2012 Honda Civic Coupe Si Review

Honda’s popular pocket rocket has been significantly improved for 2012, and thanks to a new engine, the improvements are more than visual.

The 2012 Civic Si is notably improved over last year, thanks to more heat under the hood and superior aesthetics. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)

Much improved looks
The former Coupe Si wasn’t a bad-looking vehicle, but it pales in comparison to the new version, which seems to have adopted styling cues from the highly attractive Accord Coupe. The most notable of which are the rear quarter glass and the tail end of the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe Si.

The exterior revisions have immensely improved the car’s visual presence while serving to clean its overall appearance – a good job there. Moving inside the car leaves me less enthused.

Great seats, too much interior plastic
First of all, I’ve never been a fan of Honda’s bi-level instrument panel but the setup works well, delivering the essentials with clarity and accuracy. The HVAC controls are pure joy to use due to their simplicity; I can’t say that for much else.

The touch-screen interface isn’t my preferred means of adjusting secondary controls. Perhaps the iPhone-user sect is more adept at living with interactive screens than I am; nevertheless, Honda’s system comes together with some practice and exposure.

On the flipside, I was quite smitten with the Si’s front seats. They are exceptionally supportive, well bolstered and deliver fade-free comfort. They are upholstered in a highly textured fabric that imparts a quality feel. Unfortunately, that’s not the case throughout the cabin where excessive expanses of hard plastic cheapen the environs.

Then again, the Civic is an economy car – fair enough – but have a look at what Ford and Hyundai, to name a few, are doing with their economy digs and the contrast will surely be stark.

Enough about the cabin which, by the way, is quite spacious for a compact coupe; let’s move onto the heart of the pocket beast.

I was quite smitten with the Si’s front seats. They are exceptionally supportive, well bolstered and deliver fade-free comfort. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com)