Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: No data available
Fast, good steering feel, great fun to drive, relatively subtle styling.
Not a lot, just the irritating split rear tailgate glass and poor rearward visibility.
Hot hatch masochists and keen track dayers might be disappointed with Honda's decision to make this Type-R a little easier to live with. For the rest of us, however, it's a very welcome development.
This Type-R is considerably easier to live with than its predecessor. You could happily set off on a long-distance motorway trip without packing ear-plugs or booking an appointment with a chiropractor.
Engine tweaks - a revised air filter box, air flow meter and intake manifold - have reduced noise levels and made the trademark VTEC howl a little less painful over sustained periods. The revised suspension, new engine mountings, new front sub-frame design and improved sound-proofing all round have also improved general refinement no end. No longer does the Type-R crash in and out of potholes, either; it copes much better with poorly-surfaced British roads. Generally, it's less tiring to spend time in.
The sports seats are comfortable and well-shaped, and not too narrow for the wider-hipped. The wraparound shoulder/neck design does hinder you turning too far round, though. The rear seats aren't particularly large - the central seat, with lap belt, is really only for occasional 'emergency' use only - but the boot's not bad and, despite the low rear roofline, the cabin feels relatively roomy and airy with its large glass rear window and flat floor. It's all appropriately finished off with black/red two-tone upholstery and a red Honda badge on the steering wheel.
We're not quite sure why Honda is offering the standard model at all; this does without air conditioning, side curtain airbags and front fog lights, as well as the rear spoiler, cruise control, lockable glovebox, power-folding door mirrors and automatic headlights, yet only saves £1,000 and will be worth less at resale time.
It's a no-brainer that you'll want the GT. This, happily, comes with all the expected essentials, including keyless ignition and a nice red Start button, though in keeping with the Type-R's image as a focused sports car, it doesn't have satellite navigation. That's an extra option, along with Bluetooth phone kit. Plenty to look at on the dashboard, though, with a high-tech red-lit instrument and gauge display, and a VTEC indicator that glows when you reach 5,400rpm.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Honda Civic Type-R
wrote on 04 06 2008
wrote on 28 02 2008
wrote on 06 01 2008