As the automotive world continues its relentless march toward electrification, blistering horsepower, and tech-laden cabins, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly makes for an enjoyable driving experience. But hidden behind all the headlines about cutting-edge EVs, towering trucks, and monstrous supercars, there are still a few models that capture what really matters to driving enthusiasts and do so at prices normal people can actually afford.
Models like the Ford Maverick with its new Lobo and Tremor trims, the understated and underappreciated VW Jetta GLI, or the Toyota 4Runner and GR Corolla all received updates and redesigns for 2025, putting them in the running for our 2025 Car of the Nation award. However, there is one staple of affordable enthusiast cars that emerged as our winner—the 2025 Honda Civic Si.
A Time-Honored Classic
A lot has changed since the Civic Si first arrived in America as a two-door hatchback for the 1986 model year. In fact, the “Si” originally stood for “sport injected,” referencing its then state-of-the-art electronic fuel injection system in a world when many cars still came with carburetors. That new tech helped Honda get a whopping 91 hp out of a 1.5L four-cylinder engine—laughable numbers today, but enough to make the 2,033 lb car quite fun to drive, especially since it came with a five-speed manual transmission instead of the more typical four-speed gearbox.
It is somewhat ironic that a car that once grabbed headlines for its own advanced features is now celebrated as being simple and old-school, but that’s how things go in the automotive world. It’s especially ironic given just how much more advanced and capable the 2025 Civic is compared to the original. It is still powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder, but the modern turbocharged engine pumps out an even 200 hp, more than doubling what the Si debuted with. It also still has a manual transmission, but with an extra gear and automatic rev-matching, it’s worlds beyond what was available in 1986.
But all that extra performance has just barely kept the Civic Si treading water as cars have gotten increasingly faster and more powerful. The humble Toyota Camry now comes standard with 225 hp from a hybrid powertrain, letting it match the Civic Si on the quarter mile, and not much more money will get you a Tesla Model 3 that will rocket you to 60 mph in less than five seconds. But as we said, the Civic Si isn’t about speed anymore—it’s about old school driving fun.
Keeping Things Fun and Practical
The foundation of that fun is undeniably the manual transmission. It provides a connection to the car and a level of driving engagement that is hard to find these days. In fact, there are only a dozen cars left that come with a manual transmission for under $35k! The Civic Si manual is also probably the best front-wheel drive manual out there, and has been enhanced for 2025 with an improved auto rev-matching system that will blip the throttle for you for perfect downshifts. Of course, you can always turn it off to practice some good old heel-and-toe for added fun.
But the best part of the Civic Si is that it’s both fun and practical. Taking a look at the other affordable manual cars out there, the nearest competitors price-wise are the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the Toyota GR86. Both are absolutely fantastic cars for driving fun—many would say better than the Civic Si—but they are far less practical. Two doors (and, in the case of the Miata, two seats) really limit your options compared to the four-door Civic Si. Plus, the Honda gives you more trunk space than the Mazda and Toyota combined! The Civic Si is an everyday car that doesn’t demand you make sacrifices to enjoy driving.
Most of the 2025 updates to the Civic Si were about enhancing this practicality rather than its performance, which might be disappointing when you read the spec sheet, but are quite welcome on a long drive. For instance, heated seats are now standard for cold mornings, and Google built-in provides more infotainment options. Plus, the model continues to come with a 12-speaker Bose sound system and power moonroof so you can enjoy yourself when you’re stuck in traffic as well as when you’re hitting your favorite backroads.
It’s Not Always About Being “The Best”
In the modern world, it can be easy to try to lose sight of what matters. When social media constantly bombards us with content about 2,000 hp drift cars and custom off-road rigs ready to climb vertical walls, it’s no surprise that drivers keep demanding more. But the Honda Civic Si reminds us that you don’t need to be “the best” to have fun behind the wheel. In fact, it can often be easier to have fun with a 200 hp manual sedan than with an absolute rocket of a sports car that is uncomfortable to drive and tries to kill you when you floor the accelerator. So don’t be tempted to spend all your savings on a C8 or a Darkhorse—instead, take a moment to appreciate the humble Civic Si and the attributes that made it our 2025 Car of the Nation.
