Skip advert
Advertisement

Honda Civic Type R hatchback (2015-2017) - Engines, drive & performance

The new Honda Civic Type R has the power and handling ability to show it means business

Carbuyer Rating

4.1 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Engines, drive & performance Rating

4.7 out of 5

Much noise has been made about the Honda Civic Type R’s performance on the road, with the Japanese brand doing all it can to make a "race car for the road".  It helps that the Type R’s engine produces 302bhp –more than the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and SEAT Leon Cupra 290 and significantly more than the Ford Focus ST’s 247bhp.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Civic Type R also has a unique '+R' button to sharpen up throttle and steering response. It changes the engine setup slightly, too, making the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol more aggressive and racey. Plus, the adaptive dampers are firmed up for better road handling.

A typically tight and accurate Honda gearbox helps make the Type R very involving to drive. Plus, clever front suspension has helped minimise that old front-wheel-drive bugbear, torque steer (when the steering wheel squirms in your hands under accleration). Powerful Brembo brakes mean you can stop quickly, too.

Honda Civic Type R petrol engine

The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is one of the most powerful in the hot hatch class – very few direct rivals can compete. Only the Ford Focus RS manages to better it, but not by much. You’ll have to part with a lot more cash if you really want to outgun the Type R – only cars like the Mercedes A45 AMG and Audi RS3 can truly trump it on power.

The Type R is the fastest-accelerating front-wheel-drive production car right now, managing the 0-62mph sprint in 5.7 seconds. It maxes out at 167mph, beating the much more powerful Audi RS3, which is electronically limited to 155mph. 

Civic Type Rs have always been famous for high-revving engines that need to be worked hard to make meaningful progress. With the new model, the addition of a turbocharger helps to alleviate that by providing more of the power at fewer revs. Power comes in at around 2,500rpm and remains constant, but die-hard Honda fans will miss the loud, buzzy engine noise and frantic character of the old model.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
28 Mar 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s top car offers

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes
Skoda Karoq SportLine
In-depth reviews
26 Mar 2024

Skoda Karoq review – it ticks all the family SUV boxes

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
26 Mar 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: the complete guide

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide
Public EV charge point
Tips and advice
11 Jan 2023

Electric car charging stations: a complete guide

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
best electric cars
Best cars
28 Mar 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024