At $43,990, the 11th-generation Honda Civic Type R offers power and thrills that only higher-priced performance cars offer, making it worth the buy.
The Honda Civic Type is just as respected in the automotive industry as Tony Stark is, in the film industry. It's gathered a huge following, right since the first-gen model - and the legacy behind it further adds to its value and appeal.
In the 30 years, the Honda Civic Type R has been around, the all-new 11th-generation model has been designed and developed to put a smile on your face, rewarding you with performance and handling that's likely to rattle the skeletons of other sports cars.
It is, of course, based on the latest-gen Civic hatchback, but the 2023 Honda Civic Type R is where you look if the stares and regular track events matter more than anything else. The bread-and-butter of performance cars, it may be, but a lethal one.
On top of that, the new Civic is as civilized as Tony Stark without his Iron Man suit, on the road. It's packing Honda's award-winning 2.0-liter, turbocharged (K20C1) engine that pushes out 315hp, making it the most powerful Honda-badged car in America. The question is, is this lightweight hot hatch worth its $43,990 MSRP?
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The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is worth the high-performance price tag because it offers a lethal combination of performance and handling that can give costlier high-performance cars a run for their money. Beneath its new ventilated aluminum hood, lies the powerful motor, producing 310 lb-ft of torque.
On the track, the Civic Type R, despite its front-wheel-drive layout, allows you to push hard, and the fun lies in its direct and communicative steering. Point the car where you intend to go, keep your foot on the throttle, and you'll see how surprisingly manageable a car it is, and this is because of its nicely balanced chassis. The Civic Type R is highly unlikely to leave you wanting for more unless you've driven a 911 before you stepped into it.
The 4-cylinder engine, after having been tweaked, is notably more energetic. The minor upgrades to the engine have made the new Civic Type R all the more appealing when you've put your foot down.
The engine also gets a larger radiator and cooling fan, which should prove useful during some hot laps around a track. The active exhaust system is loud, but not exciting enough - and Honda has piped some of that noise through the audio system to make you feel satisfied with your new car.
There's plenty of power when you need it, and the best part is, the four-piston Brembo calipers and 13.8-inch disc brakes up-ahead give you that confidence you need. The Civic Type R is more than happy to change directions.
You've got to love the cabin of this thing - or should we call it a cockpit? The controls were designed keeping in mind a natural feeling when using them, while the information shown must be easy to understand, so you have the meters and the center display on the upper half of the instrument panel; this lets the driver focus on driving, while simultaneously having an eye on the driving information.
Everything has been designed in the driver's favor. The 6-speed, short-throw shifter looks perfect with the drive mode and parking brake buttons on its left. Some features that make the Type R stand out on the inside, are the iconic red front seats, aluminum shift knob, the serialized Type R plate on the dashboard, the red carpet and trim, and the 'Type R' logos on the headrests.
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The Type R looks like the Civic, but with the added bodywork that screams power and handling, it looks hotter. On the Type R, the A-pillars have been stretched backward by about 49mm - this was done to enhance visibility out-front, and add length to the hood. Instead of being mounted on the A-pillar, the wing mirrors are mounted on the doors, which further improves outward visibility.
The trailing edge of the rear side glass is 30.48mm lower than the standard car, accentuating the Type R's styling. The red and chrome Honda badging is exclusive to the Civic Type R, which is seen on the grille and tailgate. The matte black 5-spoke, 19-inch wheels feature lug nuts: a first on the Type R.
The lightweight hatch is made of resin, which let the hinges flow down, giving the rear a coupe-like look. Even the door handles are different from the standard Civic's. Instead of a locking button on the handle, there's a touchpad, and the keyhole hides behind the handle.
Rehan got published for the first time at the age of 17, having written a feature on a Triumph Herald in print. He uses his writing as a tool to express his fondness for all things automotive even today, aged 28. Collecting scale models is a hobby close to his heart, and he wishes to sprinkle pixie dust on them only to see them grow into full-sized cars. He now represents HotCars.com.