2012 Honda Civic Si Review [video]

[administrator]

When asked if he looked to another automaker's high performance model in building the new 2012 Si, Honda Civic chief engineer Mitsuru Horikoshi was unequivocal. 'No', he said, in plain English, his translator not being needed to communicate this most basic thought to the assembled journalists.

Were it another car, we might have had our doubts, but as the flagship performance offering in the Civic lineup – a vehicle that spawned a generation of import car tuning – the Si is the benchmark to which others are measured. This held true even late into the previous car's product cycle, with newer rivals hitting the market, when it could no longer be considered the obvious performance king.

Still, it never shied away from comparos with an equally big fanboy favorite, the VW GTI, or with the MazdaSpeed3, which overwhelmed with abundant torque – and torque steer. While close on paper, track tests with cars like the Kia Forte Koup SX and Scion tC were still too distant to consider, while even a modern generation of sports cars, like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, found themselves humbled by a front-driver that knows how to turn.

And so it's back, debuting as one of six new models in the new ninth generation Civic lineup, defying naysayers who have been ringing out the death knell for the sport coupe segment since Tyrese Gibson filled in for Vin Diesel.

More: 2012 Honda Civic Si Review [video] on AutoGuide.com

More Discussion here :2012 Honda Civic Si Review discussion [video] on 9thgencivic.com

[SacrificeTheory]

Except now, the competition is laughing and the tuning wont be as easy

[xplicit503]

Honda remains true to their mission to be green. Honda's soul is lost. =(

But on another note, the car's interior looks nice.

[RedLineOrange09]

Im keeping my 2009 Si

[Russgst]

I really want to like the new Si... but even with the extra tq it still seems more watered down, not as aggressive and 7,000 rpm redline? c'mon honda

[wd7]

Originally Posted by RedLineOrange09

Im keeping my 2009 Si

Yup me too. My '07 sedan will be with me awhile. You guys might want to head on over to TOV and check out their '12 Civic Si first drive/review.

[nolacvcsi]

Looks like a 4x4, wouldn't mind that torque though.

[Legendz]

ehh..

[bouncer07]

You guys will scream when it's modified. Aftermarket parts will and always find ways to make it happen. I'm sure unlocking this motor will be fairly easy as the motor will love to open up it's exhaust and intake to make it fun to drive 2.4L tsx cams screaming as the torque pulls your head back into your seat.

[nttdemented]

Swap the head and stop crying!! Cry about things that can't be that easily fixed, like that rear spoiler section...

The rest looks very good to me! LOVE what they did with the dash and steering wheel!

[BlackSixSpeed]

I'd like them to back up all the tuner claims with some actual evidence. I see everybody wanting that shift knob though!!!

[blah1541]

i dont like the way it looks reminds me of the accord coupe, but the more torque sounds fun...

[timkoo]

thanks for the video..can never go wrong with more torque

[razasasin]

meh... my '08 already has the 2.4 from the tsx

[Branden_Si]

ehh its okay to me i guess...interior is nice.

according to the TOV review video (The Temple of VTEC - Honda and Acura Enthusiasts Online - Articles - Body roll: Videos 1 and 2), you can't upgrade the header on this new engine because "the exhaust manifold is cast directly into the cylinder head"

my race header was the best power mod along with hondata, without em the car felt dull

[fghtoffyourdmns]

I actually like the front end of the car, however... the back is literally BUTT ugly. fail. Interior is nice though and the VTECH meter would be a nice feature to have.

[Bul8K]

First thing i thought when i saw pictures of the car was "wow i could take this thing off road." I guess the easy solution to that problem would be buying some lowering springs. Whats funny is that instead of the cars suspension dropping 2 inches, it would drop more like 8. Definitely going to go test drive one before I make my final opinionated conclusion. You never know.......

[bellyadibeast]

When is honda gonna make a boosted civic 7000 rpm that doesnt make it

[JT-KGY]

Honey, I Shrunk the Accord...

[bellyadibeast]

Thats so right it looks like a mini accord lol