2022 Honda Civic Si vs. 2022 Hyundai Veloster N: Is Old School Better?
The 2022 Honda Civic Si is finally here. Honda’s newest manual transmission hatch is designed to undercut much of the hot hatch segment. However, this strategy could mean the Si falls flat against competition that’s well worth the extra cash. Whether that’s the case for the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N and the Civic remains to be seen.
Both promise manual transmissions, fun driving dynamics, and plenty of practicality. But only one is worth the money.
Does 200 hp make the 2022 Honda Civic Si fast?
We’ll start with the 2022 Honda Civic Si. Age before beauty I suppose. Where the Veloster N is all fins and ducts, the Si looks far more restrained. Then again, the Veloster is a little more car than the Civic, at least from a power standpoint. Speaking of power, the new Civic’s biggest advantage is its power-to-weight ratio.
Where the Veloster is roughly 200 lbs heavier, the Civic does more with less weight, at 200 hp and 2,900 lbs. That’ll help the new Honda Civic Si feel truly fast at all speeds. That’s to say nothing of the interior. Much is carried over from the 2022 Honda Civic, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s just about as good as you can get for right around $30,000.
The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N shakes things up
Unfortunately, that’s also where the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N falls a little flat. You can tell where the money’s gone in the N. It went to horsepower and driving dynamics. As a result, the interior is ofter criticised for feeling somewhat cheap. But, the Veloster innovates where the Civic makes steady improvements. The three-door layout is a great example, if not a bit gimmicky.
However, where the Veloster really blows the Civic out of the water is power. Weight be damned, 275 hp and 278 lb-ft is a whole hell of a lot for a hot hatch. “A whole hell of a lot” is basically the Veloster’s ethos. That also applies to price, commanding a premium at $33,245 MSRP to the 2022 Honda Civic Si’s $27,500 MSRP (MotorBiscuit est.).
The Civic Si is the better value
And at the end of the day, that flat-out makes the Civic the better deal. It’s got 100% more interior usability than the Veloster for 85% of the price, while managing to put down plenty of power. Unless you’re prepared to spend around $35,000 or more for a decently specced hot hatch, the Honda Civic makes like the Miata in that it’s always the answer to the hot hatch question.
Honda Civic Si and Hyundai Veloster N specs
| Specs sheet | 2022 Honda Civic Si | 2022 Hyundai Veloster N |
| Price | $27,500 MSRP (MotorBiscuit est.) | $33,245 MSRP |
| Engine and powertrain | 1.5 L DOHC VTEC Turbocharged four-cylinder 200 hp @ 6,000 rpm 192 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm | 2.0 L DOHC Turbocharged four-cylinder 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm 278 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual transmission | Six-speed manual transmission or dual-clutch automatic |
| Suspension and wheels | MacPherson Strut Front/Multi-Link Rear 18-inch wheel 235/40R18 (all-season/summer) | MacPherson Strut Front/Multi-Link Rear 19-inch wheel 235/35R19 (summer) |
| Dimensions and curb weight | (L) 184.0 in. (H) 55.7 in. (W) 70.9 in. Track: 60.5 in. / 61.6 in. 2,952 lbs. | (L) 167.9 in. (H) 54.9 in. (W) 71.3 in. Track: 61.9 in. / 61.7 in. 3,186 lbs. |
| Features | Sport-Tuned Suspension and Brakes, 10 airbags, Wireless Carplay and Android Auto, Bose Premium Sound System with 12 Speakers, including Subwoofer, 9-inch touch screen with volume knob | Adaptive suspension, Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags, Carplay and Android Auto, 8-inch touch screen, 8-speaker sound system |
