In 1986, Honda launched the first generation of the Civic Si coupe model in the U.S. Two decades later, the Japanese manufacturer launched a new generation, to celebrate the mark.

The 2006 Civic Si was not just a regular coupe vehicle with more power under the hood. It was a car that established new standards regarding the performance of a hot-hatch in the form of a sedan with two doors.

There were some differences in the outside design of the si version when compared with the other Civic coupe from its time. In the front, there was a small red Si badge on the grille. The front design resembles the Civic 3-door hatchback from Europe, with the same design for the headlights and front bumper with its triangular side air-intakes. From the side, in front of the rear-wheels, there was a decal with i-VTEC DOHC on it. In the rear, on the trunk lid, a small spoiler incorporated the third brake light. Another Si badge and an oval exhaust completed the image.

Inside, the bolstered seats were good to keep the front passengers into their place while hard cornering and the Si logo was embroiled on to the seat-backs. The dual instrument cluster featured the speedometer onto an upper part on the bottom of the windshield, while the tachometer was placed behind the steering wheel.

Honda offered the 2006 Civic Si with a 6-speed manual for the first time in the U.S. market. The steering was electrical instead of the regular hydraulic type. Due to an LSD differential, the car could corner faster than a regular front-wheel-drive car. The K20 engine was a very responsive unit that could offer good mid-range torque for its category.