Friday Feature: 2022 Honda Civic SI

This week’s blog post is all about the 2022 Honda Civic SI. This car is actually quite nice and I have to admit this is definitely up there on my list of favourite cars. It is very unique and bold and Honda did a good job of really making this car stand out. I mean it is considered a sports car after all. 

But I want you to picture this, 18 inch matte black alloy tires paired alongside the iconic paint color – blazing orange pearl. Tell me this wouldn’t make your head turn if you saw one passing in the street. Now, add a specially tuned chassis and impressive turbo-four engine to the mix and you have the structure of a pretty sweet looking vehicle. 

Before we get into the technical aspects of the car though, I think we should start with the meaning of SI and maybe even a little history. It really is short for “Sports injection” which believe it or not is just another marketing term for fuel injection. But the term SI is actually quite interesting if you take the time to look into it. Honda has actually been proudly showing off the SI badge for three decades now and have been among some of the most affordable and fun cars to exist. They first came out with the name during the mid 1980’s when most of their cars were still carbureted – a device used for supplying a spark ignite engine with fuel and air. This helped give their engines the boost they needed which of course helped set them apart from their competitors. 

SI vehicles paved their own path and quickly found a spot in car enthusiasts hearts with the smooth high-revving engines they made possible. And even though they might have seen their peak in the early 2000s, SI engines will be loved by many for generations to come. 

What’s New for 2022?

For 2022, the Honda Civic SI sees a slight increase in base price (starting at $28,595 which is $2000 more than the previous generation) but this price increase is definitely justified. It returns with new dimensions, better features, and enhanced performance – of course. It is only offered in one fully loaded model, however, for only $200 more, a set of optional summer tires is available. 

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Found under the hood is a turbocharged 1.5 liter four cylinder engine that has capabilities of making 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Being a front wheel drive car, power is sent to the front wheels through a standard limited-slip differential and a six speed manual transmission – automatic is currently unavailable for this vehicle. 

Fun Fact: On the test track, the 2022 Honda Civic SI made it from 0-60 MPH in 6.8 seconds, only 0.5 seconds faster than the Civic Hatchback (with a six speed manual transmission). 

There are a couple things that make the SI stand out when compared to the regular Civic and it’s not just the paint job. It comes equipped with larger brake rotors, a set of summer tires, and a firmer suspension, giving it the edge when it comes to performance. For 2022, adaptive dampers are no longer included, however, the standard suspension is smooth and steady making it all around a great car to drive.   

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2022 SI would not be complete without an exclusive set of sport seats, that clearly looked like they were thought out. The stitching detail on the seats feature a distinctive red contrast and of course the seats have the SI logo on the headrest. But red seems to be going theme, for the interior of the car at least. The red stitching is also seen on the doors, steering wheel, and other surfaces to enhance the sporty look. However, the biggest downfall for this car – especially in a country like Canada where it gets COLD – is there are no heated seats. For 2022, this feature was removed and if you ask me that was a pretty stupid move on Honda’s part. But I’m sure they have their reasons. 

In terms of cargo space the Civic SI has the capability of holding six carry on suitcases, which for a compact car is actually a nice feature. 

Infotainment and Connectivity

The SI is considered to be one of Honda’s best equipped Civic models, and it’s honestly not hard to see why. For 2022, it comes standard with a 9 inch touchscreen that sits right in the middle of the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard. And as if you needed more, every SI comes with a 12 speaker Bose audio system to make those long drives just a little bit better.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

The NHSTA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) gives the Honda Civic SI a 5 star overall safety rating. Honda still offers the same diverse selection of standard driver assistance technology on the latest release as well. Key safety features include: 

• Standard forward collision warning and automated emergency braking 
• Standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assist   
• Standard adaptive cruise control  

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Honda offers a competitive and unremarkable warranty for the Civic SI. However, if you are looking for complimentary mainteance you will have to either look at the Hyundai Elantra N Line or the Golf GTI, as Honda does not offer this. It does instead offer the following: 

• Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles 
• Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles