Civic Type R
The driver's benchmark in the hot hatch class. Four decades, five generations, one of the most committed FWD platforms ever built.
26 reviewers · 102 videos · 52 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and value.
across 26 reviewers
"the performance envelope is so wide on this car"
TFLnow · ▶ 8:27"the Civic Type R is a full second off the 0 to 60 pace of those cars"
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 9:50"I do I believe strongly that this is the most fun I've had for 43 grand"
Throttle House · ▶ 10:59"that makes this a much more expensive proposition in the real world than the golf gti"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 25:30Performance
4.5/526 of 26 reviewerssplit“the performance envelope is so wide on this car”
positive · TFLnow · ▶ 8:27“This car will smoke the Type R ever or the Golf R every time. And that's a shame because this car is front-wheel drive. It shouldn't smoke the Golf R considering the Golf R has all-wheel drive, but this does have more horsepower.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 24:28“it turns into this back halfing monster out of nowhere it feels like you gain so much more power to the front wheels”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 5:40Handling
5.0/526 of 26 reviewersstrong consensus“the civic type r is absolutely unshakeable no matter what you ask of it it always seems to have an answer”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 17:09“The front end and the taper is just so so sharp. The steering is perfect.”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 16:01“it handles the road the best”
positive · TFLnow · ▶ 2:03Fun to drive
4.5/526 of 26 reviewersstrong consensus“The transmission is the best I've ever used in any car ever”
positive · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 8:07“there is a fizziness to the type r that just isn't present anymore in most normal vehicles and that's probably my favorite thing about this”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 2:43“This thing is a riot.”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 16:18Daily drivability
4.5/526 of 26 reviewersstrong consensus“perfect for daily driving”
positive · TheStraightPipes · ▶ 18:55“somehow the Civic constantly rides better than the Focus RS. If you're on a less than ideal Road if you live in a city with potholes and bad pavement the Civic type-r is never going to beat you up like the Focus RS will.”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 14:40“when you want things to calm down the STI is very bouncy... the thai part is just so good you don't expect the type r to drive so so well when you put it in comfort mode”
positive · FlyinGato · ▶ 15:43Value
4.0/526 of 26 reviewerssplit“I do I believe strongly that this is the most fun I've had for 43 grand”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 10:59“that makes this a much more expensive proposition in the real world than the golf gti”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 25:30“if you just want cheer performance it's a great bargain a hundred percent”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 10:26Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Top Gear
Big UK road test: new Honda Civic Type R Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itA serious, highly effective cross-country device that trades traditional VTEC character for turbocharged speed and track-ready precision.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize track-day capability and raw speed over subtle styling.
- Watch out
- Excessive tyre roar · Polarizing, ostentatious exterior design · Rigid +R mode is too harsh for public roads · High seating position
1,886 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R review: the first UK test Reviews 2025 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe new Civic Type R is a masterclass in hot hatch engineering, combining ruthless performance with newfound daily refinement.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who need a daily driver that can handle track work and rough roads.
- Watch out
- Aggressive, polarizing styling · Functional but busy aero design
1,524 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
First Drive: Honda Civic 2.0 VTEC Turbo Type R GT Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itDespite reservations about its polarizing styling, the Civic Type R is a massively fast, highly capable, and genuinely exciting hot hatch that carves out its own unique niche.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize track-ready performance and mechanical engagement over understated aesthetics.
- Watch out
- Polarizing, aggressive exterior styling · Excessive tyre roar on coarse surfaces · Turbo lag at low RPM · Stiff ride quality · Limited steering wheel adjustment due to dash layout
2,524 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R Sport Line review: the wingless, ‘subtle’ super-hatch Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itDespite the questionable 'subtle' styling tweaks, the Civic Type R remains a world-class driver's car that is now slightly more usable on public roads.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a world-class driving experience and prefer a slightly less aggressive aesthetic.
- Watch out
- Poor infotainment system · Clashing interior color scheme · Limited availability due to factory closure
1,468 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R (2017-2021) Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe FK8 Civic Type R is a masterclass in front-wheel-drive performance, offering a perfect balance of track-ready precision and daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance daily driver that excels on a track.
- Watch out
- Performance can be difficult to fully exploit on public roads · Less playful than some rivals at low speeds
1,100 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R review: mad 316bhp hot hatch tested Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe new Civic Type R is a masterclass in front-wheel-drive performance, successfully blending track-day intensity with daily usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a highly capable track car that can also handle the daily commute.
- Watch out
- Disjointed interior design · Dated infotainment graphics · Lack of pedal feel at the top of the brake travel
1,677 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R Interior Layout & Technology | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe Civic Type R offers an exceptional driver-focused cockpit and impressive practicality, though it is let down by dated infotainment graphics and some cost-cutting in the rear cabin.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who need a daily driver that can also handle family duties.
- Watch out
- Dated infotainment graphics · Cheap-looking shift-up lights · Basic rear passenger area · No rear armrest
892 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe Civic Type R is a masterclass in front-wheel-drive engineering, offering a perfect blend of daily comfort and track-focused precision.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a manual, front-drive hot hatch that is as usable on the commute as it is rewarding on a B-road.
- Watch out
- road noise at cruise · traction limitations in wet weather
1,253 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Honda Civic Type R (2017-2021) Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe FK8 Civic Type R is a spectacular, engineer-focused hot hatch that stands as a pinnacle of its era.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize driving precision and mechanical engagement over subtle styling.
- Watch out
- Divisive, aggressive styling · Limited Edition model is highly collectible and expensive
1,337 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time