will make it more interesting than before.