2020 Honda Civic Si First Review

• Turbocharged 1.5-liter DOHC turbo four, 205 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque
• 6-speed manual transmission (only transmission offered with the Civic Si)
• Available as a coupe or sedan
• Fuel efficiency ratings: 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, 30 mpg mixed
• Honda Sensing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 18-inch alloy wheels standard
• On sale now, prices starting at $25,930 including destination charge

The Honda Civic is the exception that proves the “people don’t buy cars anymore” rule. There are a few other cars that still sell in high numbers, but as the best-selling retail car in the U.S., Honda’s Civic is the poster child for success in a market dominated by SUVs. Of course, Honda has continued to evolve this 10^th generation Civic to keep it vibrant, and that includes some attractive upgrades to the 2020 Civic Si.

Honda told us the Civic Si represents a key part of the Civic brand because it appeals to the model’s enthusiastic customers and is often the first taste of what Honda performance is all about. While not as quick or capable as the Civic Type R, the Civic Si’s high value and wide appeal makes it a key player in the model’s overall success.

What’s new for the 2020 Honda Civic Si?

The current Honda Civic is already one of the best cars you can buy. From its advanced chassis and suspension design to its spacious cabin and attractive design there was little to complain about regarding Honda’s compact coupe and sedan. But if we wanted to pick nits, we might focus on the Civic’s lack of a volume knob; and more performance is always welcome on a sporty car.

Well, Honda addressed both items, putting a round volume knob back on the Civic’s central dash and a shorter final-drive ratio in the drivetrain. The former vastly improves the audio system control interface while the latter gives the 2020 Civic Si increased thrust when accelerating, though without any hit to fuel efficiency. The new Civic Si still manages 30 mph in mixed driving.

Additional upgrades for the 2020 Honda Civic Si include revised LED headlights and LED fog lights, a redesigned front and rear bumper (front only on the Coupe) and new “blackout-style” 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, beyond the volume knob, the 2020 Civic Si gets new red trim around the dash and seats and a revised Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interface. There’s also new active sound control technology to enhance the engine’s exhaust note.

Finally, Honda’s advanced suite of safety tech, Honda Sensing, now comes standard on the 2020 Civic Si. This system includes forward collision warning with a collision mitigation braking system, smart cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning and road departure mitigation.

How does the 2020 Honda Civic Si drive?

The Civic Si supplements the model’s strong chassis with an adaptive suspension, variable steering system and high-output 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 205 peak horsepower and 192 lb-ft of peak torque. That torque is spread across a wide portion of the engine’s powerband, giving the Si strong acceleration and engaging driving dynamics, further enhanced by the model’s slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission (no automatic is offered with the Si). Aggressively bolstered front seats further inspire spirited driving without compromising comfort during daily commuting.

The Civic Si’s combination of performance and functionality appeals to younger enthusiasts. Honda says the average Si buyer is 36, and 60 percent are Gen Y or Gen Z, making it a strong entryway into both the Honda brand and Honda’s performance models.

How much does the 2020 Honda Civic Si cost?

The 2020 Honda Civic Si is priced at $25,000, plus a $930 destination charge. The only option is a set of summer performance tires for an additional $200. Everything else comes standard on the Honda Civic Si, including the aforementioned Honda Sensing technology suite, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sport seats with new red contrasting trim, LED headlights and foglights, plus 18-inch alloy wheels. That price also includes a limited slip differential, keyless entry and start, a power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In a market with ever-shrinking car options it’s encouraging to see Honda continuing to support not only the Civic model line but the performance-focused, manual-shift-only Si version. This model has successfully balanced performance and practicality since it debuted 34 years ago, and that recipe continues with the 2020 Honda Civic Si.

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