2019 Honda Civic Type-R

The 2019 Civic Type-R is available in a single trim option. A performance-packed trim that offers 306hp VTEC turbocharged engine, performance tires, and quick acceleration. The package includes black and red exterior accents, aerodynamic bumpers, massive dual exhausts, side skirts, and a huge wing spoiler at the rear. Starting at the price of $36,300 Honda has hardly left anything that is a standard offering in the hot-hatch segment.

Trims	Civic Type-R Touring Manual
MSRP (FWD)	$36,300
Key Features	LED headlamps and foglamps
	20-inch alloys with chrome nuts
	Black grille
	Distinct Type-R red accents
	Wing spoiler
	Performance tires
	Sport-tuned suspension
	Carbon fiber interior accents
	Dual-zone air-conditioning
	Suede and cloth trim
	540W 12-speakers premium sound system
	Red brake calipers

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As we have a single trim level, we have to settle with the Type-R Touring Manual. It's not that the package is bad. It's just we have limited options with the Touring Manual. As Touring is the top-end trim of the standard Civic lineup, it offers decent features to keep you engaged. For $36,300, the 2019 Type-R fairs great as compared to the other options in the segment.

The VTEC turbocharged engine from Honda in the Civic Type-R ensures that the performance does not come at the cost of fuel economy. EPA estimate suggests that the 2019 Civic Type-R will return 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and a combined 25 mpg. As compared to the base Civic and considering the power bump, the Type-R has an amazing fuel economy.

Even the manual transmission doesn't come in its way to deliver a fair economy. With its 12.4-gallon fuel tank, the Type-R has a maximum range of 347 miles on the highway from a full tank.

Models	2019 Honda Civic Type-R	2019 Volkswagen Golf R	2019 Subaru WRX STI	2019 Audi S3
MPG City	22	21	17	22
MPG Highway	28	29	22	29
MPG Combined	25	24	19	25
Fuel Capacity (Gallon)	12.4	14.5	15.9	14.5
Range (City/ Highway/ Combined) in miles	273/ 347/ 310	305/ 421/ 348	270/ 350/302	319/ 421/ 362

The Honda Civic Type-R has a similar fuel economy to the Audi S3. The S3 with its S Tronic transmission ensures better mileage on the highway. At the other end, we have the Golf R returning 21 MPG in the city. The Subaru WRX STI offers a bigger tank to compensate for the low efficiency. That said, the 12.4-gallon tank of Type-R won't take you far, still, it is on par with the rivals.

The Honda Civic now offers a modern interior design with premium materials inside. With similar design philosophy as the base Civic, the Type-R gets a unique sporty interior wrapped with suede-like fabric with simulated carbon fiber insert and finished in onyx red. The hatchback is still spacious enough at the front. However, the second-row seating is limited to only 2 people.

We have a driver-focused dashboard layout with everything placed within the reach of the driver. The sliding dashboard is designed with red accents as well to suit the hot-hatch theme. The infotainment is placed at the center with HVAC. The right side AC vents are focused towards the driver. With a digital gauge cluster, you also have a leather steering wheel and an aluminum gear shifter knob.

The Civic Type-R seats four with the front seats being sports seats wrapped in red suede-effect fabric and Type-R logos on the seatbacks. The comfort is limited to 6-way driver and 4-way passenger adjustments. Yet the high bolstered seats are cozy. At the rear, we have a 60-40 split-bench seat with a fold forward seatback. Moreover, we get a sliding center armrest at the front and a fixed armrest at the back.

In terms of convenience features, the Civic Type-R has plenty to offer. It starts with a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, adaptive cruise control with footrest, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear cupholders, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and one touchdown power window. We have decent lighting inside the cabin that comes with a fade-to-off feature.

Models	2019 Honda Civic Type-R	2019 Volkswagen Golf R	2019 Subaru WRX STI	2019 Audi S3
Seating capacity	4	5	5	5
Front row (Headroom/ Shoulder room/ Legroom) in inches	39.3/ 56.9/ 42.3	38.4/ 55.9/ 41.2	39.8/ 55.6/ 43.3	36.5/ 54.8/ 41.2
Rear row (Headroom/ Shoulder room/ Legroom) in inches	37.4/ 55.0/ 35.9	38.1/ 53.9/ 35.6	37.1/ 54.2/ 35.4	36.1/ 53.0/ 35.1
Cargo capacity (Cubic feet)	25.7	22.8	12.0	10.0

With limited 4 person seating, the Honda Civic Type-R seats one passenger less than the rivals. The Type-R offers the maximum passenger volume with sufficient space for everyone. It competes closely with the Subaru WRX STI in terms of front row seating space. You can give it to Honda for its comfortable and high-quality cabin.

When it is about the rear seat, the Golf R is ahead of the Type-R with its greater headroom. Yet the Type-R offers better comfort at the rear as you have better legroom. In terms of cargo space, the hatchback offers 25.7 cubic feet of space. If you fold down the rear seat, you get a maximum of 46.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Highlight Interior features:

• Suede-effect fabric-trimmed seats
• Sports seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Onyx red interior
• Split fold bench seat
• Dual-zone air-conditioning
• Ambient lighting

How intuitive is the car’s infotainment unit?

For your entertainment, you have a 7.0-inch interactive display system powered by HondaLink. The high-resolution display now gets a fresh user interface. It is backed by physical controls alongside. We get connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, audio streaming, etc.

You have a USB port as well for audio and device connectivity. For news and music, there's an HD radio and a SiriusXM subscription as well. The infotainment can be connected to a WiFi hotspot for internet access. For the surround sound experience, you have the 12-speakers premium sound system with a 540W subwoofer.

