When searching for a Honda dealer, you might come across a variant of the Honda Civic called the Type R. It is based off of the standard Civic, but it packs a much bigger punch in terms of a powerful performance. In fact, it is the fastest Civic ever made, making it around one lap at the Suzuka Circuit in a swift 2 minutes and 23.120 seconds.
With concise handling and sharp steering capabilities, the Honda Civic Type R is a hot hatch that is fun to drive. While the current Type R generation is not quite as flashy as the previous one, it still stands out from the crowd with an engaging and aerodynamic exterior design. Brembo brakes and a sport-tuned suspension, combined with the zesty turbocharged V6 engine, make the Civic Type R a thrilling vehicle to drive.
Are there other sport-oriented compact cars out there? Sure, there is a small smattering of them on the market, but they just don’t surpass the power, design, entertainment, and safety technology found in the Type R.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what makes the new Honda Civic Type R such a joy to own. Should you ever have the pleasure of test-driving one, you will know exactly what to expect from this sporty hot hatch.
Powerful Performance Components
The Honda Civic Type R is undeniably strong, with power coming from a turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine complete with an intercooler. This engine produces a maximum power output of 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This car redlines at 7000 rpm. Its drive-by-wire throttle body system is substituted in for the standard physical connections, relying instead on a wire that carries an electrical signal. This makes it so that the car’s throttle can be adjusted while you are changing gears. Throttle response and fuel economy get boosted since this system allows for the inclusion of Sport and Eco mode buttons.
The turbo engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that comes with the Rev Match Control System. Rev Match Control automatically matches the intended gear by optimizing the engine revs. This creates smoother gear changes and allows you to focus more on braking and steering than on trying to match the engine revs yourself. The transmission is designed with a helical limited-slip differential and lightweight single-mass flywheel for an enhanced performance.
The Type R has an adaptive damper system that provides a smoother ride quality in everyday driving scenarios while firming up the ride quality for sportier driving. All four dampers will adapt as needed. When you’re just going about your regular commute in normal drive mode, damping fluid flows through each damper valving at a higher volume, creating a more compliant ride quality. When you need the ride to firm up for sportier driving, select +R to restrict the valving flow. Overall, the Type R performs well in either scenario, making it a solid daily driver with a lot of flair.
A Sporty and Aerodynamic Exterior Design
Although its appearance has been slightly toned down for the current generation, the Civic Type R retains a sporty appearance that is built with aerodynamics in mind. The more aerodynamic a vehicle is, the sportier you can get it to handle and accelerate. The body utilizes a lot of aluminum since it is lightweight and helps with swift acceleration.
The Type R features gloss black side sills and a gloss black wing spoiler that gives it such a distinctively sporty vibe. The triple-exhaust outlet is mounted in the center and comes with an active exhaust valve. Since there is an active exhaust on the Type R, you get to choose when you want the car to be loud or quiet.
You will, of course, find many other staples of the traditional Civic design on the Type R. Honda equips this vehicle with variable intermittent windshield wipers, remote entry and hatch release with the security system, and LED bulbs for the headlights, brake lights, and taillights. In essence, this dynamic hot hatch still has all the desirable features found on the standard Civic.
Technology You Can Use On and Off the Track
A major selling point for most consumers is technology. Honda equips the Civic Type R with an abundance of well-working technological gadgets meant to entertain, inform, and keep you safe. One tech highlight is the inclusion of the Honda LogR Datalogger system, an application that you can use on a racetrack or closed course to track performance parameters. You can use the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen display to view this information while on the track. Its G-meter displays your acceleration, cornering, and braking G-forces. There is also an app that can be downloaded onto your smartphone for use.
LogR isn’t the only piece of helpful technology equipped on the Type R. This car is practically dripping with high-tech gadgets. A 12-speaker Bose sound system comes standard and includes a subwoofer. Smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is wireless, so there won’t be a ton of cord clutter up front. HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a wireless phone charger, and Wi-Fi hot-spot connectivity are all on the list of included tech features.
The tech features included on the Type R are known for being effective at delivering infotainment. The infotainment system’s interface is easy to use, so you will not need to take much time to get accustomed to it. The graphics read clearly on the crisp touchscreen display, and the smart shortcuts on it are straightforward. Non-tech-savvy and tech-savvy drivers alike can appreciate this user-oriented setup.
Enthralling But Safe
The Honda Civic Type R is certainly an exciting vehicle to drive, but it is also one that is firmly rooted in safety. As is the case with all Honda models, the Type R is equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver aids. The overarching goal of this bundle is to provide you with a greater sense of convenience, awareness on the road, and confidence in your vehicle.
Honda Sensing pairs safety features with driver aids. The included safety features are lane departure warning, forward collision warning, a collision mitigation braking system, and a road departure mitigation system. The list of driver aids adds automatic high-beam headlights and a driver attention monitor into the mix. Along with it, you can use adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. The traffic sign recognition feature detects many traffic signs and informs you about them. Lane keep assist helps the Type R stay in its intended driving lane by making minor steering adjustments, and a cross traffic monitor accompanies the blind spot information system.
Quite naturally, the Type R is given a slew of active safety features. You can check your tires’ psi using the tire pressure monitoring system. Traction control comes with the Vehicle Stability Assist feature, which comes in handy while driving on slippery roads. Brake assist, a multi-angle rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights also make the list of active safety features on the Type R.
Ready to learn more about the Civic Type R?
There sure is a lot to learn about the Honda Civic Type R, and it is easy to understand why auto enthusiasts and average buyers alike want to know as much as possible about this car. If you are looking for a sports car right now, think about taking the Type R out for a spin. Your test drive could very well turn into a concrete decision to buy it.
The Type R embodies everything a hot hatch should be: powerful, tech-forward, and aerodynamic. Its looks absolutely match its mechanical prowess, outperforming virtually all of the competition.
