--- title: "Making the 2025 Honda Civic Si’s Summer Tires Optional Was the Right Call" description: "The Si doesn't need summers, though some buyers may want them. Letting customers choose based on their needs and climate is always best." date: "2024-07-26" modified: "2024-07-26" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/making-the-2025-honda-civic-sis-summer-tires-optional-was-the-right-call" categories: - "Car Buying" - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Civic Si" - "compact" - "honda" - "sedan" --- # Making the 2025 Honda Civic Si’s Summer Tires Optional Was the Right Call ![2025 Honda Civic Si in gray cornering.]() *\Honda\* Honda made the [2025 Civic Si]() public earlier this week. While the coming year won't bring about a monumental upgrade for the entry-level sports sedan, there was one inclusion that did catch my eye, though perhaps not for the reason you'd assume: Honda will let buyers upgrade from the stock Goodyear Eagle Sport all-season rubber that normally comes on the Si to Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 summer tires. I think it's wonderful that Si owners can opt for grippier tires from the factory, for a very reasonable $300. But I actually think it's even better that those all-seasons aren't going away. I can already anticipate the quizzical looks on the faces of our typical audience—rest assured, you're still reading The Drive Dot Com. Please allow me to explain. Once upon a time, a much younger me purchased a new [Ford Fiesta ST](), which came with Bridgestone Potenza R3050A summer tires *only*. Ford didn't offer an option. As someone in their early 20s and living in New Jersey, I didn't know much about tires, but summers struck me as an unnecessary and, frankly, poor choice. I wasn't buying a [Focus RS]() or even an [EcoBoost Mustang](), and I wasn't concerned about all 197 of my Orange Spice sneaker's horsepower getting away from me. (Between us, I was more worried about driving it home without stalling.) I loved that car, and I'd like to think it loved me. It made me a better driver, and not simply because it encouraged me to learn stick. But in all the years I owned it, I can't say *those* stock tires made driving *that* car much more fun. In the winters I had Michelin X-Ices riding on steelies, and they were a blast, too—it didn't have to be snowing. When both sets were kicked, I moved to all-season Continental DWS06 Pluses on size-down Sparco Terras. It felt phenomenal on that setup, and I no longer had to worry about being caught out by the surprise October flurry anymore. ![]() *MAGROUND GmbH* ![]() ![]() **Honda** Some of you will say anyone who really loves cars should want to spend that bread on an extra set, or shouldn't be too lazy for a twice-a-year swap. There's a part of me that believes that as well, but we're also talking about dollars and cents, here. Also, just to be clear: Everything I'm saying applies specifically to cars like the Fiesta ST, [Civic]() Si, and [Volkswagen Jetta GLI](). Once you move up into that next performance class where you're pushing 300 horsepower and/or rear-wheel drive, this all goes out the window. Plus, it should go without saying that if I lived further north, winter tires would be non-negotiable, no matter what I was driving. But from a strictly performance perspective, I think it's wrong to assume that the sort of buyer interested in a Civic Si is the same kind that expects to purchase a different set of wheels and tires for half the year. Cars like it don't need them, though they certainly can add to the enjoyment, so making it a factory option satisfies all parties. Good ultra-high-performance all-seasons, like the aforementioned Contis, would suffice as a base tire. I've never sampled Eagle Sports myself, but from what I gather, they're not top of their class. What ultimately makes the Civic Si so good—and why we need more compact sedans and hatches like it—is its scalability. If you want something relatively cheap and trackable, [it's prepared for the job](). But if you're just looking to make your daily commutes a little less dreary, it's perfect for that, too. It's thoughtful of Honda that the range of tires on offer reflects those different but equally valid use cases. More automakers should take note. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()