2024 Honda Civic Si

　　

2024 Honda Civic Si Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioAssociate Manager, Vehicle Testing and Operations

　　Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at zzdcar and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.

　　The current-generation Honda Civic is one of the automaker's best yet. In fact, our test team named the Civic the zzdcar Top Rated Car for 2023. Just about everything you'd want from a small sedan or hatchback is here, including plenty of interior room, pleasing performance, and nearly all of the latest technology and driver assist features Honda has on offer. There's even the high-performance 315-horsepower Type R version to satisfy driving enthusiasts.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Honda Civic Si 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$150/mo  for Civic Si

　　Civic Si

　　Si 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) (Most Popular) - $29,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Civic sedan or hatchback?

We like that Honda offers the Civic as a sedan or hatchback. The main difference between the two is, as you can likely guess, is cargo space. The sedan has a traditional trunk that can hold 14.8 cubic feet of stuff. That's a respectable amount of space for a small sedan. But pick the hatchback, which has a slightly more bulbous profile and a lift-up rear hatch, and you get 24.5 cubes of space behind the rear seats. The lift-up hatch also makes it easier to load bulky items in the back. The Civic hatchback does cost more than the sedan but we think having a more versatile cargo area is worth it.

　　

Competitors to consider

Overall, the 2024 Honda Civic is a great pick for a small car. But it can be worth your time to check out a few alternatives. Besides the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, we also recommend the value-packed Kia Forte or the refined Mazda 3. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below for our test team's take on what you can expect regarding the Civic's performance, comfort and more.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

Not only did we name the Honda Civic our zzdcar Top Rated Sedan for 2022, but we also added one to our long-term review fleet. We opted for the Civic Si so that we could row through the manual transmission's gears for 20,000 miles and 12 months and learn what we like and dislike about one of our top picks. Check out all of our experiences with the 2022 Honda Civic Si.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Civic Si drive? The Civic Si sedan is a pretty strong performer. Around turns, the Si is responsive but stable, providing lively entertainment while instilling confidence behind the wheel. The steering is light at lower speeds and and weights up as speed increases for a bit more precision, though we found ourselves wanting a little more feedback. The tires provide a solid amount of road grip, which also aids in excellent braking performance.

　　Less impressive is the Si's engine. An output of 200 hp just isn't special anymore. At our test track, our Civic Si accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. That doesn't make it slow, but far from quick compared to the Volkswagen GTI (5.9 seconds with the automatic). Its engine and exhaust note aren't particularly memorable either.

　　Numbers aside, it feels like the power is there when you need it, and we thoroughly enjoy rowing through the gears and working the easy clutch on this rare manual-transmission-only car.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Civic Si? The Si's suspension, while stiffer than the standard Civic's, does a pretty good job of smoothing out bumps in the road. It doesn't ride as comfortably, but we think it's an acceptable trade-off given the car's sporty handling. The front sport seats are well cushioned and offer good lateral bolstering but not to the point of feeling constrained. The sport fabric also breathes well to help keep you cool on warmer days, but the seats lack adjustable lumbar support, which might be an issue for people with sensitive lower backs.

　　The climate control layout is a clear improvement over the previous generation's setup, with great vent coverage for the cabin. You don't get heated seats on the Si or dual-zone automatic climate control, however. Road noise is noticeable at any speed and can be rather intrusive on coarse surfaces. Wind noise is thankfully more subdued, and the rest of the interior feels solidly constructed and free of vibration.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below