2017 Honda Civic Type R Review: First Impressions and Photo Gallery
CARS.COM — The 2017 Honda Civic Type R hatchback, the fastest and loudest Civic, made its East Coast debut quietly and off to the side at the 2017 New York International Auto Show while press conference attention was lavished on two plug-in cars. That’s understandable since the same car has already been unveiled in Europe and made a debut for the West Coast in Los Angeles in March.
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It made a statement nonetheless. In person, the not-so-nice Civic just looks hot. It’s all elbows, aero and vents — though some are decorative — and the wing is high enough that it’s no problem for rear vision, sure to inspire spoiler envy.
Despite the red detailing and configurable electronics, the dash still is a businesslike Civic, but the sports seats are the party inside.
Previously one of those Europeans cars we couldn’t have, the new-generation Type R marks the first time U.S. Honda fans can get tuner-like Civic performance off the shelf. You can catch up on it by the numbers here.
Beyond performance, it seems a bigger and more practical hot hatch than competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf R or Ford Focus RS, but lack of a dual-clutch automatic option or all-wheel drive likely will enforce exclusivity.
