Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2025 Honda Civic Si

The Mustang has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Mustang and Civic Si have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Civic Si’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Mustang and the Civic Si have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Ford Mustang weighs 627 to 1076 pounds more than the Honda Civic Si. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 115 more horsepower (315 vs. 200) and 158 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 280 more horsepower (480 vs. 200) and 223 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 286 more horsepower (486 vs. 200) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 300 more horsepower (500 vs. 200) and 226 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 192) than the Civic Si’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang is faster than the Honda Civic Si (manual transmissions tested):

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse was clocked 25.7 seconds faster than the Honda Civic Si (171.2 sec. vs. 196.9 sec.).

The Mustang has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Si (16 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mustang offers an optional automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The Civic Si doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

The Mustang Manual’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Civic Si doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Mustang’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Si:

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Civic Si are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Civic Si:

For better traction, the Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Civic Si (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The Mustang Dark Horse’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Civic Si’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Civic Si’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Mustang offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Civic Si; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Mustang has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Civic Si’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Civic Si’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Civic Si.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Civic Si’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.07 G’s, while the Civic Si pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Convertible handles at .95 G’s, while the Civic Si pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Civic Si’s (36.5 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Civic Si’s (37.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Civic Si doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 2.2 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more front hip room than the Civic Si.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Mustang’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Civic Si’s useful trunk space.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang. The Civic Si doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Civic Si has no towing capacity.

The Mustang uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Civic Si uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Mustang is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Civic Si. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Mustang Automatic has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Mustang, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Civic Si doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Civic Si does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Civic Si’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Mustang Premium/GT/Dark Horse’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Civic Si doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Civic Si doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Dark Horse’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Civic Si doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Mustang’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Civic Si doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Compared to the Honda Civic Si, the Ford Mustang eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Honda Civic Si isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.