2026 Honda Civic Si Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Neither as gnarly nor as expensive as the mighty Type R, the 2026 Honda Civic Si deserves credit for being the first performance Civic in the U.S. Today, the sport sedan still packs a lot of fun for the price, offering sharp handling, a turbocharged engine, and a manual transmission.
Small athletic sedan competitors include the Hyundai Elantra N Line, Mazda 3 sedan, Volkswagen Jetta GLI, and Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo.
What’s New
After a year of offering a stickier summer tire option for the Civic Si, Honda has pulled it off the menu, so there’s only one version of the sedan once again. This generation of the Si arrived for 2022 with a broader torque curve, the Civic Type R’s rev-matching transmission, trim-specific spoilers, sport seats, Blazing Orange Pearl exterior paint, and a new customizable Individual drive mode setting.
What We Think
Although it doesn't match the outright speed of the full-tilt Type R, the Civic Si delivers sharp handling, a limited-slip differential, and a satisfyingly athletic feel, albeit with trade-offs like a firm ride and noticeable tire noise at highway speeds.
In a market dominated by automatics, the fact that the Si still comes standard with a six-speed manual feels almost miraculous. Still, some enthusiasts may miss the affordable summer tire package offered last year, which is absent from this model.
Like its Civic siblings, the Si benefits from clean styling, strong fuel economy, and a generous suite of standard driver assistance features. However, Honda missed a chance to enhance the sporty vibe with more distinctive drive screen customization.
Overall, the Civic Si remains a highly approachable sport compact—and a natural stepping stone for those considering the even higher-performance Civic Type R.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
Preceding generations of Civic Si came with a naturally aspirated 2.0- or 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (older models came with even smaller non-turbo engines), but the current variant boasts a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four. It produces 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
Like all Civics, the Si is FWD only, and this is one of the few that comes with a six-speed manual (most Civics come with an automatic transmission). In MotorTrend testing, the 2025 model can launch to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.
That’s off the pace of a similar 2022 model, which can do the same in a quicker 7.1 seconds. That’s also how quick the K4 GT-Line Turbo is to 60 mph. The FWD Kia compact sedan features a slightly bigger 1.6-liter turbo-four that makes less horsepower (190 hp) but more torque (195 lb-ft).
MPGs and Range
For an athletic turbo model, Civic Si fuel economy isn’t terrible. EPA ratings come in at 27/37 mpg city/highway. The sport sedan can travel as far as 384 miles with a full tank of gas.
The K4 Turbo isn’t too far off. Fuel economy measures 26/36 mpg, and total range is as much as 360 miles.
Safety Ratings and Features
In its most recent safety testing for the 2025 model year, the Civic sedan earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick, the institute’s second highest distinction. It also nabbed an NHTSA five-star overall safety rating. Standard Honda Sensing active safety features include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping
- Adaptive cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic monitoring
- Automatic high-beams
Cargo Space and Interior Room
The Civic Si, Kia K4, and Mazda 3 sedan share identical front legroom measurements. Rear legroom and cargo capacity compare favorably to the Mazda.
Technology
Infotainment
The Civic Si comes in a single specification that includes a 10.2-inch driver display and 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two USB-C ports for the front seats and a 12-volt outlet are also standard.
Sound System
All Civic Si models come with a Bose 12-speaker arrangement that includes a subwoofer.
Available Upgrades
The only Civic Si add-ons are dealer-installed options like a trunk tray, splash guards, floormats, and wheel locks.
Value
Standard Features
The spiciest non-Type R Civic is built with a potent little turbo engine and a manual transmission packing a standard limited-slip differential—all for a lot less than the CTR.
What Does the “Si” Mean in Civic Si?
It stands for "Sport Injected." Back in the 1980s, it was used to show that the Civic had upgraded from a carburetor to fuel injection—a big deal for performance back then. These days, fuel injection is standard on pretty much every car, but Honda kept the "Si" badge to mark the Civic’s sportier, more performance-focused version.
