Honda has done it again. For the second time, the brand’s budget–although that term is starting to become controversial–hot hatch has succeeded by beating faster, more powerful, more luxurious and more expensive rivals.
The Honda Civic Type R has won Motor Authority’s 2023 Best Car To Buy title.
It’s the Civic Type R’s second win after winning the 2018 Best Car To Buy award. Given that only two generations of the car have come to America, that’s impressive and our vote is unanimous.
Like the millennials who grew up dreaming of the Type R being sold in America, Honda’s hatchback has grown up. It’s also more powerful and more expensive, but it’s still a riot.
The sixth-generation Type R is based on the eleventh-generation Civic. The new Type R sticks to the formula fans know and love.
2023 Honda Civic Type R
Under the hood sits the familiar 2.0-liter turbo-4, now rated at 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. That makes the new Type R the most powerful Honda ever sold in the US. Thanks to redesigned turbochargers, higher intake flow and a more efficient engine, the new model has increased power by 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. exhaust system. Turbochargers are optimized for the shape, size and number of turbine blades to generate a wider range of pressures. This all translates to slightly reduced turbo lag, a wider powerband, and the ability to keep the engine boiling for longer.
Yes, the exhaust system still has three tips, and the center pipe has an active valve that opens at higher revs.
The Type R is still front-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential that keeps torque steer to a large degree. Drivers must #GiveAShift the Type R as a smooth-shifting 6-speed manual with new optimized shift patterns and a lighter flywheel as the only transmission option.
The latest Type R is 1.4 inches longer and 1.0 inches wider than the previous model, making it more stable than before. Its ride quality has also been improved, thanks to retuned front struts and rear multi-link suspension with adjustable dampers.
Not that the latest Type R is that much faster than the outgoing model. What really blew our editors away was how quickly the car could negotiate corners and rough roads thanks to the car’s upgraded suspension, wider track, and more stable underpinnings. The car attacks corners, quickly gathers weight for the next corner, and does it over and over again effortlessly. The sum of the (seemingly) small changes is greater than enthusiasts expected.
Putting the Type R into +R mode is really only for the track, as the suspension becomes unstable and wobbles over even the slightest undulation of the road. The suspension’s Comfort mode is the sweet spot, and even then, the suspension is fairly firm.
In +R mode, the steering also becomes heavier. Some editors prefer it, saying it offers more stability in turns, while others think it’s too heavy, artificial weight for weight’s sake. All of the various dynamic settings can be modified and saved via the Personal mode, which is thankfully preserved at startup.
The two-piece Brembo front brake rotors provide a solid feel that is progressive and predictable and never seems to fade no matter how hard or how long you push them.
2023 Honda Civic Type R
2023 Honda Civic Type R
2023 Honda Civic Type R
The last Civic Type R won in 2018, even though it looked like a Transformer trying to escape the Civic. That look is gone, and a more refined, mature look has emerged. Thank you, Honda. Lower, longer, and wider, every body panel save for the front doors, pillars, roof, and rear hatch itself is new and unique to the Type R. The big rear spoiler is still part of the equation, but now it sits on a metal upper mount and looks more expensive and more race-friendly than before. Still, the Type R Touring without the spoiler might be a good option, as not everyone needs that kind of downforce for everyday driving. The 2024 Acura Integra Type S could fill that role.
2023 Honda Civic Type R
Inside, every Type R is outfitted with chunky red cloth seats, red carpet and red door trim. The high-back front bucket seats are comfortable enough for road trips and wider body types, but it’s worth noting that they’re not heated. This itinerary is only for four people: the rear bench now only seats two, with two fixed cup holders in the middle. A 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard, as is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although CarPlay is sometimes erratic (we’ve had this issue with Honda’s current infotainment software in both the Type R and Civic Si) .
The touchscreen is equipped with the nifty new Honda LogR data logger system. The software allows drivers to log lap times, check cornering forces across the car and at each wheel, and monitor various system temperatures. It even has an auto-scoring feature that simultaneously monitors acceleration, braking, and steering inputs and provides a smoothness score. We didn’t have enough time with the system, but it seems like a useful way to improve your driving style.
At $43,990, the Type R is expensive, especially after the Toyota GR Corolla and Hyundai Elantra N. But Honda feels like it’s a full step ahead of Toyota and Hyundai in terms of improvements. This is the complete package, and it feels like most of the money was spent on the powertrain.
From the smooth-shifting 6-speed manual transmission and refined suspension, to its ability to carry speed, the latest Civic Type R feels like it’s coming of age. That’s why the Honda Civic Type R was named the best car to buy in 2023 by Motor Authority.