Like all Civics built at Swindon, England, the
Honda Civic Si is a great looking hatch – everyone of them looks a hot hatch but only the three-door Type R and this five-door Si are that quick.
There is also plenty of room inside that streamlined body for four people and their luggage. It's a clever bit of 'packaging'. The car is much the same inside as the Type R, with Honda's unique instrument display consisting of a digital speedo right up at the base of the windscreen, and an analogue rev-counter right before your eyes in the fascia. A central display gives you information about audio, air conditioning and so on.
This is a car it is easy to feel at home in, as the seats are comfortable, and the steering wheel and gearshift lever are just where they should be. This being a Honda, you can take the slick knife-through-butter gearshift for granted. It is as good as any.
Super-smooth 138 bhp engine
Also, you know that the engine is going to be smooth, but with an aptitude for high revs. In this case, you certainly won't be disappointed, as the engine is very smooth, and revs up beyond 6,500 rpm, which is a good point to shift up at if you are hurrying.
This 1.8 litre four has Honda's latest variable valve system, the I-VTEC, which has separate cams for low and high speed operation. Unusually, the throttle valve is opened quite wide at low speeds to reduce pumping losses. Power output is a useful 138 bhp at 6,300 rpm.
A hot hatch that likes to hurry
And hurrying in this car comes naturally – it wants to be driven fast around the country roads, with the engine working at high rpm, but in the city it is as demure as a limousine, riding along quietly and smoothly as you like. And it is just as smooth when cruising on the motorways or expressways, although the ride is rather joggly over minor deficiencies in the road surfaces. A bit of a Jekell and Hyde, in fact.
Out on twisty country roads, the Civic Si is a real joy to drive. Sure, you need to keep the revs above 3,500 to keep really moving, and that is very rewarding as the car covers the ground surprisingly quickly, although not in the same league as the Type R.
Direct electric power steering
The steering is quite direct, and turns into a corner quickly for a front-driver, going exactly where pointed. True, there is less feel than you get from some hot hatches, but overall this is a good package. The Civic Si also has quite a bit of rubber in contact with the road, riding on 225/45 R17 tires.
But there is more to it than that; the great point about the Civic Si is that when you turn in, it goes into the turn flat – there is barely any roll. On very tight corners, there is some roll, of course, but it is better controlled than on most hot hatches, but the ride is not as hard as nails. And all this with simple MacPherson struts at the front, and a torsion beam axle at the rear.
Plenty of cornering power, little roll
In addition, the cornering power, and absence of early understeer is remarkable, and makes this a real fun car to drive. Of course, the Si does not compete with the Type R, Focus ST or VW GTI in straight-line performance, but it is a very enjoyable and practical car nevertheless.
