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2014 Honda year in review: 2015 Civic Si

Honda Si,Type R or Acura RS-X last century's Japanese developed answer to the performance pony car put Honda on the hot-rod map. TorqueNews revisits the holdout; 2015 Honda Civic Si.

I’m one of those automotive review guys that gets a little teary eyed when I come across a pristine Honda or Acura pocket rocket of yesteryear. 2015 Honda Si coupe takes me back to the memory of Honda's glory days.

Search as you may, you won’t find many if any new or used Civic Si coupes or sedans sitting on your neighborhood Honda lot. As far as Honda goes,Civic Si is a limited production automobile.

We covered Honda’s extensive cosmetic refresh of Civic Si back in November, 2013. That was for the 2014 model. For 2015 you’ll discover that Civic Si remains unchanged with the exception of next generation “HondaLink,” greater Bluetooth personal connectivity and standard across the line backup Cam with directional lines.

Why we love street fighter Civic Si

Civic Si is about “not so entry level” street performance packaged in Honda reliability with just a touch of bad! Until the mystical beast Type R returns to North American shores, Si is the baddest out of the box race inspired coupe or sedan in Honda’s lineup. Claiming 205 horsepower and 174 ft-lb torque, this port injected dual stage inducted 2.4 liter DOHC 16 valve 1-VTEC 4 cylinder delivers whiplash performance without one’s having to refinance the house.

For 2015 we find a close ratio “G” patterned, one finger pressure brushed stainless shifter,and a lower pedal pressure clutch delivered to the road via a limited slip differential and 18 inch alloy rims dressed in race inspired rubber. Braking is fade free and just a bit stickier than we like (13 miles showing on the odometer.) 2015 Civic Si features a refined Recaro inspired racing seat interior while providing relative driver and passenger comfort and safety.

Keeping it simple: 2015 Honda Si is a one trick pony available in two variants, coupe and sedan. Mechanically, the cars are identical as are the standard features. Si coupe sports a beginning MSRP of $22,890 + applicable fees and sales tax, you may add $200 for an Si sedan. For future Civic Si fanatics that wish for summer tires, greater personal connect-ability, safety and technical features, Honda offers 3 Si trim levels topping out at $24,590 +. You may check out Si price and specifications here.

In closing, nothing else available in this price range and segment beats 2015 Honda Civic Si for affordable performance, reliability and residual value. It’s our favorite Civic for several reasons, the number one being that it takes us back to Honda’s racing roots while providing class setting economy, safety and tech-rich features. Test drive one if you can find one, Si is a superior long-term value.

Comments

Edward (not verified)    December 19, 2014 - 11:42PM

This article is not accurate. The 2015 SI does not come with a 2.5 liter engine, it comes with a 2.4 liter. It does not come direct injected, it comes with port injection. It does not come with 175 ft/lbs of torque, it comes with 174. It does not come with 17" alloys, it comes with 18" wheels

JeffS (not verified)    December 20, 2014 - 11:25AM

In reply to by Edward (not verified)

Good day, Edward. I see 2.4 liter listed in the article, do not see 2.5. You are correct, 174 ft/lbs. not 175, but 1 ft/lb. doesn't really make a hill of beans of difference as to the point of the article. In the name of accuracy it should be noted that it is a MULTI port injection.

Parks McCants    December 20, 2014 - 5:31PM

In reply to by Edward (not verified)

Hey Edward. How ya doing? I like running across readers like you that pay close attention to the specifications.

The 17 inch alloy wheels come directly off of the Honda specification sheet. As to the direct injection, look for it in a future "EarthDreams" engine equipped Si. As to the Torque? whatevaaaa. Thanks for the heads-up, I review many Asian, European and North American specification Hondas, the specifications get a bit blurry at times. I'll correct the specifications for you. Do you like Honda Civic Si, do you own one? What improvements or changing would you like to see from Honda in the next generation( 2016) Si? Thanks.

JeffS (not verified)    December 20, 2014 - 8:57AM

Good day Parks. The current SI is somewhat a throwback. My '14 reminds me allot of a more sophisticated and refined CRX. Owned a 1st gen CRX SI and that car was a blast to drive as well, (talk about bullet proof, I beat the crap out of that car and it kept coming back for more). These cars just beg to be flogged. From the sweetest manual found in ANY car, to that intoxicating exhaust note, to sharp handling, to enough giddy-up and punch to let you know you're driving something a bit special, ESPECIALLY considering its price point. No, it's no straight line dragster, not meant to be, but if you are looking for a back road burner that will keep you smiling on your daily commute and not beat you up in the process, (from a ride or $ point of view), I don't think you can do any better. A minor glitch in your article, SI comes with 18" wheels which fill up the wells nicely and adds to the SI's sporty intentions. When mine was new, I found the brakes to be a mite sticky as well, but with few thousand miles on the car now that has disappeared and I find the braking to be fantastic and easy to modulate. As a matter of fact, just the other day, a deer jumped out in the road, I was doing about 45, stomped on the brakes and came to a very quick, straight stop, with absolutely no drama, confidence inspiring. I like it's, "Boy racer" looks. Driving it makes me feel 20 years younger, (regression is not always a bad thing). I'm with you Parks, a Honda fan for life.

JeffS (not verified)    December 21, 2014 - 9:41AM

In reply to by Parks McCants

"Good day", Parks. I know it's a different game entirely, but down at our local Track on, "Rice Rocket" night, there are Civics running in the high 9's, (of course they are heavily modified). Regardless, I find it amazing, the hidden potential of these cars. A Friend owns a '13 SI, put a Skunk2, intake, header, exhaust and lowering kit on it and there is a significant difference in performance, (more than I expected there would be for a few relatively simple mods, he spent about 1500.00 for the parts). To boot he claims his gas mileage is up slightly when driven sane, I kinda find that hard to believe, but he is not the only one I have heard make that claim. Also, in stock form, I have a hard time driving it with, "Fuel economy" in mind, the exhaust note is just too intoxicating, down right addictive with the Skunk2 exhaust. The added intake, "whoosh" is also noticeable. I'll be doing the same with mine, less the lowering kit, (handling gains were very noticeable and it definitely keeps the car flatter in the twisties), but stiffened the ride a bit more than I would find comfortable when tooling around. I haven't done any, "Shade tree" tinkering in years, having driven one with mods has mine begging for it.