Get Hotcars Premium. Start your free trial today
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R version is all set to blow away the competition.
Honda knows a thing or two when it comes to building reliable cars that can also bring the thrills. It has an enviable catalog of entries to choose from, but it is the awesome Civic that it can be the proudest of.
The Honda Civic seems to have been around forever. It is a car that comes in many shapes and performance flavors; a vehicle that has seen decades come and go, yet still evolves to deliver longevity, service, and fun. It remains defiant in a highly competitive marketplace.
The latest version's performance seems to be the best one yet. The incredible 2022 Honda Civic Si is energetic with superb handling, but it is the 2023 Type R version that will blow away the competition. A legend in the making, here are 10 reasons why the 2023 Honda Civic Type R should be on every gearhead's wish list.
For too long the Volkswagen Golf GTI ruled the roost. The punchy little German had risen, fallen, and risen again to become the benchmark for fast small cars. But those days are over. It may have taken decades, but the Honda Civic Type R now reigns supreme.
Where the Volkswagen Golf GTI has become civilized, the Civic Type R has become wilder. It, too, is now a more luxuriously appointed vehicle. But, the detailed involvement remains. A wild, beast-like nature lurks beneath the sparkle. Making the Civic far more appealing.
Related: 2023 Golf GTI Costs, Facts, and Figures
At its heart is a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged unit. The engine spools out 315 hp and 310 lb/ft of torque, delivered in a smooth, punchy manner. The power plant is responsive. Unleashing a wave of horizon-chasing energy with every push of the throttle.
The bump in power over the outgoing model comes from the use of a new turbocharger. Combined with better cooling and greater exhaust back pressure, the 2023 Civic Type R feels more responsive. The Type R will chase the redline in every gear without any hesitation.
The new car has a 35-mm longer wheelbase. But this additional size doesn't hinder the 2023 Civic Type R in any way. Handling remains a superb characteristic. The feedback from the steering wheel is excellent, while grip levels seem to have been enhanced even further.
Everything feels alive. As if the 2023 Civic Type R has been created to be fingertip precise in its movements. The car, as a whole, feels significantly stiffer. The ride is noticeably more rigid, signifying a loss in comfort. Which is to be expected when a vehicle is this sharp.
Related: 10 Fast Cars You Have To Be A Pro To Handle
Prices for the new 2023 Honda Civic Type R are set to kick off from $39,000. That undercuts its main rival, the Volkswagen Golf R, by a significant margin. It also shows that Honda is dedicated to keeping its mainstream products within the realm of affordability.
As a package, the 2023 Civic Type R does supersede its rivals. There's little else offering this much performance and panache at this price range. Especially with such an evolved performance history. The Civic Type R remains a compelling purchase for gearheads.
The stiff chassis and hardcore suspension align the 2023 Honda Civic Type R with being a decent track day tool. Remaining as a two-wheel drive performance car works to the Civic's advantage. It feels light and nimble on turn-in and can hunt down apexes with delicacy.
The Civic Type R can also be customized for track work via the onboard computer. A quick dive into the settings reveals a lengthy list of options to be tweaked or amended. It's a tech geek's dream, plus an excellent way to unleash the hidden potential within the car.
Related: 10 Reasons Why The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS May Just Be The Best Track Day Car On The Market
Away from the racetrack and when not cutting up a canyon road, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R makes for decent family transport. Its mid-size sedan layout provides excellent transport means. Seating both front and rear is comfortable, spacious, and offers lots of storage.
The trunk will swallow a decent amount of luggage – up to 410 liters, to be precise. This caters not only to families but to those who might like to use the Civic Type R as a sporty weekend-away vehicle. Loaded up with people and stuff, the Type R will still entertain.
Throughout its history, the Honda Civic has been a hotbed for customization and tuning. This devoted call to be modified will no doubt follow strongly in the 2023 Type R. Its turbocharged engine is just begging for a few enhancements. So, uncorking more power is the priority.
On top of that, the usual array of upgrades will become available such as bigger, more powerful brakes and a whole host of styling additions and add-ons. These are the inevitable additions that fuel Civic fans into long-term ownership. The 2023 car is set to continue this noble tradition.
Related: 10 Sports Sedans That Can Easily Be Modified Into Supercar Slayers
The previous Civic Type R was a styling mess. It was an overblown caricature of itself and put a lot of fans on the fence. Some loved its brash, aggressive looks; others hated it. The enormous rear spoiler, wild body kit, and exaggerated details were not exactly subtle.
Thankfully, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R wears a more sophisticated suit. It still looks the part but has a far more refrained approach to being aggressive. The design and its features are more cohesive. Type R has matured into a more physically appealing machine.
Honda knows what they are doing when they build their cars, not only from an ease of use point of view but also as a company looking at longevity. Their products simply last. Build quality is superb, as is fit and finish. These are products that simply define quality.
It is that attention to detail that jumps out with the 2023 Honda Civic Type R. It all feels like it will last – from the impressive central digital display, down to the simple steering wheel-mounted controls. It's Honda at its best. Solid, reliable, and begging to be used regularly.
Related: 9 Things Only Real Gearheads Know About Honda's Sports Cars
From the second the engine fires up, the new Civic Type R makes you feel at home, whether cruising at a sensible 55 mph or wringing its neck at the track. The 2023 Civic Type R never once gives off the vibe, or thought, that its driver should be sitting in something else.
It's an involving machine to pilot. This car, like its predecessors, will get under the skin and stay there. On a back road blast, it feels so complete. Like an extension of the driver. Very few cars reward in the way a Civic Type R does, and the 2023 version is the best yet.
Having cut his teeth on the UK street racing scene in the late 90's and early 00's RJ faded from the limelight only to return 20 years later. An avid motoring enthusiast RJ especially enjoys JDM and Italian cars, and is an experienced multi-industry writer.