By now everyone knows the dynamic capabilities of the Honda Civic Type R . It's not news to anyone that there are few "all ahead" — in fact I only remember one — as fast as the Civic Type R.
That said, I did what few people did—or did and didn't write. Live with the Honda Civic Type R for a week as if the 50 liters of gasoline in the tank were the last on the face of the earth.
I lived with him, not as if he were a Type R, but a Type… F, family. I achieved? I tried, but he did better than me.
At the wheel of the Honda Civic Type F
As much as I like classics — and you know I do — there's nothing that can beat a modern car. Ferdinand Porsche once said, regarding the Porsche 911, that “the best is always the last”. This could be a universal truth of the automobile industry.
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In "hot hatch" exactly the same happens. As long as we go on—and well! — looking fondly at past generations, the current generation is always better. In the specific case of the Honda Civic Type R, it's not only better sporty, it's better at everything. Even what we weren't expecting.
If you want to buy a Honda Civic Type R and there is some friction in the family so show your “good half” this article. I'm even going to increase the font size in this part of the text to be very explicit:
Surprisingly, the Honda Civic Type R is a very competent family member.
Thanks to electronically adjustable suspensions, it is possible to have a very comfortable ride in the Civic Type R. In Comfort mode it looks like a «normal» car, but when you turn on «R+» mode you know what happens…
Keeping the tune controlled, not even consumption scares. Two 130 km trips, torturing my right foot, allowed me to achieve averages for which I was not prepared: 7.6 l/100 km . I didn't set foot on 'eggs', I just scrupulously adhered to speed limits and didn't pull off traffic lights and toll hauls as if my life depended on it. As simple as that.
Then we have the luggage capacity: 420 l. If your household has no more than two children, it is more than enough for 99% of family travel. As I wrote in the previous lines, it doesn't look like a Type R, it looks like a Type F.
The meat is weak. The Honda Civic Type R does not
If you're thinking about buying a Honda Civic Type R as a family car, it will do whatever it takes. We are the ones who will fail.
The meat is weak. And behind the wheel of the Honda Civic Type R it seems that only the right leg gains strength. As much as we try to avoid it, it will happen.
We hit the empty road, the traffic lights open and we… well we take off like there's no tomorrow — the year 2020 wants to make us believe that there really won't be. The rest of the story you already know. Our body doesn't relax until a few kilometers later. After that curve, after that straight, after that apotheosis that only a true sports car can offer us.
So be warned: the Honda Civic Type R is capable of fulfilling family obligations, but if you're counting on not defaulting — even if you promised your better half — it's going to happen. And thankfully. That's why they bought it.
Fortunately, you no longer have to choose it just for that. The Honda Civic Type R is a car that is a pleasure to drive, whether it's quickly looking for the limit of grip or calmly with the window open.