It might look radical, but the 2006 Honda Civic Si’s interior layout is extremely functional. Gauges are split between a digital display located at the base of the windshield and a traditional cluster viewed through the steering wheel. In the digital display, which acts much like a heads-up system, vehicle speed, remaining fuel, and engine temperature are shown. A rev-limit indicator located here will flash when revs pass 7,400 rpm on the way to the engine’s 8,000 rpm redline.

Located front and center is a huge tachometer that blinks when the 2006 Honda Civic Si’s engine revs beyond 7,400 rpm and then goes solid red when the driver exceeds the 8,000 rpm redline. Warning lights for various vehicle functions are hidden in the darkened fields on either side of this single gauge – we wish Honda supplied a conventional analog speedometer, too.

Shown in this photo is the optional navigation system with voice control, which works easily enough but groups the stereo and navigation functions together. Plus, it has small buttons and sun glare from the standard power moonroof washes the screen out completely. We prefer the standard knobs and buttons for the stereo, which work as simply as those for the heating and air conditioning.

However, with 350 watts of premium sound flowing from six speakers and an eight-inch subwoofer, combined with handy controls on the steering wheel spokes, an ability to play music straight from a flash card, available XM satellite radio, and an auxiliary input jack for an iPod, nobody can claim that the Civic Si is lacking for audio entertainment.

New seats with stiff bolsters, special suede-like trim, sporty red stitching, and an “Si” logo embroidered onto the backrest do a terrific job of holding the driver in place during hard cornering. The driver’s seat features a manual height adjuster, and with the standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel, it’s easy to find a perfect driving position. Getting into the back seat from the passenger’s side is relatively easy, thanks to a tilt and slide front chair and a large door opening. But for larger adults, the Civic Si’s rear quarters should be used only for short distances.