2021 Honda Civic Type R: Expectations and what we know so far

Updated Oct 13, 2021 | Same topic: Car Sneak Peeks, Teasers, & Rumors

We might get the facelifted Honda Civic Type R.

2021 Honda Civic Type R: What we know so far

When the current FK8 Honda Civic Type R was released back in 2017, many car enthusiasts and Honda fans were hyped up. Ecstatic even. Why? Well, the release of the new Honda Civic Type R signified that Honda is not done with performance cars, which provides what enthusiasts want.

2020 Honda Civic Type R Introduction Video

But while the model in question is indeed a mechanical marvel, its exterior design was divisive especially with regards to the large wing. There were also reports that the outgoing model suffered overheating during race track runs. And moreover, many of its users said that “it was too quiet.”

A picture of the rear of the Honda Civic Type R Sport Line

The Civic Type R Sport Line's rear end. Note the smaller wing

Honda listened to this a bit and thus gave the Civic Type R a facelift last year. Apart from having better airflow for the engine, it comes with a new look, and there’s even a version with a smaller wing called the Type R Sport Line.

The Philippines however, is yet to receive the facelifted Civic Type R. If we went with our gut feeling, however, there might be a chance for the local market to get it. Before that though, the current PH-spec Civic Type R will be carried over for the model year 2021. So, what can we expect from it this year?

A picture of the pre-facelift Honda Civic Type R

The pre-facelift Honda Civic Type R FK8

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Exterior

When it comes to the facelifted Civic Type R, the changes are a bit subtle. The front and rear end now come with a revised mesh design, and the body-colored blades upfront look slightly different. Then there’s the Civic Type R Sport Line, which ditched the huge wing, in favor of a smaller one.

A picture of the facelifted Honda Civic Type R.

The facelifted Honda Civic Type R

As for the current PH-spec model, all of its exterior elements will be carried over for 2021. In other words, we cannot expect any changes until the facelifted FK8 gets here.

>>> Related: Rumor: Next Honda Civic Type R to get 400 hp via hybrid powertrain?

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Interior

Inside, the new FK8 Civic Type R now sports a shifter boot made out of suede. The knob was also replaced with a polished cap, which is reminiscent of the shifter found on the Integra Type R, and the Honda S2000.

A picture of the Honda Civic Type R's shifter

The facelifted Civic Type R's shifter

As for the rest of the interior, not much has changed in terms of design. Do note however that Honda has tweaked the model’s Active Sound Control to provide more sound. They did this by allowing the system to remain active on all three drive modes, with the +R mode being the loudest.

But yes, this system is still an “engine sound enhancer,” which still uses speakers to appease enthusiasts. Many of us, especially the purists, sort of dislike it. But then again, it's what we have when it comes to the facelifted Civic Type R’s engine sound, well, apart from attempting to give the car a straight pipe exhaust.

A picture of the interior of the facelifted Honda Civic Type R

The facelift's interior still features a black and red color scheme

Apart from those improvements, Honda also gave the facelifted model the LogR. It is a data-logging application, which displays important car info like water and oil temperature, lap timer, among others. This is transferable to your smartphone via the Civic Type R’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto features, and it can be referred to anytime you want.

>>> Related: Next-gen Honda Civic coming in 2021

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Engine and Performance

To address the present, but arguably isolated cases of overheating, Honda made the facelifted Civic Type R’s grille opening a bit larger. Downforce was also improved by the new grille, and the active suspension software is now more attentive to provide dampening. The rear portions of the suspension system were also improved with better ball joints, and better bushings. According to Honda, these improvements resulted in better cornering, as well as a better ride overall.

A picture of the Civic Type R's engine

The facelifted Honda Civic Type R uses the same K20C1 inline-4 turbo engine

Regarding the Civic Type R’s powerplant, no improvements were made, and the said turbocharged inline-4 gasoline mill can still make up to 306 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. Of course, the Civic Type R gets a five-speed manual.

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Safety

With the facelift, the Japanese automaker also packed in the latest Honda Sensing as a standard kit. This of course includes potentially useful features like a collision mitigation braking system, collision warning systems, road departure mitigation, among others.

Currently, the PH-spec Civic Type R already comes with three airbags, speed-sensing door locks, stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, hill-start assist, auto-dimming rearview mirror, etc.

>>> Related: Honda Sedan models available in the Philippines: Specs, price and brief review

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Final Thoughts

For most current Honda Civic Type R owners, you’ve probably never heard of that overheating issue at all. Not all have the time to go to the race track especially in this day and age, and most will have used their beloved Type Rs as a weekend cruiser and/or a daily instead.

Well, maybe save for those driving their Civic Type Rs on public roads as if they’re on the race track. In which case, that’s on you. Our point is, many are already content with the Civic Type R’s pre-facelift version and will instead prefer to mod their cars instead.

A Picture of the Honda Civic Type R pre-facelift version on the racetrack

The Civic Type R FK8, regardless of version, can be fun to drive and be a comfortable daily driver

If you’re the type who’s very serious about performance, however, you might be drooling over the facelifted version right now. It handles better, and will definitely outpace the pre-facelift Type R on a track. Then of course there’s the new Honda Sensing suite, which will provide more peace of mind for you and your family.

What about the Civic Type R Sport Line? Well, it isn’t that different from the standard facelifted Civic Type R. As such, we can hope right now that Honda PH introduces the smaller wing as an optional package instead of a whole new variant. Do note that as with any speculative article, take what we’ve said so far with a grain of salt.

