TO THE POINTWhat’s New? With 197 horsepower flowing through a six-speed manual gearbox to a helical limited-slip differential and 17-inch Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 summer tires, does it matter what else might be new on the 2006 Honda Civic Si? Selling Points: Sleek styling, sophisticated engineering, comfortable front seats, lots of standard safety equipment, reputation for reliability, amazing performance Deal Breakers: Cramped back seat, funky dash design Our Advice: Honda unleashes a redesigned 2006 Civic Si, equipped with enough performance hardware that it sets the new standard by which sport compact cars must be measured.
Powered by Honda’s so-called K-Series engine, the 2006 Honda Civic Si has a 2.0-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC motor under the hood that makes 197 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 139 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,200 rpm. Redline is 8,000 rpm, and a warning light flashes in the gauge cluster when that limit is approaching. Meeting LEV2-LEV emissions in the U.S., this engine is estimated to deliver 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Premium fuel is required.