Honda said the road-going Civic Si is coming soon, and that it will be the “best-handling” and “most fun-to-drive” Civic Si yet. That's likely thanks in part to the stiffer body and chassis (8% better torsional rigidity and 13% better bending rigidity) of the 11th-generation Civic. The wheelbase and track width have also been increased over the previous generation.

There's no word on the powertrain but expect the previous Civic Si's 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 to carry over into the new model, along with the front-wheel-drive configuration. The 205 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque peak output will likely be unchanged. A manual should be standard and Honda may offer the regular Civic's continuously variable transmission as an option.

While we were keeping a close eye on the upcoming Civic Type R, Honda has just announced that the all-new Civic Si is just a day away from being officially shown to the world.

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The hot model, which will bridge the gap between the new-gen Civic family and the 2023 Civic Type R hot hatch, will be unveiled on October 19, at 6:00 a.m. PT (9:00 a.m. ET / 15:00 CET).

Accompanying the announcement is a teaser image that partially reveals the rear design of the car. The model is presented as a sedan, but for now, it is unknown whether this will be the only body style available or if it will be sold as a hatchback too.

Compared to the four-door variant of the 2022 Honda Civic, the new Civic Si sports a similar looking bumper, with horizontal reflectors mounted on each side. The diffuser is a bit more aggressive here, however, and incorporates an exhaust pipe on the right side that will likely be mirrored on the left side too. The red ‘Si’ logo bedecks the trunk lid, and we can also see that it sports a ducktail spoiler in black, contrasting the orange body, and darkened taillamps.

Expected to arrive at dealers across the United States next month, the new generation Civic Si's powertrain is a big unknown. Its predecessor came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, making 205 hp and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque, and was offered in the Coupe and Sedan flavors. We’d expect a bit more from the upcoming model, though not way more, because it won’t step on the new Civic Type R’s toes.

The range-topping variant of the family will retain the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Its predecessor had 306 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) in the U.S.-spec, so the new one, which is due next year, should be punchier.

A symbol of affordable performance, the new Civic Si is here to deliver more bang for the buck despite the fact it's slightly less powerful than its predecessor. The turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine now produces 200 horsepower, which means it's down by five ponies compared to the model it replaces. However, the horsepower number doesn't tell the whole story as the engineers have found other ways to improve the sporty sedan.

For example, the 192 pound-feet (260 Newton-meters) of torque you got in the previous-generation Civic Si now kicks in 300 rpm earlier, at 1,800 rpm, which should translate into more spirited acceleration off the line. At the other end of the rpm scale, Honda says it has tweaked the engine to deliver more power than before between the 6,000 rpm peak and the 6,500 rpm redline.

As previously announced, the 2022 Civic Si is a manual-only affair by featuring an upgraded six-speed gearbox with rev-matching tech borrowed from the Type R. The engineers have revised the transmission to deliver 10 percent shorter throws and a better shift feel, enhanced by the aluminum shift knob with leather inspired by the one you'll find in the Type R.

For the latest iteration of its VW Jetta GLI rival, Honda has developed a new dual exhaust system with 27 percent better exhaust flow than the regular Civic Touring. In addition, the single-mass flywheel is now 26 percent lighter than the single-mass unit of the previous Civic Si and the engine delivers a quicker throttle response thanks to a 30 percent decrease in the flywheel's inertia.

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A limited-slip differential is part of the standard equipment, as is the multi-link rear suspension. As you would expect, the Si's brakes are bigger than those of the regular Civic, with 12.3-inch rotors at the front axle (+1.2 inches) and 11.1-inch rotors at the rear (+0.9 inches). Those 18-inch wheels with a 10-spoke design and a matte black finish are exclusive to the spicy version and come wrapped in 235/40 R18 all-season performance tires or optional summer rubber. The Blazing Orange Pearl paint we first saw in November 2020 on the Civic Prototype is also only for the Si.

The exterior styling brings a more aggressive yet subtle evolution of the regular model, with a trunk lid spoiler finished in glossy black to complement the dark finish of the side mirror caps and window surrounds. An underbody spoiler at the front denotes it's the Si, along with the red badge on the front grille taken from the 2022 Civic Hatchback.

The interior has been largely carried over from the regular 2022 Civic Sedan, but with a multitude of red accents, aluminum pedals, and a pair of sporty seats with integrated headrests and improved lateral support. Much like the standard compact sedan, it gets a seven-inch digital driver's display and a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. As standard, the Si features a 12-inch Bose sound system with a subwoofer.

With Honda axing the coupe body style for the Civic's eleventh generation, there's not going to be another two-door Si. The sedan will go on sale before the end of the year and will be followed by the manual-only Type R hatchback in 2022. Also next year, we're going to see the much-hyped Acura Integra as a five-door sporty liftback with three pedals and presumably related in terms of underpinnings to one of the hotter Civics.

