2020 Honda Civic Si

For 2020, the front is restyled which looks sleeker than before, and a host of safety features have also been added along with an upgraded infotainment system. The Si sedan features the same 1.5L, turbocharged motor under the hood that pumps out 205 horses and 192 lb-ft of torque. Add this power to its friendly interiors and an airy cabin, you got yourself a perfect package worth every penny.

The 2020 Honda Civic SI is among the top-rated sedans in the budget performance segment. Priced at $24,300, it challenges the likes of some well-established contenders like Subaru WRX sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Let's move ahead and find out if the Civic continues to lead the segment or not.

The 2020 version of the Civic SI is offered as just one trim which is loaded with a plethora of standard features and there is no optional-equipment list for the SI sedan either, other than the $200 summer tires. Frankly, you won't need any equipment either as the Civic SI comes pre-equipped with some best in class features such as dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, limited-slip differential, 10-speaker premium sound system, and a lot more.

Trims	Civic SI Sedan
MSRP	$24,100
Features	Fog lights
	Dual-zone automatic climate control
	Heated front seats
	Sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers
	Bigger front brakes
	Limited-slip front differential
	Unique rear spoiler, Si branded seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel
	10-speaker Unique instrument panel with faux carbon-fiber surfaces

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Since the Civic SI is available in just one trim, there are no other options to choose from.

"Honestly, Honda could have sent its engineers on a yearlong vacation to Tahiti rather than task them with updating the 2020 Civic. We've been giving this generation Civic top marks since its debut three years ago, and there's nothing else out this year that's going to steal the car's title belt. But here we are anyway with an even better Civic." Edmunds

Flaunting the Honda's new Earth Dreams 3.0 engine architecture, the Civic Si is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder motor, which produces 205 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. It is fine-tuned to deliver precise and exhilarating performance. This engine delivers good muscle throughout the rev range, with plenty of low-end torque to get you moving from a stop. The CVT pairs well with this engine to simulate precise, smooth shifts.

A 6-speed manual transmission acts as the medium to transfer all those horses to the wheels. The clutch is light and easy to modulate. The Civic Si also benefits from a helical limited-slip differential and adjustable dual-mode adaptive shock absorber setup. The sweet burble from the engine further crescents the overall experience of the driver with the engine.

Models	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
MSRP	$25,195	$28,080	$34,095
Engine	1.5L i4	2.0L flat 4	2.0L i4
Transmission	6 Speed manual	6 Speed manual	7 Speed manual
Horsepower	205 hp@ 5700rpm	268 hp@ 5600 rpm	208 hp@ 5500rpm
Torque	192 ft-lbs@ 2100 rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 2000rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 1250 rpm

The Honda loses out to the competition in terms of engine power and torque, as it has the smallest engine on offer. Subaru WRX and Merc CLA are better in terms of power delivery. The Subaru WRX offers enthusiastic performance.

Acceleration

The 2020 Honda Civic SI, with less weight and a lot of power available on tap, can zap from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. Furthermore, if you aim for the quarter-mile mark, the Civic takes 14.5 ticks to clear the run.

Unlike its non-turbo siblings, the Civic's 1.5-liter motor has power spread all across its rpm range and the highway passes feel effortless, thanks to the turbocharger. However, the actual power surge is set at a very high rpm - courtesy of the V-Tech.

Models	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
0-60 MPH	7.2	5.7 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter mile	14.5	14.3 sec	14.7
Engine	1.5L i4	2.0L flat 4	2.0L i4

The Subaru WRX is the best performer in this segment and takes only 5.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The Civic SI and the CLA have virtually the same acceleration and quarter mile timings.

Ride and Handling

If you're familiar with the Civic Type-R, then the Civic SI isn't much different in terms of handling dynamics either. Sharing quite a lot of underpinnings with the former, the Civic SI's chassis is well balanced with terrific handling and controlled body movement. You get a lot of feedback from the road and the ride is serene in most situations. It is easily maneuverable in tight spaces with precise steering feedback. Throw it into a corner, and a wide grin will dominate your face.

The suspension is highly capable of keeping the car planted to the tarmac on cornering in the default driving mode. The adaptive damper system and McPherson strut suspension mitigate bumps for a smooth ride quality. There is barely any external noises creeping in, except for the sweet grumble from the exhaust. The ride quality is pliant and comfortable. All in all, the Civic is easy to maneuver in traffic which is why it is easier to live with as a daily driver.

Push the Sport button on the center console, and the dampers stiffen up, throttle response sharpens, and the computers subtract some power assist from the steering, adding more playfulness to the Civic's character.

Braking

Honda Civic Si is equipped with Brembo brake calipers, with an above-average stopping distance from 60 to 0. The pedal is very firm but easy to modulate. Whether it’s a casual turn or a surprise red light, the stops are straight and confidence-inspiring.

However, many of the advanced features such as the collision mitigation braking system and lane-keeping assist are absent from the Civic's equipment list which set it slightly behind in the competition. Nevertheless, you won't actually mind their absence a bit, as the Civic's nature is still playful yet confident.

