Name: Honda Civic Type R (2022) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Honda
Rating: 76

Summary

The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance version of the regular Honda Civic five-door family hatchback. This is the eleventh-generation model that became available to order in the UK in late 2022.

The previous Civic Type R model was almost universally regarded as the best hot hatch on the market, and was therefore a pretty tough act for the next generation to follow. However, reviewers generally agree that Honda has hit the nail on the head once again.

“It’s an incredible car to drive”, says Steve Sutcliffe of Auto Express, adding that the latest Type R iteration has more versatile driving dynamics, potent performance and several interior improvements.

Honda has decided to tone down the Type R’s exterior styling for this new model, which Autocar’s Matt Prior says is a reflection of how it drives. “It’s a more mature experience, (but) it’s still a thrilling and engaging one. The old abilities are still here, they’re just wrapped in a more approachable demeanour.”

While the majority of reviewers agree that the hot hatch improves on its predecessor, some find it hard to justify its hefty price increase. Carbuyer asserts that the Type R’s “high price tag could prove a step too far for some enthusiasts”, Top Gear calls the hatch “over-priced”, while Auto Express concludes that the car is “worth every penny. And then some.”

As of January 2024, the Honda Civic Type R holds a New Car Expert Rating of A with a score of 76% – two points off the standard Civic range.

Civic Type R highlights

Class-leading driving dynamics
Potent petrol engine performance
Attractive exterior styling
Practical and comfortable interior

Civic Type R lowlights

More expensive than previous Type R model
Rivals have higher interior build quality
Rear wing design won’t be for everyone

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-size five-door hatchback
Engines: petrol
Price: From £46,995 on-road

Launched: Winter 2022/23
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“Despite the obvious issue of price, the new Honda Civic Type R is a superb performance car. It just isn’t quite as affordable as it once was. Framed against its rivals at this level, it’s one of the most involving and rewarding hot hatchbacks out there. Factor in that the days are numbered for pure-petrol performance machinery such as the Civic and you can see why hundreds (not thousands) of UK buyers per year will put down the requisite cash.”
Author: Sean Carson
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
” It’s got quite a bit more expensive in the process, now competing on price with premium hot hatches like the VW Golf R, Audi S3, BMW M135i and Mercedes-AMG A35. That’s possibly a bit of a stretch for a Honda but, for the loyal fanbase, the way it goes on road and track will be more than enough to justify the expense.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Has the very best just got better? Objectively, no doubt about it. Subjectively? I’m not so sure. In certain areas, the new Honda Civic Type R runs a bit of a charm deficit compared with its forebear, appearance notwithstanding. A new particulate filter has robbed the engine’s top end of that rampant final surge of revs and performance. Increased isolation has heightened civility but lessened the sensation of speed, so on country roads, more commitment is needed to unlock the same excitement.”
Author: Richard Lane
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Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The old Honda Civic Type R was at the top of the class right up to the point it disappeared, and this one is better.”
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Business Car+

Score: 9 / 10
“Believe the hype; the latest Honda Civic Type R rewrites the hot hatch rulebook and it seems Honda saved the best for last. With its 37% BIK figure, it’s always going to be a marginal user-chooser fleet choice – then, there might not be anything like it again.”
Author: Martyn Collins
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Car+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“Front-wheel drive and humbly Civic-based it may be, but this Type R is the most complete high-performance Honda in a long, long time. It has something of the focus and purity of the seminal NSX – and given the prices of those these days, £47k is a snip.”
Author: Ben Miller
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The latest Honda Civic Type R could go down in history as one of the hot hatch greats, but its high price tag could prove a step too far for some enthusiasts.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, Sean Carson
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Honda Civic Type R is an absolute triumph, whether having fun on a B-road or on track. It’s not quite as practical as the standard Civic though, and it’s very expensive.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed:
“With the onset of electrification in the auto world, this is likely to be the end of the line for the Honda Civic Type R as we know it – but this is its finest incarnation ever and one to be cherished.”
Author: Chris Russon
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Evo+

Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“It comes at a high price, but the all-new FL5 Honda Civic Type R proves to be one of the finest hot hatchbacks from the word go.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Honda Civic Type R is a hot hatch legend that’s back for what could be its last battle with the affordable performance car elite. Fast, properly exciting and more usable than you might think, it’s also no longer an acquired taste to look at and nicer to sit in.”
Author: Lawrence Allan
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“On the road, the new Civic feels more compromised, its stiffened shell and taut suspension relaying every imperfection in the surface. You’re also conscious of its size, which is more akin to an executive saloon than a medium hatchback.”
Author: Tim Pitt
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“If you want an attainable (ish) hot hatch that delivers the thrills and excitement of a six-figure supercar, the Honda Civic Type R should be at the top of your list.”
Author: James Dennison
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The Sun+

Model reviewed:
“Brilliant car. Expensive. But a nailed-on future classic.”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Honda Civic Type R is cut from the same cloth as its predecessor, but with incremental improvements in some areas. In terms of driving experience, the difference isn’t that great, but the new car certainly feels more upmarket inside, and we think it’s slightly easier on the eye. If this is to be the last Civic Type R, we’re glad it’s a good one.”
Author: James Fossdyke
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“We wondered whether Honda would bother with a high-performance version of the latest, formerly hybrid-only Civic – but we’re glad it did.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Honda Civic Type R can function as your only car, yet is as thrilling to drive as most bespoke sports cars. Stunning to drive. Now over-priced.”
Author: Ollie Marriage
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Honda Civic Type R offers awesome performance and supreme handling. In fact, it undoubtedly holds a place among the very best hot hatches on sale.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 89%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 82%
Safety assist: 83%

The current iteration of the Honda Civic Type R has not been specifically tested by crash testers Euro NCAP, but the hot hatch shares a five-star safety rating with the eleventh-generation Honda Civic it is based on.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2024, the Honda Civic Type R has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 171
Average repair cost: £426.14
Last updated: January 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Honda Civic has a very high reliability rating of 80%, according to warranty data provided exclusively to us by our commercial partner, MotorEasy. This score applies to both the Civic and Civic Type R models, from both current and previous generations, which is worth considering if you are considering a used Honda Civic.

Based on more than 170 warranty claims, the average repair cost is about £430 so a used car warranty is well worth considering if you own or are considering an C-Class. The most frequent claimant concern is the braking system, with an average bill of about £150. Engine faults are unsurprisingly the most expensive problems, and are not uncommon in the Civic.

Make sure that any used car warranty you purchase covers all of these problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	34 mpg	D	34 – 34 mpg	D – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	189 g/km	C	189 – 189 g/km	C – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	43	D	43 – 43	D – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£359	C
Year 2	£845	C
Year 3	£1,338	C
Year 4	£1,563	C
Year 5	£2,173	C
Overall	£6,278	C

The Honda Civic Type R is fairly expensive to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Only available with a petrol powertrain, the Type R’s fuel economy is lower than average, which raises costs if you plan to use the car daily. That said, this is to be expected when you look to buy a performance car. Insurance premiums are more expensive than the standard Civic and service costs hover around the market average.