MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Honda Civic Si Coupe an affordable performer
Operating on a “to each their own” philosophy, Honda’s bestselling Civic is a candy store in the compact car segment. Civic comes in two body styles, in six trims — ranging from hybrid to high efficiency to sport performer models.
The Civic HF (High Fuel efficiency) and the Civic Hybrid each deliver more than 40 miles per gallon highway. Trims start at $17,965 with Civic LX, EX, EX-L, Si … and there’s even a Civic NG (Natural Gas).
The model that appeals to me the most — because I think it’s the best-looking and bestperforming of the bunch — is the Civic Si Coupe. I drove the manual gearbox model on an auto-cross course; a simulated road course and street drive with pleasing feedback (the automatic transmission is no longer available on the Si Coupe).
The Si features several exclusive parts over and above what is offered by Honda in the rest of the Civic stable. These things include an integrated rear spoiler; 17-inch performance tires mounted on specially styled, five-V spoke alloy wheels; unique front fog lamps with black painted garnishes; a high gloss black painted front upper and lower grille; a sport bumper treatment; special exhaust pipe finisher and a black painted rear diffuser. My recent test 2013 Civic Si Coupe had a base price set at $24,215. The 2013 Civic Si with its 2.4-liter, 16-valve i-VTEC inline four-cylinder is impressive in the delivery of its 201 horsepower at 7,000 revolutions per minute, and generation of the 170 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm.
The acceleration rate is exhilarating, as moving through the gears of the close ratio sixspeed manual gearbox proves smooth and precise. The transmission is specially optimized for the 2.4-liter engine, with the special i-VTEC indicator lighting up with the VTEC shift timing in each gear. Fuel economy is rated at 22 miles per gallon city and 31 mpg highway. A “torque-full” sporty sound is terrific from both the engine and the exhaust.
The Si Coupe is aerodynamically stable thanks to the exclusive aero parts that provide for superior lift and balance. Suspension settings also are exclusive for the Si model, resulting in the car’s fine handling characteristics and comfortable ride quality. The motion adaptive Electric Power Steering is another contributing factor to both fuel economy and road manners.
In the event that one should grow tired of relishing the sweet engine and exhaust notes, the Premium audio system delivers high quality sound through its high power 360-watt, seven-speaker audio setup.
The Si Coupe appropriately sets itself apart from its other Civic siblings. Even the Intelligent Multi Info Display (I-MID) — a really cool informational feature for all facets of the car’s primary systems operation — offers exclusive Si features, including the Power Monitor.
The Civic Si comes in a sedan version, too, with most of the same exclusive features as the Si Coupe. However, it has two extra doors and I didn’t find it as sporty and attractive.