When the FE1 Honda Civic Si first went on sale a couple of years in the past, individuals tended to like the way in which it drove and the way in which 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, joyful 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 acquired 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 automobiles you should buy as we speak.
Full Disclosure: Honda flew me right down to Nashville, put me up in a swanky lodge and handled me to every little thing the Music Metropolis needed to supply simply so I may 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 joyful to report the brand new Si is certainly an especially enjoyable automobile to drive with two main highlights. Even in the event you ignore the $31,345 base worth (together with vacation spot), there are only a few automobiles which are stronger handlers or have a greater shifter really feel than the 2025 Si.
Each single shift up and down the usual six-speed handbook gearbox is tight and crisp. Throughout my drive, I discovered myself shifting even once I didn’t should 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 computerized are going to suppose you’re a terrific 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 large spotlight of this automobile is the way in which 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 provides it some additional 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 greater speeds it’s simply so rattling confidence-inspiring that you just by no means need the twisties to finish. There are only a few sedans — no matter worth — 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 just’ll virtually overlook you aren’t transferring very quick. One of many few components of the Civic Si to not see any modifications 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 won’t 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 beneath 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 in the event you’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 numerous 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 the sort of stuff, however it sounds fairly convincing.
The 2025 Si’s inside acquired a couple 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 large 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 very simple to make use of. You possibly can set it to indicate all the data your little coronary heart may ever need. It’s actually a welcome addition.
The second massive addition is the heated entrance seats. That’s proper child, now even the U.S. will get heat asses up entrance. Toasty butts are not reserved only for Canadians. See, you guys, bullying works. Typically automakers truly hearken to what journalists and prospects need. It’s a lovely factor to observe occur. Fortunately, the addition of warmth is the one factor that’s modified concerning the in any other case pretty fabric bucket seats.
For about $32,000, it’s arduous to discover a comfier, extra well-bolstered seat. Certain, it might be good in the event that they have been electrically adjustable, however that may in all probability push the Civic Si over 3,000 kilos, and no person desires that.
On the tech facet 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 working, however as soon as that’s over, you’ve acquired 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 top-of-the-line non-luxury interiors you should buy as we speak, so I’m not precisely damaged up over the truth that Honda didn’t fuck it up. Just about all the supplies really feel pretty, and also you and three of your adult-sized mates can have no downside 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 (apart 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 may ask for extra?
The one actual modifications 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 except you’re some kind of Civic nerd, however that’s OK in the event you ask me. The eleventh era Civic has all the time been a good-looking little automobile in each sedan and hatchback kind, and that is still true for the brand new automobile. There are not any choices accessible for the Si, simply white or grey paint for $455 — pink and black are customary.
Of us, the up to date Civic Si is a beautiful little sedan. It has all the time been because the FE1 first hit the scene, however it’s simply very nice to see an automaker hearken to its prospects 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 top-of-the-line low cost fanatic automobiles you should buy to a automobile that’s punching effectively above its weight class no matter worth.
