Is the Honda Civic SI a fast car?
Yes. The Civic Si is fast for a compact, delivering about 200 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and a manual transmission that rewards engaged driving. It emphasizes agility and driver involvement over sheer straight‑line power, making it quick in daily use and on winding roads, but it sits a notch below purpose-built hot hatches and the range-topping Civic Type R.
Performance fundamentals
The following numbers and details illustrate the Si’s speed characteristics and how they translate to real-world driving.
- Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four
- Power: 200 horsepower
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
- Transmission: 6-speed manual (front-wheel drive)
- Estimated straight-line performance: 0–60 mph in roughly 6.3–6.7 seconds; quarter-mile in the mid-to-high 14-second range
- Weight: typically around 3,050–3,100 pounds, depending on model year and trim
Taken together, these specifications show a focus on responsive acceleration, engaging shifts, and confident highway overtaking, rather than maximum horsepower alone.
Handling and driving experience
Beyond numbers, the Si is judged by how it behaves on real roads and in corners. The car’s chassis, steering, braking, and transmission work in concert to deliver a lively, communicative drive that rewards skilled shifting and precise placement.
- Chassis and suspension tuned for cornering grip and balance
- Steering that offers good heft and clear feedback without becoming twitchy
- Front-wheel-drive with a restrained amount of torque steer, making it predictable in spirited driving
- Brakes with solid bite and consistent feel during repeated stops
- Six-speed manual transmission provides direct, engaging shifts with a positive clutch take-up
In short, the Si prioritizes driver involvement and agile handling, pairing its torque and gearing with a chassis tuned for enthusiastic driving rather than raw top-end speed alone.
Practicality and daily usability
Although designed for sportiness, the Civic Si remains usable as a daily driver. It shares the same interior footprint as other Civic trims and benefits from a practical hatchback body style in most markets, along with comfortable seating and reasonably straightforward controls.
- Powertrain: manual-only, which is a draw for enthusiasts who value engagement
- Interior: supportive seats and accessible controls for daily comfort
- Cargo/space: usable cargo area and flexible rear seating in hatch variants
- Usability: balanced ride quality that remains comfortable on everyday roads
Overall, the Si blends fun driving dynamics with everyday practicality, making it a compelling option for buyers who want performance without sacrificing everyday usability.
Competition and how it stacks up
In a competitive segment, the Civic Si faces several well-regarded rivals. Here’s how it stands in broad terms against common benchmarks:
- Volkswagen Golf GTI: typically stronger straight-line grunt and a refined interior, with similar practicality and a broader set of features; Si offers a more focused driver experience for purists
- Mazda3 Turbo: often praised for upscale interior feel and strong torque, but with a different balance of ride comfort and steering feel compared to the Si
- Hyundai Elantra N: higher power output and more aggressive performance tuning, which appeals to a different segment of enthusiasts
- Civic Type R (above the Si): significantly faster and more extreme, but at a much higher price and with a stiffer ride
In context, the Civic Si provides a well-rounded mix of speed, handling, and daily usability at a more approachable price point and with manual joy, though it isn’t the outright fastest in its class.
Summary
The Honda Civic Si is a fast, engaging compact that prioritizes driver involvement, balanced handling, and practical daily use. It delivers solid straight-line speed for its class, excellent cornering ability, and a popular manual transmission, making it a strong choice for enthusiasts who want performance without sacrificing everyday practicality. In the broader field, it sits between more comfort-oriented hot hatches and the higher-performance, higher-priced rivals, including the Civic Type R.
Is a Civic faster than a Camry?
The Civic only comes in a front-wheel drive configuration, regardless of powertrain or trim, and there is no option to add it. As far as 0-60 goes, we'll look at the fastest times for both vehicles. Final thoughts: While the Civic is quicker off the line, the Camry has more overall horsepower when you need it.
How fast is the Honda Civic Si?
The Honda Civic Si has a top speed of approximately 137137137 mph and can accelerate from 000 to 606060 mph in about 6.86.86.8 to 7.77.77.7 seconds, depending on the model year. The performance varies slightly by year, with the latest models achieving a 0−600 minus 600−60 mph time of around 6.86.86.8 seconds and older models like the 2022 version around 7.77.77.7 seconds.
You can watch this video to see a 0-60 mph test drive of a Honda Civic Si: 1mDale Does StuffYouTube · May 1, 2025
- Acceleration (0−600 minus 600−60 mph): Approximately 6.86.86.8 to 7.77.77.7 seconds, with newer models faster than older ones.
- Top Speed: Approximately 137137137 mph, though some sources state 130130130 mph or 135135135 mph. It is electronically limited.
- Engine: A turbocharged 1.51.51.5-liter inline-four engine that produces 200200200 horsepower and 192192192 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission: A six-speed manual transmission is the only option.
This video shows the driving experience of the new Honda Civic Si: 55sTheTopherYouTube · Nov 24, 2024
What's so special about Civic Si?
The Honda Civic Si is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. This engine produces 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, giving it a solid balance of power and handling. The turbocharged setup provides strong mid-range torque, making the Si feel quick and responsive on the road.
Is a Honda Civic Si faster than a sport?
At 7.0 seconds to 60 mph, it's 0.4 second quicker than the Si, but the Civic catches it, crossing the quarter-mile mark in the same 15.4 seconds, albeit at a slightly slower 92.1 mph trap speed.
