When the FE1 Honda Civic Si first went on sale a number of years in the past, individuals tended to like the best way it drove and the best way it seemed, however they complained it was lacking out on sure options the automobile ought to have completely had. Stuff like a full-digital gauge cluster, an LED shift indicator (from the Kind R) and heated seats have been notably absent from the U.S.-spec model of Honda’s sizzling sedan. With the Civic’s 2025 facelift, these options are all customary on the Si. Oh, blissful days.
To me, that is proof that bullying works. Honda noticed everybody and their moms complaining about how the Civic Si in different markets like Canada obtained these options and determined to close us up by simply giving them to us. These new — and really welcome — additions in tandem with nicer wheels, revised entrance and rear fascias, a extra inflexible physique and barely retuned suspension make the already incredible Civic Si simply that little bit higher. By higher, I imply it’s one of many budget-friendly driver’s vehicles you should purchase in the present day.
Full Disclosure: Honda flew me right down to Nashville, put me up in a swanky lodge and handled me to the whole lot the Music Metropolis needed to provide simply so I might drive the refreshed Civic Si.
Certain, it’s nice that Honda added far more customary gear to the 2025 Civic Si, however that’s all pointless if it’s not a enjoyable automobile to drive. I’m blissful to report the brand new Si is certainly an especially enjoyable automobile to drive with two main highlights. Even for those who ignore the $31,345 base value (together with vacation spot), there are only a few vehicles which can be stronger handlers or have a greater shifter really feel than the 2025 Si.
Each single shift up and down the usual six-speed guide gearbox is tight and crisp. Throughout my drive, I discovered myself shifting even once I didn’t need to due to how fantastic of an expertise the transmission is. To make you seem as a good higher driver than you already are, the 2025 Civic Si comes with auto rev-matching downshifts, now accessible on each gear — older FE1s didn’t have it on the second-to-first shift. The system completely blips the throttle each single time, and passengers who don’t know the rev-matching is automated are going to suppose you’re an awesome driver. Because the revs climb, so does the depth of the gauge cluster–mounted shift lights. On the 6,600 RPM redline, they flash and beep, letting you recognize to shift up and benefit from the expertise once more.
The opposite huge spotlight of this automobile is the best way it steers and goes round a nook. As with each Civic Si, the steering really feel is incredible. It’s completely weighted, particularly within the Sport mode which supplies it some further heft that I fairly like. You get tons of suggestions by way of the small-diameter steering wheel, letting you recognize the place the sting of adhesion is with out ever having to second guess whether or not or not you’re about to begin understeering.
This glorious really feel additionally interprets to the chassis and physique management. Honda upped the Civic Si’s rigidity for 2025, making it even tighter than it was earlier than. I drove this automobile within the moist and dry, and even at increased speeds it’s simply so rattling confidence-inspiring that you simply by no means need the twisties to finish. There are only a few sedans — no matter value — that go round a nook even half in addition to the Civic Si. I imply that.
The best way this automobile drives is so goddamn good that you simply’ll nearly neglect you aren’t transferring very quick. One of many few parts of the Civic Si to not see any adjustments for 2025 is the powerplant. It’s the identical turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 used within the pre-facelift automobile, nonetheless placing out 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. That will not sound like a lot (as a result of it isn’t, particularly in comparison with the competitors), however it’s a lot for this automobile. Honda says the 2025 Civic Si nonetheless weighs underneath 3,000 kilos even with its added gear. That’s fairly an achievement.
Anyway, due to its light-weight traits and incredible dealing with setup, the Civic Si thrives as a momentum automobile. Certain, it takes a little bit bit to stand up to hurry — about 6.8 seconds to 60 mph for those who’re actually good at shifting — however when you’re going, the sensations you’re feeling are just about second to none. When people discuss “sluggish automobile quick is best than quick automobile sluggish,” I normally inform them to close up and cease being nerds, however the Civic Si provides a whole lot of credence to that argument. It actually doesn’t sound sluggish both. For 2025, Honda added some enhanced pretend engine noise that makes the Si sound a hell of lots just like the Civic Kind R. I’m normally not a fan of such a stuff, however it sounds fairly convincing.
The 2025 Si’s inside acquired a number of extra options and a few considerate updates because of the bullying Honda went by way of for not simply giving them to us within the first place. The massive ones come within the type of a ten.2-inch LCD gauge cluster, pulled from different Civics and the Acura Integra, that replaces the previous half-LCD-half-analog gauge cluster the U.S.-spec Civic Si was saddled with. Like in all of its different functions, the cluster is fairly customizable and intensely simple to make use of. You possibly can set it to indicate all the data your little coronary heart might ever need. It’s actually a welcome addition.
The second large addition is the heated entrance seats. That’s proper child, now even the U.S. will get heat asses up entrance. Toasty butts are now not reserved only for Canadians. See, you guys, bullying works. Typically automakers truly take heed to what journalists and clients need. It’s an attractive factor to observe occur. Fortunately, the addition of warmth is the one factor that’s modified in regards to the in any other case beautiful material bucket seats.
For about $32,000, it’s laborious to discover a comfier, extra well-bolstered seat. Certain, it might be good in the event that they have been electrically adjustable, however that might most likely push the Civic Si over 3,000 kilos, and no person desires that.
On the tech aspect of issues, Honda added Google Constructed-In to its 9-inch touchscreen, which integrates the Play retailer, Google Maps and Google’s dogshit assistant factor, if that’s one thing you’d be into. The Si additionally comes with a complementary three-year information plan to maintain all of this operating, however as soon as that’s over, you’ve obtained to pay up. Honda additionally added two USB-C ports up entrance, and who doesn’t love that? (Particularly as a result of there’s no wi-fi charger accessible.)
Apart from that, the Civic Si’s inside stays the identical for 2025, not that there’s something mistaken with it. The Civic has among the finest non-luxury interiors you should purchase in the present day, so I’m not precisely damaged up over the truth that Honda didn’t fuck it up. Just about all the supplies really feel beautiful, and also you and three of your adult-sized associates may have no drawback becoming within the automobile. Headroom is ever so barely restricted within the rear seats for me at 6-foot1, however apart from that, each seat (aside from the bitch seat within the center) is cozy sufficient for a chubby grownup. There’s even loads of room within the trunk in your stuff and issues. Who might ask for extra?
The one actual adjustments on the surface for 2025 are a revised entrance fascia that’s meant to look a bit extra aggressive, a darker tint to the taillights and a brand new matte-black wheel design. You’ll be hard-pressed to see these variations until you’re some type of Civic nerd, however that’s OK for those who ask me. The eleventh technology Civic has at all times been a good-looking little automobile in each sedan and hatchback kind, and that continues to be true for the brand new automobile. There aren’t any choices accessible for the Si, simply white or grey paint for $455 — crimson and black are customary.
People, the up to date Civic Si is a beautiful little sedan. It has at all times been because the FE1 first hit the scene, however it’s simply very nice to see an automaker take heed to its clients about points (that have been small, admittedly) and treatment them. With the addition of key options like a greater gauge cluster, a extra well-sorted suspension, heated seats and sick-ass shift lights, the Civic Si went from being among the finest low-cost fanatic vehicles you should purchase to a automobile that’s punching effectively above its weight class no matter value.
