In fact, many of the supposed shortcomings of the 2022 Honda Civic Si made it stand out in our field of monstrously powered beasts.
The Civic Si makes a strong value and fuel economy statement, and the Si’s mini-Accord styling adds maturity missing from the previous-generation Civic.
To be clear, at nearly 15 pounds per horsepower , the Si is slow, but “Who cares?” was the prevailing sentiment.
“There is something appealing about seeing myself in an Si that makes me like it even more in this competition, which is loaded with vehicles I could never hope to actually own in my lifetime,” deputy editor Alex Stoklosa said.
So why wasn’t it even a finalist? For one thing, the only other front-driver in the mix, the Hyundai Veloster N, delivered an even more intriguing and irresistible combination of turbo-boosted fun.
Other judges were tantalized but left thirsty for the sharper edge and much-needed power boost promised by the coming Civic Type R.