2022 Honda Civic Si: Keeper of the Flame


The next Honda Civic Si is here, and on paper, it seems to keep the flame going nicely.
Not just in terms of performance specs, but also in terms of how the Si tends to differentiate itself from other Civics. This Si appears to be similar to the previous-gen car in terms of how it’s set apart from the lineup.
Well, there is one difference — the car appears to offer a bit more in terms of niceties, when it comes to comfort and convenience features, than previous versions.
For example, Si is offered with a 9-inch touchscreen for infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bose audio system as standard.

Ah, but you care about the performance stuff. Here it is: An updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (2oo horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque) with a lighter flywheel and what Honda claims are broader power curves, suspension changes that are meant to improve both ride and handling, a 60-percent stiffer torsion bar for the steering system, a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission that uses the same rev-matching system as the Civic Type R, a limited-slip differential, and a new drive mode that customizes settings for the individual driver.

Of course, the Si wouldn’t be the Si without certain appearance and styling bits. In this case, it means a more aggressive front bumper and a rear bumper that’s been changed to show off the exhaust tips. There’s a front spoiler hidden under the car and a black rear spoiler in plain sight. Gloss-black trim adorns the sideview mirrors and window surrounds, and LED head- and taillights are standard. The standard 18-inch wheels are matte black with 10 spokes, and a new orange color is available for Sis — and only Sis.

Inside, the car gets Si-specific sport seats with Si logos, and there is red contrast stitching throughout the cabin. The gauge cluster includes a 7-inch display screen.

Honda claims an 8 percent increase in torsional rigidity and a 13 percent increase in bending rigidity. The rear track is widened by half an inch and the wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer. Spring rates are increased by 8 percent upfront and 54 percent in the rear, and new dampers are tuned specifically for the Si. The front MacPherson struts have reinforced upper mounts. The 27 mm front hollow stabilizer bar and 18 mm rear solid stabilizer bar are both thicker than before.

Stiffer front and rear bushings are borrowed from the Type R, along with rear upper arms and lower B-arms.
Adding more “go” necessitates adding more “whoa”, so the car gets bigger brakes than regular Civics — 12.3-inch rotors up front (+1.2) and 11.1-inch units in the rear (+0.9 inches). Summer tires are optional, otherwise, all-seasons are standard.

The company’s HondaSensing suite of safety tech is standard, too.
The 2022 Honda Civic Si will be built in Ontario, Canada, with the engine being produced in Anna, Ohio.
[Images: Honda]
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- Druni Thanks. Great.
- NaMiNo Thanks for the recap, Tim! It's always interesting to get a glimpse of what's happening at auto shows. The focus on EVs aligns with the industry's growing shift towards electrification. And optimism about the future, along with more vehicle debuts, is a good sign for the automotive world. I always go to site here for more writting ideas for my blog. Your photos tell the story beautifully, even with auto-show lighting challenges.
- Ajla I wanted one of these a lot back when they were new.
- JamesGarfield This 32-hour, 4-day work week, I'm curious as to how this would be implemented. Certainly it wouldn't be some ginormous single shift thing, where everybody and his uncle comes in, works 4 days, then goes home en masse, leaving everything empty.I'm thinking it would be more like Six different shifts, 3 in the early part of the week, and 3 in the later part of the week, with some overlap.In light of some of the God-awful shifts the semiconductor industry has forced upon its workers, I could see this happening. What say you?
- Dukeisduke I'm guessing upgrades also means it has upgraded front lower control arms, since the ones on the early cars were easily damaged (bent).
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Real shame about how stagnant the power levels have been on the SI over the years. Add to that an electric handbrake and I dont get why you would buy this honestly.
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