The Honda Civic Si is back, and not half

Frédéric Mercier

Wednesday, 18 October 2017 15:19

UPDATE
Wednesday, 18 October 2017 15:19

Look at this article

The Honda Civic is not the compact car is the most popular in the country by chance.

Regardless of your age, your family situation or your place of residence, Honda will be able to find a good argument to sell you a Civic.

For performance buffs, this argument has always been the version If. At least that was true until the arrival of the Type R,, this bomb of 306 horsepower built from the new Civic hatchback. Now, for a rare time in its history, If not the most powerful Civic in Canada. This does not, however, keep his place in the chessboard of the manufacturer.

Read also: Our comprehensive road test of the Hond Civic type R

In North America, the If retains an aura of enviable. This sporty version of the Civic has a dream for a whole generation of young drivers are influenced by the prowess of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. The name is strong, and Honda knows it very well.

Honda Civic Si 2017

New model, new engine

The Civic has grown with time, and the current generation of the model does not rule on things. The all-new small car that it was at its birth in the 70’s, the Civic is now a vehicle that one can hardly be called compact.

And as the If is built from the Civic regular (both in coupe as sedan), it did not have the choice to follow the parade. Small car nervous that it was in the years 90 and 2000, the Civic Si has become a big car in which driving pleasure is somewhat dimmed.

For 2017, Honda has marketed a new version of the If, based on the tenth generation of the Civic was launched a year earlier. And now it’s a small turbocharged engine of 1.5 liter which takes place under the hood.

Honda Civic Si 2017

Against all odds, the power has not increased compared to the previous generation. 205 horses. The couple, however, going from 174 to 192 pound-feet. Add to that a slight loss of weight, and you get a vehicle more dynamic than the model it replaces.

The If is distinguished by a grille of its own, wheels 18-inch alloy, a rear spoiler and an exhaust tip single rear.

Honda Civic Si 2017

Only available with a manual transmission to six reports, the Civic Si also offers a driving mode “Sport” which firms up the dampers and steering.

Honda Civic Si 2017

On the road

You will have understood it, the Civic Si is for an audience in search of adrenaline. To people who are looking for more than just a way to move from point A to point B.

The adrenaline, there are behind the steering wheel of the If. In Sport mode, the steering is precise and the car makes us almost forget its surplus weight is still apparent. The reports of the manual transmission are short and well spaced, allowing you to get the best out of this new turbo engine.

It’s still a Civic, there is a consensus, but at a starting price of 28 590$, let’s say that we are in for our money. The Volkswagen Golf GTI, for an invoice to be barely superior, offers in my opinion a boost of fun. The Hyundai Elantra Sport, to 24 999$, can also be an option, frankly, interesting.

Honda Civic Si 2017

Fun, but rational

Even if the Civic Si drives like a sports car, it retains the rational side that we love so much of the Civic. You may complain as you wish of its gentrification, but it means all the same a good space in the trunk and back seats worthy of the name. And that, even If benefits.

With a fuel consumption of 8.4 L/100 km city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway, the small japanese can also be carried out without too much hurt on the wallet. This is its great advantage compared to the mighty Type R.

The Civic Si is all of that. It is a sports car built for real life, simply. If there’s one thing that has not changed with the years, this is it.

Honda Civic Si 2017

Technical data sheet

Name: Honda Civic Si 2017
Base price: 28 490$
Configuration : the Vehicle front-wheel drive with engine at the front
Engine: Engine four-cylinder turbocharged 1.5-litre
Transmission: Manual six-speed
Power/torque: 205 hp/ 192 lb-ft
Fuel consumption announced: 8.4 L/100 km (city), 6.2 L/100 km (highway)
Warranty basic: 3 years/60 000 km
Competition: Volkswagen Jetta GLI/Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST, the Hyundai Elantra Sport