2023 Honda Civic Sort R Evaluate, Pricing, and Specs

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 cheaper than the Volkswagen Golf R, but it’s also nearly at 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 five doors.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The new Civic Type R is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the previous-generation car, but a redesigned 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 should further reward rowing at the new 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 torque steer. 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. At our test track, the CTR 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.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The new Civic Type R’s subtle horsepower bump isn’t at the sacrifice of fuel economy, at least according to the EPA. The hot hatch gets a cool 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 with an extra 2 mpg on the highway with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. We’ll update this space once we’ve evaluated the Type R’s real-world mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although the new Civic Type R wears a more minimalist interior design than its predecessor, it has no shortage of racy visual cues. The latter includes red accents, faux carbon-fiber trim, and a familiar set of super comfy and 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.

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

The 2023 Civic Type R hasn’t been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We expect it’ll continue to come with a host of standard driver-assistance technology. Key safety features should 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 an average limited and powertrain warranty 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

More Features and Specs