The SI may not be the fastest in its class, but it offers a genuinely fun driving experience. With solid performance, sleek design, and excellent handling, this car is a joy to drive. It’s also perfect for daily use, thanks to an upscale interior and advanced safety features.
If you’re looking for a daily driver that’s both fun and fuel-efficient, the SI should be on your list.
Performance & Handling
The Civic SI strikes a balance between performance and practicality. It’s powered by a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 200 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. While these numbers aren’t that exciting, they’re sufficient for daily driving. In our tests, it reached 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, which is slower than some rivals in this segment—an area where the SI may disappoint if you want faster acceleration. However, it compensates with a satisfying exhaust note and an overall decent sound profile.
One of its main selling points is the inclusion of a manual transmission, a rarity in today’s market as many automakers are moving away from manuals. The short-throw 6-speed gearbox is a highlight, offering smooth, quick shifts and featuring a rev-match function that adds convenience to the manual driving experience.
Where the Civic Si truly stands out is in its handling. The steering is light yet precise, making cornering a pleasure, and the tires provide excellent grip and stability. All this makes it a joy to drive, especially on twisty roads.
Interior & Comfort
The cabin of the SI isn’t just visually impressive; it’s also quite spacious, adding to the practicality of this sporty sedan. Like the standard Civic, the interior is well-designed, with controls that are conveniently positioned and easy to use. A key highlight inside the cabin are the exclusive sports seats, which have additional bolstering, SI logos on the headrests, and distinctive red stitching that sets them apart from the regular Civic. This red stitching extends throughout the cabin, accenting the doors, steering wheel, and other interior surfaces, giving the SI a unique and sporty feel.
The suspension is firmer than the regular Civic, but it still provides a smooth ride overall. The front sports seats offer comfortable padding and good lateral support without feeling too restrictive. However, they lack adjustable lumbar support, which may not be ideal for everyone. We recommend spending some time in the SI to ensure the seats are a good fit for you.
Like the regular Civic, the SI does have some road noise at highway speeds, but it’s manageable, and the available Bose speakers can help drown out the noise.
The dual-zone climate control system, with its physical buttons, is easy to operate and includes heated seats for added comfort, making the interior both functional and comfortable for daily driving.
Technology & Connectivity
The Civic SI comes with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, positioned high on the dashboard, keeping it within easy view while driving. The system is user-friendly, with a touchscreen that responds quickly to inputs. Plus, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, adding to the convenience. However, there is a slight delay when using wireless CarPlay, for instance when changing songs. The 10.2-inch digital speedometer that comes standard on the SI, offers a good level of customization with two different gauge designs: round and bar.
Honda excels at including a comprehensive suite of safety systems across its lineup, and the Civic SI is no exception. The adaptive cruise control is an impressive addition, considering the SI has a manual transmission. However, it doesn’t operate in stop-and-go traffic, which makes sense as the car would likely stall without the clutch engaged.
Cargo Space & Storage
The Civic SI offers 419L of trunk space, making it a practical choice for a sports sedan that blends performance with everyday usability. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate longer items, adding to its versatility.
Inside, there’s ample space to keep your belongings organized. If you’re upgrading from an older generation Civic, you’ll notice that Honda has opted for a more traditional interior layout in this model, which isn’t as versatile as before. While this isn’t necessarily a drawback, it’s something to keep in mind. Additionally, the inclusion of a wireless charging pad and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helps maintain a clutter-free cabin, enhancing the overall convenience and functionality of the interior.
Fuel Economy
The 2024 Honda Civic SI is rated at 8.7/6.4/7.7 L/100km (City/Highway/Combined). In our testing, we averaged 8.8 L/100km combined, which is slightly higher than the official rating but still quite reasonable for a sporty sedan.
