The 2025 Honda Civic Si Is Updated: Still Fun and Affordable?
After a refresh, does the 2025 Honda Civic Si remain one of the most fun-to-drive sport sedans on the market?
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Fantastic value
- Sporty but comfortable
Cons
- Not a numbers car
- Less power than Civic Hybrid
- Clutch pedal is too soft
Despite new cars getting more expensive, Honda managed to keep the 2025 Civic Si affordable while maintaining its fun-to-drive character. The $31,045 sport sedan sounds like a steal in today’s market, especially considering the automaker added more equipment and refinements to the already well-equipped and fun-to-drive Si. Honda is in the midst of revamping its Civic lineup, with the Hybrid Sedan and Hatchback joining its portfolio and the regular Civic and Si getting a midcycle refresh.
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We spent a couple of hours driving the 2025 Honda Civic Si on the winding roads that surround Nashville, Tennessee, and quickly noted the small improvements make a big difference.
Still Sporty, Still Fun
Let’s clear this up right away: The 2025 Honda Civic Si isn’t about smashing performance records. The 2022 Si we tested acclereated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds at 92.8 mph. The 2025 model probably won’t shave time off those numbers. But that really doesn’t matter. Get behind the wheel of the 2025 Honda Civic Si, and suddenly numbers are the last thing on your mind. The car is so dialed in, balanced, and agile that you don’t think about that. Sure, we wouldn’t complain if it had a bit more punch, but Honda leaves that role to the Civic Hybrid, which now makes the same horsepower but more torque than the Si. Meanwhile, the Si delivers a sporty, engaging drive without needing to flex its power. It’s all about the powertrain, suspension, and steering combined, not the spec sheet.
Honda used the Si’s midcycle refresh to bring a few enhancements, making it even better to drive. Upper and lower suspension mounts are now more rigid, as are the subframe mounts, increasing the car’s overall rigidity. New lower B-pillar and rear doorsill supports are also installed to help with side-impact collisions. These small changes make a decent difference on the road, where the 2025 Honda Civic Si handles with confidence to deliver a planted drive.
The heart of the refreshed Civic Si remains unchanged, with the 1.5-liter turbo-four engine still pumping out 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered, and we’re not complaining; in a time when automakers are backing away from manual transmissions, Honda is sticking with it. The engine doesn’t deliver jaw-dropping power, but it all works out. With max torque kicking in before 2,000 rpm, the Si feels responsive from the get-go, and the six-speed gearbox ensures you can wring out every bit of performance. The result is a sedan that’s simply fun to drive. Again, a little more power would be a nice touch, but those eyeing the Si will likely be more than satisfied with the experience it offers.
The Civic Si was in its natural habitat on Nashville’s twisty roads. The standard limited-slip differential ensured strong traction in the corners, and the suspension kept the car’s body planted, giving us more confidence. The ride strikes a sweet balance—sure, it’s sporty, but not at the expense of comfort. Instead of being stiff and unforgiving, it’s composed and refined, delivering just the right amount of excitement without rattling your bones. It’s the kind of car that makes you want to take the long way home, just for the pure joy of driving it. The steering also delivers the right balance of precision and weight; it has a natural feel that goes well with the car, and it’s not overly stiff like you find in some other sport sedans.
Our test Civic Si came rode on Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 summer tires, a $300 option that’s well worth it. These tires offered strong grip and remained pleasantly quiet at speeds up to around 55 mph. However, once you push past that, the noise level starts to creep up a bit. Still, for those who prioritize performance and traction, especially on fun roads, these summer tires are a solid choice.
One of the additions for the 2025 Civic Si model was the expansion of rev-match in downshifts from second to first gear. While Honda introduced rev-matching with the 2022 Si, it didn’t extend to these lower gears. You can still turn off rev-match, but we found that it’s smooth, precise, and adds a touch of finesse to every downshift. The shifter’s knob feels heavy and positive, but we found the clutch pedal to be a bit too soft.
Race-Inspired Cabin
The 2025 Honda Civic Si’s interior received a few upgrades, too. To start, the Type-R’s shift indicator lights have trickled down to the less powerful Civic, giving it Formula 1–style shift lights that change colors as the revs climb and it’s time to shift. This small change brings a tad of adrenaline to the cabin, which also gets a new 10.2-inch display, up from a 7.0-inch screen.
The eye-catching red cloth sport seats, which made their debut in the 2022 model, are back for the 2025 Civic Si, and they still give the cabin a fun, unique vibe. They’re not full-on bucket seats, but they offer solid lateral support and are well cushioned, making them comfortable for both spirited drives and everyday cruising. A new feature for 2025 is the addition of standard heated front seats, something we appreciate in a car priced around $30,000. The two front USB ports are now Type C, but rear-seat passengers don’t get any ports at all, something we hope Honda includes on a future update.
Like other new Hondas, the 2025 Civic Si now comes with the Google built-in infotainment system, which brings native apps like Google Maps, Google Play Store, and Google Assistant to your dashboard. You’ll need a data plan to use these features, but Honda sweetens the deal with three years of complimentary unlimited data—though it’s only for the infotainment system, not for using the car as a Wi-Fi hot spot. On top of that, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard—and they don’t require the data plan to work, keeping you connected no matter what.
A Tremendous Value Option
Sport sedans usually aren’t known for their value, but the 2025 Honda Civic Si is a tremendous option when it comes to how much bang you get for your buck. The new features do raise the price a little bit over the 2024 model, but they’re good additions buyers will appreciate. At $31,045 to start, the newest Honda Civic Si offers a great value proposition, but more important, it continues to deliver a fun experience behind the wheel. While it’s not a performance-numbers car, it maximizes every bit of performance it has. Mixed with a lively suspension and precise steering, the experience is plenty of fun and then some.
Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.
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