Honda Civic Type R Review 2025

Nothing stays the same for long — just as hot hatches ousted traditional sports cars, they too are declining in number due to the growing popularity of SUVs. Thankfully one of the few still available is also one of the very best. Find out how highly we rate it in our full Honda Civic Type R review.

With the all-round excellence of the latest generation Honda Civic, hopes were high that the Type R version would build on that to create another gem in a long line of outstanding hot hatches from the Japanese manufacturer.

Although there are fewer rivals than the Honda Civic Type R’s faced in its previous iterations, those that remain all offer astonishing performance and handling characteristics, with the Volkswagen Golf R proving to be a superb all-rounder, although it's shy of its close cousin, the recently revamped Audi RS3, when it comes to horsepower.

Even if its perceived interior prestige doesn’t live up to reality, there’s no escaping the riotous speed available with the fastest of A-Class models, the Mercedes-AMG A45S. In isolation it looks rather yobbish, yet still subdued alongside the Honda.

Soon to exit the hot hatch arena is one of its stallwarts — the Ford Focus ST hasn’t quite taken over the mantle of the previous Focus RS but it still provides a level of fun that represents good value alongside the Civic Type R.

From the outside you are left in no doubt that this is a genuine Type R. The fairly conservative styling of the standard Honda Civic has been given a useful fillip, with a large rear spoiler, wider wheelarches and bigger bumpers with numerous scoops and vents, all designed to channel the air where it’s needed as well as increase its presence.

Black 19-inch alloy wheels complete the package that’s visually impactful if not nearly as outlandish as its predecessor.

On the inside the standard interior is a good starting point, with a simple layout that includes a large infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster but still with physical controls for things like the air conditioning, as well as real buttons on the steering wheel.

Sports seats with large bolsters are comfortable as well as supportive and there are flashes of red to remind you that the CTR is no ordinary Civic.

Usefully the Honda Civic Type R gives little away over the standard car in terms of interior space. Those sports seats are a little more bulky but in the front there is still plenty of head and legroom, while legroom in the rear remains excellent — only headroom is slightly compromised by the sloping roofline.

Under the bonnet there is an updated version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC petrol engine seen in the previous generation. Small increases in power and torque ensure it delivers a 0-62mph time of only 5.4 seconds with a remarkable top speed in excess of 170mph.

What this means in the real world is that the Honda Civic Type R is impressively flexible — it will pull easily from low revs in a high gear but it is just as happy being revved out to 7,000rpm if you’re in the mood.

Honda has also made changes to the body and suspension to enhance its already-excellent handling. A stiffer bodyshell, adaptive suspension and revised steering all play their part — for us the Civic Type R is the best-handling hot hatch available.

With searing performance and thrilling handling, the latest Honda Civic Type R manages to be even better than the outgoing version, while retaining the useful practicality and easy to understand cabin of the standard car.

The biggest issue for most buyers will be the price, but if you’re looking for what is arguably the best hot hatchback you can buy, you may need to search a bit harder down the back of the sofa.

While the previous Honda Civic Type R wasn't found wanting when it came to providing an entertaining driving experience, the downside was that it came at the cost of feeling hyperactive at times.

What makes the new car even more remarkable is that it has given up nothing in terms of being a blast performance-wise yet it’s easier to leave with, at least most of the time.

The steering, despite being electrically assisted, offers plenty of feedback on what the front wheels are up to and how much grip remains, while the limited-slip differential does a good job of keeping things under control when using the engine’s performance. It also offers plenty of adjustability through corners, more so than its four-wheel-drive rivals, which is a real bonus for keen drivers.

The ride is less firm than the outgoing car, particularly with the Comfort drive mode engaged, although on really bad roads lumps and bumps do reach the cabin. Most hot hatch fans will consider this a price worth paying.

Once again the Honda Civic Type R is available with a single engine option. A 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit with Honda’s VTEC variable valve timing, designed to improve flexibility at low engine speeds while retaining high-rev performance.

Output is increased slightly with 329PS of power and 420Nm of torque and is mated to the same six-speed manual gearbox as before, although now with a revised gate for easier shifting.

The combination of turbocharged grunt and VTEC revviness power is highly impressive, giving the Honda impressive flexibility from low revs while still providing the high-rev fireworks that have been a key part of the Type R experience for decades.

That the gearbox allows swift and precise changes means you can use every last rev should you choose to, and enhances the experience still further.

Performance-wise the Civic Type R cannot keep pace with four-wheel-drive rivals like the Volkswagen Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A45S but once off the line it never feels anything other than terrifically fast.

