Honda's sixth generation Civic Type R offers a more elegant take on wild hot hatch performance. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Honda has re-imagined what kind of car its Civic Type R hot hatch can be. Yes this sixth generation version is faster, grippier and more exciting-sounding than its wild predecessor. But it's also more elegant and easier to live with. A difficult combination to perfect.

Background

Honda has now been making high performance Type R models for over a quarter of a century. And it wants to reward itself with the quickest, the most focused and the most thrilling car ever to bear this famous badge. Welcome to the sixth generation Civic Type R. Yes it's still the very fastest front-driven production car you can choose, but this time round, the extreme looks of the old 'FK8' model have been dialled back a little. Don't be deceived. Honda describes this replacement 'FL5' design as 'the fastest, most addictive yet secure and rewarding to drive model in Type R history'. This is officially the sixth generation version of this design, but Honda has actually used its famous Type R badge eleven times since it first appeared back in 1992, six times on the Civic. The engine of the most recent 'FK8' model we referenced earlier (a car launched in 2017) reappears again here because combustion powerplants are no longer developed from scratch in this new EV era. But it's been heavily evolved and will fittingly close the chapter on Honda fossil fuel engine design. There'll never again be a Civic Type R quite like this one. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Everything at first glance might seem familiar here but on closer inspection, everything is also quite different. Yes, the basic four cylinder 2.0-litre VTEC engine is essentially the same, but it's been thoroughly re-worked, primarily with a more compact turbo featuring stronger, lighter blades. This reacts faster and builds up boost pressure quicker. Honda claims an improved power-to-weight ratio, more torque and a higher top speed from what is now one of the most powerful engine-per-litre packages in the class. All good. So you can expect a useful increase in the previous 'FK8'-series model's performance; think 5.4s for the 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of 171mph. Output is 329PS, with 420Nm of torque. Rivals think you need 4WD to deal with this sort of performance, but the Civic Type-R is still defiantly front-driven. Honda reckons the biggest gains over the previous model lie with chassis rigidity and handling performance - namely the updates made to steering and suspension. They're aimed at making the car more engaging and the driver feel more confident. Camber rigidity, which enhances front-end response, is up by 16% courtesy of significantly revised suspension geometry. Also crucial are the wider 265-section 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The Brembo brakes have also been upgraded - mainly in terms of cooling, so they'll last longer on track days. An added duct in the front wheel arch and a set of vents behind it work together to push cooling air towards the discs - and pull hot air out. There's also an upgraded exhaust, with improved back pressure to help with the faster turbo response. This Type R should offer richer aural fireworks too, thanks to a sound synthesiser which activates with the fieriest 'R+' drive mode. Or you can enhance the sound in the new 'Individual' drive mode menu, where the steering, adaptive dampers, rev match system and engine response can all be adjusted separately.

Design and Build

After the extreme look of the previous 'FK8' Type R model, this one seems almost understated at first glance. Take another look because in its own way, it's as vividly motorsport-developed as any predecessor. Take the re-designed rear wing: yes it's smaller than the previous model's, but it's also far more intricate, with die-cast aluminium supports that take up less surface area, leaving that free to generate more downforce - 900Nm of it at 124mph since you ask. Less is more beneath the more subtly-flared arches too, with the alloy rims reduced in size from 20 to 19-inches but gaining wider and grippier 265-section tyres. The triple-pipe rear exhaust is different too, two smaller pipes now sitting either side of a larger one, with all of them packed into a re-designed rear diffuser. Civic Type R loyalists will also note the bigger, lower front grille and the added front bumper vents. The revised bonnet improves engine cooling and is now fashioned from aluminium to save weight - which is also why the tailgate is now made of resin. More importantly, the wheelbase is 35mm longer than the previous model and the body shell has 38% better structural rigidity. Inside of course, the MK11 Civic cabin architecture is quite different from the old car. And of course is finished quite differently to an ordinary e:HEV Civic. The instrument screen is bespoke, as is the 10.2-inch central infotainment monitor. There's also red Type-R trim, a silver metal gear knob and track-style sports seats with suede-effect upholstery. You sit a little lower than in the previous model too. As with an ordinary Civic e:HEV, there's reasonable space for a couple of adults in the back seat. And a very decently-sized 410-litre boot. It's up to 1,212-litres with the rear seat folded.

