The Honda Civic Si returns for 2017, and trades its sky-high redline for low-end torque, as the model welcomes Honda’s 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine under its hood. Although the 2017 Si’s forced-induction powertrain may mark a new era in Civic Si history, the model’s reasonable $24,775 starting price follows in the footsteps of its predecessors by offering relatively big performance (205 hp, 192 lb-ft) at a comparatively small price point.That starting price applies to both the coupe and sedan. Both body styles come with a long list of standard features, including a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a push-button ignition, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-season tires. Add $200 for stickier summer rubber, a must-have in our eyes. Even when equipped with pricier tires, the Civic Si’s $24,975 price tag undercuts the 188-hp Nissan Sentra NISMO by $880 and the 210-hp Volkswagen Jetta GLI by $3740. The pricier Nissan and Volkswagen, which can be optioned with automatic transmissions, might draw buyers who are averse to manuals, as the Civic Si comes only with a six-speed stick.

While we’ve yet to get behind the wheel of the new 2017 Civic Si, we have logged plenty of miles in the driver’s seat of Civics equipped with less-powerful variants of the Si’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Although we miss the hi...