Honda Civic Type R review (2015-2017) - the hottest front wheel drive hot hatch? - Design
Honda's new super-hatch outguns rivals on paper, but edgy +R damping means UK drivers can't exploit its most extreme settings
The Civic Type R was based on the previous Civic five-door model. No three-door was available, which may be offputting for some given every previous Civic R has been three-door only – though this does follow the general market trend.
Not that you’ll confuse the Type R for a common-or-garden diesel variant. Honda’s bodywork alterations have given it more presence than any other car in its class, though whether you consider this a positive thing depends on whether you like your hatch to shout about its abilities.
The diplomatic way of describing the Honda’s styling is that it’s the polar opposite of the sober-suited Golf R. The front splitter is deep and jutting, the rear wing and diffuser enormous, and even the smaller details – vents in the front wings, the quad tailpipes – shout loud the Civic’s intentions.