A Picture of the Civic Type R Sport Line variant

The front end of the Honda Civic Type R Sport Line

2021 Honda Civic Type R: Expected Price

The current PH-spec Honda Civic Type R is currently priced at Php 3,180,000. If Honda PH decided to introduce the facelifted Civic Type R, expect that price to go up. Also, there’s the new DTI safeguard tax to consider when it comes to local car prices.

For more articles like this, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.

Know more about Honda Civic Type R 2024

Honda Civic Type R

The 2025 Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance, compact, five-seater, front-wheel-drive liftback. In the Philippine market, it carries a standard retail price of Php 3,870,000.  

Under the hood of the Civic Type R is a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline turbocharged engine that can make up to 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. The said engine is then paired with a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching. 

Size-wise, the latest version of the Civic Type R is 4,593mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,407mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,735mm and a ground clearance of 123mm. 

Locally, the Honda Civic Type R competes against the Subaru WRX, Dodge Charger, Lexus ES, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA, among others.  

>>> New and used Honda Civic Type R 2025 for sale in the Philippines

Honda Civic Type R Launch

The sixth-generation 2023 Honda Civic Type R was initially introduced in July 2022. It then saw an initial release in its home country of Japan. It then reached the Philippine market in January 2023, where it retails at Php 3.880 million. It is sold in limited numbers locally.  

Honda Civic Type R exterior

Honda Civic Type R Exterior

The all-new Honda Civic Type R comes with a number of exterior features that make it a potent performer on the track and the road. For the former, it gets a set of functional vents, a honeycomb grille, wider fenders, and a rear wing. The rear also gets a triple-tip exhaust, as well as a Type R rear diffuser.

Lighting for the Civic Type R includes automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, LED side turn signal lights, and power-adjustable and power-folding side mirrors, among others.  

Honda Civic Type R front

Honda Civic Type R side end

Honda Civic Type R rear

Honda Civic Type R taillights

Honda Civic Type R wheel

Honda Civic Type R spoiler

Honda Civic Type R Interior

Inside the Civic Type R are red bucket seats which come with red Honda badges, and red floor mats. Up to five can be seated, and all are kept cool by an automatic air-conditioning system.  

The driver then gets a push-to-start button with smart entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and a tilt & telescopic steering column, among others. 

Honda Civic Type R interior

Honda Civic Type R seats

Technology & Safety Features

The highlight of the Civic Type R’s on-board tech is the Honda LogR. This is the car’s datalogger which records one’s performance on the track. It keeps tabs on a driver’s lap time and other relevant driving data.  

Safety-wise, the Civic Type R is also comprehensive. Present on the said model is the Honda Sensing driver assist system which includes adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, and automatic high beams.  

Keep everyone entertained aboard the Civic Type R a nine-inch touchscreen headunit with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has Bluetooth and USB connectivity. A wireless smartphone charger is also available.  

Platform & Chassis

The 2025 Honda Civic Type R uses a front-wheel-drive, front-engine layout. Up front is a dual-axis strut suspension system, while the rear uses a multi-link suspension. Braking is then handled by Brembo 350mm ventilated disc brakes for the front, and 305mm disc brakes for the rear. It also gets an electronic parking brake with an auto brake hold.  

Engine & Drivetrain

Under the hood of the Honda Civic Type R is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine. Power is sent to its front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox that comes with a built-in rev-matching system. 

Honda Civic Type R engine

At the maximum, this engine can make up to 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. Managing that power are four drive modes. There’s Comfort, Individual, Sport, and +R.  

There are only two available colors for the Philippine-spec 2025 Honda Civic Type R. There’s the Civic Type R’s signature Championship White, and the other is Racing Blue.  

The Honda Civic Type R is officially the most powerful front-wheel-drive liftback/hatch in the Philippine market. So in that niche, it is unmatched. That said, it is also on-par with a number of coupes and sedans in the local scene when it comes to track performance. This Honda, however, has an edge over plenty of other sports cars as it has a roomy interior that’s still practical for daily use.

Honda Civic Type R 2025 Price List

Variant Price
Honda Civic Type R 2.0 MT Turbo ₱3,870,000

Honda Civic Type R Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Attractive, yet subtle styling 

  • Roomy for a performance model 

  • One of the fastest, most powerful FWD models available 

  • Abundance of on-board tech 

  • Powerful engine 

  • One of the few performance models that come with a manual gearbox

Cons

  • Sold in limited numbers

Honda Civic Type R FAQs

1. How much does a Honda Civic Type R cost?

In the Philippines, the price of Honda Civic is priced at P3,870,000 with only one model available.

2. Is the Honda Civic Type R fuel efficient?

 The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance sports car, and as such, it prioritizes performance over fuel efficiency. The EPA rates the Honda Civic Type R at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

3. What makes the Civic Type R so fast?

The Civic Type R is fast due to its turbocharged engine and lightweight chassis.

4. What does Type R stand for?

The "Type R" badge on Honda vehicles stands for "Type Racing." It is a high-performance variant of certain Honda models that are designed and engineered for racing and performance enthusiasts.

5. Does Type R have VTEC?

Yes, the Honda Civic Type R is equipped with Honda's VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology.

₱ 3,880,000

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Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

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