In the US, the Honda Civic Si was a favorite choice for buyers when the Type R was forbidden fruit. It is still offered today even with the FL5 now part of the brand’s American portfolio. With the manual transmission experiencing a resurgence in popularity, Honda has thoughtfully given the Si a little refresh.

The Si receives styling updates similar to that of the rest of the Civic range. It has redesigned 18-inch wheels and subtle revisions to its front and rear bumpers. As expected, a comprehensive Honda Sensing suite is included in the package to keep ham-fisted drivers from prematurely crashing their newly acquired Si.

In-car comfort is enhanced with the infotainment system running a Google-based operating system. Some of its features include a voice-activated assistant and wireless integration for Apple and Android devices. Additionally, heated seats and a 12-speaker Bose sound system come as standard equipment.

In the handling department, new support structures and upgraded shock absorbers make the Si more rigid. Cornering performance is further improved with optional summer tires. Making good use of the 200hp turbo engine is a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching and a limited-slip differential.

The Civic Si starts at $29,950 (P1.75 million). Optional summer tires come at a $300 (P17,530) premium. Unfortunately, the dollar sign means that the model is confined to the North American market. But who knows? If there is enough demand, Honda Cars Philippines might consider relaunching the SiR.