2022 Honda Civic Si Returns With Sleeker Looks But Less Power
Following a one-year hiatus, the sporty Honda Civic Si is back for 2022 along with the 11th generation of the compact sedan. It’s expected to hit showrooms later this year.
The model returns in four-door configuration only. Remember, the two-door coupe is no more. There won’t be a Civic Si Hatchback, either, since Honda prefers to focus on the high-powered Type R.
- Also: New Honda Civic Type R Begins Striptease, Track Testing
- Also: 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Gets Attractive New Entry Price
Discreetly Distinctive
The new Civic Si visually stands out from the regular Civic Sedan with a honeycomb-style upper grille featuring a red “Si” badge and a front spoiler hidden under the car. In the rear, the slightly revised bumper is capped at the bottom by two chrome exhaust tips instead of just one. Higher up, a gloss black rear spoiler is mounted atop the trunk lid.
In the middle of all this is a gloss black finish on the mirror caps and around the windows. The 18-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels are finished in Si-specific matte black, while a new Si-exclusive Blazing Orange Pearl paint colour is available.
Inside, the Civic Si once again receives unique sport seats with integrated head restraints, embroidered “Si” logos and red contrast stitching. The rest of the cabin is pretty much identical to that of other Civics, except for the sport pedals, red accents and of course the manual shifter (more on that a bit later).
The centre touchscreen measures nine inches and comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, while a 10-inch digital instrument panel sits in front of the steering wheel.
Bittersweet Taste for Drivers
Unfortunately for performance enthusiasts, Honda seems content to just take on the likes of the Hyundai Elantra N Line and Kia Forte GT instead of manning up and challenging the new Elantra N and Subaru WRX, not to mention the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. For 2022, the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is even down five horsepower (200 hp) and torque is unchanged (192 lb-ft).
The company tells us that peak torque now arrives 300 rpm sooner, while the engine maintains more output between 6,000 rpm and its 6,500 rpm redline. Engineers have also improved the sound with a new dual-coil silencer exhaust system, but you should know that it’s artificially amplified through the car’s speakers with something called Active Sound Control.
Power is sent to the front wheels via a limited-slip differential and updated six-speed manual gearbox offering an improved shift feel and 10 percent shorter throws. And for the first time, the Civic Si features downshift rev-matching technology directly sourced from the almighty Type R.
Safer and More Rigid
When it comes to the chassis, the 2022 Honda Civic Si boasts an 8-percent increase in torsional rigidity and 13-percent increase in bending rigidity compared to the outgoing Si. The wheelbase is 35 millimetres longer and the rear track is 12 millimetres wider. Meanwhile, the springs, dampers and bushings are stiffer, the stabilizer bars are thicker, and a 60-percent stiffer torsion bar connects the steering shaft to the steering rack pinion gear.
The new Civic Si also gets larger disc brakes (312 mm front, 282 mm rear) and standard 235/40R18 all-season performance tires.
As for safety, look for the same package of advanced driver assistance features as other 2022 Civic models. Standard Honda Sensing uses a new single-camera system providing a longer, wider field of view and a new, more powerful processor to more quickly and accurately identify pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles along with lane markings and road signs.
“It’s clearly the best and most dynamic Si we’ve ever produced, and it’s built right here in Canada,” noted Steve Hui, assistant vice president at Honda Canada.
Pricing for the 2022 Honda Civic Si starts at $33,150 plus $1,700 freight and PDI.