1. Confident Steering
2022 Honda Civic Si | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Handling is as communicative and receptive as you’d like your partner to be. When you turn the wheel, you always know where the Si is going and what’s going on with it.
2. A Positive Shift
With sharp throws replacing extended lobs, shifting gears on the (much-appreciated) manual-only transmission is a new and improved experience over the previous Si. Meanwhile, rowing your own gears is a breeze thanks to the light clutch and rev-matching feature.
3. Elegance Over Oomph
The Si may lack the raw power of competing compact performance versions, but it more than makes up for it in balance, precision, braking feel, and… just plain joy.
4. Material Difference
2022 Honda Civic Si | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
With sport seats, crimson accents, and a cutting-edge instrument cluster, the cabin is a sophisticated mix of old and new. Meanwhile, the new multimedia system and Bose stereo are also impressive in terms of technology.
5. Sit Comfortably
The sport seats are thickly padded, but they are supportive rather than harsh. Is it just us, or is there more headroom in the front and back than before, even with the approaching moonroof?
6. Performance for the Price
The more exclusive an audience, typically the more buyers are willing to pay — but Honda’s not exploiting the devoutness of the small-sports-sedan faithful. At a starting price of just $28,315 (including a destination charge), the Civic Si is roughly 2 grand less than its nearest rivals.
Things We Don’t
1. Civilian Civics Too Similar
2022 Honda Civic Si | Cars.com photo by Christian Lantry
Matte-black 18-inch wheels, a low-pro rear spoiler, lower stance and gloss-black trim on the window surrounds and mirrors hint at the Si’s superiority to the standard Civic — and by “hint,” we mean like the minimal clues you get in a guessing game. Better opt for that new Blazing Orange Pearl paint if you’re not looking to be subtle.
