Sport compact enthusiasts rejoice: the new, 2022 Honda Civic Si has been announced. Most importantly, the car looks like it hasn’t deviated from the model’s now-classic sport-injected formula. Manual transmission, limited-slip differential, practical performance, and fun but simple styling. It’s all there.
Welcome to Headlight. This is a daily news feature that lights up one current event in the car world and breaks it down by three simple subheadings: What Happened, Why It Matters, and What To Look For Next. Look for it in the morning (Eastern time) every weekday.
What Happened
Honda has officially unveiled the new 2022 Honda Civic Si (based on the brand-new eleventh-gen Civic). The brands boast that it’s the “best-handling and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever,” with updates to its turbocharged engine to produce an even 200 horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, and available summer tires.
Furthermore, for those wondering if it’s indeed a solid upgrade over the old Si, Honda also states that body rigidity has been increased by 8 percent up front and 54 percent in the rear, with larger 27mm front and 18mm rear hollow sway bars have been fitted. Several parts from the Civic Type R have trickled down as well, such as auto rev-matching during downshifts and stiff suspension bushings.
Honda’s also gone to town making it look like a true sport compact, and we think it’s done pretty well there. The Si’s subtle exterior accents, bigger black wheels, lower ride height, and blacked-out trim pieces have really done wonders for the new Civic sedan’s overall looks. Lower-trim Civic sedans aren’t terrible looking, but the Si looks better nonetheless.
Why It Matters
Modest sport compacts are exactly the kind of car we like to celebrate at Car Autance because of their accessibility and versatility. So we’re always excited to see a new one. Or at least, a revised version of a favorite that keeps a three-pedal manual transmission. The rival Hyundai Veloster will only be available as the highest-trim N starting next year, the Hyundai Elantra N-Line and Kia Forte are around, the VW GTI is creeping toward becoming overpowered for this modest segment… and that’s about it for new cars in this class.
It’s good to see that there’s still an option out there for someone who wants more fun injected into their daily commute, but isn’t quite up for the increased cost and aggression of the Civic Type R or Veloster N. Plus, it’s much more thrifty option thanks to its 1.5-liter turbo I4 that returns a rated 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway.
What To Look For Next
Frankly, we can’t wait to start hearing journalists’ impressions and possibly getting behind the wheel ourselves. We can’t stress enough how nice it is to have a brand-new, fun-to-drive car with three pedals and a stick.
What we’re possibly even more excited for: seeing them on track. According to the TeamHondaResearch Instagram page, Honda Performance Development (HPD) is entering at least one new race-prepared Honda Civic Si in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, a world-famous endurance race put on by the National Auto Sport Association. By the looks of it, it’s got some aftermarket aero and different wheels, though no other clues as to any other performance improvements.
This is especially music to our ears, as in the past it’s led to HPD developing a turn-key, complete racecar to be sold to prospective professional racing teams.
More great stories on Car Autance
- The auto plant riots in Squid Game were fictional, like the rest of the show, but closely based on very real and very serious events.
- Take a closer look at how refined a Tesla Model 3 really is.
- Find out why police can claim they have “certified” speedometers while most other cars can’t.
- You’re probably familiar with the BMW E46 M3, it’s amazing, but there were a few aftermarket M3 alternatives from that era that are also worth learning about.
- Read our Review Rundown of the new Toyota Tundra to get a big range of perspectives on the new truck in one place.
