Civic Si Takes Consumer Reports Snub In Stride

Much was made last year of what Consumer Reports referred to as a fumble in the 2012 update of the venerable Honda Civic — withholding its coveted recommended status. Not surprisingly, Honda is busy readying a 2013 Civic total redesign.

On delivery of a recent 2012 Civic Si test drive, the Consumer Reports snub took a back seat to the excitement about performance. The 201 Horsepower 2.4 liter 16 valve i-VTEC 4 cylinder engine and the 6 speed manual transmission, makes this one of the best, high efficiency powerplants in the automotive world. Even juiced up the Si delivers impressive 22 mpg City – 31 mpg Highway ratings.

Sliding into the low-slung Civic Si requires a certain grace, and while the sport type cloth seats with the bold red Si stitched logo trim are attractive and quite supportive, a case could be made for it being warmed over styling.

On the road, the Civic may not be best in class — which is the Consumer Reports standard. But the Si is fun to drive, surprisingly roomy, with functional back-seats, and an ample trunk. The price of the model as tested was a bit high at $22,000 lightly equipped without even a nav or rear back-up camera.