Honda Civic Type R 2019 Quick Spin

This Honda Civic Type R is the same car we compared against rivals in our hot-hatch comparison from September last year.

Four or five months later the poor old dear is up to over 11,000km, which is a 'dog years' equivalent to 80,000km for any car not frequently driven and abused by motoring journalists.

Yet the Type R feels solid and strong as ever. There's nothing new about this car, but since it's a rare manual we co-opted it into an instructional video, 'How to drive a manual car'.

Since late 2018 the Honda Civic Type R has come up $1000 and now retails at $51,990 before on-road costs.

That is with solid paint. For metallic paint, buyers will pay an extra $575. By the time a buyer adds on-road costs they're eyeing off $60,000, which is a fair whack for a hot hatch, even one as good as the Civic Type R.

In keeping with other Honda models, the Civic Type R is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service intervals are capped at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever occurs sooner.

There are so many facets of the Honda Civic Type R that work in its favour. It's very easy to drive, for one.

We found during the video production that it's practically unstallable, such is the flexible nature of the engine and the low ratio of the six-speed manual box. But the engine is a tiger on the loose, the brakes are stupendous and the cornering power and handling are both quite remarkable.

It's also very well packaged in terms of roominess, ease of access, well-shaped (and comfortable) seats, and the ergonomic efficiency of the infotainment touch screen and simple controls.

The Honda Civic Type R appeals to people who are not permitted to drive it – P-Platers with a zest for practical small cars that go like the clappers.

Others will enjoy the Civic Type R too, and they're not necessarily the fast and furious crowd. As a daily driver the Type R is very user-friendly – simple to drive and roomy in the rear for adults – and it still attracts looks (often reflecting the divided opinions of the onlookers).

Any buyers who love the awe-inspiring engine, the slick gear shift, the outstanding cornering ability and the overall practicality can't help but fall for the Civic Type R.

Like other hot hatches, the Civic Type R is a small car and its sales numbers are mixed in with total sales for all variants of the Honda Civic, no matter how humble. But have you seen a current Civic? It's not what most people would consider 'small'.

In fact, while the now-defunct mid-size Accord Euro is significantly longer, the Type R wheelbase is just 5mm shorter, and the Type R is actually 37mm wider than the older car.

To my mind, the car that comes closest to being a direct rival to the Civic Type R is the Renault Megane RS 280 Cup. But there are also other rivals to the Honda, as we revealed in our recent hot hatch road and track comparisons.

I've never considered myself much of a Honda fan, but the Type R is a car that could definitely win me over. As a matter of fact, it has won me over.

Spending more time with it on roads I know well has convinced me that the Honda is as worthy of consideration for hot-hatch shoppers as the Renault mentioned already or Ford's feisty Focus RS.

How much does the 2019 Honda Civic Type R cost?
Price: $51,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 228kW/400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined); 9.5L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 200g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A