After you see the commercials for the 2012 Honda Civic Si, you might think the car was built by over-caffeinated Japanese animators for equally restless gum-chewing teenage girls who dabble in ninja work when they tire of hanging out in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park. Anything but subtle, the marketing message appears to target a buyer raised on video games, Red Bull and manga. Ironically, inspiration for the new Si came from a farther-flung blend of kookiness: yoga and Pilates.
Seeking ideas for the ninth generation of a cornerstone product, Honda designers from Japan's Wako studio came to the U.S. to walk among Civic buyers, both past and potential. Toshiyuki Okumoto, chief exterior designer for the new car, says he wanted to learn their lifestyles and values. His team found that Civic buyers are an earthy, body-conscious lot into ecology, good fuel economy and Eastern stretching. Okumoto wanted to integrate yogic principles of purity and efficiency into the new Civic skin, and create something that brought vitality to the surface.
"The silhouette was key," he says. "We wanted it to have this feeling of energy, of strength bursting from within."
As design concepts go, we've heard weirder. Truth is, the 2012 Honda Civic Si doesn't look a whole pin different from its predecessor. Sure, its rear flanks show more cut and definition, bringing home Okumoto's point; the sheet metal indeed looks as though it's toned up in the ashram. The grille is pinched in and the headlights dip deeper to the road for more scowl. Character lines run across the beltline and rise up from the door sills, giving the Si a windswept look.
They're subtle changes that fire up the Civic's static profile enough to rekindle interest, without making noisy statements or reinventing the segment. More welcome are what separates the new Si from the one it replaces: more grunt, quicker twist and more of the ragged character that forged the sport compact coupe explosion a decade ago.
The Unbearable Lightness
Smooth clutch. That's the first thing we notice when merging into Washington, D.C.'s morning maze of one-ways and roundabouts. The clutch pedal offers the slightest resistance, and it's accompanied by the six-speed manual's equally greasy short-shift throws that are essentially just two-fingered flicks. It's too light, really. We'd prefer a little more meat, a little more fight in our row. Still, drivers in congested urban areas will likely appreciate the Si's well-oiled gearbox over the course of 50,000 miles and innumerable traffic jams.
A 1.1-inch shorter wheelbase and 18-pound lighter frame make the chassis eager to rotate.
Lightness may be virtuous when swapping cogs, but not when applied to interior materials. The small-diameter leather-wrapped steering wheel, thick seat bolsters and stylish red stitching throughout highlight a cabin otherwise trimmed with dull, hollow plastics. An even steeper windshield rake on this year's model yields an expansive dash of hardened petroleum that continues through the door panels and down the center stack.
It's a stark contrast to the slim-fit dash of a beautifully preserved '76 Civic wagon we see at an event later that evening, its dash just a thin strip of red vinyl-covered foam not much wider than a deli sandwich (we do, of course, appreciate our chances of walking away from the wrong end of a Suburban in a new Civic compared to its nostalgic brother). While the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra have raised the standards for interior refinement, the Civic has inexplicably fallen behind.
Set deep in that massive cowl is Honda's two-tier dash and driver interface, which now includes the intelligent Multi Information Display, or iMID. Opt for an Si with navigation and you'll have four stations competing for your attention: tach, speedometer, iMID and nav. The digital speedo, fuel gauge and schticky (but kinda cool) VTEC shift lights sit in the upper portion, in the sight line above the steering wheel rim.
The iMID shares the upper tier adjacent to the speedometer and displays audio and hands-free phone functions, trip information and maintenance minders. Keypads and menu buttons on the steering wheel navigate through the iMID, cruise control and hands-free phone functions, and it's intuitive enough for anyone who's spent time with a smartphone. But it's overload; there are 14 buttons and directional commands on the steering wheel alone.
Struts Are Here To Stay
After arriving at FedEx Field, we put the 2012 Honda Civic Si through its paces on an autocross course and nearby city loop. The parking lot outside the home of the hapless Washington Redskins seems an appropriate place to open up the Si through the cones; it effortlessly bobs and weaves like flamboyant former 'Skins running back Clinton Portis.
The Civic's electric power steering and a 16.1:1 ratio feel right, while its composure through corners is confidently flat. A 1.1-inch shorter wheelbase and 18-pound lighter frame make the chassis eager to rotate, while the drivetrain's helical limited-slip helps keep the Z-rated Michelin summer rubber stuck to the pavement (all-season tires are standard).
Purists lamented Honda's switch from front wishbones to MacPherson struts in the 2002 Civic Si, and fretted again when they carried over to the next generation in 2006. Struts return for 2012, but are now so dialed in as to be indistinguishable from the beloved wishbones to all but the most sensitive autocrosser or track-day regular.