Market and Model

You'll need to budget for a spend of around £50,000. That gets you all the main equipment items you'll want. There are lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and featuring performance-tuned Brembo brakes. Plus there's a triple exhaust system, adaptive dampers and a driving mode set-up with a fiery 'R+' setting for track work. Talking of track work, in testing, this MK6 model rounded Japan's 2.2 mile Suzuka circuit in 2 minutes 23.120 seconds, setting a new lap record for front wheel drive cars. Honda is eyeing the Nurburgring Nordschleife record for front-driven models too. Back to spec. Infotainment and connectivity benefit from a much improved voice command system, the Honda 'Personal Assistant'. This is basically a next-generation voice control system in that it can respond to multiple commands: for instance "OK Honda, find me an Indian restaurant with WiFi and free parking". With this car, Honda is also offering the latest version of its Honda+ smartphone app, which includes remote vehicle locking and unlocking, plus 'intelligent geofencing', which alerts an owner if the vehicle breaches a pre-set 'geofence' zone. Plus there's the ability to send journey information from the app to the car's navigation system. Safety-wise, there's the latest version of Hondas 'SENSING' camera safety package. This gives you a 100-degree front wide view camera, enhanced recognition technology, blind spot information, low speed braking control and Lane keep assist.

Cost of Ownership

If, as is very tempting, you thrash this Civic Type R absolutely everywhere, then you might as well stop reading now because nothing we're likely to say in this section will have any real-world relevance. You certainly won't get anywhere near the quoted fuel and emission stats - WLTP-rated at 34.4mpg on the combined cycle and 189g/km of CO2. With the previous model, we never managed much more than about 20mpg throughout our tests. What else? Well a front wheel drive car with this kind of performance will always eat its way through front tyres at a higher rate than normal, despite the efforts of Honda's 'Dual Axis Strut Front Suspension' system in resisting torquesteer. You'll probably be buying brake pads on a reasonably regular basis too, especially if you plan to take your Type R on track. A service every year or 12,000 miles is recommended and many customers will want to budget ahead for scheduled maintenance with fixed-price scheme called 'Five'. It includes five years' worth of maintenance, an extended warranty for this period and roadside assistance breakdown cover should the unexpected happen. This can be transferred to a new owner if you sell the car before the service plan has expired. The three year 90,000 mile warranty is better than the package you get from many competitors too. In addition, surface corrosion is covered for three years, exhaust corrosion is covered for five years, chassis corrosion is covered for ten years and structural corrosion for twelve years. Insurance is group 43E.

Summary

As Honda intended, this is indeed the most complete Civic Type R yet. Previous models were fine for a blast but difficult to live with compared to obvious rivals. As the more mature look suggests, this sixth generation model is different, but even so, its racing instinct and competitive DNA have been perfectly preserved. Which is deeply impressive. This isn't the fastest, the grippiest or the most extreme hot hatch you could choose. But if you want the ultimate shopping rocket experience, it's still the one you might prefer when the tyre smoke clears. It's still incredibly fast, it now sounds even better and there's more cornering traction than you'd ever believe would be possible from a front-driven hot hatch with this kind of power. If you choose a Civic Type R, it'll be because you've remembered why just why it was you wanted a hot hatch in the first place. And you'll revel in the extrovert, intoxicating driving experience it offers. There's nothing quite like it.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Privacy glass

Variable front intermittent wipers

Automatic rain sensing wipers

Electric front and rear windows

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

Hill start assist

Electronic parking brake with auto hold

Collision mitigation braking system

Brake hold function

Collision mitigation throttle control

Low speed brake system

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle stability assist

Communication

Bluetooth hands free telephone connection

Wireless apple carplay

Driver Aids

Adaptive cruise control

Rear parking camera

Lane departure warning system

Lane keep assist

Front and rear parking sensors

Emergency stop signalling system

Forward collision warning

Traffic sign recognition

Adjustable speed limiter

Road departure mitigation

Idle stop

Electric power steering wheel with variable gear ratio steering

Agile handling assist

Adaptive motion for electric power steering

Intelligent speed limiter

Driving modes

Driver Information

Economy mode

Smartphone wireless charging plate

Emergency call service

10.2" Multi information display

Honda CONNECT with Navigation 9" touchscreen, AM/FM/DAB, Apple Carplay and Android Auto, live traffic info

