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Christopher Jackson | 9/6/2007 | Honda
This will date me somewhat, but my first real car was a 1986 Honda Civic Si. Man, do I miss that car. I drove the redesigned 1992 Si hatchback a few years later, was drastically underwhelmed by it, and shortly thereafter, I discovered the Volkswagen GTI. Through circumstances not always under my control, I haven't sampled a Civic Si since.
There's a new Civic Si on the ground for 2006, however, and I'm glad I got a chance to meet one. The all-new Si is much-improved, in spite of having lost its cool hatchback body style. In addition to sharing the rest of the Civic lineup's all-new platform, the Civic Si hits the road with 197 horsepower under the hood, sharp suspension reflexes and a subdued look that's practically begging the legions of Honda modifiers to personalize it. Only a few badges and a spoiler distinguish the Si from the rest of the family.
Twist the key and it is quickly evident that this is not an old man's car. The 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine burbles out a 197-horsepower symphony that's not particularly subtle, and the six-speed manual transmission is as slick as that in the S2000 roadster. Drop the hammer and you'll get a hint of torque steer and a healthy dose of forward momentum. A limited-slip differential is standard, so the loss of acceleration to wheelspin is negligible. The Civic Si likes to rev, like most Hondas do, and peak power is reached at a wailing 7800 rpm. Honda's i-VTEC intelligent variable valve timing is what enables the Civic Si to rev like a race car without losing power or detonating.
The suspension is stiff and provides sharp handling. The MacPherson struts up front and the double-wishbone rear are the same as in the rest of the Civic lineup, but thicker stabilzer bars and tweaked suspension damping improve the Si's reflexes nicely. The 17" wheels don't hurt, either. The power steering unit is a fast-acting electronic rack that does away with the fluid and servos of conventional systems. The Si retains the flyweight feeling that made previous versions so much fun to drive. Anti-lock brakes are standard equipment, of course.
Given the tendency for sport compact cars to sprout spoilers and hood scoops like acne on a teenager, there's surprisingly little to distinguish the Civic Si from the rest of the lineup. Unlike last year's Si, which had a unique body, this sports coupe wears the same sheetmetal as other Civic coupes. There will be a four-door version in 2007 as well. The Civic's new sloped-nose design seems to take influence from Star Wars films inside and out. It's a slick, good-looking design that doesn't blend into the herd.
After sliding behind the wheel, the driver is greeted by a two-tiered instrument panel with futuristic electroluminescent lighting and metallic trim. A foreshortened console carries the shifter and emergency brake while leaving space for item storage behind. Like the rest of the Civic lineup, the windshield is so steeply raked that it's almost like looking out the hatchback of some cars. The Civic Si wraps its passengers in snug cloth seats. The available navigation system is an unusual sight in a car at this price point, and it's mounted high in the dash for easy visibility. Aluminum pedals complete the look.
The Civic Si is spirited, but lacks the outright exuberance of some of its competitors. This is a sport compact Honda for folks who like Hondas; the Civic Si will not win over many Volkswagen GTI or Nissan Sentra SE-R drivers. But then, they weren't going to switch anyway. As for me, I think if my first car had been an '06 Civic Si, I'd probably still have it. For buyers looking to get into the compact performance game, Honda is a good nameplate to follow, and it's easier on the wallet than the track-bred S2000 roadster. Civic Si pricing starts at $19,900. Our tester was equipped with performance tires and the navigation system, bringing the total sticker to $21,940.
Specifications:
All specs are for the 2006 Honda Civic Si.
Length: 174.8 in.
Width: 68.9 in.
Height: 53.5 in.
Wheelbase: 104.3 in.
Curb weight: 2877 lb.
Cargo space: 11.5 cu.ft.
Base price: $19,900
Price as tested: $21,940
Engine: 2.0 liter 16-valve DOHC inline four-cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 197 @ 7800
Torque: 139 @ 6200
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Est. mileage: 22/31
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