First Look: The 2022 Honda Civic Si Arrives With ... Less Power?

• This sporty Civic arrives with 200 horsepower, fresh looks and a manual transmission
• The rev-matching system from the previous Civic Type R is new to the Si
• Stiffer suspension and stronger brakes round out the Si package
• Part of the 11th Civic generation introduced for 2022

What's under the Civic Si's hood?

Underneath the hood of the new Si rests a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It puts out 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm. Si aficionados will be raising their eyebrows right about now. The new car actually makes five fewer horses than the car it replaces. What gives? Honda fussed with the tuning for this generation, lowering the amount of power and raising where the engine makes peak power, in exchange for peak torque kicking in a bit lower. Honda hasn't published an estimated 0-60 mph time, so we don't know how these changes will affect ultimate acceleration.

Luckily for enthusiasts, the Si still comes paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission, which now features the rev-matching function from the Type R. That power is sent through a limited-slip differential to the front wheels exclusively, just like it ever was.

How's the Civic Si's interior?

Inside, the Si gets the typical sporty touches. Upgrades from the standard Civic include sportier front seats, red trim sprinkled throughout, and the larger 9-inch infotainment display and 12-speaker Bose audio system from higher-spec Civics. The infotainment system will also get the track apps from last year's Type R, with goodies like a lap timer to help you devour your local autocross course. Also on deck is a new Individual driving mode, which allows drivers to customize their engine response and steering effort profiles. Look for this mode in the new Type R as well.

How economical is the Civic Si?

Fuel economy estimates for the new Civic Si are pretty good given the car's sporty intent. The EPA rates the Civic Si at 31 mpg combined (27 city/37 highway), which is a 1 mpg improvement in every area compared to the previous Si. It's also a bit more efficient in every area than the Si's most direct competitor, the Volkswagen Golf GTI — though the GTI has quite a bit more power.

Edmunds says

The Si may have less power than before, but this sporty sedan has never been about outright oomph under the hood. You still get a sweet shifting six-speed manual, a limited-slip differential, hot looks and sharper handling. What's not to love?