Having been a fan of the Honda Civic Si since my 2005 model, I recently upgraded to the new 2025 Honda Civic Si. After putting over 2,000 miles on it in the first month, I’m ready to share my comprehensive review, comparing it to my previous 2024 Civic Sport Touring Hatchback and delving into what makes this sport sedan a truly enjoyable daily driver. I traded in my 2024 Civic Sport Touring Hatchback 6MT, which, despite its 22,000 miles in under a year, lacked the driving fun I craved. While the hatchback was practical and well-equipped, the 2025 Civic Si immediately stood out as a more engaging and spirited vehicle.
What I Love About the 2025 Civic Si
Exceptional Handling: The 2025 Honda Civic Si boasts the best front-wheel-drive handling I’ve ever experienced. The sport-tuned suspension, enhanced chassis stiffness, and limited-slip differential (LSD) work in harmony to deliver a rewarding driving experience, even on mundane commutes. Handling was a primary factor in my switch from the Sport Touring Hatchback, and the Si exceeds expectations. While there’s a subtle hint of understeer and minimal body roll, it’s perfectly acceptable for a street car, not designed purely for track performance. The ride quality remains comfortable and not overly harsh, although it can feel a bit bouncy on uneven surfaces.
Optimized Engine Tune: While the 2025 Civic Si shares the same engine as the Civic Sport Touring Hatchback, the engine tuning is significantly different. The Si delivers more horsepower and torque, but more importantly, the torque curve feels much more linear. In the Sport Touring, the torque was front-loaded, but the engine didn’t encourage high revs. In contrast, the Si’s engine builds torque progressively and eagerly revs higher. This difference in engine mapping is sportier and more engaging, encouraging me to explore the upper rev range and enhancing driving pleasure. I found myself short-shifting frequently in the hatchback, partly for fuel economy, but also because the engine’s character felt more suited to it. The 2025 Civic Si‘s engine begs to be revved.
Perfect Power Balance: The power output of the 2025 Civic Si is, in my opinion, just right. I prioritize spirited cornering over outright speed, and the Si provides ample power for enjoyable road driving while maintaining excellent handling on winding roads. I desired a bit more power than the Sport Touring offered, but without compromising fuel efficiency, and the Si strikes that balance perfectly.
Impressive Fuel Economy: The fuel economy of the 2025 Honda Civic Si is truly outstanding. Over my first five tanks, I’ve averaged 37.53 mpg, even with some spirited driving mixed in. This efficiency is remarkable for a performance-oriented vehicle and makes it an economical daily driver.
Subtle Yet Sporty Aesthetics: The 2025 Civic Si‘s styling is sporty yet understated, perfectly aligning with its performance persona. While initially hesitant about the Urban Gray Pearl color (essentially primer gray), it has grown on me. The black accents and wheels complement the paint beautifully, giving it a sleeper vibe. When clean and in the sunlight, the car looks fantastic.
Familiar and Functional Technology: The technology within the 2025 Civic Si is largely carried over from the Sport Touring Hatchback, with the welcome additions of performance gauges and shift lights. The infotainment system is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with smartphone platforms.
Enhanced Sound Experience: While subjective, I appreciate the sound inside the 2025 Civic Si. Although the engine noise is augmented, it sounds decent and encourages more spirited driving by prompting higher revs before upshifting. This auditory feedback adds to the overall driving engagement.
Simplified Drive Modes: The absence of an ECO mode in the 2025 Civic Si is a positive change for me. I often used ECO mode in the Sport Touring Hatchback on highways, and it’s refreshing not to have to remember to switch modes. Sport mode is readily accessible for when I want a more dynamic driving experience.
Generous Trunk Space: The trunk size of the 2025 Honda Civic Si sedan is surprisingly spacious. The cargo area is actually longer front-to-back than in the Civic hatchback. While the hatchback offers more overall cargo volume with seats folded, the sedan’s trunk suits my everyday needs perfectly.
Quieter Cabin: The cabin of the 2025 Civic Si sedan is noticeably quieter than the Civic hatchback, particularly in terms of road noise. This reduction in noise contributes to a more refined and comfortable driving experience, especially on longer journeys.
Close-up of the 2025 Honda Civic Si wheel and tire showcasing its sporty design and performance features.
Minor Drawbacks of the 2025 Civic Si
Snug Seats: As a larger individual, the front seats of the 2025 Civic Si are a bit snug. The thigh bolsters press into the back of my legs, which can be uncomfortable. While I’m adapting and plan to address this with weight loss, for now, I use a thin foam stadium cushion for longer drives. This elevates me slightly and alleviates most of the pressure from the bolsters.
Overly Tall Third Brake Light Housing: The height of the third brake light housing is unnecessarily tall and obstructs the rearview mirror visibility. This design choice is perplexing and a minor annoyance.
Stiff Rearview Mirror: The rearview mirror feels stiff and cheap when adjusting it. While a minor gripe, it detracts slightly from the overall quality feel.
Incandescent Lighting: For a 2025 vehicle in this price range, the continued use of incandescent bulbs for rear turn signals, reverse lights, trunk light, and interior lights is disappointing. I promptly upgraded these to LED units, similar to my previous Civic. Honda should equip the 2025 Civic Si with full LED lighting from the factory.
Features Missed from the Sport Touring Hatchback: Trading in the Sport Touring Hatchback for the 2025 Civic Si meant relinquishing some premium features. While not essential, I do miss:
- Power seats: More adjustable and comfortable than the manual seats in the Si.
- Auto-dimming mirrors: A feature whose convenience is truly appreciated once it’s gone.
- Homelink in the rearview mirror: Integrated garage door opener, a convenient touch.
- Google integration: While sometimes glitchy with Apple CarPlay, the integrated Google features were occasionally useful.
- Boost Blue Pearl paint color: The vibrant blue was a favorite, and it would be great to see the Si offered in more exciting colors in the future.
The Intangible Appeal of the 2025 Civic Si
Numerous reviews of the 2022-2024 Si and the refreshed 2025 Honda Civic Si echo a similar sentiment, but Matt Maran Motoring’s review captured it best: there’s an intangible quality to the Si that elevates it beyond its specifications. I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment.
The 2025 Honda Civic Si feels special. It’s a joy to drive, engaging, and fun to toss around corners. It looks great, achieves excellent fuel economy, and offers just the right amount of power for a fun daily driver. In an era where affordable and engaging new cars are becoming scarce, the 2025 Civic Si is a gem. I am incredibly satisfied with my purchase and anticipate enjoying this car for many years to come.