The 2012 Si's 11.8-inch brake rotors up front and 10.2-inch discs in back offer decisive and immediate bite. The brake pedal, like the clutch, still feels too light but maintained its quick grab even after multiple laps of fade-free flogging.
More Midrange, More Miles
The 2012 Honda Civic Si offers just a small 4-horsepower boost over its predecessor, raising it to 201 hp. More impressive is its 22 percent torque increase from additional bore (1mm) and stroke (13mm). The larger displacement makes for a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers its extra twist 800 rpm earlier, and a chassis that jumps from corners and straight-line cruising like a yogi working plyometrics into his routine.
Kept boiling at 4,300 rpm where it now packs 170 pound-feet of torque, the Si springs out of apexes with a pleasant exhaust growl, before righting itself and compressing for the next one.
Second through 6th gear ratios in the six-speed manual have been tightened up, so keeping the four-pot in the sweet spot of its power band is easier. Acceleration benefits, too, with no cost in fuel economy, even with the larger displacement. At 22 city/31 highway mpg, the new Si beats the former on both counts.
Nearing 40, Close to 30
The 2012 Honda Civic Si coupe and sedan goes on sale this May, about a month after its standard Civic counterparts. The coupe will start at $22,955 and the sedan at $23,155. An Si coupe with all the trimmings — navigation, satellite radio, and summer tires — will sticker at $24,655.
Closing in on its 40th anniversary, a loaded Civic is still an impressive deal priced well below $30,000. Viewed against a Mazdaspeed 3 or Ford Focus Titanium in similar trim, however, you believe there must still be room at the top of the well-appointed, high-performance sport compact hill. The Civic Si's low-end power boost, fast reflexes and subtle design evolution cement its place in that company. Its busy, discount interior, however, keeps it from total ownership.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
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dagocrazy says:
02:57 AM, 04/04/2012
After reading these posts comparing the 2012 Civic SI to the Mazdaspeed3 i just have to jump in and shed some light on some issues about the Mazda that have not been brought up here. 1.Resale value vs. the civic is going to be terrible.believe me i had a mazdaspeed6 and the resale takes a MAJOR dive after 2 years. 2. ability to modify. its EASY to make power with the K20 and becoming easier with the K24. ,the 2.3DISI engine is MAXED out stock,the rods are tiny,any valve train/cam parts have to be custom made and are netting zero gains, 3.direct injection of the Mazdaspeed is terribly hard to make power with also. and 4. the "smiling face" is plain old fugly so yes the mazda is better and faster stock but there are a few serious drawbacks along with that speed.
frankybstick says:
05:28 AM, 09/07/2011
Here is my story on the SI. I was considering several vehicles before making my decision to go with the Civic SI Sedan. I started with the WRX but found it a bit to expensive and hard on gas, I then tried the Mazda 3 Speed but found it to stiff and almost to powerful for a daily driver. I then tried a few VW's, the GTI that I found had to small of a cargo space and the GLI that for some reason just did not do it for me. I also tried a Mustang V6 but decided against it because it was just 2 doors and did I really need the 305hp...Yes ! well no not really.. Same thing with the Genesis coupe, fun but not practical enough for me. Lastly I tried a Scion TC and although I liked the drive it felt to small and the interior plastics looked cheap.
In my opinion Honda hits a sweet spot with the Si, a good mix of economy, luxury and performance. The new 2.4 has good power down low, so I can get moving without sounding like a blender. I find the car has matured and will attract a broader audience. On paper and at the track it may not be able to compete with many other sport compacts, but the reality is we don't spend most of our time at the track do we?, at least I don't. My idea of performance driving is an on-ramp here, a winding road there... The Si just put a smile on face.
mrcardio says:
05:52 PM, 06/15/2011
Doesn't sound too bad but not much better than the older 2.0L and still gets smoked by the Mazdaspeed3 in any area regarding performance (lap times, straight line acceleration) To give an example the Speed3 run VIR in 3:16.0 where's the SI takes 3:24.0 so that's not even in the same ball park performance wise (Go to fastestlabs.com for comparisons) Yes you can VOID your warranty via modification with BOTH cars and NO the speed3 isn't unreliable if you modify it unless you don't know WTF you're doing (problems with engine mounts have been addressed a LONG time ago) Either way you're getting a much quicker / fun to drive car with an MS3 and to a lesser extent a GTI for about the same price. The ONLY people whom would choose the civic over the competition are civic fan boys because it really doesn't make much sense otherwise.
fob505 says:
09:40 PM, 06/09/2011
You don't buy a Civic SI if you are even considering GTI's, WRX's or even Mustangs. The SI is for Honda loyalists who just want a little bit more fun. I personally think this is a great step Honda is finally taking towards being fun again and a 2.4 L powerplant with LSD and wishbone suspension is a great base for modders to start with.
