2022 Honda Civic Si: less horsepower, but improved power curve

“The best-handling, best-equipped and most fun-to-drive Civic Si ever.” That’s how Honda describes its brand-new 2022 Civic Si.

Now in its 11th generation, the Si retains its only choice of a six-speed manual transmission, but now is now only available as a four-door sedan.

What’s new for 2022? Honda says the 1.5-liter turbo from the previous generation has been updated with “broader power curves and a lighter flywheel for quicker response and improved drivability,” making peak torque–all 192 lb.-ft. of it–arriving 300 rpm sooner.

However, comparing spec sheets to the outgoing model shows that the new model is down 5 horsepower–200 compared to the previous gen's 205–with peak power coming in 300 rpm later.

At any rate, Honda also notes that the Civic gets the same rev-matching system used in the Civic Type R, capable of a “430 m/s response time.”

Here’s how the new 2022 Civic Si compares to the outgoing model in a few key areas:

Comments

Duke MegaDork
10/19/21 8:02 a.m.

*ahem*

Less power. Fewer horsepower.

Thank you.

malibuguy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
10/19/21 8:30 a.m.

I would highly consider one if something were to happen to both my yaris and my highlander. but even then...I aint rich

buzzboy Dork
10/19/21 9:00 a.m.

Duke said:
*ahem*

Less power. Fewer horsepower.

Thank you.

200<205

200 is less than 205

The hill I'll die on, but thankfully for all others, I'll be dead

maschinenbau GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
10/19/21 9:08 a.m.

The move from N/A K to 1.5 turbo and lack of 2 door completely eliminated Honda from my new car shopping list this year. The 10th and 11th gen stylings have such awkward, bloaty proportions. I think 9th gen Si was peak Honda until we have full electric Civics and they hopefully fix the styling. Gotta admit though, that interior is really nice with the horizontal grill thing and actual real KNOBS.

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/19/21 9:17 a.m.

Less power, no hatchback, nothing exciting going on here at all. Major yawn.

pres589 (djronnebaum) UltimaDork
10/19/21 9:18 a.m.

Peak Honda styling happened around 1995. This car looks like they tried to have a classy, mild evolution over the previous car, which was pretty garish. I generally like the idea of one of these but I wonder about the price. Like I doubt I could get one with a sunroof for under $30k. Curious what other colors will be available. I like turbos well enough but I agree that a 2.0 K-series would be my preference.

The mpg's, both on sticker and what I assume the real-world would be, would be a nice improvement over my SX4. Same with performance. Same with NVH and general comfort. I just don't know if I want to take on a car payment again, or at least right now.

EDIT: Wait, I thought they used the hatch body for this. Why not??? They look the same! What's the point of this car?

dculberson MegaDork
10/19/21 9:21 a.m.

Duke said:
*ahem*

Less power. Fewer horsepower.

Thank you.

Interesting. I never thought about it. "Fewer" is used if the thing is countable, but you're not counting horsepower, you're measuring it. According to dictionary.com, "Less is used for singular mass nouns." So you could say "fewer horsepowers," but you would say "less horsepower." Since we don't pluralize horsepower, less is indeed correct, in my opinion.

https://www.dictionary.com/e/fewer-vs-less/

pointofdeparture GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
10/19/21 9:36 a.m.

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:
EDIT: Wait, I thought they used the hatch body for this. Why not??? They look the same! What's the point of this car?

No Si hatch for many years now. If you want a hot Civic hatch, you buy the Type-R.

You can buy a Civic Sport hatch with the 2.0 K and 6-speed, which it sounds like is what you want, so you're covered there.

I think it's great that Honda is even offering this, even if I'd also only consider it as a hatchback. I also like that you get a real helical LSD instead of the electronic ones included in most new FWD sporty cars.

I'm holding out for the Integra, which is hopefully basically this, but with a hatch.

Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/19/21 9:37 a.m.

Since I think the consensus (at least around the office) seems to be that the new Integra will be a hatchback version of the Si, this, or the next-gen Integra?

STM317 UberDork
10/19/21 9:54 a.m.

I'm not a buyer for this type of car, but I think this one looks better inside and out than the last one. But there's really no excuse for not having a liftback. This vestigial trunk seems like it would be a royal pain to load/unload:

2022 Honda Civic Si