Honda redesigned the Civic for 2022, which right now you can purchase in sporty Civic Si guise. However, the model we’re most keen on is the high-performance Civic Type R, which Honda revealed in July and is currently shipping out to dealerships across the country.
The redesigned 2023 Civic Type R goes on sale this week and is priced from $43,990, including a $1,095 destination charge.
For that sum you get an impressive hot hatch with 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque generated from a 2.0-liter turbo-4, with drive going to the front wheels via 6-speed manual. That manual also features a rev-match function.
Underpinning the car is the same platform as the regular Civic. The platform is more rigid compared to the one it replaces, and this should aid the Civic Type R especially. We’re talking 8% better torsional rigidity and 13% better bending rigidity. It’s also got a bigger footprint, with the Type R’s wheelbase growing by 1.4 inches over its predecessor, and the track width growing by up to 1.0 inch.
2023 Honda Civic Type R
The interior of the latest Civic family has also seen a major step up in technology and refinement, including the use of digital screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment. Note, the Type R features two seats in the rear split by an armrest with integrated cupholders, instead of the regular three-seat bench.
Front bucket seats, wireless smartphone charging, Bose audio, and some delicious red trim are all standard.
Honda is still holding back on performance specs, but the automaker has confirmed the car managed to lap Japan’s Suzuka International Racing Course in a record time for front-wheel-drive cars. A similar record for Germany’s Nürburgring could also be forthcoming.
Production is handled at Honda’s Yorii Plant in Japan.
