Honda Confirms $23,900 Starting Price For 205bhp Civic Si

You don't need mountains of power or a hefty price tag to have fun, and we think the new Civic Si sounds like it could be a gem that Europe misses out on
Honda Confirms $23,900 Starting Price For 205bhp Civic Si

North America isn’t just getting the new Honda Civic Type R – it’s also getting a 205bhp Si version. And we’re a bit jealous.

The Si only packs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-pot but clever turbocharging means a healthy peak torque of 192lb ft between 2100rpm and 5000rpm, making the warm Civic poky without terrifying your insurance company.

It’s offered as a two-door coupe and a four-door saloon, but both come with less weight and wider front and rear track measurements than before. Honda says the car’s centre of gravity is lower than for the previous Si, and handles better as a result. The only difference in headline spec between the two versions is a rear-seat heating vent in the saloon.

Honda Confirms $23,900 Starting Price For 205bhp Civic Si

The anti-roll bars are 30 per cent and 60 per cent stiffer than before at the front and rear respectively. Bushings have been upgraded and the suspension’s upper control arms are now the ‘ultra-rigid’ ones found on the full-fat Type R.

It’s no revvy animal, with peak power arriving all the way down at 5700rpm instead of the old car’s 7000rpm. Instead, it offers two driving modes; Normal and Sport. They do pretty much what you’d expect them to, utilising the broader range of control in the adaptive dampers and variable-ratio power steering.

Honda Confirms $23,900 Starting Price For 205bhp Civic Si

Of course, technology plays a big part in the SI’s game plan, and a seven-inch touch-screen is standard. It’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to get the most from your smartphone, and there’s a decent 450-Watt, 10-speaker premium stereo to enjoy.

As for price, the US cars are all priced at $23,900 (£18,550), so if Honda could match that price in the UK the Si would look like stunning value.

The 200bhp-ish mark is a real sweet spot for cars with good chassis, which is why we’re looking forward to the next Ford Fiesta ST. We think we’d love the Civic Si in Britain, so Honda, now you’ve given the US the Type R, can you send us the Si in return? You know you want to.

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Comments

The Dutch Texan

I drove the Hatch Sport, which shares the same engine. It looks good and with a tune you’re right there power wise. Sure, the SI will handle better but you’ll feel pretty bad when your new SI gets gapped by the “pedestrian” hatch Sport. There is no value in getting the SI for daily commuting if you can get the same go for less in the Hatch sport. Unless you want to keep that warranty intact. SI all the way then.

05/15/2017 - 14:03 |
0 | 0

It’s not the same engine as the Hatch Sport, the Hatch Sport peeks at 189hp the Si will peak at 205…

05/16/2017 - 02:35 |
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HondaDriver

Despite the size of the engine, this car will pretty cool. Can’t wait to see it on the road!

05/15/2017 - 15:19 |
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RotaryBlade

I let out a si (gh) when i realised this was USA only

05/15/2017 - 15:26 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Thought the CIVIC was gonna be expensive?
Honda be like:
Sike.”

05/15/2017 - 16:08 |
18 | 0
JDM_Dawg

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Lol at least it’s cheaper than the Sentra Nismo.

05/15/2017 - 22:03 |
0 | 0
H5SKB4RU (Returned to CT)

Cool !

05/15/2017 - 17:35 |
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Zoomer Slick

Turbocharged?

Nope. I’ll stick with my 2.0L N/A thank you very much.

05/15/2017 - 17:35 |
0 | 0
Mythres

TFW you know it will arrive to your country (as all SI civics) but it will surely cost $50k (as all SI civics before)

05/15/2017 - 17:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I think I’d rather wait a year or two to buy a Chevy Bolt hot hatch for about the same price.

05/15/2017 - 20:38 |
2 | 4
My Name is Joel

Why buy a 205 hp Civic for over 20K when you can get a 175 hp Pontiac Grand Am for 10 times less

05/16/2017 - 00:30 |
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Anonymous

Tempting at 205hp? Depends how much it weights. If it weights more than the previous models, which it no doubt will, then what does this 205hp really mean?

05/16/2017 - 01:53 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

… They say it’ll weigh a bit less than last gen Si.

05/17/2017 - 21:33 |
0 | 0