Long regarded as unattainable in the U.S., the Honda Civic Type R finally made its officially sanctioned debut stateside in the 2017 model year. Since its arrival, it has earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after cars for driving enthusiasts, offering a remarkable balance of performance and everyday usability.
The current-generation Civic Type R launched in 2023, sporting a more understated design and pared-down aerodynamic elements. However, its 315-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission quickly overshadowed those changes.
While all three contenders inch close to the $50,000 mark, the Civic Type R justifies its price with its specialized performance upgrades. When compared to the cost of outfitting a standard Civic with similar high-performance hardware, the Type R starts to feel like a bargain hiding in plain sight.
Performance and Fuel Economy
Honda is expected to equip the 2025 Civic Type R with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip differential, and front-wheel drive. The EPA-rated fuel economy for the 2024 model stands at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, figures likely to carry over for 2025.
The 2025 Civic Type R’s acceleration should remain consistent with the 2023 model, which reached 60 mph in 5.3 seconds during testing. In the quarter-mile, it clocked 13.9 seconds at 104.2 mph.
Advanced Suspension Technology
The 2025 Civic Type R is anticipated to retain its signature suspension setup. Up front, the dual-axis strut design minimizes torque steer, while a multilink system manages the rear. Adaptive dampers, which adjust to driver preferences, are standard at all four corners.
The Comfort, Sport, and +R driving modes each feature unique damping calibrations, ranging from soft and compliant in Comfort to track-focused rigidity in +R. An Individual mode allows drivers to mix and match settings, offering up to 486 combinations for personalized performance.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Honda is expected to continue equipping the 2025 Civic Type R with its Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features should include lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.
Additional tech includes traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. In testing, Honda’s safety features demonstrated reliability, with the Civic Type R accurately tracking vehicles ahead and maintaining lane position. A digital instrument cluster displays useful visuals, such as the location of the lead vehicle and lane markers.
Technology Features
The 2025 Civic Type R is expected to offer the same connectivity features as the previous model. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with a wireless charging pad. Although the screen size isn’t the largest in its class, Honda’s infotainment system is intuitive and responsive.
Other tech highlights include a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 12-speaker Bose sound system with speed-sensitive volume adjustment. The Civic Type R also features Honda’s LogR data recorder, which tracks performance metrics, lap times, and even driver input scores for a comprehensive driving analysis.
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