Page 82 - Motor Trend (April 2020)
P. 82
MT GARAGE
I LOVED MY YEAR IN THE
CIVIC TYPE R SO MUCH
THAT I ASKED HONDA IF I
COULD BUY IT. THIS CAR
LITERALLY DOES IT ALL.
Verdict: 2018 Honda Civic Type R
“The record-setting SPECS Options None wind noise is surprisingly low and widely
Honda Civic Type R Problem Areas None
might have set a Maintenance Cost $147 (2-oil change, dispersed at highway speeds. Riding on
new retained-value inspection) Normal-Wear Cost $1,602 20-inch wheels but three-way adjust-
record, as well. It’s (4 new tires, rear brake pads) 3-Year able dampers, the compact Civic hatch’s
definitely been a Residual Value* $30,900 (87%) ride is remarkably compliant and quiet,
year well spent.” Recalls None even in Sport or R mode and especially
Chris Walton after switching tires. However, the CTR’s
*IntelliChoice data; assumes 42,000 miles
Base price $35,595 As tested $35,595 245/30R20 tire sidewalls are less than
at the end of three years
3 inches tall and abhor sharp impacts. I
Service life: 12 mo/20,100 mi
stock FWD car will beat it in a straight even bent a front wheel on a sewer cover.
Avg Econ/CO2 24.0 mpg/0.81 lb/mi
line, on our figure-eight course, or around Beyond the supple ride, the cloth/
o I have to give it back? Seriously, any number of racetracks, including the Alcantara front seats are perhaps the
D do I? When I started this yearlong infamous Nordschleife “Green Hell” best seats I’ve ever enjoyed, and I drive
evaluation, I wondered what it circuit. Nothing will stop or corner with about 200 cars a year. So supportive and
would be like to live with the best hot as much tenacity. We wish there were a bolstered are they that a friend with back
hatch in decades. Now, I’m wondering way to launch it harder, so tricking the troubles noticed and said, “I don’t have to
how I’m going to live without the 2018 self-imposed rev limiter from a stand- brace myself for corners. I’ll just sit here
Honda Civic Type R. The CTR, as its fans still nets “only” a 5.4-second sprint with my hands in my lap and enjoy this
call it, proved to be a consummate comfy to 60 mph. At about 14,000 miles, our road with you.” I suffered no uncomfort-
commuter, a maniacal mountain road- friends at Tire Rack replaced the stock able hot spots or fidgeting on long drives.
goer, a multirecord-holding performer, Continental SportContact 6 tires with I expected the tall thigh bolsters to wear,
a frugal road tripper, and a surprisingly a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, and we break down, or discolor from a year’s
spacious and convenient hauler. There ran the tests again. There were small but worth of unavoidable contact, yet they
may not be a more comprehensively satis- measurable improvements in all perfor- still look and feel like new. There were
fying long-term test car extant. It literally mance categories, but more important, no complaints from high school–age rear
does everything. added confidence and comfort. passengers with the exception that the
Let’s get right to the good stuff. The first Comfort is not a quality one would car only holds four people. The climate
Civic Type R (FK8) sold in the States is expect from a very sporty, bewinged four- control system never failed to deliver cool/
simply the best-performing front-drive door hatchback, but the Type R is indeed warm air on demand in temperatures from
production car in history. No at ease with most road surfaces, and 20 to 105 degrees.
Over 20,100 miles, the Civic Type R
consumed 835 gallons of California-spec
91-octane premium unleaded for a total
cost of $3,322. Our tank-by-tank economy
ranged from 12 to 32 mpg depending on
locale and personnel, and our annual
average was 24.0 mpg, nearly matching
the EPA’s 25 mpg combined figure. We
saw self-reported fuel economy as high
as 34 mpg, but the longest single-day trip
82 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020
