Auto Express – July 30, 2019

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk SpecialIssue 79

Our currentking of the hothatch hillisacracker,

but can it see offthe challenge of the Mégane?

THEREaretwoversionsoftheCivicTypeR:thebasemodelandthe
GTwe’retestinghere,althoughbothgetthesamepowertrain.This
versionhassat-nav,climatecontrol,areversingcameraandblind-spot
monitoring.Bothcarsgetthemostimportantkit:adaptivedampers,
alimited-slipdifferentialanda316bhp2.0-litreturbopetrolmotor.
ThesefeaturesarewhatmaketheTypeRgreat–it’samultipleAuto
ExpressNewCarAwardwinnerinthehothatchcategory,soisatough
rivalfortheMéganeR.S.tobeat.At£33,550,it’sabitmoreexpensive
thanitsrival,yettheHondacomeswithmorestandardequipment.
You’dneedtoaddacoupleofoptionsontheMéganeR.S.tomatchit.

FORANDAGAINST

For:Sharp handling, powerful engine, incredible

damping thatgives Civic abroad spread of ability

Against:Poor infotainment, interior

quality could be higher,divisivelooks

WHATWELOVE

HondaCivic

TypeRGT

Price:£33,550

Engine:2.0-litre4cylpetrol

Power/torque:316bhp/400Nm

Transmission:Six-speedmanual,front-wheeldrive

0-60mph/topspeed:5.9seconds/169mph

Testeconomy:31.2mpg

CO 2 /tax:178g/km/£145

Options:Metallicpaint(£525)

Honda

Civic Type R

FIGURES

Handling

The Civic Type Rhas an incredible

chassis set-up thatdeliverslots

of grip and poise, even on testing

road surfaces.It’sajoy to drive Length/wheelbase:4,557/2,699mm

Height/width:1,434/1,877mm

Boot(seatsup/down):420/1,209litres

RenaultMéganeR.S.vsHondaCivicTypeR ROADTESTS