Who says your family sedan has to be boring? After all, you likely spend quite a bit of time racking up the miles in your beloved family chariot. So, why not pick something cheerful to add a little zest to your typical drives? Enter the Honda Civic Si, the fun-to-drive compact sedan that pairs sporty driving dynamics with the Civic’s practical, family-friendly usability.
The Honda Civic Si returns for 2026 largely unchanged from the previous iteration. And, though you won’t find bright and shiny changes to the Civic Si, the spicy Civic’s return is good news for lovers of accessible performance. Granted, it’s not the most powerful sport-focused compact car in the segment. But that doesn’t stop the 2026 Honda Civic Si from channeling some of the high-heat energy of the more fiery, if also much pricier, Honda Civic Type R.
The 2026 Honda Civic Si: Quick, Fun, Accessible
If you’re a bit on the indecisive side, you might find Honda’s 2026 menu of Civics somewhat paralyzing. Let’s talk flavors. For the 2026 model year, you can get your budget-friendly Civic in a 150-horsepower, 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder mill. Certainly not the hottest thing around. For those seeking a bit more “bam!” in their Civic à la Emeril Lagasse, the hybridized Civic dials things up with a 2.0-liter inline-four setup with two electric motors, mercifully bringing output up to 200 horsepower. As a result, the Civic Hybrid is competitively quick in the segment. It isn’t, however, as much of a delight to drive as the Honda Civic Si, especially when you take the Civic Si’s smooth-shifting and joyous six-speed manual transmission.
200 Ponies Can Be Enough
Sure, in the age of effortlessly high-powered EVs and muscled-up hybrids, the 2026 Honda Civic Si isn’t producing impressive numbers. However, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Civic Si is more than enough to motivate the sporty sedan to be driven spiritedly. The little 1,498-cc VTEC inline-four produces 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. But with a 2,952-pound curb weight, it doesn’t take much to move the Civic Si with gusto.
2026 Honda Civic Si Performance Specs
|
Engine |
Turbocharged VTEC 1.5-Liter I4 |
|
Horsepower |
200 HP At 6,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
192 LB-FT At 1,800 RPM |
|
0-60 MPH |
6.6 Seconds |
|
1/4 Mile |
14.9 Seconds |
In fact, when we tested the 2025 Honda Civic Si, one of our resident EV fans found the Civic Si’s old-school appeal to be a blast from the past in the very best way. No fuel-swilling V8 required. Of course, for those who simply need the extra oomph, the Civic Type R produces a muscular 315 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder mill. For an extra $16,000 or so, that is.
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Fun. But not necessarily fast. That’s the formula for the 2026 Honda Civic Si. Compared to the spendier Honda Civic Type R, the Civic Si is almost anemic. The Type R will dash to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds, nearly two seconds quicker than the Civic Si. In fact, the Civic Hybrid, with its dual electric motors, managed to hit 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That’s almost half a second quicker than the sportier Civic Si. But that’s not what the Civic Si is all about. Far from it.
Like the two-door Toyota GR86 and its sibling, the Subaru BRZ, the Civic Si focuses on back-to-basics driving joy. Lightweight, an easy-to-row manual transmission, an eager chassis, larger brake rotors, and stiffer suspension make the Civic Si a more exciting driver’s car than the standard Civic or Civic Hybrid. Add a standard limited-slip differential, and you’ve got one of the finest driver’s cars on the market at its price point.
Six Speeds, All Smiles
The base, naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the more mild Honda Civic offerings hooks up to a continuously variable transmission rather than a more conventional torque converter automatic. It’s the same for the more potent hybrid models. The news does, however, get better for the 2026 Honda Civic Si. Instead of the noisy CVT, the Civic Si’s standard gearbox option is a smooth, notchy six-speed manual unit.
There’s a well-oiled, snickidy-slick action to this shift lever that I just never get bored with. It’s accompanied by a light clutch, closely-spaced pedals, and an engine that revs freely, and seems to have been born to marry this transmission.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Want a driver’s car that shifts for you? Look elsewhere. As of this writing, you can’t get a Civic Si with a CVT or traditional automatic. But that doesn’t mean the Civic Si’s manual transmission is without its technological trickery. The Honda Civic Si’s gearbox comes with a selectable rev-matching feature, which raises the engine’s revs for smoother, more effective downshifting. Still, if your heel-toe game is good enough, you can shut off the manual transmission’s rev-matching feature.
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Seating For Five, Loads Of Space
Unlike taut, two-door driver’s car staples, the Honda Civic Si doesn’t shrug off usability. Honda says the sporty Civic derivation will accommodate five using its 96.6 cubic feet of interior passenger space. However, larger occupants might find the compact car’s rear seat accommodations a bit tight for three.
2026 Honda Civic Si Dimensions
|
Cargo Volume |
14.1 Cubic Feet |
|
Passenger Volume |
96.6 Cubic Feet |
|
Seats |
5 |
|
Front-Seat Headroom |
37.6 Inches |
|
Rear-Seat Headroom |
37.1 Inches |
Rear headroom is very nearly the same in the front as it is in the rear. But rear legroom is at more of a premium than it is up front, allotting 37.4 inches and 42.3 inches, respectively. As for cargo volume, Honda says the Civic Si will swallow up around 14.1 cubic feet of goods, enough for multiple suitcases or a generous family grocery run. It also puts the Honda Civic Si on par with the similarly sporty Hyundai Elantra N.
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Should You Buy One?
As it stands, the Honda Civic Si is quite simply one of the most fun-to-flog family cars at its price point. A standard manual transmission, rev-happy turbocharged four-cylinder engine, limited-slip differential, and agile chassis make for a cheap and cheerful sedan package. Add seating for five and enough cargo volume for a cross-country trip, and the Civic Si manages to be as family-friendly as it is fun.
2026 Honda Civic Pricing Information
|
Year, Make, And Model |
Starting Price |
|
2026 Honda Civic LX Sedan |
$24,595 |
|
2026 Honda Civic Sport Sedan |
$26,595 |
|
2026 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid Sedan |
$29,295 |
|
2026 Honda Civic Si |
$30,995 |
|
2026 Honda Civic Type R |
$48,000 (Est) |
Of course, as engaging as it is, the 2026 Honda Civic Si’s sole transmission option limits the sporty sedan’s appeal to manual-literate car shoppers. Like the Civic Type R, the Civic Si’s exclusive gearbox option is a six-speed manual transmission. As such, car buyers who aren’t familiar with three pedals might be better off with a spicy, dual-clutch automatic family car like a Volkswagen Golf GTI or Hyundai Elantra N.
Sources: Honda, Edmunds