Honda Civic Type R - long-term review

Some cars feel right within 100 metres. The polish of their controls, the way suspension perfectly deals with the surface beneath and the accuracy of their steering makes all seem right with the world almost immediately.

Our new Civic Type-R goes one better. Forget the 100 metre test, the Type-R feels right as soon as you drop into the bright red driver’s seat and clasp the cool-to-the-touch aluminium shifter for the six-speed ‘box. Something about the driving position and the simplicity of it all says instinctively that you’re in for a very good time.

Of course, we already know the Type-R is brilliant. It destroyed the ‘competition’ in our recent hot hatch test and really goes beyond the usual brief. It feels like a ground-up sportscar rather than a hatchback with some killer bits thrown into the mix. So, this long term test is really intended to discover if that pure sportscar feel gets wearing in every day use.

The ride is pretty tough. The manual ‘box is a thing of beauty but will we be craving a dual-clutch after a stint on the M25? Especially with the new for this generation lighter flywheel that gives even greater engine response but might make trundling to the shops a little bit lumpy.

My guess, right now, is that the Type-R’s purity won’t hurt its daily appeal at all. So many cars seem to mistake ‘breadth of ability’ with an across the board averageness that the Honda’s determination to be sharp, agile and exciting creates a sense of occasion that far outweighs any compromises.

So far, aside from the fact I can’t turn off the speed limit warning chime, I’m loving pretty much everything about this thing. And in Racing Blue Pearl (the only extra at £700) it looks stunning.