One thing
Honda has done right is to include a limited-slip differential. Punching the throttle while turning a street corner causes virtually no torque steer, which is great. And its sport-tuned suspension, wonderful 6-speed manual and small-diameter steering wheel make this Civic more engaging to drive than the rest of the model range.
Keep your eyes on the road
The spaceship dashboard has an unconventional design; it’s low and creates an airy cabin. And while a digital speedometer takes a half-second more to analyze than the traditional needle, it’s mounted high up on the dash so you can keep your eyes on the road ahead while checking how fast you’re going. The displays glow orange, though, and in the evening, it’s more like salmon pink. Woah.
The seats are stitched in grippy, suede-like fabric and rugged cloth weaving, and are perfectly supportive for driving enthusiastically. Climbing in and out of the rear seats require some body contortions but once sitting down, there’s room for two adults.
The car is light on features, however. Okay, a sport-oriented model like this doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, and the first Civic Si hatchbacks certainly were bare-boned cars, but for the asking price, Honda should at least include Bluetooth connectivity, a 6-CD changer and heated seats. Luckily a USB port is included for the sound system.
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| The Civic Si Coupe costs $26,880, just like the sedan version. |
Competition
The Civic Si Coupe costs $26,880, just like the sedan version. Changes for 2009 include some minor exterior revisions, including a new grille, a new bumper and alloy wheels.
The Si’s adversaries are:
Chevrolet Cobalt SS, 260 hp, $25,445
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T, 210 hp, $24,495
Kia Forte Koup SX, 173 hp, $21,495
MINI Cooper S. 172 hp, $29,900
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, 162 hp, $25,998
Volkswagen GTI 3-door, 200 hp, $27,975
With the recent introductions of the Genesis Coupe and Forte Koup, Korea is becoming a serious threat to the Civic Si Coupe.
Conclusion
The Civic Si’s mix of performance, maturity and refinement has what it takes to please many. Its price may not seem very affordable and the car is light on features, but there’s not much else to complain about. Let’s not forget that the Civic is a car-thief sweetheart, which means higher-than-average insurance rates.
So let’s say you’re in your mid-twenties and you now have the budget to swing for something that would be a stepping stone for that $40,000 sports coupe you’ve been dreaming about; the Civic Si makes perfect sense.
Photo Credit : Matthieu Lambert
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