Honda Civic Si

Honda Civic Si at a glance

"Si" is usually explained as "sport injected", a nod to the fuel-injected engine of the first models. The badge has since moved through hatchbacks, coupés and saloons, always as a light, front-wheel-drive car with a high-revving engine, a manual gearbox and sharper suspension than the standard Civic. In Europe Honda sold sporty Civics mostly as VTi and Type R models, so the Si is chiefly a North American and Japanese nameplate. The company story is in Honda's history.

The first Si models (1984–1995)

The Si arrived with the third-generation Civic. In Japan, the three-door hatchback Si used the 1.6-litre DOHC ZC engine. The 1986 US version had a 1.5-litre SOHC 12-valve D15A4 with Honda's PGM-FI fuel injection, the first fuel-injected Civic engine in that market, plus a rear anti-roll bar. The fourth-generation Si of 1989–1991 used a 1.6-litre D16A6 with 81 kW (108 hp) and double-wishbone suspension at both ends; it was the first Civic built in Canada. For 1992–1995 the fifth-generation Si hatchback got the D16Z6, Honda's first Civic VTEC engine, with variable intake valve timing and 93 kW (125 hp). It also had disc brakes on all four wheels.

The EM1 coupé (1999–2000): the Si people remember

After a pause, Honda brought the Si back for the 1999 facelift of the sixth-generation Civic, this time as a two-door coupé rather than a hatchback. Its B16A2 1.6-litre DOHC VTEC engine produced 119 kW (160 hp) at high revs and 150 Nm (111 lb-ft), with a five-speed manual. The coupé had stiffer springs and anti-roll bars and bigger brakes than other Civics, and Honda says it was the first Civic Si coupé.

The old 1cars text adds the details owners notice. The EM1 was based on the EX coupé, with front and rear aprons, a mesh grille, colour-coded mirrors and mouldings, 15-inch Honda alloy wheels and clear-red tail lights. Inside, "Si" appeared on the instruments. The cabin had a leather steering wheel, supportive height-adjustable front seats, electric windows and mirrors, a power moonroof, cruise control and air conditioning. US buyers chose from three colours: blue pearl, black pearl and red. Black Civic coupés were used by the truck hijackers in the film The Fast and the Furious (2001). Weak points mentioned in the old text are the lack of ABS, an air-conditioning system that struggled in hot climates and a plain interior.

K-series years (2002–2015)

The seventh-generation Si of 2002–2005 was a three-door hatchback built in Swindon, England. It was the first Si with a K-series engine, the 2.0-litre K20A3 i-VTEC with 119 kW (160 hp) and 179 Nm, and it had a dashboard-mounted "rally style" gear lever. The eighth-generation car of 2006–2011 was a high point. Its K20Z3 delivered 147 kW (197 hp) and 188 Nm, and it came with the Si's first six-speed manual and a standard limited-slip differential. Its K20Z3 has 28 kW more than the K20A3 of the previous Si. A saloon joined the coupé in 2007 and became the more popular body; a limited Mugen Si saloon followed in 2008.

For 2012 Honda switched to a larger 2.4-litre K24Z7 with 150 kW (201 hp) and 230 Nm, the biggest Si engine yet. For 2014–2015 it rose to 153 kW (205 hp) and 236 Nm. These cars were rated up to 31 mpg (US) on the highway.

Turbo era (2017 to today)

The tenth-generation Si of 2017–2020 was the first with a turbocharger: a 1.5-litre L15B7 with 153 kW (205 hp) and 260 Nm, plus adjustable dampers with Normal and Sport modes. The Honda Sensing driver-assistance package became standard for 2020. The eleventh generation, on sale since the 2022 model year, keeps the 1.5 turbo with 149 kW (200 hp) and 260 Nm. It adds a stiffer body, rev-matching for the six-speed manual, a Bose audio system and new seats. Honda dropped the coupé body with this generation, so today's Si is a saloon only.

All figures are SAE ratings from Honda's North American timeline, except the 1984 car sold in Japan.

Si, Type R and rivals

The Si has always been the affordable step below the Type R. In Europe the Type R and sporty VTi versions filled that role. In North America the Si competed with the Volkswagen GTI, the Mazda3 and the Subaru WRX at the top of its range. Car and Driver put the Si on its 10Best list in 1989, 1990, 1991, 2018 and 2019. For a bigger step, see the Honda S2000, the brand's rear-drive roadster of the same era as the EM1, or the mid-engined Honda NSX, which used VTEC in a V6. You can line up any two of these cars in the 1cars comparison tool or check the quickest coupés ranking.