There's a Honda Satellite-linked navigation system with voice recognition and Honda HD traffic. For the gauge cluster, you have a 7-inch TFT screen with a Driver information interface. The screen displays a digital speedometer, trip computer, vehicle information gauges, and safety alerts. It is customizable through the steering controls.

Highlight Infotainment features:

• HondaLink Display audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android auto
• Bluetooth and USB tethering
• HD radio and SiriusXM subscription
• 12-premium speakers with subwoofer
• Honda Satellite-linked navigation system

Honda has put immense efforts to make the Type-R distinct from a standard Civic hatchback. For that, the 2019 Honda Civic Type-R gets enhanced design lines for aerodynamics, red and black exterior treatment, redesigned Type-R specific bumpers, and a wide body that looks too much for a performance hatchback. Yet the design looks appealing with the red accents.

The aggressive styling of the front fascia is the result of a muscular hood, sleek LED headlamps aligned with the black grille (with a red H badge and Type-R logo). The aerodynamic wide bumper gets massive air ducts with LED fog lamps. From the sides, the Type-R looks wide with those enhanced fenders and side skirts.

The beltline of the Civic Type-R shows how the front door is bigger than the rear door. The boxy rear is designed with huge LED tail lamps and a wing spoiler. The rear bumper also offers ventilation where the one-of-a-kind triple exhausts are placed at the bottom center.

With its massive 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and wide performance summer tires, the Civic Type-R looks both stylish and capable. The red theme of the Type-R even found its place on the brake calipers that peeps through the alloys. With up to 6 color options to choose from, the Civic Type-R has a mesmerizing exterior design.

Models	2019 Honda Civic Type-R	2019 Volkswagen Golf R	2019 Subaru WRX STI	2019 Audi S3
Curb weight (lbs)	3,117	3,300	3,448	3,494
Length (inches)	179.4	168.4	180.9	175.8
Width (inches)	73.9	70.8	70.7	70.7
Height (inches)	56.5	56.5	58.1	54.8
Ground clearance (inches)	5.1	4.8	4.9	5.3
Wheelbase (inches)	106.3	103.5	104.3	103.6

With its new platform, the Honda Civic Type-R is comparatively lighter than its rivals. In terms of length, the hatchback Type-R is closest to the Subaru WRX STI. With its low body stance, it doesn't offer much height, but it is the widest car in the segment courtesy of its body skirts and fenders.

Even after having a low body stance, the Type-R has a good enough ground clearance. The wide wheelbase of the Civic Type-R allows it to deliver a balanced ride and handling. In comparison to the rivals, the Type-R has the most exaggerated exterior design with numerous design lines and accents.

Highlight Exterior features:

• Type-R specific red accents
• Aerodynamic bumpers
• LED headlamps and tail lamps
• Black grille
• Wide wing spoiler
• 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
• Triple exhausts setup

The 2019 Honda Civic Type-R is based on the next-gen advanced compatibility engineering which comprises high-strength steel and aluminum to keep the structure safe at the time of the crash. The crumple zones drive the impact energy away from the cabin. The Civic Type-R hasn’t been crash-tested by the IIHS while the NHTSA has only rated it for the side-impact and rollover test where the Civic Type-R scored a perfect five-star rating. 

Honda has stripped down the available safety features on the Civic Type-R. We are left with electronic brake-force distribution, HondaLink assist automatic emergency braking, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, agile handling assist, and Honda lane watches Blindspot display. Even then the Civic Type-R is fairly safe which is evident by the perfect score in two areas where NHTSA tested it.

Standout Safety features of the 2019 Honda Civic Type-R:

• Electronic brake-force distribution
• HondaLink assist automatic emergency braking
• Honda lane watch Blindspot display
• Agile handling assist
• Brake assistance

2019 Honda Civic Type-R vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf R

These two are the most popular performance hatchbacks in the States. With its capable powertrain, the Honda Civic Type-R boasts better acceleration, performance, handling, and comfort. The Golf R can match the Civic with its similar performance but couldn't do much justice with its simple design where the Type-R is way ahead with its sporty appearance. The Golf R although looks less polarising and offers better infotainment compared to the Civic Type-R. Yet the Civic Type-R will be our choice over it.

2019 Honda Civic Type-R vs 2019 Subaru WRX STI

The Subaru WRX STI is available at a similar price as the Civic Type-R. It boasts slightly better performance with its boxer engine. The Turbocharged VTEC has no match to its linear acceleration. However, the Type-R has a better torque output. In terms of design, the WRX STI is slightly mature than the Civic Type-R. However, The overall package is much better with the Civic as it is a fairly modern design as compared to the aging Subaru.

2019 Honda Civic Type-R vs 2019 Audi S3

The Audi S3 is the only compact in the segment that is capable of taking down the mighty Civic Type-R. The 288hp TFSi with the S Tronic transmission is a perfect match. Moreover, the Audi S3 is technologically advanced than the Civic and it even offers premium interiors and a great fuel economy. When it comes to practicality, it still lacks the finesse of the Civic Type-R and is also quite a bit more expensive.

The 2019 Honda Civic Type-R is the best option you have if you want to own a performance hatchback at a great price. With its turbocharged engine, it drives well. It might not sound like one, but the acceleration says it all. Over the roof kind of styling of the 2019 Civic Type-R makes it stand out as well.

Honda has made minor changes to the Type-R for the 2019 MY. As the exterior package was already perfect, Honda is working towards making the cabin experience better. Honda has also altered the touring package by stripping off certain assistance and safety features. But in the end for $36,300, it is the most powerful and the cheapest performance hatch that you can buy at the moment.