#2021 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R REVIEWS MANUAL#

But if you appreciate the finer details of a performance car - a linear power curve that is always usable, an ideal driving position, and a manual gearbox - then the Type R is more than good, it's excellent. It crashes over sharp bumps and its styling won't blend into the parking lot when you arrive for Tuesday-night bingo. If you're the typical Honda Fit buyer, then no, the Civic Type R is not a good car. The only downside we've noticed in the Type R's setup is that the big wheels and low-profile tires are a combo that makes for slightly higher road noise levels than we'd like, but in a car that is meant to feel alive and raw, Honda gets a pass for not achieving Golf GTI levels of refinement. It's perfectly weighted for the track but is light enough for town use, and those adaptive dampers soak up all but the most aggressive bumps. And that steering isn't excessively quick either.

The more you trust the car, the faster you can go.

The more you feel, the more you trust the car.

#2021 HONDA CIVIC TYPE R REVIEWS DRIVER#

While so many modern cars come with lifeless electric steering setups, the Type R still cares about driver engagement and transmits the goings-on of the front wheels to your hands in a refreshingly analog way that is nothing if not confidence-inspiring. The body always stays flat, the helical limited-slip differential ensures that you get no torque steer or unnecessary wheelspin, and the Brembo brakes bring you back to reasonable speeds time after time without exhibiting fade.Īnother aspect of the car that we absolutely adore is the feel from the front wheels. Is that an indictment on the Limited Edition, special, track-focused model? No - it's a compliment to how good even the regular Type R is. Those lightweight forged wheels from BBS also play a part, although you'd have to drive the regular Type R back to back with the LE to notice. It turns in with astonishing precision and accuracy, and with the LE model's Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, it's even better. That g-force meter is not just there for show - this thing grips better than some AWD cars. Has the 2021 model changed that recipe, or is it still the ultimate FWD racer for the road? With US competitors dwindling, the Type R is in a current class almost of its own, but the Hyundai Veloster N is still willing to put up a solid fight.Īs much as we think that Honda has done an excellent job with the Type R's engine, it's the chassis tuning and handling ability of this car that make it stand out. And thanks to adaptive dampers, driving this car over long distances is more comfortable than catching a reflection of the Type R in a shop window. Speaking of power, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces an impressive 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque - impressive figures no doubt, but enthusiasts have always appreciated the handling of a Type R more than what it does in a straight line.

A dying breed, the Civic Type R is offered only with a six-speed manual transmission that sends its power to the front wheels. Its aggressive styling might be a little too OTT for most, but it's not all show and no go - there's real intent behind that gaudy bodywork. The Honda Civic Type R has always been known as the sharpest and most track-focused hot hatchback on the market.

2021 honda civic type r reviews