The Honda Civic Si debuted in 1984 and continues to fare well as its settles into adulthood. It’s the sporty version of its oldest sibling, now 43 years old.

But in any trim and configuration, the 2015 Honda Civic retains its status as one of the best-selling cars in history.

The Weekly Driver Test Drive

In the decade since The Weekly Driver debuted, I’ve driven more Honda Civics than any other car. It’s been more than a dozen so far and with gas, natural gas and hybrids engines and as coupe and sedans. The 2015 Civic Si is a reminder just how far the car has advanced since its debut in 1972 as a “box with four wheels.

The 2015 Civic Si remains the same as last year’s model, which is to say it’s a close to a sports cars as a small sedan can get without going overboard.

Available in standard and Navi trims (my test vehicle), the Civic Si includes: 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, front and rear styling tweaks, a rear spoiler a limited-slip front differential and a sport-tuned suspension.

Standard features through the Civic lineup are plentiful, and the Si includes the upgrades on the EX model. Added are front sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an aluminum shift knob, simulated carbon-fiber accents and red backlit gauges.

The Civic Si has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower and it’s matched with a six-speed manual transmission — the only transmission offered. As a the sportiest Civic available, the Si accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds. It’s about the standard performance time for a sports compact.

Sports car enthusiasts will like the 2015 Civic Si if they understand it’s not a sports car, but sporty in the compact segment. It has a crisply designed interior and exterior and it’s well suited for country roads as it is for city treks and open roads — if you like shifting gears.

Likes:

Sporty overall drive.

Quality interior material.

Strong road control and maneuverability.

Dislikes:

Manual transmission shifter can get hot or cold to hold.

Spoiler unnecessary.

Limited trunk space.

Shifting not the smoothest.

Facts & Figures: 2015 Honda Civic Si

Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 6.8 seconds.
Airbags: 6.
Fuel economy: 22 mpg (city), 31 mpg (highway), 25 mpg (combined).
Horsepower: 205.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $24,490.00.
Manufacturer’s Website: www.honda.com.
Price As Tested: $25,310.00.
Warranty: Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 3 years/36,000 miles.

What Others Say:

“After nine generations and four years in its current body style, the Civic is still one of today’s top compact cars.” — AutoTrader.

“The Honda Civic may not be as automatic a choice as it once was due to improved competition, but its variety of configurations, high fuel economy and ease of ownership keep it among the best compact sedans and coupes.” — Edmunds.

“Be it the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, or longtime rival Toyota Corolla, the compact car market is tougher than ever. With its broad array of choices and fuel-efficient powertrains, however, the Civic remains a strong contender.” — Kelley Blue Book.

The Weekly Driver’s Final Words:

“It’s hard to find anything not at least good about any Honda model. The Civic has been a top seller for many years and for plenty of reasons. The Civic Si adds fun to the equation.”