The new Honda Civic Type R has more power than its predecessor, looks better, and is even more track-focused. However, it isn’t any quicker in a straight line.
Motor Trend recently got its hands on the punchy Japanese hot hatch and put it through its paces. It was able to record a best 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 5.3 seconds, on par with the 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition that the publication previously tested.
Read: 2023 Honda Civic Type R Offers 325 HP For £46,995 In The UK
Of course, this could simply be because of the difficulty of launching powerful front-wheel drive cars consistently, right? With an extra 9 hp and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) of torque, the 2023 Civic Type R should be a hair quicker once the speeds start to build. At least in theory. In reality, it’s not.
Slower Than The Outgoing LE
During quarter-mile testing, the magazine recorded a time of 13.9 seconds at 104.2 mph (167.8 km/h). That is 0.2 seconds and 3.6 mph (5.7 km/h) slower than the Civic Type R Limited Edition but is slightly quicker than the standard 2017 Civic Type R that posted a time of 14.0 seconds at 102.5 mph (164.9 km/h).
These times put the new Civic Type R roughly on par with its rivals. For example, MT has hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with the Elantra N DCT and run the quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds. The publication has also tested the Toyota GR Corolla’s 0-60 mph time at 5.4 seconds.
There are other performance metrics where the new Civic Type R shines. Hit the brakes at 60 mph and you can stop in 104 feet with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, 5 feet less than a VW Golf R and 6 feet less than a GR Corolla. It also pulled 1.03 g through Motor Trend’s skid pad, 0.09 g more than the Golf R and GR Corolla and matching the Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0. It was also quicker than the VW and Toyota around a figure-eight lap.
