Looking for a new Civic, but can't decide which one.

[GenXRavensfan]

I'm currently looking to purchase either a new 2026 Si, or '26 Touring Hybrid. Having a hard time deciding between the two because of the lack of comfort features on the '26 Si, and wondering if the 200hp and 232tq ratings on the Touring Hybrid were accurate and made it actually feel as or close to as sporty as the Si. My '19 Si was killed by a drunk driver in the middle of January and I'm still recovering from a broken right foot from that. I still can't drive yet, so I haven't driven either of them yet. Considering how "loaded" my '19 Si was and the 2020 was even more well equipped I was shocked to see how dirty they did the 11th Gen Si. Anyway, The Touring Hybrid seems to only be missing a manual transmission, which is damned near mandatory in a sports car in my opinion. While I'm not a fan of automatics, I've been told that paddle shifters really are the way to go, I'm still skeptical. Regardless, I plan to mod the car, whichever one I get, with a minimum of a tune, cold air intake, intercooler, exhaust, and most likely a down pipe and front pipe, and possibly a turbo. The one Si I've seen appears to be even easier to work on than my '19 Si was. I was hoping the Touring Hybrid was as well, but with it being the 2.0 and a hybrid, I wasn't sure if it would be crammed in there more. Also, with it not being a turbo from the factory I was wondering how difficult and expensive it would be to add a turbo if/when I decide to do that in the future. So if anyone has any input for me on the US models since the mid gen refresh, I'd love to hear it. Really very stuck on which way to go here. Thanks in advance for all the help.

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[Chilly613]

You want a turbo and to be able to do a bunch of performance mods, just get the Si.

 

[BgeezySGP_FL5]

Honestly my wife has the touring hybrid and it is pretty quick! and extremely comfortable

 

[Superhatch]

Honestly my wife has the touring hybrid and it is pretty quick! and extremely comfortable

Same. It's such an 'easy' car to drive. It's quiet and comfortable and so good on gas (we get close to 50 in the summers). The CTR is so much fun but has a raw edge to it, and I'd imagine the Si is somewhere in the middle but for a daily I would be totally happy with the hybrid. Go test drive both of them!

 

[AZCWTypeR]

My wife has a new CRV Sport Hybrid 2WD and it's satisfyingly quick, both off the line and high speed passing. We get 40mpg highway (75-80mph cruise speed) and 45mpg in town.
Nowhere near as fast as my CTR, but much better than our old 2014 CRV.

 

[menikmati]

Seems like @Chilly613 is the only person that read what the OP is planning to do with the car and gave the most straightforward answer.

 

[thatonedaveguy]

There is no point whatsoever in getting a hybrid Civic if getting something fun to drive and modifiable are your goals.

You want an Si. It's lighter, has a limited slip differential, an outstanding gearbox, and many other performance oriented changes that a normal Civic does not have that make it a true driver's car.

 

[Chilly613]

You want a turbo and to be able to do a bunch of performance mods, just get the Si.

Also, if you want all the creature comforts of the Touring Hybrid, but want the performance and be able to modify, get an Acura Integra.

 

[Superhatch]

Seems like @Chilly613 is the only person that read what the OP is planning to do with the car and gave the most straightforward answer.

I read it and told him to get the hybrid as I figured pretty much everyone here was going to say otherwise and I think it's a fantastic car. I actually came back to say a few things though.

- It's not going to feel as sporty as your SI. The power in the Hybrid is a strong pull with a pretty flat torque curve. In the real world drag videos the hybrid seems faster than the Si (16.1 vs 15.4), but it's a much softer suspension/interior space. The Integra is about 200lb heavier than the Si so it will be even slower. To make the Si as fast as the Hybrid you'll need to overcome about .5s in the 1/4 mile which is a bunch of cash.
- Get the hatch if you are getting this as a daily, the trunk space is amazing.
- Gas is not going to get cheaper anytime soon, it's likely to go up in the next few months even more and probably stay that way for a long while. If you drive a bunch something to consider.
- You won't really be able to mod the hybrid engine wise, suspension, interior, wheels, exterior is probably your path for modding.
- Using the regen paddles I think the Hyrbrid stopping power is equal to the Si.

As I said earlier, go test drive all of them.

 

[Cueyo]

I think the thread already gave you your answer, but the hybrid will likely never be modifiable to what you got out of your old SI. I've driven both the new si and hybrids, and I can say the fun factor is miles apart too.