Honda has revealed the 2022 Civic Si, which it calls the best-handling, best-equipped, and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever. The latest hot Civic is powered by an updated 1.5-liter engine and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, featuring the same rev-matching technology as found in the Type R.

Honda hopes that enthusiasts will look past the fact that the new Civic Si makes 200 hp (202 PS/149 kW), instead of the outgoing model‘s 205 hp and no more torque (both make 192 lb-ft [260 Nm] of torque). What the car lacks in peak power, it makes up for in better power delivery, always according to the carmaker.

Peak torque comes in 300 rpm sooner than it did previously, which Honda says allows it to launch better. At the top of the rev range, meanwhile, the engine maintains more of its power between 6,000 rpm and its 6,500 rpm redline than it did before, giving you more of the rev range to play with.



The engine also has a snappier response thanks to its new flywheel that weighs 26 percent less than that in the previous Si. It will also sound better thanks to a dual-coil silencer exhaust system that increases gas flow by 27 percent (compared to the Civic Touring). Active sound will also play artificial sounds inside the cabin.

You’ll be able to catch those speedy revs thanks to a new six-speed manual transmission, featuring a stiffer shifter with 10 percent shorter throws. The manual transmission, the only option available to the Si, now comes with the Civic Type R‘s rev-matching system, which responds in 430 m/s in sport mode to help you drive as smoothly as possible.



The Most Rigid Civic Si Ever

The 2022 Civic Si benefits from a new body with 8 percent more torsional rigidity and 13 percent more bending rigidity than the outgoing model. That is more impressive if you consider that it also gets a half-an-inch (12.7mm) wider rear track for stability and a 1.4-inch (35.5 mm) longer wheelbase for a smoother ride.

The suspension, too, has been optimized with front springs that are eight percent stiffer and rear springs are 54 percent stiffer than they are on a standard 2022 Civic. The dampers, meanwhile, have been tuned specifically for the Si and the front MacPherson struts reinforced at the upper mount to handle increased cornering loads. Thicker stabilizer bars at the front and rear also help minimize body roll.

To improve stability, the front compliance bushings, borrowed from the Civic Type R, are 79 percent stiffer than the Civic EX sedan. The rear compliance bushings, upper arms, and lower B-arms are also all sourced from the Type R. Steering feel, meanwhile, is improved thanks to a 60 percent stiffer torsion bar connecting the steering shaft to the pinion gear.



To help bring it all to a stop, the Si gets bigger brakes, with 12.3-inch rotors at the front and 11.1-inch rotors at the back (1.2-inches and 0.9-inches larger, respectively). These are helped by standard 235/40R18 all-season performance tires, though summer tires are also available as a factory option.

Some Of Beauty Is Skin Deep

Outside, the Si gets a few choice modifications over the standard sedan. The upper front bumper is more aggressive, while the rear bumper has been modified to allow for the Si’s two exhaust tips.

A front spoiler, hidden under the vehicle and a gloss black rear spoiler mounted on top of the trunk lid add downforce to improve high-speed stability, while gloss black trim on the mirror caps just make it look better.

LED headlights and taillights are standard, as are 18-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in Si-specific matte-black paint. Blazing Orange, the color seen here, is also an Si-exclusive color for 2022.



Some Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

Inside, the front occupants are greeted by Si-exclusive sports seats with built-in head restraints and more prominent shoulder and thigh supports. The lower cushion has been raised by 0.5-inches at the front, providing better support.

The new Civic Si also gets sport pedals and red contrast stitching on the doors, the steering wheel, the center armrest, the shift boot, and the shift knob. A seven-inch color instrument display with a digital tach on the left side helps give the driver all the information they need, while a nine-inch color touchscreen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. A 12-speaker Bose premium sound system helps ensure that if you do choose to listen to something other than the exhaust note, it will also sound excellent.



Available This Year

“Civic Si is a performance icon that has offered affordable high-performance for four decades and the new Honda Civic Si continues that legacy,” said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “It isn’t just a blast to drive, it’s hands down the best Civic Si we’ve ever offered to our customers.”

Although the price of the 2022 Honda Civic Si has not yet been revealed, the automaker plans to have it dealerships before the end of the year, so pricing information should follow soon.

For the latest iteration of its VW Jetta GLI rival, Honda has developed a new dual exhaust system with 27 percent better exhaust flow than the regular Civic Touring. In addition, the single-mass flywheel is now 26 percent lighter than the single-mass unit of the previous Civic Si and the engine delivers a quicker throttle response thanks to a 30 percent decrease in the flywheel's inertia.