Its engine note is appealing too — busy and mechanical but authentic. Add to that the upgraded brakes which provide secure and reliable stopping power and it feels like a complete package.

Euro NCAP has not specifically crash-tested the Honda Civic Type R but the standard model achieved the full five stars when it was evaluated in 2022. It recorded very strong scores across the board — 89% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 82% for pedestrian mitigation and 83% for safety assist.

If you plan to tow using a Honda Civic Type R then forget it — there’s no facility for attaching a tow bar.

The Honda Civic Type R also benefits from small changes that the standard car received over its predecessor, with an increase in wheelbase freeing up a little more legroom for rear seat passengers.

Elbow room is good with the only demerit for those in the rear being that the sloping roofline begins to eat into headroom if you are approaching six feet in height. There’s also no room to slot your feet under the front seats.

It’s all good news for those in the front though, with fine headroom, lots of legroom even for taller occupants and plenty of elbow room too. The big windows and low dashboard amplify the feeling of space. Storage space is reasonable but the glovebox is only modestly-sized.

Boot space is 410 litres which is more than reasonable for a car of this performance and like all the best Hondas you can fold the rear seats down flat with a 60/40 split for longer loads with passengers. Once folded there’s 1212 litres of space available when the Civic Type R’s loaded to roof height.

The current generation Honda Civic delivers a good quality interior, with reassuring levels of solidity with materials and surfaces that feel good to the touch. While it can’t quite match those of the best German competition — and might leave you feeling a little short-changed given the Civic Type R’s price tag — it is constructed to a high standard.

It’s also sensibly laid out with little in the way of visual clutter. Actual switches and knobs to control key functions are a welcome while the low-level dashboard and relatively minimalist approach makes for a calming environment.

This being a Type R means plenty of red accents inside, including on the seats, carpets and flashes across the dashboard. Unless you hate the colour it’s a welcome reminder that this is no ordinary Civic.

As standard the Honda Civic Type R gets the same infotainment system as the regular car — a 9.0-inch touchscreen that features Bluetooth, DAB radio, Honda’s Connect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus wireless charging.

It’s an easy system to use too, with menus that are easy to understand and a responsive screen. The audio system provides good quality sound too, with eight speakers plus two front tweeters.

A further bonus is the Honda Log R 2.0 app which allows keen drivers to record 12 different data points, as well as giving you the option of scoring your driving performance. Definitely something for a track day rather than the road but it’s an example of how Honda is pushing the Civic Type R as a genuine driver’s car.

The Honda Civic Type R is available as a single model, priced at an eye-watering £50,050. Choosing anything other than Sonic Grey Pearl paint adds another £650 and the only other option is a cargo pack for the boot.

Compared with rivals, the 400PS Audi RS3 starts at £59,540 which includes Quattro four-wheel drive. All wheels are driven on the Volkswagen Golf R but that makes do with 333PS, reflected in its comparatively excellent value £44,535 price tag.

Most expensive of the Type R alternatives is the Mercedes-AMG A45S which starts at £63,445, although it also comes with four-wheel drive as well as boasting a 421PS power output.

Least expensive is the front-wheel drive Ford Focus ST at £37,705, although it makes do with only 280PS.

As for used examples, supply of new cars is limited due to demand but there are a few available with very low mileage as well as nearly-new examples below list price, which may be the best way to avoid the wallet-troubling new price.

Expect running costs for the Honda Civic Type R to be relatively high. The official WLTP Combined cycle fuel consumption of 34.4mpg is not terrible but start to use the performance and you can expect that to plummet rapidly.

Emissions are rated at 189g/km of CO2 which means a first year VED bill of £1095 at 2024/25 rates.

Insurance is group 43E, so premiums are likely to be high plus VED costs will also include the premium rate for years two through to six of ownership as the CTR costs in excess of £40,000.

As a standalone model the Honda Civic Type R is effectively a single trim level range.

Setting it apart from the everyday Civic hybrid models is the Type R-specific body kit including a rear wing and 19-inch alloy wheels finished in black in addition to automatic lights and wipers

Inside are heavily bolstered sports seats in the front with red upholstery, a faux suede steering wheel, stainless steel sports pedals, an alloy gearlever, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch instrument display screen, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay phone connectivity, wireless charging and a 10-speaker audio system.

From a driving aids perspective you’ll also find standard-fit Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Traffic Sign Recognition System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), selectable driving modes and adaptive cruise control.