2023 Honda Civic SI is here to deliver even more value, even though it’s a little less powerful than its predecessor.
The 2022 Honda Civic Si’s 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine makes 200 horsepower, which is five horsepower down compared to the model it replaces.
However, this number of horsepower does not reflect the whole story, as Honda engineers have found other ways to improve the performance of this sporty sedan.
For example, the 192 pound-feet (260 Newton-meters) of torque you got on the previous-generation Honda Civic Si now starts at an earlier 300 rpm, 1,800 rpm.
This should translate into a more vibrant and exciting acceleration when we press the gas pedal.
While at the other end of the rpm scale, Honda says it has tweaked the engine to produce more power than ever before between a peak of 6,000 rpm and a redline of 6,500 rpm.
As previously announced, the 2022 Honda Civic Si will only have a manual transmission featuring a six-speed gearbox.
This is enhanced by rev-matching technology borrowed from the Honda Civic Type R.
Engineers have revised the transmission to produce a 10 percent shorter throw and better gearshift feel.
Enhanced by the leather-inspired aluminum shift knob you’ll find on the Honda Type R.
For the latest iteration of its rival VW Jetta GLI, Honda developed a new dual exhaust system, with 27 percent better exhaust flow than the regular Honda Civic Touring.
In addition, the single-mass flywheel is now 26 percent lighter than the single-mass unit of the previous Honda Civic Si.
The engine provides faster throttle response thanks to a 30 percent reduction in flywheel inertia.
2023 Honda Civic Si Review: New Honda Civic Si 2023
The New Honda Civic Si 2023 enters a new model year full of updates, with the sporty Si model joining Honda’s stable performance with the latest version of the high-performance Type R.
Fresh from a complete redesign for 2022, the Civic lineup continues to expand for budget-conscious car buyers, as well as for hardcore driving enthusiasts.
- HIGHEST
Satisfactory throw and shifter action, sharp handling without a stiff ride, much cheaper than the VW Golf GTI. - LOWEST
Less horsepower but more expensive, engine sounds rough when pushed, no longer offered with heated seats. - DECISION
The Civic Si isn’t the flashiest or most powerful compact sports car, but it’s still a pure driver’s car that most people can afford.
When it comes to the Civic Type R 2023, the sky seems to be the limit with this pint-sized powerhouse.
Expect a more powerful version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, which, on the previous model, produces no less than 305 horsepower.
This mighty engine could see the Type R reach an official maximum speed of 169 mph – although this impressive figure is considered conservative.
Look for the next Civic Type R styling that’s slimmer than the previous boy-racer model, featuring sharp corners and glossy black aerodynamic enhancements.
The more tame and classier Type R isn’t a bad thing, given the polarizing design of the previous version.
A 6-speed manual will be standard, although it is likely that Honda will add an automatic transmission with a paddle-shifter at some point.
Optional all-wheel drive has long been rumored, although we believe the next Type R will continue to be front-wheel drive only.
What about the rest of the Civic lineup, a model that excels in terms of affordability and outstanding fuel economy?
After being completely renovated for the 2021 model year, the regular Civic sedan lineup should continue with only minor changes to trim and color options.
The 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine serves as the entry-level engine, while the 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder is available in higher trims such as the EX, EX-L, Touring, and Sports Touring.
A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is the gearbox found in most Civics, although a 6-speed manual is available on the Sport and Sport Touring trims.
Standard features on the Honda Civic 2023 include an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system, automatic headlights, rearview camera, LED headlights and taillights, and the Honda Sensing active safety feature suite.
Read next: 2023 Honda Accord: All-New Honda Accord Exclusive Review and Redesign
2023 Honda Civic Si Coupe
The 2022 Honda Civic Si is arguably the sweet spot in the brand’s small car line, with a near-perfect ratio of performance and daily driver character. We even named it to our Editor’s Choice list.
Since the regular Honda Civic on which it is based has just been revamped for the new generation, the Si benefits from the same improvements to interior space and feature list.
A specially tuned chassis and powerful four-turbo engine give the Civic Si the performance to compete with compact sports cars like the Subaru WRX and VW Golf GTI, both of which have also recently been redesigned.
Plus, the Civic’s under $30,000 price tag helps it deliver value. The 2022 Civic Si sedan will continue to offer only manual transmission and front-wheel drive, and its fun-to-drive nature continues as well.
After a brief hiatus for the 2021 model year, the Civic Si is back for a new generation with new dimensions, better features, and most importantly improved performance.
2023 Honda Civic SI Redesign
The redesigned 2022 Honda Civic Si proves that you don’t have to be rich or have access to the racetrack to have fun behind the wheel.
Honda skipped the racetrack demo for a media preview of the next-generation Civic Si sedan and we’re better off about it.
Leaving the city and turning through the canyons provides the kind of everyday satisfaction promised by one of the best affordable sports cars around.
Hiking one-lane mountain roads tiptoeing beside a 1,000-foot ravine, the Civic Si benefits from improvements made to the 2022 Honda Civic. The structure of the eleventh-generation sedan (also sold as a hatchback) has 8% more torsional rigidity, according to Honda.
