Edmunds First Drive: 2006 Honda Civic Si

[NFS4]

Unlike its predecessor, which was a slow and homely-looking hatchback with a meager redline and the agility of an elderly woman, this Si is a quick (Honda says it'll accelerate to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds), fun-to-fling-around coupe, with sharp lines and the most sharply raked windshield in Honda's history. Yes, sharper than even the NSX's.

And it revs. Oh brother, does it rev. Redline is eight thou, and the engine flies past that mark with such willingness Honda has set the rev limiter at a hold-on-to-your-connecting-rods 8,500 rpm.

Honda has also made the new car 9.1 inches longer, 2.2 inches wider and 3.2 inches lower than a 2005 Si. And it rides on a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase (104.3 inches), which it shares with the Civic coupe, but not the sedan. For the first time, the Civic sedan and coupe don't share a wheelbase. The sedan's is 2 inches longer. (We'll post a first drive of the 2006 Civic Coupe, Sedan and Hybrid next week.)

Those new dimensions have added 95 pounds to the Si's curb weight, and have swiped almost 3 inches of rear legroom. Unless you hang with supermodels and NBA stars, the car's backseat remains usable. And let's face it, if you're driving a Civic, even an Si, you ain't hangin' with Tyra and Shaq.

Honda says it can seat five. Good luck with that.

The trunk is smaller, too, down to 11.5 cubic feet. But remember, the last Si was a hatchback, this one is a proper coupe. The previous Civic coupe's trunk had 12.9 cubic feet of space.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=107050

 

[Kalbi]

ewww looks like the bastard child of the accord.

 

[ThePresence]

That car looks like it could've been made in 1985.

 

[PHiuR]

eh...i dont really like the front.

 

[suse920]

sounds good, now all i need is nAwS

 

[James3shin]

i actually like it

 

[GTaudiophile]

Ugliest interior ever?

 

[Baked]

Screw the car, I wanna join the Autobahn Country Club at Joliet, Illinois.

Ps. Looking at the steering wheel made me threw up my lunch.

 

[TuffGuy]

this Si is a quick (Honda says it'll accelerate to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds)

That's considered quick?

 

[sygyzy]

Very exciting time for first time car buyers.

 

[fs5]

the concept looked better.

 

[Strk]

That is one ugly car.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: fs5
the concept looked better.

It looks about 99% identical to the Si concept

http://www.thecarlounge.net/gallery/alb...ques/Honda/Concepts/Civic%20Si/005.jpg
http://www.thecarlounge.net/gallery/alb...ques/Honda/Concepts/Civic%20Si/001.jpg

 

[Wheatmaster]

The EPA rates it at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, and it drinks premium.

booooo

 

[phreakah]

horrible

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
The EPA rates it at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, and it drinks premium.

booooo

Word. What kinda econobox is that?

My 05 coupe FTW

- M4H

 

[Bullhonkie]

Still can't get over the look. But RSX-what now? Just as good for quite a bit less. Is the RSX due for a big change soon or are they just gonna let this cannibalize their own sales?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wasn't all that impressed earlier but looking at it again and reading about all the standard equipment this is actually a pretty nicely equipped car. I like the optional nav system too. :thumbsup:

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: fs5
the concept looked better.

It looks about 99% identical to the Si concept

http://www.thecarlounge.net/gallery/alb...ques/Honda/Concepts/Civic%20Si/005.jpg
http://www.thecarlounge.net/gallery/alb...ques/Honda/Concepts/Civic%20Si/001.jpg

The concept looked cooler IMO as well for a few reasons....

#1. Front and side facias have more definite lines on the concept . The production car looks unfinished and cheap w/o them.
#2. Headlights are much more modern looking on the concept
#3. Maybe its the color, or the angle, but the upper crease along the side of the car looks more defined on the concept, giving it a more aggressive stance.

#1 makes the biggest diff IMO...

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Any idea when this will be arriving at dealerships?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Bullhonkie
Still can't get over the look. But RSX-what now? Just as good for quite a bit less. Is the RSX due for a big change soon or are they just gonna let this cannibalize their own sales?

I heard rumours of a K20+turbo in the TSX. Maybe that'll filter down to the RSX?

- M4H

 

[Fenixgoon]

change the spoiler so its not a ricer, and no vtec stickers!:|

overall, it looks a lot better than the concept (based on shots provided)

 

[sniperruff]

they let a 10-grader to write the review???

"And it revs. Oh brother, does it rev. Redline is eight thou,"

"if you're driving a Civic, even an Si, you ain't hangin' with Tyra and Shaq. "

and "They Should Call It the Type-R"... it isn't a type-R, and it will never be... the type-R broke the 200-bhp barrier years ago.

 

[TuffGuy]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
they let a 10-grader to write the review???

"And it revs. Oh brother, does it rev. Redline is eight thou,"

"if you're driving a Civic, even an Si, you ain't hangin' with Tyra and Shaq. "

and "They Should Call It the Type-R"... it isn't a type-R, and it will never be... the type-R broke the 200-bhp barrier years ago.

It was written by Scott Oldham from Sport Compact Car. For those familiar with his personality and driving style, the writing style shouldn't suprise you.

In fact, burnouts are a Lancer strongpoint. Good power, low gears and crappy tires combine to make editor Oldham smile all the way home.

EDIT:

it isn't a type-R, and it will never be... the type-R broke the 200-bhp barrier years ago.

That doesn't say much. Peak power ratings are usually pretty worthless. Look at the RX-8. It looks like this engine has a lot more useable power and torque. At 6.7s 0-60mph, it's also quicker than the old '99 Si.

 

[JEDI]

"if you're driving a Civic, even an Si, you ain't hangin' with Tyra and Shaq.

Honda says it can seat five. Good luck with that. "

lol.. at least edmunds is more honest than motorweek