Model	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
Brake Front (in.)	12.2	12.4	12.6
Brake Rear (in.)	11.4	11.3	11.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2906	3294	3274
60-0 MPH (ft.)	125	112	124

The competition isn’t far behind and actually performs better in terms of braking. Every car in this comparison beats the 2020 Honda Civic SI in the braking department, despite its lighter weight than everybody else. Surprisingly, the heaviest vehicle here, Subaru WRX sedan, makes the same stop in just 112 ft, thus, overpowering every other vehicle in the comparison.

The 2020 Civic Si, even with all those 205 horses under the hood, still manages to churn out 28 miles for a gallon of fuel in the city limits. Take it on the highway and this number escalates to an impressive 38 mpg.  With a combined mileage of 32 MPG, the Civic SI sets a clear example of how to balance power and practicality in perfect proportions.

However, the only choice of a manual transmission might hurt many people but the fact that it is one of the best-in-class gearboxes, certainly adds some essence to the Civic's character.

Model	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
MPG (city)	28	21	24
MPG (highway)	38	27	37
MPG (combined)	32	23	29

With an impressive figure of 32 MPG from a performance sedan, the 2020 Civic SI stands to be the most fuel economical vehicle of the segment. As expected in this comparison as well, it's the Civic that trumps the rivals and sits miles ahead of them. However, the CLA 250 inches pretty close to the former but the Subaru WRX with its legendary AWD system remains out of question in terms of fuel economy.

"If you’re looking for a smartly styled small sedan that isn’t so small on the inside, has incredibly good resale and reliability ratings and offers a wide range of engine and trim levels, the Honda store is your one-stop shopping destination, and the 2020 Honda Civic is the reason why." – Kellybluebook

Seating and Comfort

Inspired majorly by its more expensive sibling, Honda Accord, the 2020 Honda Civic has an impressively spacious cabin fabricated with premium materials all around. The cabin has solid build quality, much like the Germans. You get deeply bolstered and supportive, sport-spec seats carrying the "Si" logo. They are further accentuated by red-colored stitching scattered throughout the seats, steering wheel, door trims, and dashboard. Other sports-oriented elements include aluminum sport pedals and carbon-fiber trim on the dash.

Despite the wheelbase shared across all three body styles, the Civic sedan has the best legroom for taller occupants in the segment. For the rear occupants, there is ample thigh support and legroom as well. The sloping roofline and the sunroof mechanism do take away some of the airy feel of the cabin, but it won't really drive you out of the car.

Model	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
Passenger capacity	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.5/56.9/42.3	39.8/55.6/43.3	38.2/56.0/40.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	36.8/55.0/37.4	37.1/54.2/35.4	35.4/53.2/27.1

Interior space is nearly the same in all the cars and all of them can seat 4 passengers in comfort and 5 in relative comfort. However, if the numbers were to be believed, the Merc loses out completely in terms of the rear legroom and headroom.

Cargo Capacity

Despite being an entry-level compact sedan, the 2020 Civic provides ample cargo space. Its low liftover height enables easier loading/unloading of luggage. With a  total of 14.7 cu.ft behind the rear seats, the Civic SI sits in the creamy layer of the segment by overpowering the majority of opponents.

If 14.7 cu.ft of space doesn't quench your thirst, Honda has also added the option to fold the rear seats down flat at the touch of a button. The tailgate lifts quite high, however, the lower lip of the trunk is set quite low which makes it harder for the tall people to load the luggage.

Model	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	14.7	12.0	13.1

The Honda Civic trumps the competition, as expected, with its highest amount of cargo space when compared to other vehicles. The Subaru lies at the other end of the comparison with the least space of the lot leaving the Mercedes CLA 250 for the second position.

Infotainment system

To cater to your entertainment needs, the 2020 Honda Civic Si comes equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that has been upgraded from its previous iterations. The addition of a physical volume knob is one such update. Apart from it, this infotainment system now comes surrounded by a band of physical buttons as well. No doubt they are finished well and feel premium to touch, they do take away the "neat and clean" look of the cabin. 

Talking about the features, there's not a lot of them on the Civic's infotainment system. However, it packs all the necessities including Android Auto and Apple Carplay. Having said that, some of the key highlights of the infotainment are:

• 450-watt premium audio system with 10 speakers, including subwoofer
• Mobile hotspot capability
• Apple CarPlayTM 3 and Android AutoTM 4 integration
• SiriusXM ® Radio / HD Radio
• Honda LaneWatchTM

Interior Features

Following the same ideology as its infotainment system, the Civic doesn't flaunt anything too extraordinary inside the cabin either. However, some features that keep it updated with the trend are:

• Reclining Front Bucket Seats -inc: driver seat manual height adjustment and adjustable head restraints
• 60-40 Folding Bench Front Facing Fold Forward Seatback Rear Seat
• Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column
• Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter, Illuminated Entry, Illuminated Ignition Switch and Panic Button
• Cruise Control w/Steering Wheel Controls
• Automatic Air Conditioning
• Engine Immobilizer
• Air Filtration
• Power Door Locks w/Autolock Feature

“From mild to wild, the 2020 Honda Civic has a look and a body style for everyone”- Carconnection

Dimension and Weight

Aggressive sporty bumper, a legendary red Si badge framed by menacing gloss black grille and a snarling lip make the Civic Si hard to miss. The long angular body lines of the Si sedan are striking in any light. Low and sleek, this four-door sedan combines practical functionality with aspirational style. Signature C-shaped taillights highlight the unmistakable attitude of the Civic.

