Inside the Honda Civic Type R's cabin, the design closely resembles the standard model but introduces distinctive features. These include a digital dial setup with mode-dependent changes and F1-style gear shift lights, along with Type R-specific elements, such as a teardrop metal gear knob, build number badge and +R drive mode button.
Faux suede accents on the steering wheel, gear gater and all-red sport seats, complemented by red trim and ambient lighting, enhance the interior aesthetics.
The front seats are finished in high-grip suede-like upholstery, while the rear seats have a contrasting black finish with red stitching. The interior carpet trim matches the red theme, reminiscent of previous Type R models.
While the rear seat bench sacrifices a central seat for two cupholders, potentially limiting practicality, the remaining outer seats offer better support. Although lacking backseat pockets, door bins remain, contributing to overall convenience.
The driver's position in the Type R is 8mm lower compared with the previous model and the latest 11th-generation Civic. The front sports seats, designed for lightweight, securely hold the driver at the waist, providing an immersive cockpit experience with a reduced hip-point from the ground.
Forward visibility is good, with clear sight lines to the front corners of the bonnet. Blind spots around the base of the A-pillars and side mirrors have been minimized to enhance safety. Reflective elements in the driver's line of sight have been reduced to minimize distraction and rear visibility is improved by the new rear wing design.
The serial plate is now positioned on the dashboard, emphasizing the exclusivity of the Type R experience. Finishing touches include an aluminum console and a polarized gunmetal air vent outlet surround.
In terms of storage, the model incorporates decent-sized door bins, cupholders and an unchanged glovebox. The center console includes smartphone charging and a wireless charging pad.
The trunk provides 410 liters (14.47 cubic feet) of cargo space in a square shape. Folding seats provide 1,212 liters or 42.8 cubic feet.
The Type R features the same 9.0-inch touchscreen as the base Civic, offering responsive navigation and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The standard all-digital meter display has been enhanced, maintaining a clean, simple dual-meter display for Comfort and Sport drive modes. Switching to +R mode activates a bespoke graphic set, providing key information for focused track driving. The newly introduced Individual mode allows users to customize their preferred display layout.
A performance data logger, known as Honda Log R 2.0, combines the Type R’s onboard computer and sensors with a smartphone app to help drivers monitor and record various performance parameters. It also helps improve their driving skills using a driving-smoothness algorithm.
Various accessories and packs are available, including the Carbon Pack with hand-made carbon trims and the Illumination Pack Red for added ambiance. Individual accessories range from protective body covers to carbon wing spoilers, allowing drivers to tailor their Type R to their preferences.
Equipped with several advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies as part of its Honda Sensing suite, the Civic Type R ensures safety with features, such as collision-mitigation warning, lane-departure warning, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assistance, blind spot information, cross traffic monitor and a multi-angle rearview camera. For example, the collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) combines a camera and radar technology, operating over an expanded range for high- and low-speed braking, bringing the car to a standstill if required. Using both camera and radar, the CMBS can detect vehicles from further in the distance and their closing rate between the car and the vehicle directly in front of it.
On the road, the Type R maintains urban ease but with sportier adjustments. The ride can feel harsher, steering heavier, and parking slightly challenging. Comfort mode is preferable for everyday use. The six-speed manual gearbox shift is very precise, with Honda's engineers eliminating any remaining slack, resulting in more positive and engaging movements between ratios. The limited-slip diff on the front axle enhances these qualities.
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