Used 2019 Honda Civic Type-R for sale 

With a vehicle that sits right at the top of its family tree, you don't have many options to fiddle around for sure. The Honda Civic Type-R comes in only one trim level and it has been specced to perfection with performance-based components, like Helical limited-slip differential, Adaptive damper system, and Brembo 4-piston front brake calipers at $36,300.

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There is only one trim and the only one you need. It is the best Civic in the lineup and the perfect investment for enthusiasts.

The Type-R continues into 2019 with the engine revised last year. The turbocharged 2.0L four-banger now makes upwards of 300 horses at a higher rev range and 295 lb-ft at as low as 2500 rpm. And there's the legendary i-VTEC that further makes this motor have dual personalities. The powertrain not only makes the car as much fun like a rollercoaster, but it also delivers some sane driving etiquette within the urban crowd. Following the throttle inputs comes an exhaust note that you'd find hard to match with the power the sedan puts down. On the plus side, the 6-speed manual transmission is probably one of the best you could find.

The Golf R and Audi S3 are seen lagging on the far end of the spectrum since the Civic Type-R boasts some serious power and torque figures and seems it can eat that German sedan for breakfast any day. However, although by a small margin, the Subaru WRX STI leads the power table with its superior 310 hp output. 

Acceleration

Five seconds flat and the sensation that you felt - being pushed into your seats, was the blistering acceleration from 0-60 mph that the Civic Type-R can pull off. Despite being turbocharged there is virtually no sign of turbo-lag and the sedan goes on to complete the quarter-mile stretch at an equally impressing 13.7 seconds.

Again, the Type-R spices things up with its class-leading 5.0-seconds run from 0-60 mph. However, with a shorter proportion and better body to weight ratio, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Audi S3 jointly share the feat of being the quickest in the league here. However, the Civic Type-R is not very far behind either. 

Ride and Handling

The short-throw shifter which slots into the gears seamlessly makes the drive dynamic and complements the razor-sharp handling through the corners. The laser-precise steering directs the car exactly where you want to go, much like the Golf GTI and R.

That's not where the Type R's capabilities end. Put the car into comfort mode and you can enjoy a plush and smooth ride through the city. The car almost seems schizophrenic, triggered by the mode selector, which brings a completely different personality of the car to light.

Braking

To go with the dynamic handling, you need good brakes that scrape away speed as you approach a bend, and Honda has done the Civic Type R justice. The 13.8-inch discs up front and 12-inch at the rear work fabulously, stopping the car from 60 mph to a standstill in less than 100 feet.

As we all know, braking performance is always a reciprocal of overall dynamics and proportions. That being said, with enhanced aerodynamics and the lightest body among its segment, the Civic Type-R simply aces the braking tests. In comparison, heavier competitors like the Golf R, Audi S3, and the Subaru WRX STI need more tarmac to stop in the panic brake test. 

Despite the amazing performance, the Civic Type R does not skip out on being fuel-efficient. The mileage may not be best in the segment, that title goes to the Golf R. However, 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highways are good numbers, to say the least. Especially with such blistering performance on the cards. 

Both the VW offered in competition to the Type R - the Golf R would probably go light on your pockets, with great economy. The Subaru WRX STI on the flipside shows its Achilles heel, numbers as low as 17 mpg in the city and a mere 22 on the highways, as expected from its 2.5L Boxer engine.

The cabin of the Type-R is comfortable and plush, yet provides support and stability, treading the fine line between a sports car and a daily driver. The rear legroom is the best among the competitors, giving the Subaru WRX a tough time in terms of practicality. The interior, however, is as flashy as its exterior, as Honda has gone overboard with the cabin draped in racy materials and a sea of red stitching and accents.

While the interior layout is not something very different from the normal Civic, the suede and cloth trimmed bucket sports seats with contrast stitching really add up to its vibe. The seats are wide and comfortable and enhanced bolstering keeps you hugged around fast corners. 

The rear seats are accommodating for up to three adults, and yes even the middle seat feels not too bad. In contrast, the tiny Golf hatchback is not as roomy as the STI or the Type R. The S3 sedan is another great competition to look out for, with an amazing cabin, focussed slightly more on luxury than sportiness.

