The 2019 Honda Civic SI takes over where last year’s redesigned model left off. As its engine creeps up in power, the Civic SI is inching closer to becoming a true performance compact vehicle.
The Honda Civic SI has kind of lived in the shadows since Honda first offered the sportier version in North America on the third-generation Civic. Not quite on the same level as the Volkswagen GTI or GLI and far from the Subaru WRX, the Civic SI (for Sport Injected) is not a hardcore performer in straight-line accelerations or on a track. It’s can’t hold a candle to the Civic Type R nor can it hope to keep up with a Ford Focus ST.
What it can do, however, is give you plenty of bang for your buck and put a smile on your face. This 2019 Honda Civic SI is a blast to drive, no doubt about it. Better yet, it’s quite comfortable and not so low that you have to worry about road conditions and speed bumps. It’s a functional Honda Civic that’s a lot quicker than you can expect.
Offered in both sedan and coupe trims, it features a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque sent to the front wheels through a 6-speed manual gearbox. There are not automatic transmissions available on the 2019 Civic SI.
It will get to 100 km/h in less than 7.0 seconds with an average fuel economy rating of 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers. Think about that for a second. And it does all of this with a price tag that starts at less than $30,000.
Honda Civic SI | Photo: Honda
What the 2019 Honda Civic SI does well
1) It’s fast, but not too fast that you risk losing your license every time you push the RPM needle upwards. In a Mazda MX-5 kind of way, you can use all of the Civic SI’s power regularly without worrying that you’ve reached double the speed limit.
2) The six-speed manual is one of the best on the market, no kidding. It’s a real joy to use in any situation.
3) The Civic SI coupe may not be the most practical, but the sedan certainly is. It offers more interior space and more cargo space than most compact sedans.
4) You get all of the equipment you could ever need in the Civic SI. It’s essentially the Honda Civic’s top-of-the-line version in terms of features. Honda Sensing is standard and so is the navigation system, sunroof, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats and more.
5) This point will piggyback off the first one, but the Civic SI is a very usable car. It’s not as low and doesn’t stand out as much as the Civic Type R, and it’s a lot more comfortable.
Honda Civic SI | Photo: Honda
What the 2019 Honda Civic SI doesn’t do so well
1) The infotainment is still a bit of a pain to use although Honda has made some improvements.
2) The 1.5-liter turbo engine has had some oil issues in the past. They seem to be resolved, but it is something to keep in mind.
3) It may not be noticeable enough for some. What we mean here is that aside from a few connoisseurs you find on the road, not many people will know that you’re driving a “special” Civic. It looks like any other Civic unless you get the Tonic Yellow exterior paint.
What we tell our friends
We’d get the Honda Civic SI before the Elantra Sport even if we love the latter. We also think it provides better value than a GTI. The 2019 Honda Civic SI has enough power but not too much and it will make your daily commute that much more enjoyable. It’s a bit of sleeper car, but for many that’s a plus.
2019 Honda Civic SI Frequently Ask Questions
1) What does the SI stand for?
Answer: Sport Injected
2) Can you get the Honda Civic SI in automatic?
Answer: No, a 6-speed manual is the only option
3) Does the Civic SI have a turbo engine?
Answer: Yes, the current Honda Civic SI gets a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that makes 205 horsepower.
Honda Civic SI | Photo: Honda
Honda Civic SI | Photo: Honda
