Honda introduced an all-new, 11th-generation version of the Civic for 2022, with a stylishly sporty interior and exterior, chassis and powertrain improvements, infotainment tech enrichments, and added safety features. Consistent with this compact car’s long history in the limelight, it’s a winner.
Sedan and hatchback models in their various trim levels were unveiled initially. Next came the Civic Si, the model that for 35 years has been packed with power but priced within reach. The Civic Si is aimed at giving young driving enthusiasts with financial constraints a better shot at indulging their passion.
Base pricing for the 2022 Honda Civic Si is $28,315 including a $1,015 destination charge. A great fuel economy rating of 27/37/31 mpg adds to the car’s value quotient, as does the Civic’s reputation for long-term reliability and resale potential.
High-performance summer tires are available on the 2022 Honda Civic Si for $200, but they come with a warning Pacific Northwest drivers need to heed. (Manufacturer photo)
The 2022 Civic Si (for “sport injection”) gets the same new styling and tech advancements as the other Civics, then goes heavy on the performance angle. Its updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, allied with a six-speed manual transmission, produces 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The reengineered transmission has shorter throws, better shift feel, and for the first time a rev-matching system like the Civic Type R hottie.
A limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension, enhanced steering feel, and available high-performance summer tires are among the new Si’s other benefits.
The summer tires are a $200 option that comes with a warning Pacific Northwest drivers, no matter how impressive their driving-enthusiast skills, will need to heed: “The unique high performance tires on this vehicle are not designed for winter driving. Suitable tires must be installed for driving on ice and snow.”
The Si interior includes exclusive sport seats with red inserts. They are true buckets that encapsulate the driver and front passenger during tight turns taken at enthusiastic rates of travel. The cabin is attractively decorated with other red accents, and comes with a 9-inch touchscreen and 12-speaker Bose premium audio.
At first I thought the red seats clashed with my tester’s Blazing Orange Pearl paint, but my sister-in-law Mimi, an artist, said the color combination was gorgeous. “You have to be an artist to understand how beautifully they work together,” she said. Mimi wasn’t being snotty, just honest. She’s the kindest person I know. And she was right.
Since I’m far from the Si’s target buyer, I don’t feel like a total loser saying the Si isn’t my favorite among the 2022 Civics, especially when the Hatchback offers a wonderful manual transmission. High-performance manual gear shifting expertise is an art I never mastered. Same goes for the art of walking confidently in stilettos.
Driver and front passenger sport seats with red inserts are exclusive to the Si version of the 2022 Honda Civic compact sedan. (Manufacturer photo)
2022 HONDA CIVIC Si
Base price, including destination charge: $28,315
Price as driven: $28,910
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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