Honda Civic Si article highlights:

• The 2022 Honda Civic Si is slightly less powerful than before but is just as fast in the real world
• Its driving experience is more refined, but no less fun
• Some of the 2022 Honda Civic Si’s rivals offer more performance, but they’re also significantly more expensive

It’s safe to say that the 2022 Civic’s redesign is going over well with critics and consumers alike. But while the standard Honda Civic is a genuinely fun, practical car, it’s not exactly quick. Fortunately, there’s a traditional solution: the Honda Civic Si. After skipping over 2021, the Civic Si is back in sedan-only form for 2022. And while the performance zing is still there, it’s now complemented by a welcome dose of everyday refinement.

The 2022 Honda Civic Si’s horsepower takes a slight dip, but its real-world performance doesn’t

At first glance, the 2022 Honda Civic Si might disappoint some nameplate fans. Compared to the 2020 model, which has the same engine, the 2022 Civic Si is down five horsepower. As a result, it’s 0-60 mph and ¼-mile times are 0.2 seconds behind the 2020 version, Car and Driver reports.

However, there’s no reason to fret. For one, rather than 0-60 mph times, 5-60 mph times are more indicative of real-world performance. And the 2022 Civic Si has the same time as the 2020 model, Car and Driver notes. So, the average street driver won’t notice any ‘lost’ speed.

Secondly, although the 2022 Honda Civic Si has the same engine as before, it also has the same enthusiast-friendly formula. A six-speed manual is not only standard, it’s the only transmission available. And it drives the front wheels through a standard limited-slip differential. Plus, it has shorter throws than before, The Drive says.

Furthermore, as before, the 2022 Si has a more rigid chassis, stiffer suspension, and bigger brakes than the standard car. Also, while the engine is slightly less powerful, it revs slightly higher and more quickly, and makes peak torque at lower RPMs. That’s also thanks to the new lighter engine flywheel.

In addition, for 2022 Honda tweaked the Civic Si recipe slightly with the Type R’s help. Underneath, the 2022 Si has Type R front and rear bushings and rear B-arms. It’s also the first Si with standard rev-matching, thanks again to the Type R.

Numbers and features don’t matter with the 2022 Honda Civic Si—the drive’s the thing

Besides losing some power, the 2022 Honda Civic Si also ditches some equipment. Although it still has red sport seats, they’re no longer heated. At least not in the US; Canadian Si sedans get them, though. And while the 2022 model has more driving modes, it doesn’t have adaptive dampers, Car and Driver says. But you do get more standard advanced driver-assistance safety features, and the Civic Touring’s Bose audio system is standard here, too.

All of this suggests that the 2022 Honda Civic Si is more mature than before, more refined. And it is. Apart from some minor trim differences, it has the same interior as the regular Civic. An interior which is more elegant and roomier than before, with excellent material quality, by the way. Not to mention an unobscured “forward view…nearly unmatched by any modern production car,” The Drive reports. And the 2022 Civic Si shares the 2022 Civic sedan’s sleek exterior styling, paired with a few subtle performance touches.

But despite the extra civility, the 2022 Honda Civic Si hasn’t lost its sense of driving fun. No, it doesn’t have adaptive dampers, but the standard suspension is just the right combination of firmness and compliance. And paired with the “stellar” chassis, it means this sedan can hustle around the bends with aplomb, The Drive notes. That’s especially true in Sport Mode, which weights up the steering for greater confidence and sharpens the throttle response.

The star of the show, though, is the manual transmission. Honda positioned the 2022 Civic Si’s pedals perfectly for heel-toeing, Car and Driver says. And the shifter itself moves with “a satisfying heft” that makes rowing through the gears a substantial delight. This car wants you to push it and rewards you for doing so, The Drive gushes.

In short, the 2022 Honda Civic Si is a comfortable, affordable daily driver that is also a blast on back roads. Yup, it’s an Si alright.  

Is the 2022 car worth getting over its sporty compact rivals?

Admittedly, the 2022 Honda Civic Si’s engine is still a bit coarse and droney at times, The Drive and Car and Driver note. Also, serious drivers might want to invest in better tires and brake pads.

But then, serious drivers have the upcoming Type R. The Civic Si is the less extreme ‘middle child’ on purpose. And if you need more power, you could always tune it. Renowned tuner Hondata managed to pull 37 horsepower of the Si and is waiting on CARB certification, The Drive says.

So, how does the competition compare? In terms of sedans, the closest thing is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. With 228 horsepower it’s about a second quicker to 60 mph, and it has more standard features. However, that’s almost expected given that it starts at $30,995. And some might not appreciate the new GTI-style haptic controls.

There’s also the new Hyundai Elantra N, which packs up to 286 hp. But with its $31,900 starting price, it’s even more expensive than the GLI. Plus, with that much power, it’s arguably more of a Civic Type R rival, not an Si one, The Drive muses.

Still, for the money, the 2022 Si is one of the most fun practical cars on sale today. It’s just more mature about having that fun.

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