Price as tested: $26,000

Engine and power: 1.5 liter Turbo // 205 hp : 192 ft/lbs

0-60: If i tell you then you will get disappointed. It doesn’t matter. Truly. Seriously. Okay fine…it’s 6.8 seconds

MPG: 32 mpg…with my foot nailed to the floorboard!

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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi

This is the 2020 Honda Civic Si HPT.  Let’s get this out of the way first…it doesn’t look good.  Listen, I know looks are subjective and this is why I’m bringing it up first because the rest of this car is excellent.  Let’s break it down!

The Good:  Glory be to this drivetrain. The 1.5 liter turbo 4 has cute displacement, cute horsepower and cute torque. I say cute because we are all spoiled folks! 700 hp Dodges and 300 hp Camry’s have desensitized us. Now if a car doesn’t make 350 hp…people don’t give a second look. The Si is not about numbers. The Si about feel and bloody hell this drivetrain feels amazing. It’s torquey, punchy and sings at the top end. Add that to the beautiful 6 speed manual and this is a drivetrain that just oozes personality. Drivetrain aside, the interior is just plain big. You can fit people comfortably, the trunk is huge and it rides like it should cost $20k more. Oh and the Si has heated seats and a sunroof which is missing from it’s big winged brethren in the lineup.

The Bad:  The infotainment system is frustrating to use, understand and to look at.  Thankfully the Si has CarPlay integration but overall it’s just a bit disappointing.  But HEY…volume control knob is back! So yay.

The Ugly:  Well I said it in the intro…but damnit.  I’ll say it again.  Just look at it.  ‘Nuff said

The uhhh overall?  For those of us that grew up in the tuning generation…the Si holds a special place in our hearts.  The Si represents a vehicle that has aged WITH us.  Instead of beating you up from the get-go the Si-ness is hiding under a layer of downright exceptional refinement. So it can now fit our children, our spouses and our lives.  Poke it with a stick though and the Si wakes up and carves, dices and annihilates the curves in front of you. So here is the best part:

All of this agility, power, refinement, utility and fun can be had for only $26,000. I’m sold….are you?