2023 Honda Civic Type R Full Review, Specs & Features

In 2017, Honda said it will begin selling the long-awaited Civic Type R in the United States, bolstering its reputation for cheap performance. A revamped Type R based on the current-generation Civic will be Honda’s fastest hatchback when it returns for the 2023 model year.

There are no longer any outrageous scoops, vents, or bulges on the Type R’s otherwise conservative appearance. The performance is still in a more refined version, much like Volkswagen did with the Golf R.

The 2023 honda civic type r, like its predecessor, is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, but it gains a few more ponies. A six-speed manual gearbox and front-wheel drive are the sole transmission and drivetrain options for the Type R. In addition to the newfound roominess, high-quality materials, and upscale touches of the Civic’s cabin debuted with the 2022 model year. The car also has updated brakes and suspension. Despite losing its “Fast and Furious” aesthetic, the new Type R performs well on the road and the racetrack, as we are happy to report. The 2023 honda civic type r top speed is 170 mph.

In 2023, what is going to change?

Honda’s newest hot hatch promises to be as entertaining as its predecessor, if not more so, thanks to its increased power and refined exterior. The new CTR has gained muscles and a bigger chassis, but it still rides on the same set of wheels (19 inches in diameter) in wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Brake cooling has been enhanced, and the front and rear tracks are wider. With its new 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine & six-speed manual gearbox, the CTR gets nine hp and 15 lb-ft of torque. The Type R’s lap recording and performance instruments are now accessible through the car’s 9.0-inch infotainment display, eliminating the need for a smartphone app.

2023 Honda Civic Type R Specs

• Price: $ 44,390
• Engine: 2.0 L Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4
• Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
• Horsepower: 315 @ 6500
• Torque: 310 @ 2600
• Transmission: 6-Speed Manual Transmission
• EPA Fuel Economy, combined/city/highway (mpg): 24 (Est) / 22 (Est) / 28 (Est)
• Wheelbase (inches): 107.7
• Length (inches): 180.8
• Width, without mirrors (inches): 74.4
• Height (inches): 55.4
• Passenger / Seating Capacity: 4

Refined Powertrain

The 2023 honda civic type r‘s turbocharged four-cylinder engine now produces 315 horsepower and delivers that power smoothly and consistently from low rpm up to the redline, thanks to the upgrades. When pushed to the limit, the active-valve exhaust system lets forth a suitably ferocious howl. The engine and the six-speed manual gearbox complement one another well; the clutch is easy to modulate, and the weight of the flywheel has been reduced to improve the car’s responsiveness.

Interior

Thanks to its upgraded suspension, wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and four driving modes, the Type R provides a pleasant ride without sacrificing its trademark sharp handling and lightning-fast reactions. While the Type R’s Comfort setting does a good job smoothing out bumps and uneven pavement, the Plus R setting stiffens the car and is best saved for the track. The Type R’s Brembo brakes function well in every condition and can be easily adjusted.

The 2023 honda civic type r interior model benefits from the more spacious cabin and higher quality materials of the current generation Civic. The Type R adds red carpeting, seatbelts, and front chrome bumpers with aggressive bolsters to these standard items. For those who take their track time seriously, the seats feature shoulder cutouts for a racing harness. The latest iteration of the LogR Performance Datalogger system includes new instruments, a stopwatch, integrated track maps for certain circuits, and scoring support for the following driver performance.

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The Type R may be a high-performance variant of the Civic hatchback, but it offers the same convenient cargo space and comfortable seating as the base model. Cargo space is comparable to a small SUV, and the back seat is large enough to accommodate people. In addition to advanced Honda Sensing active-safety technologies like blind spot warning and traffic sign recognition, the Type R benefits from thin front pillars and strategically placed side mirrors to enhance forward vision.

Colors and Designs for the New Honda Civic Type R Exterior

The 2018 Honda Civic Type R takes cues from the Civic hatchback’s subdued styling, resulting in a more subdued external appearance. However, the beefier body and the lightweight 19-inch wheels with bigger Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires make it clear that this is a performance-oriented vehicle. Honda claims that the “reverse rim” design of these new wheels improves the rigidity of the tire contact patch under a driving load.

The 2023 honda civic type r features is differentiated by its bigger rear doors, redesigned side sills, and larger front fender grilles. The honeycomb mesh grille is attractive, but the triple exhausts and big spoiler at the back grab the most attention. 2023 honda civic type r exterior emblems and brake calipers are red, following tradition, as are the wheels. Gloss black paint coats the wing spoiler, side mirrors, and fin-shaped roof antenna.

Championship White is a part of the color palette for the Honda Civic Type R. The base colors, Rallye Red and Crystal Black Pearl, are considered premium, while Sonic Gray Pearl and Boost Blue Pearl are considered to be premium.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Honda didn’t want to meddle with a winning formula. A boost of nine horsepower brings the total output to 315, although this is more the result of fine-tuning the engine than any major change. As before, the engine’s perceived power increases steadily together with engine speed up to the redline. If you’re experiencing turbo lag, you’re likely in the incorrect gear or allowing the engine rpm to dip too low. If you take the wheel seriously, you’ll have no complaints.

2023 honda civic type r engine realized the previous CTR didn’t require additional power, so they worked on the power curve instead. This is because, with front-wheel drive, fighting torque steer and traction is more of a hassle than it’s worth. If the CTR had much more power, it would be much worse.

They didn’t spend time attempting to improve the shifter, either. What more can be done when your manual shifters are already as good as Porsche’s? Compared to the previous generation CTR, the new one has no flaws in the shifter, gearbox, or pedal placement.

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I’d say the same thing about the brakes. From a distance, you would think Honda might have benefited from larger, more rounded wheels, but after getting behind the wheel, you’ll realize that the extra unsprung weight isn’t worth it. Because of its small weight and high cornering speed, the CTR doesn’t need massive braking force to draw it down for slow corners, and its excellent cooling system means that its brakes don’t need to be enormous to shed hot enough for the next braking zone.

Efficiency in Burning Fuel and Actual Miles Per Gallon

The EPA reports that the 2017 Civic Type R’s marginal increase in horsepower does not come at the expense of fuel efficiency. The EPA estimates a city fuel economy of 22 mpg and a highway fuel economy of 28 mpg for the hot hatch. That’s the same EPA rating as the all-wheel-drive Golf R when equipped with the six-speed manual, but the Golf R wins out on the highway by two miles per gallon when equipped with the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.

FAQs About 2023 Civic Type R

Conclusion

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R isn’t as outrageously styled as the previous generation, but it’s still a lot of fun to drive. The more refined eleventh-generation Civic, upon which the Civic Type R is derived, is the basis for its hatchback counterpart. The same turbocharged four-cylinder powers the current edition of the 2023 honda civic type r horsepower as the previous generation, but with increased output to 315 horsepower & 310 pound-feet of torque. For the front-wheel-drive Type R, Honda has strengthened brake cooling to keep up with the increased power and to withstand the abuse of track days. The new CTR is assembled in Japan and powered by components sourced from Ohio, yet it remains enjoyable to use regardless of location. The Honda Civic Type R was so good that we included it in our 10 Best Cars of 2023.