2019 Honda Civic Type R Review

Hot-hatchery has moved on a long way, to the point where even a Golf GTI isn't considered the pinnacle of the compact hot hatch anymore. That's a battle left to the likes of the Golf R, Focus RS, and the polarizing Civic Type R. Of these, the Honda is the only one to adhere to front-wheel drive, channeling an almighty 306 horsepower through a six-speed manual transmission to the front axle of one of the most balanced front-wheel drive chasses in existence. The in-your-face styling screams teenage rebellion, but a 170-mph top speed and a Nurburgring lap record under its belt show there's nothing childish about the Type R. This is anti-establishment hot-hatchery taken to the extreme, wicked and winged, but capable of daily comfort and with updates made for 2019 to improve usability and practicality.

What's the Price of the 2019 Honda Civic Type R?

The Civic Type R is its own standalone model, with only one variant to choose from with a base MSRP of $35,700 before tax, registration, licensing, and an $895 destination charge. But the price in the USA has been known to fluctuate as dealers set their own prices with mark-ups and incentives varying from dealer to dealer. But that MSRP isn't at all unattractive, undercutting both the VW Golf R and Ford Focus RS which both come in at over $40,000.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Handling is priority number one for the Type R, equipped with adaptive suspension, a helical limited slip differential, and large 20-inch high-performance summer tires among the numerous upgrades made to the chassis and steering systems. In short, it's the sharpest performance hatchback around, eagerly diving into turns with a sharpness not found in any of the current crop of hot hatches. The steering is weighty and gives more than sufficient levels of feedback, while the firm suspension telegraphs tarmac in analog detail. Changes of direction are hellishly quick, while grip levels are immense and rival the best all- and rear-wheel drive chasses this side of genuine supercars. Coming unstuck is a feat of true bravery as the commitment, or stupidity, required to exceed the limits of adhesion is reserved for only those with superhuman reflexes.

The ride is firm, firmer than a Civic Si by a good margin, but still manages to maintain a high level of overall comfort on all but the choppiest of surfaces. The adaptive suspension allows the dampers to be slackened off for improved comfort - although the default drive mode is Sport - while in their firmest setting they're unyielding enough to conquer the Green Hell. Still, it rides like a cloud compared to the Ford Focus RS, while its outright ability blows the Golf R into oblivion with still comparable levels of comfort. In braking, the huge Brembo four-piston aluminum front brakes bite hard when the anchors are dropped, matching performance machines with a price-tag five times higher than this mere compact hatchback.

Hardcore performance has never been this comfortable as a daily driver, the duality being of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde proportions.

Verdict: Is the 2019 Honda Civic Type R A Good car?

The Type R suffix is hallowed amongst Honda aficionados as the pinnacle of performance, and the 2019 Civic Type R continues the storied name in fine style. Whereas the previous iteration - not brought into the USA - set out to conquer the Nurburgring at the expense of a crashing ride, the new one has taken stonking performance and equipped it to one of the best front-wheel drive chassis ever engineered, all with enough comfort to use on a daily basis. The ride may be noticeably firmer than a standard Civic, but it's still softer than a Focus RS, while still maintaining near supercar levels of grip and composure under duress. The turbocharged powertrain is responsive and eager to respond when beckoned.

But the duality of daily comfort is ever-present, with sports seats - perhaps a little overly styled with liberal amounts of red suede - providing comfortable support, while the interior space seats four adults with ease. Material and build quality are high, while practicality is uncompromised. If you can live with the outrageous styling, there's no better hot hatch in our books.

What Honda Civic Type R Model Should I Buy?

Honda makes the choice an easy one with only one Type R trim available, which leaves just a single decision to make - to Type R or not to Type R? If the answer is indeed to Type R, then you'll be happy to know the single trim is packed with all the necessary features and niceties you need and almost none of the things you don't.

2019 Honda Civic Type R Comparisons

2019 Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R

The front-wheel drive Golf GTI simply can't compete with a Type R, so it gets its big brother, the all-wheel drive Golf R to join the fray. With similar power outputs to the Type R, it's the Golf R's AWD system that gives it an edge in performance, with a sub-five-second 0-60 mph sprint, particularly when equipped with the DSG automatic transmission. But once rolling, the Type R claws back with immense grip and an immersive experience, while the Golf R is rapid point to point at the expense of driver thrills. It's fun and sounds better than the Type R, but there's an underlying impression that you're only enjoying as much as the electronic nannies allow you to, whereas the Type R feels like it's at the command of the driver. Both of these hot hatches are equally practical, but the Golf R feels more premium with leather upholstery and a more refined infotainment system. It does, however, cost more than the Type R by nearly $5,000. If a rapid point and shoot experience with high levels of refinement are what you're after, the Golf R is the pick, but if you want a hot-hatch for the thrill of driver involvement, the Type R simply can't be beaten.

2019 Honda Civic Type R vs Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS straddles a higher 'hyper-hatch' category thanks to outputs of 345 horsepower and all-wheel drive with a trick 'drift mode.' It matches the Type R for a six-speed manual transmission, but the Civic simply blows the Focus out of the water when it comes to driving experience. The Focus RS rides harshly, and while it covers ground in an aural, and teeth-shatteringly rough bombardment of the senses, the Type R manages to ride pliantly while covering ground just as quick, if not quicker. The Type R also offers better levels of driver engagement, from the sweet shift of the manual gearbox to the sublime seating position in comfortable-for-days bucket seats. The Ford beats the Type R on come metrics though. It's quicker to 60 mph and features an easier to use infotainment system, but the Type R's interior feels of higher quality and boasts better interior space and practicality, all at a lesser price. They say you choose horses for courses, but there's really only one horse to choose here, and it's the Type R.