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.
6 reviewers · 12 videos · 52 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and daily drivability, but split on handling and fun to drive.
across 6 reviewers
"And this car turns in so sharply for a front-wheel drive car, it surprised me."
Redline Reviews · ▶ 14:53"The steering really is just unexciting... it feels like a force feedback wheel on a computer game"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 11:53"This is one seriously fun car to drive on a daily basis."
Redline Reviews · ▶ 22:59"Tragically it is at its absolute best when you're driving it at about five or six tenths"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 17:08Performance
4.5/56 of 6 reviewersconsensus“This is one seriously fast car.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 19:11“this has 310 horse and it looks like a spaceship”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 0:36“when that big slug of mid-range turbo power kicks in at around 3,000 RPM, it makes the old tie bar engines feel a bit puny.”
positive · carwow · ▶ 2:23Handling
4.5/56 of 6 reviewerssplit“And this car turns in so sharply for a front-wheel drive car, it surprised me.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 14:53“the way it grips the road is incredible.”
positive · Carbuyer · ▶ 8:24“The steering really is just unexciting... it feels like a force feedback wheel on a computer game”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 11:53Fun to drive
4.5/56 of 6 reviewerssplit“This is one seriously fun car to drive on a daily basis.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 22:59“It is fast. It is furious. It's epic fun to drive.”
positive · Carbuyer · ▶ 7:17“this car is going to be absolutely amazing as a track car”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 10:49Daily drivability
3.5/56 of 6 reviewersconsensus“the biggest one being the fact that this car is ludicrously spacious I mean seriously these things are van like”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:56“I could daily drive this thing easily.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 24:42“while the suspension is firm, there's a certain sophistication to it, which rounds off the edges of sharper bumps.”
mixed · carwow · ▶ 6:51Value
4.0/56 of 6 reviewersstrong consensus“it manages to undercut its all-wheel drive competitors by as much as $7,000.”
positive · Redline Reviews · ▶ 27:24“one thing that surprised me was how well these have held their money”
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 16:24“it's still absolutely brilliant, fun to drive, and it's surprisingly practical for a performance car.”
positive · carwow · ▶ 8:42Hear 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