2022 Honda Civic Si: Keeper of the Flame

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

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]

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

More by Tim Healey

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 39 comments
  • BSttac BSttac on Oct 19, 2021

    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.

  • Thegamper Thegamper on Oct 20, 2021

    One of my favorite car theft stories is the guy that steals the car, strips it, leaves it on blocks to be recovered. Buys the corpse at auction, puts all the parts back on and now has a legal salvage title of a nice car for pennies on the dollar. Requires a decent amount of effort, but brilliant if you can pull it off.

    • Slavuta Slavuta on Oct 20, 2021

      he must placed GPS tracker to monitor where the body goes

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
Next