I think some of you guys are hating on this $23k car. There is huge power potential. There is a forum dedicated to this powerplant - K20.org. They have done amazing things to this powerplant without any forced induction and have gone well over 350HP at the flywheel. Try to get that out of a turbo'd WRX or Speed3 without reliability issues
K series are found in Ariel Atoms, Lotus and other cars as well.
IMO The best generation of SI's were always the EF's 88-91 then the EM1's 99-00 in second and I think the EP3's was where Honda began to lose it's soul. The 2012 is looking good.
honda1fan says:
07:22 PM, 06/04/2011
I used to be a huge honda fan, but i can take little more of them destroying the car i used to like. In my mind the civic si died after the last year of the EP3 in 2005. After that it went stupid. They first made it look like a space shuttle, then took the independent rear suspension, then made it 3000lbs, and finally made it a sedan. Then, when I thought they were done destroying it, they put that garbage K24 in it, to gain 4hp, and dropped the revs to 7k, so now A: its hideous, B: Its slow, C it doesnt sound good, and D: it doesnt handle. Also at $24k there are so many better few year old cars to buy. (G35,350z,Sti,etc) Sure it can be boosted, but if you are going to do that can build a 500hp civic for less than you would pay for this one. If they arent going to make the si right i wish they would stop trying... keep the civic, quit the si...
allmotork24 says:
06:40 AM, 05/11/2011
This is for all the "Haters". The point of Honda was to make something for EVERYBODY! if you want a sporty car to drive around, the SI is a fun sporty car for anybody (hence they came out with 7 different civic models) If you want true HI-performance.... theres what we call "aftermarket parts or bolt-ons".
If you want 250 whp, no problem.
If you want 300+ all motor, no problem.
If you want 400-1000whp, the K24 can do it. Its all about what you want to do to your car. Yea, it could be all little cheaper, but slap an AJP or Full Race turbo kit for 6-8K on it and your at 400-500whp with reliability! Not bad stomping corvettes and decimating STI's and EVO's for 30K (and those #'s are for the 2.0L) For people you just dont like the style of the new civic.....oh well, i guess!!! to each his own :)
hope i may have changed a few minds at least...
P.S. honda has been testing turbos on thier jet skis, to now thier SH-AWD turboed RDX...who knows what may be next!!!!
pika206 says:
02:31 PM, 04/28/2011
The CRZ is the new civic Si. Until Honda America decides we deserve a hot hatch again. This civic loses out on the HP wars while not offering something really unique, ie mini cooper, crz, miata. I feel like some buying this car will question themselves for not getting the MS3, Cobalt SS, or WRX. The GTI is competitor if you stick with the 2door manual and plaid seats. Oh yeah, it's faster, turboed, and cheap to make even faster.
90in55 says:
07:17 AM, 04/27/2011
I was at the New York Auto Show recently, where I had some time to look at the car up close. I'm deeply disappointed by the decline in the quality of the interior. The plastics appear and feel cheap. The alcantara-like material that covered the previous model's seats and door panels is gone, replaced with something that resembles spandex. I'd still have to test drive the car, but not a great way to start off. I'd be more inclined to look for a left over 2011.
mini23 says:
07:44 AM, 04/26/2011
If I lived in Conn. I would more likely consider a WRX or an R32. Both cost more then the Civic but both offer more performance with a better quality interior. Otherwise I'm not sure what makes a good case for owning a Civic SI. If you don't need awd then a Mustang would be a better choice. On the highway it gets nearly the same MPG as the Civic Si and with a 300HP V6 engine. How about a Hyundai Genesis Coupe R edition. Again a few thousand more but better interior,RWD. If I insisted on staying fwd there is always a Mini Cooper S with more usable torque now,a VW GTI with a much nicer interior and very good handling. What if the Scion FRS RWD coupe comes in at 25 grand. It will probably have similar HP and Torque to the Civic. It will be lower,lighter, and rwd. My point is there are so many options out there between 20 and 30 grand now. For a car to stand out it has to have somthing a little special. The Civic Si simply doesn't.
flyingsmorefun says:
12:38 PM, 04/25/2011
I bought my MY08 Si knowing it is in a class of its own (wait for it), above the corolla, mazda 3, and base civic ex; also knowing it was below the mazdaspeed3, cooper s, wrx and gti (MY07 which I traded in because it was as reliable as a magic 8 ball). The Si is, let's say, entertaining. More so than the econobox compacts. But you buy one cause you want something somewhat fun, while still valuing MPGs, which magazines prove, over 800-mile test drive comparos, the Mini and Si are the most frugal. But you're still getting a Honda. The more complex, albeit faster competition, proves to be less reliable.
As a side-note,. to replace that serious sporting void in my life - I picked up a Honda CBR600. Which will, needless to say, wipe the floor with any hot-hatch; then its back to the Si when I need doors.