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2017 Honda Civic Si boosts its chances in the sport compact segment

Honda has turbocharged its VW GTI fighter, but is it all the better for it?

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
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Honda's 10th-generation Civic is already so aggressive that it didn't take much to create the visuals for a new Si.

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It's nice to see an affordable sporty coupe still on the market -- everything else in this segment now seems to have four doors or a hatchback.

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That big wing comes standard on two-door coupes. The four-door Si sedan gets a slightly less audacious spoiler.

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The Si gets a redesigned front fascia. Sadly, you can't get high-performance headlamps on the Si.

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The rear fascia is set off by a unique-to-Si exhaust treatment.

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Honda always seems to get this bit right -- grippy wheel, well-placed alloy wheels, and a gearshift within easy reach.

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No unique engine for the Civic Si this time out -- a version of the 1.5-liter turbo four found in other Civics features up to 20.3 PSI of boost to deliver 205 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque from 2,100-5,000 rpm.

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As ever, the Si is offered only in front-wheel drive. A six-speed manual is the sole transmission.

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Boomerang-shaped taillamps mark out the rear corners of the Si.

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The Coupe's trunk space is listed at 11.9 cubic feet. Need more space? The sedan offers 14.7 cubic feet.

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Unique 18-inch alloys are standard. All-season tires are standard, with high-performance summer rubber a modest $200 option.

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Sadly, there are no optional high-intensity headlamps available. LEDs would have been nice.

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The Civic Si borrows its somewhat snarlier front fascia from the Civic Sport hatchback. 

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The Si is easiest to spot from the rear by its large rear wing and the unique center exhaust finisher seen here.

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Summer tires (not shown) are a $200 option.

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The Civic Si coupe is treated to a large rear wing, while the sedan makes do with a subtler piece.

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Keep clicking or swiping through for more photos of the 2017 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

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