2024 Honda Civic Type R

Overview

Fun is what the Honda Civic Type R feasts on. Intended as much for storming race tracks as for road driving, this heavily dramatized version of the standard Civic hatchback is offered exclusively with a raucous 315-hp turbocharged inline-four and six-speed manual transmission. On our test track, the CTR threw down mighty levels of grip, sticking to the pavement like a double-yellow line. While road noise is high, the glowing red carpet and matching red seats found in every Civic Type R are as comfy as they come—though Honda saves heated seats for the CTR's fraternal twin, the Acura Integra Type S. The Civic's substantially lower starting price makes it our pick of these two hotted-up compact sedans, but both the CTR and the Integra Type S earned 10Best and Editors' Choice awards this year.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#1 in Best Sport Compact Cars

1

Honda Civic Type R

STARTING AT: $45,890

2

Honda Civic Si

STARTING AT: $30,195

3

Toyota GR Corolla

STARTING AT: $37,595

4

Hyundai Elantra N

STARTING AT: $34,850

5

Volkswagen Golf GTI

STARTING AT: $33,190

6

Volkswagen Golf R

STARTING AT: $46,890

What's New for 2024?

Honda makes no significant changes to the Honda Civic Type R for 2024, but its starting price increases by $1000.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The Honda Civic Type R's starting price is as competitive as its performance. With few options to tack on beyond its initial MSRP, the CTR is not only slightly cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf R, but it's also just below the price of the entry-level Toyota Supra. While personal preference will define if two seats are better than four, the most powerful Civic Type R is ultimately an affordable sports car with four doors and a hatch.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Civic Type R is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the previous-generation car, but a reworked turbocharger with a more efficient exhaust system has increased power output to 315 horsepower at 6500 rpm with 310 pound-feet of torque at 2600 to 4000 rpm. The Civic Type R also benefits from additional improvements, such as a larger radiator and improved brake cooling. Honda has also increased the rpm at which the active exhaust valve opens to heighten the car's four-cylinder symphony. A lighter flywheel paired with a revised rev-match system further rewards rowing at the CTR's six-speed manual transmission. The front-drive-only Honda uses an innovative dual-axis strut front suspension that does a terrific job of suppressing the kind of annoying torque steer that can make the front-end dart under hard acceleration. While the new Civic Type R isn't as visually extreme as the old one, it still sports a prominent rear wing and other aerodynamic addenda, as well as 19-inch wheels wrapped with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S performance tires. We also tested a 2023 Honda Civic Type R as part of a 0-to-150-to-0 speed test, where it returned to a stop in just 52.7 seconds, but its arch rival, the Hyundai Elantra N, did it in 47.0 seconds.

0–60-MPH Times

At our test track, the Civic Type-R bolted to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and eclipsed the quarter-mile marker in 13.5 seconds at 106 mph. More impressively, it circled our skidpad at 1.02 g's.

View Photos

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The Civic Type R gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. While that matches the all-wheel-drive Golf R's EPA rating when optioned with a six-speed manual, the Golf R leads by 2 mpg on the highway when fitted with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. During our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, the Civic Type R beat its EPA estimate with 30 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although the Civic Type R wears a minimalist interior design (at least compared to the previous-generation CTR), it has no shortage of racy visual cues. The latter includes red accents, faux carbon-fiber trim, and a familiar set of super comfy, highly supportive front seats. Just mind the ambient temperature before searing your palm on the aluminum shift knob. Atop the new digital cluster is a row of shift light indicators to help prevent slapping up against the redline between shifts. Passenger and cargo space are the same as the normal Civic hatchback, which should make the Civic Type R a great dual-purpose car.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Honda's latest infotainment system runs through a 9.0-inch touchscreen mounted on the Civic Type R's dashboard. It comes standard with popular features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

While the more civilized Honda Civic has earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, the Civic Type R hasn't been rated or crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it does come with a host of standard driver-assistance technology. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Honda provides average limited and powertrain warranties and includes two years of complimentary maintenance. Those who want more comprehensive coverage will want to check out Hyundai's plans, which are better in all three phases.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance covers two years or 24,000 miles

Specifications

Specifications

2023 Honda Civic Type R
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $43,990/$44,385
Options: Championship White paint, $395

ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 122 in³, 1996 cm³
Power: 315 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 310 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm 

TRANSMISSION
6-speed manual

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/12.0-in disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Size: 265/30ZR-19 (93Y) DT1

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.7 in
Length: 180.9 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 55.4 in
Passenger Volume: 99 ft³
Cargo Volume: 25 ft³
Curb Weight: 3183 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.9 sec
100 mph: 12.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.5 sec @ 106 mph
140 mph: 28.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 9.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.4 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 169 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 153 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 308 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft
Skidpad: 1.02 g 

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 30 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 370 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 24/22/28 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs