There’s quite an old-school flavour to the Sports & Performance segment this year… and we’re pretty happy about that. It won’t be too long before this class is completely populated by EVs and we have no doubt that those vehicles will be brilliantly rewarding to drive.
But for now we’re also revelling in the last generation of internal combustion, manual-transmission pure driving machines. And there have been none better than the Honda Civic Type R this year.
The latest Civic has really upped its game in terms of quality and driving dynamics generally. But Honda really threw everything it had at the new FL5 Type R version. It’s a little longer, but also wider and quite a bit lower. The wheels have gone down a size (to 19in), but the rubber is also now even wider.
Previous models have been brilliant too, but this one is so much more bespoke: everything forward of the A-pillars is now unique to the Type R, for example, and the crisp 2.0-litre turbo engine has been thoroughly finessed for this new model.
We’ve driven this car on road and track in NZ, and what’s so remarkable is how Honda has quietly improved ride/refinement – but also ramped up the raw mechanical feel and dynamic precision even more.
It’s a truly remarkable performance machine that adds a further dimension to what a hot hatch can do. And it still has arguably the best manual gearshift of any mainstream car, at any price. We love it.
Runners Up: Toyota GR86, Toyota GR Corolla
HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbo petrol four
POWER: 235kW/420Nm
GEARBOX: 6-speed manual, FWD
CONSUMPTION: 9.7l/100km
PRICE: $72,000