2011 Honda Civic Si
MSRP $22,205
Everyone already knows all about the Honda Civic. It’s that nice, reliable little sedan that has been on the road for close to thirty years now. It isn’t gaudy, it isn’t fast, and it isn’t a luxury car, but it gets you from point A to point B day after day with great gas mileage and no mishaps. Honda is still making that Civic. But they are also making the Si, which is a very sporty, peppy version of their Civic. It costs a few thousand dollars more. Is it worth it?
The 2011 Honda Civic Si is a compact coupe that serves as the top trim level for the Civic line. It has a 2.0 liter, 4-cylinder engine that produces 197 horsepower. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, high-performance tires, front-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual transmission with limited slip front differential. It is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The Civic Si comes with keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-telescope steering wheel with audio controls, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, a sunroof, foglights, front sport seats, a navigation system, and special interior trim. The audio system has 4 speakers, Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, and a USB/iPod input.
The Civic Si has stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, side front airbags, side curtain airbags, and active front head restraints. It was tested under the tougher 2011 government standards, and got 4 stars for frontal crashes and only 2 stars for side crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it ratings of good in front offset, but only its second-best rating of acceptable in side impacts.
Conclusions and driver feedback:
The Civic Si has plenty of room for a compact coupe. There is ample headroom and legroom in both the front and back seats, and the seats themselves are comfortable. The interior design and materials are nothing special, but aren’t a detriment, either. The controls are simple, easily, and well-positioned.
This is not your father’s Honda Civic. The engine is very peppy, as 197 horsepower is more than enough for a small car, and the steering and suspension are tweaked for sporty performance. Consequently, the steering is responsive, and the suspension is a bit tight. You can abuse this car with a minimum of body roll.
The ride is sporty, too. You can definitely feel the road, and probably need a lid for your coffee or soda. The engine handles all of the acceleration you want to give it, and cruises almost effortlessly at highway speeds. You are definitely going to hear the road, and the engine will make a bit of noise as it revs, too.
The main negative here is the safety test scores. The combination of a peppy engine and low impact test scores doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. The Civic Si requires a bit of talent behind the wheel.
The verdict: be careful.
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