2023 Honda Civic Type R A Fun Ride

Recently I had the opportunity to drive the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, and it did not disappoint! Talk about the commodity of a sedan hatchback with enough horsepower to blow your mind. It is definitely a fun ride to pick up the kids or ride around town.

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. Trust me when I tell you this bad boy is fast! It goes 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

Let me get a little technical for a sec the Civic Type R also benefits from additional improvements, such as a larger radiator and improved brake cooling. 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.

What’s New for 2023?

Honda’s hottest new hatch aims to provide the same entertainment the last car did but with more power and smoother looks this time around. The new CTR’s muscles have grown into a larger chassis, but it stands on smaller 19-inch wheels wrapped in wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. If you like sports cars which I do you should know that by now the Type R design is one of a kind especially because it has comfort, sports, individual, and R+ mode. But that baby in R+ mode to blow your mind especially if you like driving a manual.

The front and rear tracks are also wider with improved cooling for the brakes. The CTR’s output gains nine horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque from an upgraded 315-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and six-speed manual transmission. The Type R’s onboard datalogger no longer requires a smartphone app, as its lap recording and performance instrumentation can now be accessed from the car’s 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen.

Pricing

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. Starting at $44k it is more economical than its competition and a great starter sports car, and perfect if you have a family and want to ride in style. The Type R is also pretty standard when it comes to gas mileage depending on the mode that you drive in you will be getting about 22 MPG city and 28 MPG highway.

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 interior includes red accents, faux carbon-fiber trim, and a familiar set of super comfy and supportive front seats.

Being in Florida I would mind the temperature before putting your hand 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 And Warranty

The Type R comes with:

Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control

Honda provides an average limited powertrain warranty and includes two years of complimentary maintenance.

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

The 2023 Honda Civic Type-R is a great hatchback sedan sports car option if you are looking for something fast that has four doors. Mixed in with the pricing it’s a great option for a first-time sports car.