The new hybrid is faster on paper, but without the precise torque control you get with a manual, it's incredibly boring. Yeah you'll be faster off the line, but the second you hit 40mph it's not zippy at all.

Get the manual integra (price premium unfortunately) for some creature comforts.

 

[GenXRavensfan]

Thank you all for the much needed input. Unfortunately what you may have missed, or just might not have realized is that my broken right foot from the accident is still keeping me from driving, so I can't go test drive any of the cars to see which I like best. I have however decided that I'm probably gonna need to look at Integras to get what I want. So glad they redesigned the look of the hatch for the 11th gen! Once I can drive, I'll need to see if I can deal with CVT in the event I can't find a manual. Those seem to be harder to find (shocker), especially since I now have to look at used instead of new to keep the price affordable. Integras used to be as modded as Civics (if memory serves), but then they stopped making them. Now that Acura's much more of a luxury brand are there still mods for them like CAIs, FMIs, etc.?

 

[Cueyo]

Thank you all for the much needed input. Unfortunately what you may have missed, or just might not have realized is that my broken right foot from the accident is still keeping me from driving, so I can't go test drive any of the cars to see which I like best. I have however decided that I'm probably gonna need to look at Integras to get what I want. So glad they redesigned the look of the hatch for the 11th gen! Once I can drive, I'll need to see if I can deal with CVT in the event I can't find a manual. Those seem to be harder to find (shocker), especially since I now have to look at used instead of new to keep the price affordable. Integras used to be as modded as Civics (if memory serves), but then they stopped making them. Now that Acura's much more of a luxury brand are there still mods for them like CAIs, FMIs, etc.?

The Acura integra is mechanically identical to a civic, so the mods all transfer over

 

[ModJPB]

The Acura integra is mechanically identical to a civic, so the mods all transfer over

Thank you all for the much needed input. Unfortunately what you may have missed, or just might not have realized is that my broken right foot from the accident is still keeping me from driving, so I can't go test drive any of the cars to see which I like best. I have however decided that I'm probably gonna need to look at Integras to get what I want. So glad they redesigned the look of the hatch for the 11th gen! Once I can drive, I'll need to see if I can deal with CVT in the event I can't find a manual. Those seem to be harder to find (shocker), especially since I now have to look at used instead of new to keep the price affordable. Integras used to be as modded as Civics (if memory serves), but then they stopped making them. Now that Acura's much more of a luxury brand are there still mods for them like CAIs, FMIs, etc.?

Just to be super accurate on fitment. All parts that fit a 22+Civic Si or SEDAN with 1.5t will fit the Acura integra. Reason I mention this is because I made the mistake of assuming since the integra was a hatch and my civic sport touring is a hatch, that the exhaust would be the same. The integra rides on the sedan frame, which is ~6 inches longer than the civic hatchback. When searching for parts just make sure it also fits the Civic Sedan (FE#, which the 11th gen Si is) and not only for the civic hatchback (FL1).

 

[GenXRavensfan]

Just to be super accurate on fitment. All parts that fit a Civic Si or SEDAN with 1.5t will fit the Acura integra. Reason I mention this is because I made the mistake of assuming since the integra was a hatch and my civic sport touring is a hatch, that the exhaust would be the same. The integra rides on the sedan frame, which is ~6 inches longer than the civic hatchback. When searching for parts just make sure it also fits the Civic Sedan (FE#, which the 11th gen Si is) and not only for the civic hatchback (FL1).

Thank you very much! Very good information to know. I would've assumed the same thing. Perhaps that's why I like the lines of the Integra hatch better than the Civic hatch. And Cueyo, thanks for the info about the mods. I'd imagine there might be some fitment issues in some areas with the different styling. Perhaps I'm wrong. I don't know what I don't know, so I'll yield to y'all's expertise.

 

[MooMoo]

Maybe not something you are considering or want to hear but have you considered a different brand? Imo the si is too expensive for what it offers, imo lacks power. The hybrid will be boring, transmission is not great.

Id be looking at Elantra Ns which are a bit more money sure but not that much. Or maybe even gtis. On both of those if you want autos you get a dual clutch which is fantastic. Elantra you get a great power train, can keep up with a type R and even beat it, decent mod support. yes its not as good looking as si or hybrid. The GTI will be smaller but its a great car as well.

I know we are in a honda forum and I have 2 hondas but I think its good to see whats out there

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