On the market in various iterations for more than 26 years, the Honda Civic Si is still perched at the zenith of the ubiquitous automaker’s lineup of ubiquitous cars. Refreshed in 2009, the Si is the enthusiast’s Civic. Can it be yours?
Offered as a sedan and in the case of our tester, a coupe, it follows the old tried and true method of putting an engine with some power in a small car and making magic. Is the 2010 Si the real deal or is it the automotive equivalent of a candy bar with empty calories?
What is it?
A four-place coupe, with actually usable rear seats, the Civic Si coupe is a starting point for tuners or an end point for those seeking reliable, fun to drive transportation.
With its exclusive 197-horsepower transverse mounted four-cylinder engine, and a stellar six-speed manual gearbox, it fills the bill for both kinds of users.
The current Civic is most of the way through its life cycle, but it’s still a hot seller for Honda – and a perennial favorite among America’s diverse drivers.
What’s it up against?
The Civic Si’s coupe configuration is somewhat unique nowadays; put it up against the Scion tC and Volkswagen GTI if you’re looking for rivals.
Expand your list to four door models and you’ll want to cross shop the Mazaspeed3, Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Jetta GLI.