Infotainment System

The 7-inch infotainment has gotten an upgrade for better usability that enhances your user experience as a driver. The user interface is clean and simple and fiddling through the menus while driving is a fairly easy task. However, the screen is surely not the sharpest out there. Thankfully, for connectivity needs, the Civic Type-R comes loaded with Apple Carplay, Android Auto, HondaLink, 5-USB ports, Bluetooth, and a 12-speaker audio system.

The best part of all is the easy placement of everything for easy access to the driver. The volume controls now get a knob, rather than navigating through the infotainment to find the touch controls. The same goes for the climate controls and the electronic parking brake. The steering controls have also been revised slightly, to reduce any distractions while driving.

Cargo Capacity

The Civic Type R is the class leader in this comparison. The hatchback has a whopping 26 cubic feet of cargo volume at the back, which extends to 46 once you fold down the rear seats. The loading and unloading height is pretty low, so it won't hurt your back doing so.

Among the rivals, the Civic Type-R is surely the most practical thing. However, the Golf R does have competitive luggage space, but the tiny hatches can't match the numbers of the Honda. Despite being sedans, the WRX STI and the S3 have despicably small trunks at the rear and even the rear seats don't fold down.

The hyper-stylish Type R looks more like a spaceship from Star Trek than a normal car. Its design ties in quite well with the front splitter, hood scoop, side skirts, triple rear exhausts, and the massive rear spoiler; except for the fake vents - those are inexcusable. For 2019 the only change on the outside is a new exterior color.

Although the Civic Type R classifies as a hatch, it's almost as long as the WRX STI sedan. The wide and low posture not only keeps it planted to the ground but also gives it a hunkered-down stance. The Golf R is significantly shorter than the Civic, which gives it an advantage in maneuvering and parking in tight spaces.

Now that it's been established that the Civic Type R is the perfect all-rounder, combining performance with comfort and practicality. A closer look at the safety features shows how meticulously Honda has planned out the safety and assistance features to keep you and your family safe inside the hatchback. The official ratings from both the NHTSA and the IIHS are not available for the Type-R specifically but the regular Civic aced all the crash tests from both the organizations and scored a perfect 5-star rating from the NHTSA and secured an overall Good rating from the IIHS as well.

The standard safety features are as listed:

• VSA Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Rear Child Safety Locks
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Height Adjusters and Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera

Honda Civic Type R vs Subaru WRX STI

The Subaru has given the WRX STI a 2.5L boxer engine which surpasses the Honda in terms of power and throttle response. The driving dynamics make the Subie a thoroughbred rally car, but there is no escaping the stiffened suspension that it comes with, unlike the Civic Type R, where you can flick a switch, choose comfort mode, and cruise along comfortably.

On the practicality front, the Honda has more than twice the volume for luggage as the WRX STI. Additionally, you'd find not just better tech, but also upscale materials in the Type R cabin. So, unless you're obsessed with Baby Driver, the Type-R is the obvious choice here.

Honda Civic Type R vs Audi S3

The four-ringer from Germany is well-known for making high-tech, high-performance luxury sedans which makes a great cruiser, but look out of place on the racetrack. The Audi is rich on the tech end, coming with 12.3-inch infotainment compared to the 7-inch on the Type R.

From the aesthetics point of view, the S3 seems quite tamed in comparison to the Civic Type-R, but it may not be a bad thing, since the extravagant styling on both the exterior and the interior are an acquired taste and nowhere near the word subtle. The cargo bay in the S3 is tiny, with 10 cubic feet on offer, compared to 26 in the Honda.If over-the-top styling is not your cup of tea and you'd rather have the german excellence, you'd be perfectly content choosing the S3 sedan.

The 2019 Civic Type-R is an all-rounder, you can't go wrong choosing this hot hatch. You'd relish every single twist and turn on the road, pulling away from stoplights quickly will be bliss and even mundane grocery runs will be enjoyable. The only thing that could disappoint you could be the lack of an exhaust note, but you could solve it by either blasting music or getting an aftermarket Akrapovic. The cabin is roomy for your family and friends, while the trunk is good enough for all their luggage. The styling may be over the top, but it's the perfect representation of the performance you'd get.