The new Si also borrows a few tricks from the Type R, such as standard rev-matching for the 6-speed manual transmission, and stiffer suspension arms and bushings.
The body looks longer and lower, and in Blazing Orange, it looks a lot sexier, but the size of the latest Accord-like Civic is an illusion.
It’s only about an inch long with a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase, and the rear track is half an inch wider, but the same height.
The illusion manifests on the long nose. The low hood is lower than the previous generation, and the shoulders are pulled back for better posture.
Si wears a different bumper than the sedan, the better to show off the dual exhaust; a rear spoiler and black trim pieces add subtle flair.
The sedan looks good but looks better from the driver’s seat. Honda rearranged the A-pillar to conspire with a flat dashboard and low hood to create a fantastic vision from behind the wheel.
Inspiration comes from the original 1986 slice of Si, in all its greenhouse splendor.
Beyond the nose, a wide expanse paved the way ahead so I could see through those California curves, but a quick sideways inspection confirmed I wasn’t going to cut corners.
For this iteration, Honda attached the side mirrors to the doors and set them lower; The notch in the mirror housing opens a subtle but significant field of vision as it rotates to the left through the hairpin.
Subtle but significant can be this Si ethos. Suspension tuning feels as if canyon slaloms were an integral part of its development. It’s the same MacPherson front strut, multi-link rear suspension as the previous model, but different.
Compared to the new Civic sedan, Honda reinforced the Si with reinforced top spring mounts and thicker stabilizer bars but lacked the adaptive dampers of its predecessor.
Adaptive dampers aren’t necessary, or even desirable, senior product planner Dan Calhoun told me: Many owners of the last generation didn’t use Sport mode because it was too tight.
In back-to-back testing with the Si out on that initial canyon climb, the new Si held up better on bumpy pavement, with less lateral movement and an overall more balanced ride.
The blind grooves around the stone slabs littering the road with debris felt less dangerous. At highway speeds, it seems quieter, though powerful enough to make me aware of the reinforced sports bucket with integrated headrests. When turning, the older model is more plowing with the front tires fighting for grip.
The half-inch wider track helps with traction, as do the 18-inch summer tires (the same size as the all-season 235/40R18). A note on those tires: A set of Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires is again the only option on the Civic Si, and for $200, it’s well worth it.
Honda added a third driving mode to Normal and Sport with an Individual setting that lets you change engine response and steering feel. It’s hard to tell the difference, though the overall steering felt a little heavier than the previous model in back-to-back testing.
Electric-assist steering response is most appreciated in downhill cuts, where maintaining the line and avoiding drop-offs is critical. Steering offers more feel, thanks in part to the stiffer torsion bars connecting the shaft and the rack pinion gear.
Changes to the manual transmission are less of an improvement. The shift gate feels tidier even though its throw is 10% shorter than its predecessor Si. Honda wants to feel the Type-R click when it’s growing on its own, but I’m not sure that’s an improvement.
The lap match feature is hidden under the Vehicle Settings screen on the 9.0-inch touchscreen and the parking brake must be activated to activate it; Set before hitting the road to keep power in and out of corners.
The clutch pedal absorption is perfect, however, neither too tight nor too soft, and neither too long nor too short. It was just right, like a good bowl of porridge.
The Si engine is also the same but different, the changes are subtle but significant. The 1.5-liter turbo-4 engine returns and makes the same 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
It’s great for 0-60 mph times of under seven seconds, and the throttle is noticeably more sensitive, so there’s no need to step on the pedal like on the older model.
Peak torque arrives earlier at 1,800 rpm (from 2,100 rpm on the older model), and the wider power band limits the need to downshift when exiting a turn as power is often already present.
The most significant change came from the single-mass flywheel replacing the heavier dual-mass unit in the previous model; it makes Si jump faster and spin faster.
The Si isn’t slow, it’s not fast, but it’s probably just right for a beginner sports car ($28,515 including $1,015 destination fee).
Racetracks with long open stretches might disable the upgrade on the Si. But on winding roads that wind through canyons and down in the Pacific Ocean, Si feels just right.
Read next: 2023 Honda Civic: The Current Evolution Preview
2023 Honda Civic Si Hatchback
Looking more mature than ever, which is perhaps a consequence of having to adhere to no less than ten generations of tradition, the 2022 Honda Civic Sedan officially came out to play in the United States late last month.
But just one body style, multiple trims, and efficiency improvements are never enough to quench the thirst of so many enthusiasts.
Maybe that’s why the Civic unofficially changed to a different version as quickly as possible.
For example, Honda just released a teaser photo of a red sedan earlier this April, and a virtual artist has turned a Japanese compact car into a family car with the help of a high-performance German wagon just hours later.
This time, the pixel masters behind the KDesign AG account at Behance have decided to keep things in the family and not take inspiration from other brands. The unofficial changes are also much tame, as on this occasion we are only dealing with upgrades to the famous Civic Si series.
Don’t think we weren’t impressed, though, as we’ve always found the Sport Injected version to be excellent at bridging the gap between the standard model and the mighty Civic Type R.
