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- Highs Impeccable powertrain, ferocious grip, near-perfect blend of track-day superstar and daily companion.
- Lows Polarizing design, awkward and sluggish infotainment system, exhaust needs more roar.
- Verdict The 2018 Honda Civic Type R will thrill enthusiasts with its potent engine, effortless manual gearbox, and tenacious grip, while also serving as a capable daily driver.
Overview
The radical Civic Type R is a polarizing hot hatchback. Haters think it’s too hideous to own, and backers believe it’s too fantastic to miss. We think it’s the latter, since we named it a 10Best Cars winner. Honda has seemingly perfected front-drive performance on the Type R by all but eliminating torque steer through advanced chassis tuning. The sole powertrain is a 306-hp inline-four paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The Type R's in-your-face styling may be radical, but looks are soon forgotten as your belly fills with butterflies from its bonkers engine and gigantic grip.
What's New for 2018?
After its successful return to the United States in 2017, Honda’s top-spec Civic is unchanged for 2018. However, that doesn’t mean the competition has rested on its laurels. The limited-edition Ford Focus RS now has a front limited-slip differential, and Volkswagen has given the Golf R's dual-clutch automatic transmission a seventh gear.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Type R: $35,595
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Civic Type R delights with an impeccable powertrain. Its exclusive turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four makes a healthy 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine exhibits exceptionally linear power, and the short-throw six-speed manual gearbox is effortless and engaging. This combo drives the front wheels through a limited-slip differential, which helps manage wheelspin for optimal traction, while the dual-axis front suspension virtually eliminates torque steer. As a result, the Type R is a riot of muscle and finesse as it rockets to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Too bad the triple-pipe, center-exit exhaust isn’t as loud as the exterior styling; we want more roar in a car that looks and drives like this one. On the road, the Type R sticks like Velcro, with steering that seems tuned by a Formula 1 engineer. And although its suspension is track-stiff, it's still surprisingly comfortable.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Type R’s interior layout is identical to that of the regular Civic hatchback; that means it has the same well-built quality and polarizing dash design. However, the Type R adds 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. Its features include navigation, a G-force meter, and a lap timer. And it has arguably the comfiest front sport seats in its class. The Type R may be a track-day star, but it’s also a very practical travel companion, with an enormous center console and useful cubbies.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Civic Type R comes with the clumsy and sluggish HondaLink infotainment system—still missing a rotary volume knob. At least it has standard features like integrated navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging. The standard 7.0-inch touchscreen allows gesture controls similar to a tablet or smartphone. A 12-speaker, 540-watt sound system is standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. While the Type R has many standard features, an auxiliary input and a Wi-Fi hotspot are not available.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
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.
