Do you want to do your part to help save the manuals? Consider buying a 2027 Honda Civic Type R, which comes only with three pedals and a row-your-own gearbox. Better yet, Honda improves the car with design, performance, and technology upgrades. The 2027 Civic Type R goes on sale in October 2026, and it starts at $49,990, including the $1,295 destination charge.
The Civic Type R is all about performance, and for 2027, Honda makes small changes to enhance the driving experience.
Under the hood, a redesigned, retro-themed engine cover sits atop the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It still produces 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Yes, you need to know how to drive a stick shift to drive a Type R; an automatic transmission is not available.
According to Honda, for 2027, the gearbox features smoother rev-matched downshifts and quicker engine response. Honda also tweaks the brake pedal for a more direct feel. In +R mode, suspension enhancements reduce impact harshness and unwanted body motion to improve stability and make the car feel smoother through corners.
From a styling standpoint, the 2027 Civic Type R looks much the same as it did before, but with a revised front end that also contributes to greater driving satisfaction on the track, Honda says. The subtle updates help to smooth airflow into the larger grille opening, improving engine cooling. Honda also added a deeper front splitter to produce more downforce at speed.
Meteorite Gray Metallic is a new paint color for 2027, joining Boost Blue Pearl, Sonic Gray Pearl, and Championship White. Honda has discontinued Crystal Black and Rallye Red.
Like in 2026, the 2027 Civic Type R’s interior is black with red seats and carpeting. However, Honda updated some materials and finishes, added standard heated front seats, and installed an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
A stylish new diamond-pattern mesh trim decorates the dashboard, while black control knobs, a darker aluminum shift knob, and silver front door panel trim are new for 2027. The Ultrasuede artificial suede upholstery pattern is different, and Honda has added Ultrasuede material to the dashboard and upper door panels.
The Type R continues with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adding Google Built-in with a Gemini AI-powered Google Assistant, Google Maps, and apps from the Google Play Store. The technology also offers Amazon Alexa Built-in compatibility, and Honda has added two new USB-C ports in addition to the existing wireless smartphone charger.
A post-collision braking system is new for 2027. It can bring the Civic Type R to a stop as soon as possible following a crash to help prevent secondary collisions after the airbags have deployed and deflated.
Additionally, the standard Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) adds bicyclist and motorcyclist detection for the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system. Honda also says it has enhanced the lane centering assistance system (Honda calls it Lane Keeping Assist; the lane-keeping system is Road Departure Mitigation) and improved the adaptive cruise control system’s braking and acceleration characteristics.
The other Honda Sensing safety features include lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Small, performance-tuned cars are a real rarity. The only hot hatches remaining with a manual transmission are the Acura Integra Type S*, a luxed-up Civic Type R, and the Toyota GR Corolla. If you want an automatic transmission, the list of alternatives expands to include the Mazda Mazda3 2.5 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf R. Swap the hatch for a trunk. You might also cross-shop the Type R with the Audi S3, BMW M240i, Hyundai Elantra N*, and Subaru WRX.
With a base price of nearly $50,000, the new Civic Type R is a bargain only when compared to the Acura, Audi, and BMW. Still, to drive one is to love one, and the car’s global 30-year history has cemented it as an icon of the pocket rocket segment.
*As of this writing, it is unclear whether the Acura or the Hyundai will remain available in 2027.
Honda is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of October 1, 2026, but it may have changed since then. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran automotive journalist with 30 years of experience in the field and has held automotive editorial leadership positions at Edmunds, JD Power, and The New York Daily News. Today, Chris owns a content agency called Speedy Daddy Media, and in addition to jdpower.com, his work appears on Capital One Auto Navigator, CarGurus, and Edmunds.
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