Driving Mirrors

Black door mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Electric adjustable heated door mirrors

Electrically folding door mirrors

Aspherical driver door mirrors

Entertainment

Front tweeters

8 Speakers

'Shark fin' mobile antenna

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

2x USB Front socket (1 data & 1 charge)

Honda LogR built in to DA

Exterior Body Features

Body colour door handles

Triple exhaust tailpipe

Pop up hood

Chrome window garnish

Type R emblem

Rear side wing doors

Berlina black grille

Aluminium stay rear spoiler

Exterior Lights

High level LED brake light

Automatic coming/leaving home lighting function

LED daytime running lights

LED Headlights

High beam assist

LED rear lights

Auto headlights

Auto Headlight Adjuster

Headlight Extension Black

LED front turn type

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual climate control air conditioning system

Rear air vents

Interior Features

Tonneau cover

Front accessory power socket

Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel

Sunglasses holder

Steering wheel in suede leather

Suede fabric upholstery

Stainless steel sports pedals

Driver and front passenger seat armrests

Cargo net hooks

Platinum chrome interior door handles

Cargo accessory power socket

Front door illuminated strip in matte black with red LED

Front door panel in suede material

Front door matte switch panel with gloss side bar

Rear door matte switch panel with gloss side bar

Rear door panel in suede material

Rear door upper trim in matte black

Gearshift panel trim in patterned aluminium style

Interior Lights

Rear reading lights

Front/rear courtesy lights

Front map lights

Glovebox light

Trunk light

White ambient roof light

Meter Illumination white

Ambient door handle light in red

Packs

Exclusive styling pack - Civic

Safety

Rear side airbags

Front side airbags

Passenger airbag deactivate switch

Front and rear curtain airbags

Deflation detection system

2 x 3-point rear seatbelts

Airbags - driver and front passenger

Driver SRS airbag (single stage inflation)

Front and rear seat belts with emergency locking retractor (ELR)

Manual child lock in rear doors

Airbags - Knee (DR)

Airbags - Knee (AS)

Passenger SRS airbag

Seats

Rear head restraints

Driver's seat height adjustment

Front head restraints

60/40 split folding rear seat

Single front passenger seat

2 seat bench in 2nd row

Isofix points/i size

Security

Immobiliser

Security alarm

Superlocking

Smart entry + Smart start

Selectable door unlock

Ultrasonic security sensor

Mirrors and windows key fob

Remote central locking with 2 jack knife keys

Tilt sensors

Vanity Mirrors

Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Alloy

19" Matte black alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

Noise Level dB(A): 70

Particles: 0.0003

CO2 (g/km): 186

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

NOx: 0.015

HC: 0.012

CO: 0.356

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 260

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 161

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 182

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 189

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

CC: 1996

Cylinders: 4

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 85.9

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 86

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Code: K20C1

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Compression Ratio: 9.8:1

Transmission: MANUAL

Gears: 6 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Urban (mpg): 25.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 8.2

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 34.4

EC Extra Urban (mpg): 43.4

EC Combined (mpg): 34.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 7.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 11.4

WLTP - MPG - Low: 24.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 35.3

WLTP - MPG - High: 39.8

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 35.3

General

NCAP Safety Assist %: 83

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 43E

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 89

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 87

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 82

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

Badge Power: 329

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 11

Coin Series: Type R

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Coin Description: VTEC

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 90000

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Performance

Top Speed: 171

Engine Power - BHP: 329

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 5.4

Engine Power - KW: 242

Engine Power - RPM: 6500

Engine Torque - NM: 420

Engine Torque - MKG: 42.8

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 310

Engine Torque - RPM: 2600

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 265/30 R19

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Rear: 265/30 R19

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2734

Width (including mirrors): N

Height: 1401

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1890

Length: 4594

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1800

Minimum Kerbweight: 1429

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 47

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 371

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 410

No. of Seats: 4

Max. Roof Load: 50

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1212

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.1

Exterior Body Features

Premium paint

Packs

Carbon pack - Civic Type R

Illumination pack - Civic Type R

Paint - Solid

Solid - Sonic grey

Paint - Special

Premium paint - Platinum white

Premium paint - Crystal black

Premium paint - Rallye Red

Premium paint - Racing blue pearl

Trim - Cloth

Suede fabric - Red