2025 Honda Civic Si vs. Competitors
The Honda Civic targets driving enthusiasts who want more behind-the-wheel engagement than the regular Civic supplies but don’t need the over-the-top performance of the Civic Type R. This successful middle-of-the-road formula has made the Civic Si popular for more than 40 years. But the Civic Si isn’t the only sport compact on the market. With this in mind, we’ll compare it with the Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Jetta GLI, and Mazda3 Turbo. The match-up involves the 2025 model year.
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Pricing
While these four vehicles have premium elements, pricing and budget are still significant concerns in this category. The Civic Si is on the lower end of the scale, with a starting price of $30,250, and the Elantra N is lower at $28,975. Prices jump significantly for the Jetta GLI ($32,715) and the Mazda3 Turbo ($35,800). (Note that these MSRPs are accurate as of April 9, 2025, but are subject to change.)
Powertrains
Turbocharging is common to all four vehicles, helping maximize power from small yet efficient four-cylinder engines. The Civic Si’s 1.5-liter powerplant produces 200 horsepower, which is the lowest in the comparison, but doesn’t hold this Honda back in terms of performance (which is detailed below). The Elantra N’s larger 1.6-liter engine ekes out only one more horsepower than the Civic Si. There is a horsepower bump with the Jetta GLI (228 hp) and Mazda3 (227 hp). However, this extra output is unsurprising given the higher price tags.
Keeping its enthusiast roots in mind, the Civic Si comes with a rev-matching six-speed manual transmission. The Jetta GLI also has a six-speed manual. An automatic transmission is optional on the GLI and the only gearbox choice for the Elantra N and Mazda3. The Civic Si, Elantra N, and Jetta GLI are configured with front-wheel drive, while the Mazda3 Turbo has all-wheel drive, which helps explain its $5,000+ increase over the Civic Si.
Performance
The Civic Si’s horsepower rating doesn’t translate into the slowest zero-to-60 mph times. With a Car and Driver-reported performance of 6.6 seconds, the Civic Si is a half-second quicker than the Elantra N. As expected, the Jetta GLI (6.0 seconds with a manual transmission) and Mazda3 Turbo (6.1 seconds) are quicker, but not significantly, given the extra horsepower.
Fuel Economy
Honda’s engineering mastery is also evident when comparing fuel economy. The Civic Si comes out on top with EPA ratings of 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the open road. Its closest competitor in the category is the Elantra N, with 28 mpg around town and 35 mpg on the open road. Extra horsepower translates into mileage penalties for the Jetta GLI (25 city/35 highway) and Mazda3 Turbo (23 city/32 highway).
Cost of Ownership
Edmunds’ True Cost to Own evaluation estimates how much a typical vehicle owner has to pay over five years based on 15,000 miles of annual driving. The Civic Si is the clear winner in this assessment with an average cost of $0.49 per mile. The Elantra N falls into second place with a per mile cost of $0.51. The numbers jump considerably for the Jetta GLI ($0.58) and the Mazda3 Turbo ($0.61). The Civic Si's lower depreciation rate is one of the factors that helps keep ownership costs down. To put these numbers into perspective, the Civic Si costs almost $12,000 less to own over five years than the Mazda3 Turbo. The calculations are less severe for the Jeta GLI and Mazda3 Turbo but still add up to differences of four figures.
Ratings
The Civic and Elantra have matching J.D. Power consumer ratings of 83 out of 100, while the Jetta and Mazda3 trail and also tie at 78. Edmunds gives the Civic Si top ratings, especially for driving characteristics. Its 8.2 out of 10 rating leads the other vehicles that have Edmunds expert ratings of 7.7 to 7.8.
