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.
11 reviewers · 14 videos · 52 press articles
Reviewers agree on its value, but split on performance and handling.
across 11 reviewers
"This is the best drivetrain I've ever used for spirited driving. The engine sounds awesome, feels awesome, makes good power."
Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 8:55"so it's slower than its dad"
Top Gear · ▶ 8:52"The steering is incredibly direct and there's no body roll at all."
KiwiCarLife · ▶ 3:47"suspension is joy expensive so in this it's been replaced with a simple torsion bar"
Top Gear · ▶ 5:52"I've got to say, this car is really, really enjoyable to drive, but it's for different reasons than I usually enjoy driving cars."
Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 5:07"I like hot hatchbacks I always have done but this one it's absolutely hopeless"
Top Gear · ▶ 11:43"this vehicle is ridiculously practical"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:22"on normal roads it is intolerable... this is completely unacceptable"
Top Gear · ▶ 10:43Performance
3.5/511 of 11 reviewerssplit“This is the best drivetrain I've ever used for spirited driving. The engine sounds awesome, feels awesome, makes good power.”
positive · Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 8:55“it's a lovely naturally aspirated 2-liter the revs to over 8,000 rpm that's mental”
positive · Jack Scarlett · ▶ 0:58“so it's slower than its dad”
critical · Top Gear · ▶ 8:52Handling
3.5/511 of 11 reviewerssplit“suspension is joy expensive so in this it's been replaced with a simple torsion bar”
critical · Top Gear · ▶ 5:52“It's not as disconnected and numb as modern electric steering racks, but it's also not as communicative as the best hydraulic racks.”
Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 11:00“The steering is incredibly direct and there's no body roll at all.”
positive · KiwiCarLife · ▶ 3:47Fun to drive
4.0/511 of 11 reviewerssplit“I've got to say, this car is really, really enjoyable to drive, but it's for different reasons than I usually enjoy driving cars.”
positive · Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 5:07“I like hot hatchbacks I always have done but this one it's absolutely hopeless”
critical · Top Gear · ▶ 11:43“this car can be fun when you drive it hard in the right conditions but it it hasn't got the same X Factor that ep3 has”
critical · Car Obsession · ▶ 15:30Daily drivability
3.0/511 of 11 reviewerssplit“on normal roads it is intolerable... this is completely unacceptable”
critical · Top Gear · ▶ 10:43“it is firm I would say it's bordering on hard... it's um a little bit of a bone shaker if I'm going to be honest”
critical · Car Obsession · ▶ 8:05“this vehicle is ridiculously practical”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:22Value
4.5/510 of 11 reviewersconsensus“the fn2 you can pick them up for 2 and a half Grand that's a bargain”
positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 1:58“the prices are certainly appealing to thanks to the fact that nobody seems to love the car you can pick one of these up from about a thousand pounds”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:57“in terms of residual values this is one of the most resilient hot hatches money can buy”
positive · Car and Driving - Car Reviews · ▶ 16:50Hear 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