Browse over 9,000 car reviews
The 2021 Honda Civic range of configurations is currently priced from $25,490.
Our most recent review of the 2021 Honda Civic resulted in a score of 8.3 out of 10 for that particular example.
Carsguide Head of Editorial Justin Hilliard had this to say at the time: The Type R is a real joy to drive. Unlike some other hot hatches, it’s genuinely capable of being a comfortable cruiser or a ferocious feline at the flick of a switch.
You can read the full review here.
This is what Justin Hilliard liked most about this particular version of the Honda Civic: Divisive styling, Superb engine-transmission combination, Perfect ride and handling balance
The 2021 Honda Civic carries a braked towing capacity of up to 800 Kg, but check to ensure this applies to the configuration you're considering.
The Honda Civic Type R has a new paintwork option, Racing Blue, which has joined Rally Red, Crystal Black and Championship White. Of note, Rally Red is the only colour to not command a $650 premium.
The Honda Civic 2021 prices range from $18,260 for the basic trim level Sedan VTi to $65,230 for the top of the range Hatchback Type R Limited Edition.
The CVT you’re referring to is actually the car’s transmission rather than its engine. And since the engine is what drives the air-conditioning compressor, it’s the engine’s power and torque that determines whether the car still drives nicely with the air-conditioning switched on, not whether the transmission is a CVT or any other type.
But I think I know what you are referring to. And that is how well the car’s engine and its CVT transmission are matched. Sometimes, a transmission can gobble up a fair bit of horsepower and torque and that can take the edge off performance. Throw the switch on the air-conditioning and there’s even more load on the engine, making it feel even less perky. In that sense, I think the Corolla as the newer design would have a more efficient transmission and that could mean that it feels the load less than the older Honda might and, therefore, holds on to more of its original performance.
But the second thing you mentioned, that your car’s air-con doesn’t really keep up at temperatures over 30 degrees is more likely to be a problem with the air-con itself. You might find that a five-year-old car (such as your Honda is) is ready for the air-conditioning system to be serviced and perhaps even re-gassed, which might just return it to better health. For the record, Toyota’s have always had some of the best-performing air-conditioning systems in the business over the years, and I very much doubt that a 30-degree day would tax the air-con in a new Corolla one iota.
The Civic RS comes with dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 10 speakers.
Standard equipment in the Honda Civic Type R includes dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers, rear privacy glass, an electric park brake with auto-hold functionality, and keyless entry and start.
Inside, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Bluetooth connectivity, digital radio, a 180W sound system with eight speakers, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror feature.
A range of genuine accessories is available via official dealerships.
The clever, inventive interior is very well-packaged, with plenty of space and the RS has a very convincing textile leather on the seats and steering wheel. There's heaps of storage, too, and it's one of the most thoughtful cabins in any car.
The Honda Civic Type R's cargo capacity is 414L, but stow its 60/40 split-fold rear bench using the second row’s manual release latches and an undisclosed amount of extra storage space is created alongside a hump in the boot floor.
There’s also a tall load lip to contend with, although there are four tie-down points on hand alongside one bag hook. The parcel shelf is retractable, with it stored to one side.
The Civic sedan has five seats and is roomy front and back for four passengers, not too bad for five.
Unlike other Honda Civic hatchback variants, the Type R is a four-seater, with its rear bench only accomodating two occupants. Meanwhile, the driver and front passenger get sports seats in the first row.
The extra power and torque of the turbo 1.5-litre delivers a 0-100km/h under a claimed eight seconds.
The Honda Civic Type R sprints from a standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds.