Honda Civic SI vs. Sport: What's The Difference?

The Honda Civic has long been a compact car that is a replacement for those who wanted a sports vehicle without the price point and high repair and maintenance costs of one. As with other vehicles, several trim selections are available, including the SI and Sport. What are some features to consider in the Honda Civic SI vs. Sport?

The Honda Civic is a solid car and a safe investment, but that’s not where the investment decision stops. You must pick a trim, and the SI and Sport are two of the best. Each is made for a different audience, so it’s helpful to know what you’re getting into. Read on to get a grasp of the details of this car, from the performance to the technology and infotainment. 

Honda Civic SI vs. Sport: What’s the Difference?

The Honda Civic SI and Sport might be from the same shell, but they are far from the same vehicle. They are both quality choices, but each exists for a different person. The SI is more powerful, but the Sport has more room and a better price point.

A few of the areas of difference to consider in each vehicle include the following:

• Performance
• Styling
• Exterior 
• Price point
• Infotainment and technology

These are some of the most extreme areas of consideration for any vehicle.

Let’s talk more about the distinct points in each category that separate each trim from each other. The more you know about each selection and what it offers, the easier it will be to determine if you’re more of an SI or Sport selection.

---

DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP

The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car. Get a curated list of the best cars for sale in your area, as well as notifications if a similar vehicle is listed nearby at a lower price. CoPilot is the smartest way to shop for used cars. 

---

Performance and Handling: Honda Civic Sport

When checking out the Honda Civic SI vs. Sport, knowing the performance and handling you’re going to get is a vital selection. Many people invest in the Honda Civic for a powerful and fun experience, so it makes little sense to purchase one that can’t provide that.

According to iseecars.com, here are the stats for the Honda Civic SI in performance:

• 1.5-liter engine
• Inline, four-cylinder system
• Manual transmission with FWD
• 31 combined MPG
• Premium unleaded fuel requirement

It’s a solid vehicle investment.

Here are the performance stats with the Honda Civic Sport:

• 2.0-liter engine
• Inline, four-cylinder
• CVT automatic transmission with FWD
• 33 combined MPG
• Regular unleaded fuel requirement

It’s better than the competition.

The winner here is clear. With the Honda Civic Sport, you get more distance out of your vehicle and will pay much less to keep it on the road with regular unleaded gas. The SI is more expensive and won’t go nearly as far. 

Interior Features and Styling: Tie

The inside of the vehicle is where you will spend most of your time, so it’s vital to consider the inside to ensure you’re making the right choice.

Both cars share some of the same features. For example, they both have adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition, roadside assistance, bench seats, Apple CarPlay, and more. However, they also have some features that separate them. 

Here are the features where the Honda Civic Sport shines:

• Paddle shifters
• Power liftgate

These are unique to the Honda Civic Sport.

Here are the features the Honda Civic SI has that the Honda Civic Sport does not:

• Satellite radio
• Sunroof/moonroof

These are substantial items to consider.

It’s a tie in this category. However, sports seem to offer a little more practicality. 

Safety: Honda Civic SI

Safety is critical in any vehicle, including going over the Honda Civic SI vs. Sport. Both cars contain features like a backup camera, driver attention monitoring, pedestrian detection, and more. However, there are more areas of differentiation.

Here are some features the SI has that the Sport doesn’t have:

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Blind-spot monitoring

These can make a difference in the driving experience with the Honda Civic SI and the Sport.

Thanks to these additional features on the Honda Civic SI, it comes out on top when considering safety features. If safety is critical to you, go with this Civic trim.

---

HONDA CIVIC PROS & CONS

If you’re interested in this vehicle for your life, you might wonder - what are the Honda Civic pros and cons?

---

Price Point: Honda Civic Sport

Although the Honda Civic Sport and SI are different trims from the general vehicle, there is a significant price point between the cars. According to iseecars.com, the Honda Civic Sport ranges from $24,000-$28,000. The Honda Civic SI ranges from $28,000-$34,000. The Honda Civic SI is much more expensive than the Sport.

Of course, the price point for the Honda Civic SI is due to the increased features and safety features. However, the Honda Civic Sport is the clear winner in this category. 

Interior Space: Honda Civic Sport

Our final consideration in the Honda Civic SI vs. Sport is the space inside the car for passengers and their cargo. The more room in this compact car, the better.

Here are the dimensions for the Honda Civic Sport/Honda Civic SI:

• Front headroom: 39.³⁄₃₇.6 inches
• Front leg room: 42.³⁄₄₂.3 inches
• Front shoulder room: ⁵⁷⁄₅₇ inches
• Rear headroom: 37.¹⁄₃₇.1 inches
• Rear leg room: 37.⁴⁄₃₇.4 inches
• Rear shoulder room: ⁵⁶⁄₅₆ inches
• Cargo space: 14.⁸⁄₁₄.1 cubic feet
• Overall inside volume: 99.0/96.6 cubic feet

There’s a clear winner here.

The Honda Civic Sport has more room in several areas. It comes out on top in the front headroom, cargo space, and interior volume. 

---

HOW LONG DO HONDA CIVICS LAST?

When investing in a car, it’s critical to think about how many miles you’ll be able to get on the road before serious troubles arise. How long do Honda Civics last?

---

Which Vehicle Is the Winner?

There are several items to cover when looking at the details in each vehicle, from the way they’re able to perform on the road to the infotainment you’ll have to keep yourself in one piece. There’s a final consideration to make. Which of the cars is the winner? Should you go with the Honda Civic SI or the Sport?

Although the opinion can be subjective, we think the Honda Civic Sport is the better selection. It provides a much lower price range, better fuel efficiency on the go, interior volume for all your stuff, and more bang for your buck in the long term. If you want to make the most of your money, we recommend the Honda Civic Sport.

---

---

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to provide you with a personalized list of the best car listings.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.