Featuring a turbocharged engine, a wing spoiler and center-mounted exhaust, the Civic Si sedan not only pushes the limits of performance but also brings along a style statement that sets it apart from the crowd. From the rear bumper to the front grille, this Honda is sculpted with an aerodynamic and athletic silhouette. Its sporty look is further underlined by a dual-exhaust outlet.

Model	Honda Civic Si sedan	Subaru WRX sedan	Mercedes Benz CLA 250 sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)	2906	3294	3274
Length(in)	182.8	180.9	182.3
Width(in)	70.8	70.7	70.0
Height(in)	55.5	58.1	56.6
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	4.9	3.9
Wheelbase (in)	106.3	104.3	106.3
Track width (in) F/R	60.5/61.2	60.2/60.6	60.9/60.8

The competition is not just heavier than the Civic but also smaller than it. The Subaru is the heaviest and also the smallest of the lot, with more than 300 pounds weight disadvantage over the Civic. The Three-Pointed Star, on the other hand, sticks to the second position as in most of the comparisons.

Exterior Features

The Civic Si flaunts some extra highlights on the outside that make it stand apart from the conventional Civic sedan. Some of these key highlights are:

• 18-inch machine-finished alloy wheels
• Aluminum shift knob with leather highlights
• Sporty aluminum trim pedals
• Center-mounted dual-outlet exhaust tips
• Red-colored "Si" badge on front blackened grille
• All LED headlamps
• Wing spoiler

Adhering to the safety standards of 2020, the Civic has been blessed with a reinforced and a reliable chassis that has been borrowed from the standard Civic sedan. Backing our statement, the NHTSA has also awarded the 2018 Honda Civic Si with a "5 star" overall rating, however, the 2020 model is yet to be tested. Nevertheless, there is not a lot of difference between either of the two models which is why we believe that the 2020 model won't be much behind when pitted against the crash tests.

The 2020 Honda Civic Si gets all the advanced safety features, that Honda calls “Honda Sensing” safety suite, as standard. Some of the best-advanced safety features in it include:

• Forward-collision warning
• Lane-keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
• Road-departure mitigation
• Low-speed collision avoidance with emergency braking

2020 Honda Civic Si sedan vs Subaru WRX sedan

Though built for the same purpose, both vehicles have totally different roots and are backed by totally different stories that brought them into existence. The WRX sedan is what comes out when you add practicality and comfort to a hardcore rally motorsport car - the WRX STI. The Civic Si, on the other hand, is a family-oriented comfortable sedan, that is injected with an adrenaline shot for a punchy performance, even more than the WRX sedan. It is also the bigger, wider and more efficient vehicle of the two. So, what does your heart ask for? A souped-up family sedan (Civic Si), or a souped-down rally sports car (the WRX sedan)?

2020 Honda Civic Si sedan vs Mercedes Benz CLA 250

The Mercedes Benz CLA comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that eagerly accelerates and is backed by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The rear seats are cramped and ride quality feels harsh at times. In terms of overall performance, the Benz takes laurels but then as far as the ride quality factor is concerned, it's the Civic that takes the prize in this regard. The Honda is more efficient and reliable of the two and also has a higher resale value than the German. Further closing the deal is the fact that the Civic is cheaper to maintain as well. 

With just a small compromise on the performance front, the 2020 Honda Civic Si brings a whole lot of plus points with it. It is efficient, reliable, rugged built and well, looks fantastic. If you cannot compromise on the performance front, you should shift your focus to the Germans. However, the Civic is also the less expensive one and offers a far more spacious cabin than most of the competitors in the segment. All in all, the Civic Si checks all the boxes for a performance sedan and is definitely an appealing package, worth considering over its rivals.

2020 Honda Civic Si Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the 2020 Honda Civic Si have "Honda Sensing"?

Yes, both body styles (sedan and coupe) of the 2020 Honda Civic Si come equipped with the "Honda Sensing" safety package as standard.

Is there an automatic Civic Si?

No, the Civic Si is equipped with just one gearbox that is standard, both in sedan and coupe body styles - a 6-speed manual transmission. If you need the automatic gearbox, you can check out the standard Civic sedan.

Does the 2020 Honda Civic Si have a turbo?

Yes, the Civic Si's 1.5L motor is backed by a single-scroll turbocharger that helps it spit out over 200 horses. For more information on the specifications of the 2020 Honda Civic Si, click here.

How fast is the 2020 Civic Si?

The 2020 Civic Si takes 7.2 ticks to break the 60 MPH barrier and goes on to clear the quarter-mile mark in 14.5 seconds.

Does the 2020 Honda Civic Si come with a warranty?

Yes, the 2020 Civic Si is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty that lines up with the average of what the competitors offer. The powertrain warranty is further covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever is earlier.