Select a year
- Highs Nearly perfect powertrain, sublime handling, surprisingly comfortable ride.
- Lows Polarizing design, glitzy interior might be too much for some buyers, clumsy infotainment system.
- Verdict The Civic Type R will thrill enthusiasts with its potent engine, effortless manual gearbox, and tenacious grip, while also serving as a practical daily driver.
Overview
The new over-the-top Honda Civic Type R arrives this year to terrorize American streets. Its unapologetic styling and incredible chassis are a mash-up of Japanese anime and end-of-days engineering. A wild and crazy 306-hp turbo inline-four pairs solely with a sublime six-speed manual gearbox to drive the front tires—and turn them into smoke in first gear. Honda eliminated the dreaded torque steer that’s common among powerful front-drive cars with a unique front suspension. The signature interior is rife with red accents and fitted with the comfiest sport seats ever. It’s easy to stereotype the Type R’s absurd design from afar. But this wonderfully wicked winged thing has set our hearts ablaze with its otherworldly grip, telepathic steering, sweetheart suspension, and Olympian speediness.
What's New for 2017?
The legendary Civic Type R is new to the United States for 2017. Assembled in England, the Type R is available only as a four-door hatchback and manifests power from an exclusive turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four built in Ohio. While that engine wears the fabled i-VTEC insignia, it behaves very differently from the high-revving, naturally aspirated four-bangers the past. In addition to its special engine, the Type R adds wild-looking track-oriented aerodynamics, special chassis tuning, and liberal use of red accents.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Base: $34,790
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Let’s celebrate the Civic Type R’s impeccable turbocharged powertrain. The exclusive turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four makes 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An effortless and engaging short-throw six-speed manual is the only transmission choice. They feed the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential, which helps manage wheelspin for optimal traction. Unique front suspension works to prevent engine torque from tugging the steering wheel during hard acceleration. This setup works wonderfully; torque steer was nearly nonexistent in our test car. The Type R's eager engine always felt alive with a responsive throttle and gobs of power. It’s nothing short of astonishing when a car sets the front-wheel-drive production-car lap record at the illustrious Nürburgring racetrack and is a livable daily driver—enter the Civic Type R. It sticks to the road like Velcro, with steering and chassis seemingly tuned by a Formula 1 engineer. Although its suspension is stiff, the Type R is still surprisingly comfortable. It’s only slightly impolite on rough roads or over harsh bumps.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Civic Type R’s interior is rated R for scenes involving gratuitous red accents and obscenely comfy racing seats. Although the styling isn’t subtle, the interior relies on Type R trademarks and racy materials to highlight its sufficient passenger space. Features unique to the Type R include a flat-bottom steering wheel, faux-suede trim, and a solid-aluminum shift knob. The 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster has a red theme and a distinct appearance for each drive mode. It provides information such as navigation directions, a g-force meter, a lap timer, and shift lights that warn you when it’s time to grab the next gear. The Civic Type R may be equal parts track star and daily driver, but its reasonable cargo space and comfortable ride also make it a very practical travel companion.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Volume knobs are too often taken for granted. That’s how we felt after using Honda’s clumsy and sluggish infotainment system. At least the Civic Type R has useful standard features like integrated navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker sound system with SiriusXM satellite radio. The 7.0-inch touchscreen allows gesture controls similar to a tablet or smartphone. While the Type R has many standard features, an auxiliary input and a Wi-Fi hotspot are unavailable.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
For more information about the Honda Civic Type R’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
