Version review

Honda Civic Type R 1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport 5dr Review

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Naturally, with 180bhp, the 1.5 VTEC Turbo is even quicker than the 1.0 VTEC Turbo (0-62mph takes 8.2sec) and it has more low-down shove. However, it's available only in the Sport trim and doesn’t actually feel dramatically quicker on the road until you really rev it out. It will officially return an average of 46.3mpg, which is competitive with a Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI Evo 150. 

1.5 VTEC Turbo

Hatchback

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

CIVIC

Sport trim is the only trim that's available with the 1.5 VTEC Turbo engine. It is based on the SR trim but adds red seat stitching, a rear spoiler and diffuser plus black 17in alloy wheels. 

Sport

1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport 5dr

15-vtec-turbo-sport-5dr

Electric front/rear windows/one touch operation

Bluetooth hands free telephone connection

Driver and front passenger seat electric lumbar adjustment

The entry-level Type R is well equipped, with single-zone climate control, four electric windows, a DAB radio, a rear parking camera, automatic headlights and wipers, keyless entry, adaptive cruise control, adaptive suspension, privacy glass, 20in alloy wheels, traffic sign recognition and a 7.0in touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto.

Type R

Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic Type R offers awesome performance and supreme handling. In fact, it is right up there with the very best hot hatches on sale, including the equally brilliant Toyota GR Yaris, and feels just at home on the track as it does on the road. That's not something that can be said of its less dynamically accomplished rivals, like the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI. Yet the Type R is also a practical and comfortable everyday car, which is why it's such a consummate all-round package. 

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

The Golf GTI remains one of the best hot hatches on the market, along with its main competitor,&nbsp;the&nbsp;equally as responsive and cheaper to buy Hyundai i30 N. But there are some terrific options for even less money than both of these cars. We're big fans of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is definitely one of the best hot hatches ever and certainly one of the most fun to drive. It's full of character and its engaging handling makes it a bit of a hoot at all speeds.&nbsp;

If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, there are even faster cars available, such as the Honda Civic Type R. This latest version is sublime to drive, either on road or on a track, as it's so sweetly balanced. It's also incredibly quick in a straight line&nbsp;and round a corner, and yet it's as practical as a regular Civic.&nbsp;

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Honda Civic Type R 1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport 5dr Review

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46.3

420

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137

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