But if you close your eyes while you’re driving it (please don’t do this) it feels like a high-quality compact sedan. HondaĪnd that is the essence of the Type R. The Civic Type R’s interior is splashed with red, but if the stock interior isn’t red enough, there’s also a $1,112 interior package with red lighting and even more red accents.

And the engine, a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 306 horsepower, inline-four cylinder unique to the Type R, is a marvel of smoothness for something so seemingly high strung. The brakes are strong and steady, without fade. Gear changes feel like the opposite of Rube Goldberg: direct, precise, solid. Both are real performers, and that’s what buyers for this car are after. This year, there’s a new Limited Edition, priced at a towering $44,950. The Type R is so focused that until 2021, it came in just one trim, the Touring, which starts at $38,450, including destination fees. It takes a highly refined design like the Civic and relentlessly pursues improvements until everything feels like it’s perfectly connected to and working in concert with the driver. The Type R succeeds because it exemplifies Honda’s approach to vehicle engineering. It comes in five colors, including Boost Blue Pearl. The Type R is based on the regular five-door Civic Hatchback, but it’s big power and sporty mission are advertised with an armada of spoilers, scoops, and other aerodynamic aids. The Veloster also has one back door (on the passenger side) so it lacks practicality. It too doesn’t match the Type R’s speed and sophistication.

Hyundai’s Veloster N is the closest direct challenger and indeed it’s a cleverly packaged hoot, but it’s slightly less expensive and is certainly less distinctive. The Subaru WRX, another aging all-wheel-drive beast, is down on power and sophistication. Volkswagen’s Golf R is on hiatus this year as we await the arrival of that car’s 2022 iteration. The Honda Civic Type-R doesn’t really have much competition in the sub-$40,000, high-test, hot-hatch category.

2021 honda civic type r release date