Is the Honda Civic Si FWD or AWD?
The Honda Civic Si is front-wheel drive (FWD). There is no factory all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the Si in current and recent model years, including the 2024 and 2025 lineups.
Understanding the drive layout of the Civic Si
The Civic Si, a performance-oriented variant of Honda’s compact lineup, pairs a turbocharged engine with a front-drive chassis. In the latest generation, it uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering around 200 horsepower, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Honda has not offered an AWD option for the Si in the United States, and the Si remains a front-drive-focused model designed for a sporty, engaging driving experience.
Engine, transmission, and performance
The Si’s drivetrain emphasizes a driver-focused, manual-only experience. The combination of a turbocharged engine and front-wheel drive delivers a lively push from corner to corner, with chassis tuning that prioritizes handling accuracy over all-wheel grip. The absence of AWD is intentional, aligning with the Si’s value proposition: lightweight, affordable performance with direct steering feedback and engaging shifting.
Key facts about the Civic Si drivetrain:
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) only — no factory AWD option for the Si.
- Turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing around 200 hp, with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard.
- Sport-tuned suspension and steering calibrated for a front-drive performance character.
- Part of Honda’s Civic lineup, where most trims share the FWD configuration.
In short, for buyers seeking all-wheel traction in a Civic, the Si is not the option. For those who require AWD, other Honda models in the lineup offer all-wheel drive capabilities.
AWD availability within the Honda Civic family
Within the U.S. market, Honda has not offered AWD on the Civic Si or on the standard Civic sedan/hatch in recent years. If AWD is a priority, shoppers typically look to other Honda models designed with all-wheel drive, such as the CR-V or HR-V, or to different segments where Honda has made AWD a standard or available feature. Market-specific variations may exist outside the United States, but the U.S. Civic Si remains a front-drive sports model.
For enthusiasts curious about why Honda sticks with FWD for the Si, the core reasons include packaging efficiency, cost control, favorable weight distribution for a front-drive chassis, and a driving experience that emphasizes a responsive, driver-centric feel rather than the added complexity of AWD.
Summary
The Honda Civic Si is front-wheel drive. There is no factory AWD option for the Si in current Honda lineups, and the broader Civic range in the United States has largely remained FWD. If AWD is essential, consider other Honda models with all-wheel drive or explore non-Si Civics that may better fit AWD needs. The Si remains a dedicated, manual-transmission, turbocharged front-drive performer.