Hopefully, the official iteration will retain at least some of the cues seen here in this digital depiction, and we’re referring to the cool HDMI-port-style single rear exhaust setup.
As far as what’s hidden under the hood, CGI-focused reinterpretations usually don’t come with such specific information.
So, there’s no other way but to remain patient and hope that Honda will reveal this version soon along with other interesting details about the stock variant.– such as the exact date it will be delivered to dealers and bank account breakdowns for future owners.
Meanwhile, it’s interesting to note that Honda has subtly upgraded the Civic Sedan 2022’s 1.5-liter turbo engine. That one is now capable of producing 180 hp and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm), an additional 6 hp and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) compared to its predecessor.
So is this a possible hint that something like this could also be done for the next iteration of the Civic Si?
2023 Honda Civic Si Specs
On the suspension side, a limited-slip differential is part of standard equipment, as is the multi-link rear suspension.
And as you’d expect, the Honda Civic Si’s brakes are bigger than the regular Honda Civic, with 12.3-inch rotors at the front axle (+1.2 inches) and 11.1 inches at the rear (+0.9 inches).
18-inch rims with 10-spoke design and exclusive matte black finish for the latest version are wrapped in 235/40 R18 performance tires for various seasons, with rubber options for summer.
The Blazing Orange Pearl paint that we first saw in November 2020 for the Honda Civic prototype, was also applied to the Honda Civic Si.
The exterior styling features a more aggressive yet subtle evolution compared to the regular model.
Equipped with a glossy black spoiler on the trunk lid, complementing the side mirror covers and around the windows which are also dark.
The underbody spoiler at the front reveals the identity of the Honda Civic Si, along with the red badge on the front grille taken from the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback.
2023 Honda Civic SI Interior
The interior has largely carried over from the regular 2022 Honda Civic Sedan, but with plenty of red accents and aluminum pedals.
Also, a pair of sporty seats with integrated headrests and improved lateral support.
Just like the standard compact sedan, it gets a seven-inch digital driver screen and a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As standard, the Honda Civic Si has a 12-inch Bose sound system with a subwoofer.
With Honda changing the body style of the 2023 Honda Civic Si Coupe for the 11th generation Civic, there will be no more two-door Honda Civic Si.
The sedan will go on sale before the end of the year and will be followed by a manual Honda Civic Type R hatchback in 2022.
Also next year, we’ll see the much-vaunted Acura Integra as a five-door sporty liftback.
Also with three pedals, and probably related in terms of foundation to one of the more up-to-date Honda Civics.
An exclusive set of sports seats with extra support, the signature Si logo on the headrests, and contrasting red stitching are some of the main ways Honda differentiates the interior of the Si from the standard edition Civic.
The red stitching extends to the doors, steering wheel, and other surfaces to show the car’s sportiness. The ornate mesh that runs the length of the dashboard and hides the HVAC vents also gets an exclusive red trim.
On the Si, the driver faces a gauge cluster with an analog speedometer and a digital tachometer on the left. Unfortunately, unlike its predecessor, the Si is no longer offered with heated seats.
With the same dimensions as the less sporty Civic sedan, it provides equally comfortable rear seats and a trunk that can accommodate six carry-on luggage.
Like most full-fledged Civic models, the Si’s standard infotainment system has a 9.0-inch touchscreen that grows from the center of the dashboard. This unit includes a handy volume knob and several other physical buttons.
Honda packs every Si with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a standard 12-speaker Bose audio system for jammin’ out on the way to the grocery store or racetrack.
2023 Honda Civic SI Engine
Under the hood of the Civic Si is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a standard limited-slip differential and a six-speed manual transmission; the automatic option is not currently offered.
Our hands-on experience revealed some engine roughness when pushed, but there’s a bit of turbo lag, and we liked the short throw and light action of the shifter.
The manual gearbox also now has a rev-match feature for drivers who haven’t perfected the heel-and-toe technique and is easy to turn on or off. On our test track, the Civic Si timed 6.8 seconds from zero to 60 mph, 0.5 seconds faster than the Civic hatchback we tested with the six-speed manual.
Compared to the regular Civic, the Si has larger brake rotors and is available with a set of summer tires.
The latter combined with the car’s firmer suspension gives the Si an edge in the handling department, and while adaptive dampers are no longer included, the standard suspension is smooth, stable, and never feels harsh.
Honda Civic SI 2023 MPG
The 2022 Civic Si is rated at 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Once we had a chance to run it on our 75-mph highway route, which was part of our extensive testing regimen, we were able to evaluate the real-world mpg. For more information on the Civic’s fuel economy, visit the EPA website.
2023 Honda Civic Si Price
We believe the base price for the standard Honda Civic LX 2023 sedan will continue to start at around $22,000. Moving up to the highest trims, such as the Civic EX and Touring models, pushes the asking price closer to $30,000.
That’s about what you’d pay for a 2023 Civic Si sedan, incidentally. This performance model helps add some sparkle to the lineup, even though it’s not the highest-performing Civic – nor is it the most expensive.
That title belongs to the 2023 Civic Type R, with a base price of around $40,000.