Honda Civic Type R review - the best hot hatch on sale? | Autocar

The last Honda Civic Type R was an absolutely fantastic car - it was fast, made a good noise and was great fun to drive.

This new car is slightly different on paper. It’s larger, with a longer wheelbase and a wider track, as well as being nearly 30kg heavier than its predecessor.

However, power is up to 325bhp, thanks to an upgraded version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a lighter flywheel, increased air intake capacity and a freer-flowing exhaust.

All that sounds great on paper, but does it translate onto the tarmac? Join Matt Prior as he tries it on both the road and the track to find out.



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[mbarbe]

Matt Prior is one of the best reviewers. I cannot see why they don’t get multiple more views than they do. He is amazing. 👌🏼

[capuchinseven]

I like it but, it's nearly £50k before any dealer mark ups, I could buy another Porsche for that. I think the face lifted i30N would be 90% of what I'd need on the road from a hot hatch and I think that's what I'll buy.

[nedcoburn]

Always enjoy Matt Prior's reviews, thank you Matt.

[elliottharley]

Our 2002 CTR was £15, 999! That was a bargain at the time. £46, 000 is a serious price tag and will put people off it. A shame

[jep]

Had a 2nd Gen 'R'... loved it, although watching the VTEC fuel drop was hilarious when the beans were given. The want on this one is high.

[madmugen]

Thanks for the review and covering the driver differences in the FK8 and this one. Can't wait to see the head-to-head comparisons with the latest generation hot hatches.

[step]

Great review and awesome (but very large) hot hatch BUT - It costs more than the new Golf R, nearly £50k. That was RS3 money only a couple years ago. Crazy.
PCP deals are gonna be 5-600 pounds/month. The Type R is not for the average car enthusiast any more. Makes the i30N seem like a bargain.

[nigelfisher]

Nice to see Honda standing firm offering driver-focused cars against the silly rush to Thungerg’s electrification dead end.

[latuba]

Yea AutoCar please keep this gentleman reviewing the cars. Eloquent and knows his stuff it seems. Love it

[ChrisMisMYhandle]

46 grand. That's such a huge price rise from the previous generation.

[neilmcguinness]

A truly brilliant car and much better than you may expect in the wet, which is all a shame as it is being priced into obscurity in many markets.

[richardbarter]

Great review as usual Matt. Another great Type R we should cherish before electrification takes hold!

[andrewlaw]

I have the FK8 and it was the best balance of performance and price for me. I think the FL5 performance is only just keeping up with their equivalent rivals these days.

[Monster-Abee]

Cars this expensive should be given a new category cause hot hatches used to be affordable. Back in the day a hot hatch was mostly for the younger generation who hadn't got the highest paying jobs yet but could get a car which would make them feel like they could have a go at the more expensive cars on the road. Now, these hatches are the expensive cars on the road.

[einarbb]

Seems the probably final Honda Civic Type R -- is also the ultimate triumph of the line.
I strongly suspect, not least due to relatively few that shall exist - as emissions rules force Honda to offer only very limited numbers of this Type R for sales in Europe, that this Civic most likely to become a: Classic.
In other words, buying one would be 'good investment' - I mean, this model shall, appreciate in prices.
Even more so, once out of production, and not replaced -- except in indirect fashion, by future EV.
I'm saying, my anticipation is -- this is the final Type R. And ultimately evolves into a valuable possession.

[billx]

Today officially presented in belgium, starts at 55000 euro.... Ridiculous price increase, i bet they will sell almost none here.

[jameswillard]

Finally the embargo for the real automotive journalist has lifted

[Jonah-Hosein]

Imagine what a modern take on the early 2000s Civic type R would look like? Nothing honda makes will surpass that in my mind.

[jimmyfarley]

I hope a Mugen version is in the pipeline. Not necessarily more power but a big reduction in weight by ditching rear seats, the A/C, less insulation, lightweight wheels and exhaust. Etc. Would be awesome.

[KShadow]

Really like the look of this! Great view as always