2022 Honda Civic Si Brings Type R Goods
Competes with: Subaru WRX, Hyundai Veloster N, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Looks like: A sportier version of the 2022 Honda Civic sedan (which resembles a smaller Accord)
Powertrains: 200-horsepower, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder; six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Late 2021
The redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan arrived this summer along with Honda’s promise that performance variants Civic Si and Type R would follow. No other details were released about the duo — until now. The 2022 Civic Si will be the first of the sportier Civics to arrive later this year with updates to its powertrain, suspension, multimedia and safety tech.
Related: 2022 Honda Civic First Drive Review: Honda’s Boy Racer Grows Up
The Civic Si, which will only be available in sedan body style, strikes a balance between the standard Civic sedan and high-performance Type R. For 2022, the Si takes a cue from the track-ready Type R and employs a rev-matching system for the first time.
Powertrain: Doing More with Less
The 2022 Civic Si gets an updated 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine which makes 200 horsepower and 192 pounds-feet of torque. Although the 2022 Si gets 20 more hp than the standard Civic with the same 1.5-liter turbo, the new Si sees a 5-hp drop compared to the previous generation. Even though power is down on paper, Honda says the Si will offer quicker acceleration off the line and out of tight corners thanks to optimized peak torque and power output. Throttle response is also improved with a single-mass flywheel which is 26% lighter than the dual-mass unit it replaces.
Manual enthusiasts will welcome the return of the Si’s six-speed manual as the sport sedan’s sole transmission. In addition to improved shift feel with shorter throws, Honda gives the Si a rev-matching system previously available only on the Civic Type R. The system automatically blips the throttle during a downshift to match revs, relieving the driver of their “heel-and-toe” responsibilities.
Fuel efficiency sees a minor improvement with an EPA-estimated 31 combined mpg rating compared to the previous generation’s 30 mpg rating.
Sportier Steering and Handling
The new Civic Si offers improved handling compared to the previous generation and the Civic sedan, according to Honda. The stability upgrades come via an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and 13% in bending rigidity compared to the last generation. A wider rear track and longer wheelbase measuring 107.7 inches (up from 106.3 in the outgoing model) increase stability at higher speeds.
Handling advantages over the Civic sedan come from stiffer spring rates and new dampers that are specially tuned for the Civic Si. The Si’s front MacPherson struts get reinforced upper mounts and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars than the regular Civic sedan for reduced body roll.
The Civic Si’s suspension utilizes the Type R’s stiffer front and rear compliance bushings as well as upper arms and lower B-arms to further improve stability, and Honda says a stiffer torsion bar should improve steering feel. A new Individual mode joins the Si’s Normal and Sport drive mode settings, giving the driver more control over engine response, steering feel and the instrument panel display.
Aerodynamically Refined Exterior
The most notable change for the 2022 Si is the lack of a coupe model, leaving the four-door Si as the only option. Otherwise, the changes to the vehicle’s exterior are subtle and are intended to improve the sedan’s aerodynamics. In addition to new front and rear bumpers, the Si gets a front lip spoiler and a gloss-black rear spoiler that should help improve stability at high speeds.
The Si’s 18-inch matte-black wheels carry over with standard all-season performance tires; summer tires are once again available as a factory option. A new Blazing Orange Pearl paint color is added for 2022.
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- Is the 2022 Honda Civic a Good Car? 6 Pros and 2 Cons
Better Visibility and Safety Features
The Si’s cabin sees new stabilizing sports seats with increased shoulder and thigh support. The Si gets sport pedals, red contrast stitching and trim, and premium materials throughout the main touchpoints of the vehicle, according to the automaker. To improve visibility, the Si gets pulled-back A-pillars, a low hood and door-mounted outside mirrors. These changes are made across the Civic lineup and noticeably improve visibility, according to our 2022 Civic sedan review.
Honda says safety improvements in the form of new front airbags and more rigid body structures should offer better protection in a crash. Active safety feature improvements come from a new Honda Sensing camera system that increases the view to identify pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles, and more accurately reads road signs.
Long-Awaited Tech Improvements
There was much to like about the previous Honda Civic Si, but multimedia wasn’t on that list, as the system was overly complex and outdated. The 2022 Civic Si features a larger 9-inch multimedia display which replaces the previous model’s 7-inch touchscreen. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are now standard, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system replaces a 10-speaker system in the outgoing model.
The 2022 Honda Civic Si will arrive later this year and pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Related video: 2022 Honda Civic First Drive
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