2023 Honda Civic Type R

Overview

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R looks more reserved than its overstylized predecessor, but that shouldn’t keep it from being more exciting to drive. Honda has unveiled the latest generation of the high-performance hero, which moves to the more modern platform alongside the standard Civic and Civic Si. We still don’t have official details on the the updated turbocharged four-cylinder engine but we expect that Honda has upped the ante in the power department. We’re happy to report that the next Type R will keep its manual transmission. Drivers who can’t do the three-pedal shuffle are out of luck, as for now the stick is the only transmission Honda has mentioned.

What’s New for 2023?

Honda has revealed the new CTR’s styling and some specs, but we’re confident those specs will include a more powerful version of the current turbo four. We should find out more about the car closer to its on-sale date, which is expected to be in late 2022 or early 2023.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Civic Type R

$39,000 (est)

Honda hasn’t said how much the 2023 Civic Type R will cost, but we expect it’ll start just under $40,000 when it goes on sale. However, we’re told that won’t be until sometime in 2022.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The new Civic Type R will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but it’ll likely be more powerful than the outgoing generation that made 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Honda has confirmed that the mightiest Civic will still have a standard manual transmission. The upcoming Type R won’t have a new chassis, but rather an evolution of the one that underpinned the outgoing model. We believe that rules out the adoption of a control-arm front suspension—as seen on the Acura TLX. Instead, the front-drive-only Honda will likely continue to use its innovative dual-axis strut front suspension that does a terrific job of suppressing torque steer. While the next Civic Type R isn’t as visually extreme, it still has a prominent rear wing and other aerodynamic addenda. Instead of 20-inch wheels like the previous model, the new CTR rolls on 19-inchers shod with summer rubber with more sidewall.

More on the Civic Type R Hatchback

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Neither the EPA nor Honda has said how fuel-efficient the 2023 Civic Type R will be in the city or on the highway. Once those estimates are announced and we have the chance to run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the Civic Type R’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although the new Civic Type R has a more minimalist interior design than its predecessor—which should give it, as with the exterior, a more mature impression—it’s not short of visual flair. Red seat upholstery and matching carpets provide the biggest pop of color. As with the regular Civic, the Type R features a digital gauge cluster and physical climate controls located above a center console with a large storage bin and two cupholders.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Honda’s latest infotainment system runs through a 9.0-inch touchscreen mounted on top of the Type R’s dashboard. We expect it to be packed with popular standard features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Although Honda hasn’t released a list of driver-assistance features for the Civic Type R, we expect the carwill continue to come with a host of features as standard. For more information about the Civic Type R’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to 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 average limited and powertrain warranties that don’t include any complimentary maintenance. Those who seek 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 No complimentary scheduled maintenance