The 2022 Civic Si packs a 1.5-liter VTEC turbocharged engine making 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. While the power stays close to the outgoing Civic Si, updates result in a broader power and torque curve (its peak 260 Nm of torque arrives as soon as 1,800 rpm and stays on until 5,000 rpm). It also has a dual-coil silencer exhaust system and an Active Sound Control system for improved engine sound.

Mated to the engine is a 6-speed manual. Compared to the outgoing Civic Si, it has an improved shift feel and 10 percent shorter throws. A new single-mass flywheel gives a snappier throttle response while also sporting-up the drive. It also has a standard helical Limited Slip Differential (LSD) improved traction.

Honda touts the 2022 Civic Si to be the “best handling Civic Si ever” and to that end, it has an 8 percent increase in torsional rigidity and 13 percent in bending rigidity compared to the outgoing model. Its track and wheelbase have also been lengthened for added stability and ride smoothness. Compared to the regular Civic, the Civic Si boasts of stiffer springs—up 8 percent at the front and 54 percent at the back as well as thicker—27-mm hollow and 18-mm solid stabilizer bars for the front and back. The steering also has a stiffer torsion bar. Capping off the changes are larger brakes—12.3 inches (up 1.2 inches) at the front and 11.1 inches (up 0.9 inches) at the back. 235/40R18 tires are standard.

Inside, the Civic Si has exclusive “body stabilizing” sport seats with built-in head restraints. The red-colored seats are complemented by red trim on the Civic’s signature honeycomb dash panel and red contrast stitching on the doors, steering wheel, center arm rest, shift boot, and shift knob. Like the Civic sedan, the Civic Si boasts of a 7-inch color instrument cluster with a digital tachometer, a 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose system.

Outside, the Civic Si communicates its newfound sportiness with its more aggressive upper front bumper, a reshaped rear bumper with two large oval exhaust tips, a hidden front spoiler, and a gloss black rear spoiler. Blazing Orange Pearl is a new color exclusive to the Civic Si.

There’s almost no chance of seeing the 2022 Honda Civic Si for markets outside the U.S., but at least it shows that Honda’s still willing to keep the manual gearbox alive, at least for its enthusiast-centric cars. For the Philippine market, Honda is expected to launch the 11th generation Civic before the end of the year.