Review: 2023 Honda Civic Type R grows up however stays enjoyable

I’m behind the wheel of the 2023 Honda Civic Type R on Sonoma Raceway in Northern California. Temperatures are hovering round 50 levels and the observe is getting wetter by the second. This is a technical circuit in the perfect situations, with blind crests, off-camber turns, and a collection of esses that elude me each time. I’m grateful to be using on the usual Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires as an alternative of the Pilot Sport Cup 2s out there as an adjunct, however I’m nonetheless hella nervous. “At least the CTR is front-wheel drive, not rear-wheel drive,” I feel as we head out onto the observe…and presumably to my demise.

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

New seems, who dis?

The 2023 Civic Type R will get a brand new design and for that I’m extraordinarily grateful. While the previous one seemed very Boi/Gurl Racer with its spiky rear aero bits and dual-colored wing, this Type R is a little more grown up. It’s longer, decrease, and wider, and it makes key options of the usual Civic hatch its personal. 

The entrance bumper sports activities a wider grille opening that helps with cooling, pushing air out of the newly vented hood. I’m digging the skinny A-pillars and the broader fenders entrance and rear. Several vents assist with brake cooling and all however certainly one of them are useful—a win in my ebook. Out again sits a brand new diffuser, a lowered, all-black wing, and the cool three-outlet exhaust. Look carefully, although, and also you’ll discover that the design staff has switched it up slightly. Now the middle port is bigger than the outboard ports.

2023 Honda Civic Type R at Sonoma Raceway

2023 Honda Civic Type R at Sonoma Raceway

2023 Honda Civic Type R at Sonoma Raceway

Rain, rain, go away!

The Civic Type R has 4 drive modes: Comfort, Sport, +R, and Individual. Our lead driver has requested that we hold the automobile in Comfort. This will soften the suspension to maintain some weight on the skin entrance wheel in corners for extra grip in these horrible situations. It additionally retains the traction and stability management nannies on at full blast. 

I discover solely the steadiness management throughout this primary observe session. I do know I ought to be taking note of the revised 6-speed guide gearbox, the extra inflexible chassis, and the faster steering, however all I can take into consideration is sliding off this observe and shedding my observe privileges for the day. “Keep it together, Hall. You can do this,” I feel.

I can, as a result of the steadiness management is very well tuned. It lets the automobile slide simply sufficient to present me slightly thrill however then it kicks in to avoid wasting my butt. Once all is sorted, I ship slightly energy to the entrance wheels and catch as much as the automobile in entrance of me on this four-lap lead/comply with. 

It has stopped raining for my second session, and whereas there may be nonetheless water on the pavement, I’m way more assured. This time I discover that there is no such thing as a torque steer on this little hatch. Punch it and the entrance finish stays bang on observe. The steering is super-quick and heavy, even in Comfort mode, and this gear field is a dream. The new rev-matching know-how is basically good, by no means intrusive, and it eliminates any shock to the drivetrain on downshifts. 

On my final lap I really feel so good I change to Sport mode. The rev matching will get extra aggressive, rapidly revving as much as the proper engine pace to match my sooner shifts. The dampers agency up, and whereas I lose grip a few times within the still-wet situations, the steadiness management brings the automobile again below management. The throttle will get a bit sharper right here and the steering a tad heavier. It all feels good.

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

Drying out

Honda provides us one final probability on a dry observe the next morning. Although nonetheless too chilly for the Cup 2 tires, we arrive to seek out the observe crew has warmed up the 4S tires and we’re able to rumble. 

Now I’m calm sufficient to actually expertise all of the Civic Type R has to supply. I change to +R mode for max efficiency and the place I can, I ground it to get all 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque out of this little 2.0-liter turbocharged mill. I’m capable of seize fourth gear on the straightaway, however I cook dinner it slightly too quick heading into the flip 7 sharp righthander. That’s OK as a result of the ABS kicks in, protecting the automobile in a straight line and slowing me down sufficient to make the flip with no drama. 

The ess turns—corners 8 and 8A—have plagued me every session, however this time I’m going for it, getting again on the facility sooner. The limited-slip entrance differential retains that energy flowing to the pavement and I don’t really feel any wheel spin. Before I do know it, I’ve elevated my lead on the automobile behind me. It was simpler than I assumed but it surely required some bravery. 

Track driving will not be probably the most environment friendly use of gas, even when it’s dialed again due to situations. However, the EPA provides the Type R gas economic system rankings of twenty-two mpg within the metropolis, 28 on the freeway, and 24 mixed. Of course, we’ll should drive one in real-world situations earlier than we touch upon that declare.

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

2023 Honda Civic Type R

Where are my heated seats, bro?

Inside, consumers get crimson sport seats which are comfortable sufficient for a commute but additionally present ample hip and aspect assist. I want they had been heated however no cube. Aluminum trim combines with the black sprint to make a easy but pleasing mixture. A 9.0-inch touchscreen grows from the final mannequin’s 7.0-inch unit. The 10.2-inch configurable gauge cluster has one design for Comfort and Sport modes and one other for +R with extra details about temperatures, g forces, and lap instances. 

Honda goes all-in with knowledge within the 2023 Type R with the Honda LogR Performance Data Logger. This know-how not wants a smartphone app to work and whereas I don’t have the time to pattern the system, the Auto Score operate appears fairly cool. This function screens acceleration, braking, and steering inputs, and generates a smoothness rating. Remember, clean is quick, y’all.

Buyers additionally get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi smartphone charging, and the Honda Sensing suite of superior driver-assist aids. This consists of the previous requirements like computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lively lane management, and lane-departure warnings. The Type R additionally provides site visitors signal recognition, rear cross-traffic alerts, and blind-spot screens. 

2023 Honda Civic Type R

Perfection is costly

Expect to pay $43,990 together with $1,095 for vacation spot for the 2023 Honda Civic Type R. That, nonetheless, is assuming you don’t discover any supplier markups, and I want you nicely in your quest. The Honda’s nearest competitor is the all-out enjoyable Toyota GR Corolla, which can be down on energy a bit however comes with all-wheel drive. The little sizzling hatch begins at round $7,000 lower than the Type R for the bottom Core mannequin, although I might add the entrance and rear limited-slip differentials and the heated seats and steering wheel to the GR Corolla and nonetheless are available in below $39,000. 

Other rivals embrace the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which has lower than 250 ponies and its worth displays that. The all-wheel-drive Golf R is available in barely greater in worth, however Volkswagen actually engineered the enjoyable out of that hatch. You might be able to rating a Hyundai Veloster N at proper round $33,000, however the Korean automobile firm won’t make a 2023 mannequin. Sad trombone.

It’s a tricky resolution to decide on amongst sizzling hatches, but it surely’s nice that lovers also have a option to make. Honda has achieved a terrific job of upgrading the 2023 Civic Type R, eking out a bit extra efficiency and enjoyable for this era. Its grown-up seems are interesting and the inside tech and design are second to none. However, it’s the most costly of the bunch.

As for me, I’m wanting ahead to driving the Type R on a twisty again highway on a sunny day with no drop of rain within the forecast. 

—Emme Hall

Honda offered airfare, lodging, and observe time for Motor Authority to deliver you this firsthand report.