2002 Honda Civic Review

Don't let the odd, cutesy shape of the Honda Civic Si fool you--this is a hot ride. The Si is mainly for the growing number of young male drivers who want small, fast, affordable cars. It's also for those who like to turn used Japanese economy cars into hot rods like the ones in last year's hit movie, "The Fast and the Furious.'' Many such used cars are Civics because they're readily available, especially on the West Coast.

The $19,000 two-door hatchback Si is the most expensive Civic. Other models cost from $12,810 to $18,060. But the Si is well-priced for a well-equipped high-performance car. Its only factory option is $250 side front air bags. Standard items include air conditioning, AM/FM/CD sound system, power sunroof, keyless entry, split/folding rear seat and power front windows and mirrors.

"The Si plays two relatively small but important roles in the Civic lineup by meeting consumer demands for a hatchback and the return of the Si, '' said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda. The Civic has been popular since its arrival in the early 1970s and is in its seventh generation. Honda periodically has offered Civic Si hatchbacks since 1986, although the Si's performance history goes back to the 1984-5 Civic S hatchback. Honda, which only began making cars after World War II, has a strong high-performance heritage; it even built sophisticated Grand Prix race cars in the 1960s, when it was hardly known in America.

The last Si sold here was the 1999-2000 version, which had a conventional coupe body. Its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine was a screamer that demanded high revs and called for constant shifting. It didn't deliver as much mid-range punch as the current model, which has a more relaxed 2-liter four-cylinder. This engine has a wider powerband that allows easy daily use, without lots of shifting required.

Regular Civics have four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft engines that produce 115-127 horsepower. The Si's dual-overhead- camshaft four-cylinder produces 160 horsepower. The low-emissions engine is quite sophisticated, with such things as a continuous valve phasing system, and is a smoother version of the base engine in Honda's costlier upscale Acura RSX sports coupe.

The front-drive Si also has such things as a sport suspension, wider tires, large anti-lock disc brakes and a close-ratio five-speed gearbox with a rally-style shifter that juts from the center dashboard near the steering wheel. The shifter is a delight and allows freed-up floor space for such things as large beverage containers. No automatic transmission is offered because this is a serious driver's car.

The Si is quick, hitting 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. And the engine delivers a commendable 26 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. The innovative variable-assist electrical power steering is quick and the car has athletic handling. However, the firm suspension causes the ride to occasionally become choppy.

Stopping distances are short, thanks partly to an electronic brake distribution system. The RSX has a racy look, but the Si mainly looks practical with its stubby nose, soft edges and tall roof. Its small mesh grille and tiny rear roof spoiler are hardly noticeable. Such things as body color door handles and mirrors and a dual tip exhaust don't add much pizzazz.

Special interior features include deeply bolstered racing style seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and distinctive black-on-white gauges. However, the Si is the only Civic with a hatchback body style, which is in step with the times; hatchbacks are making a comeback in America because utility has become increasingly important to vehicle buyers.

Moreover, hatchbacks never went out of style in Europe--a fact that has made them chic in this country. Honda says the assembled-in-England Si has "European hatchback styling.'' The car's high curvature rear end and low, wide tailgate allow maximum utilization of space and easy cargo loading. The cargo area is fairly large, and is impressive with the rear seatbacks flipped forward.

The quiet interior has decent room for four 6-footers. Gauges are highly legible and radio and climate controls are large enough for easy use. Visibility is good, but rear side windows are fixed. Being a Honda, the solid Si should have above-average reliability and resale value. A hotter, slicker looking 200-horsepower Civic, with a six-speed gearbox and wider tires, is sold in Europe and Japan. Honda says there currently are no plans to ship that model to America. It probably figures that, with the Si, enough is enough.

HONDA CIVIC Si

Price
$19,000
Likes
Fast. Agile. Well-equipped. Roomy.
Dislikes
Lacks racy styling. Occasionally choppy ride. Fixed rear windows.