Cargazing
By Derek Price
I believe in buying cars that do one thing exceptionally well.
That’s why I’d rather have a Jeep Wrangler for off-roading, a Mazda Miata for fun on the weekends and a big, comfy crossover for boring family trips. They all have their place, and trying to mix those disparate jobs into one fun, capable, practical vehicle requires compromises I’d prefer not to make.
If I had to drive just one car for the rest of my life, though, this is the one I’d pick.
It’s the Honda Civic Type R, and it’s so good at so many different things that I’m convinced every driveway in America ought to have one.
Why? Let’s start with the boring stuff.
It’s a Civic, one of the most reliable nameplates ever built. While the Type R is quite different from the commuter-car Civic, it shares the same ultra-reliable bones and engineering prowess that results in a reputation for bulletproof drivetrains.
It’s also easy to buy.
There’s only one trim level available, the well-equipped Touring that includes all the driving assistance features and tech you could ask for in a 2020 car, priced around $37,000. That’s a lot for a Civic, sure, but it’s also a screaming bargain for the performance you get.
The Honda Civic Type R is equipped with a 306-horsepower engine, but the power is only part of its appeal. Its brakes, transmission and suspension work in concert for supercar-like instant response to the driver’s wishes.
You can add carbon fiber trim for around $3,500 and red interior lights for an extra grand if you enjoy burning money, but the base Type R is all you need to get the thrills.
And oh, what thrills this car delivers.
This is, hands down, the most exciting car I’ve ever driven in this under-$40,000 price class. There are faster and more exhilarating cars out there, but most of them cost over $100,000. That’s how much the Type R stands out.
Everything about it seems designed to make the hair on your skin stand on end. The whine of its turbocharger sounds otherworldly as it winds up to 6,500 RPM, the point at which it generates an explosive 306 horsepower.
It’s not just about raw power, either, although 306 horses in a lightweight car like the Civic borders on insanity.
Instead, driving the Type R is all about instant control. There doesn’t seem to be a single nanosecond of lag between the time you give it input — from the throttle, steering or brakes — and when the car responds as you intended.
It’s always eager, always communicating by tickling your ears and fingertips with real-time feedback.
It’s only available with a six-speed manual transmission, just as God intended in cars like this. It’s a good thing, too, because the clutch and shift action in this car are spot-on perfect.
In corners, the Type R generates such enormous grip from its sticky summer tires that it feels as if it has all-wheel drive. It doesn’t. I had to look it up on Honda’s website to be certain.
The Type R’s seats provide ample side support, important in a car that can generate ample lateral grip.
Although it only sends power to the front tires, the cornering is so predictable and awe-inspiring that its sideways grip feels endless. You can’t begin to push the limits of its performance on public streets, at least not legally or safely.
All that adds up to make me lust after this car, yet it still has one more ace up its sleeve: a back seat. With four doors and a practical cabin, even my “boring dad” side gets exactly what it wants in this souped-up Civic.
It has several noteworthy changes for this year, including standard Honda Sensing safety equipment and a built-in app for logging performance data, perfect for the many Type R owners who spend time on the track.
Performance upgrades for 2020 include two-piece brake rotors that are more resistant to fading when pushed hard, a faster response time from its adaptive suspension dampers and improved airflow to cool the engine.
In many ways, the Civic Type R makes no logical sense. It’s an overpowered commuter car with superhuman reflexes and bizarre styling.
At its core, though, it’s still a Honda Civic, which makes it the most exciting car I’ve ever driven that still has some semblance of rationality.
At A Glance
What was tested? 2020 Honda Civic Type R Touring ($36,995). Options: None. Price as tested (including $955 destination charge): $37,950
Wheelbase: 106.3 in.
Length: 174.9 in.
Width: 73.9 in.
Height: 56.5 in.
Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder (306 hp, 295 lbs.-ft.)
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel economy: 22 city, 28 highway
RATINGS
Style: 7
Performance: 10
Price: 10
Handling: 10
Ride: 6
Comfort: 4
Quality: 9
Overall: 10
Why buy it?
It’s one of the most remarkable road machines for sale today. It’s thrilling to drive, with awe-inspiring speed and an instantaneous response to driving inputs.