When road, driver and conditions gel as one in the new Civic Type R, this is a hugely exciting car. At other times it can feel wooden, artificial and not as quick as the numbers suggest. Understanding why, and best exploiting the car in any given situation, may be a reason for buying one in itself, but overall it still feels like a car that just misses the mark. From its deeply divisive styling to its intense personality, the Civic Type R is a complex beast. Looks are always subjective, but it remains to be seen whether buyers at this price point will be swayed by the Honda’s more awkward angles. The cabin is a combination of great seats, gearshift and driving position, but an ergonomic layout that’s an acquired taste. Perhaps more serious are occasional dynamic foibles that call into the question the Civic’s dynamic repertoire when driven hard, and an engine that’s not without its shortcomings. Tying the more aggressive engine mapping to an overly stiff damping setting in +R is another obvious blunder.
To access the best Civic, on UK roads at least, you're best leaving that +R button well alone. Honda suspects the majority of buyers will opt for the GT pack, which adds satellite navigation, adaptive cruise control and various safety systems over and above the large equipment roster in the standard car. It won’t affect the way the car drives but might make it more pleasant to live with day to day. We've spent the last six months with a Civic Type R on our long-term fleet. If we've taken away one thing from that time it's that Honda's hatch is definitely a car that improves with exposure. While you may never get used to the striking styling (though some of the evo team have developed quite a fondness for it), the car has a depth of character that goes beyond that of many rivals. Whisper it, but several of us would even choose the Civic over a car like the Ford Focus RS. > More: New 2017 Honda Civic Type R spotted testing in London There are two more things you need to know too: One, our long-termer was transformed after fitting a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, as found on most high-end hot hatchbacks right now.
And two, if you're considering a Civic Type R you may want to wait for the 2017 model to roll along. Based on the newly-launched Honda Civic hatchback, it's wider and lower than the current car, and it's expected to be lighter and more powerful too. 'I've driven this Type R enough to know that the chassis comes good when the bumps are taken away, at which point it feels super-agile with sharp steering and a neutral balance. But in the quest for the world's best hot hatch, that lack of pliancy on the kind of roads that make up a big chunk of our network in the UK is a weakness that's difficult to overlook. 'The 2-litre turbocharged engine, meanwhile, is strong, but it lacks responsiveness compared to some and it's thrashy at the top end. Throttle response improves in +R mode, but then the damping becomes even firmer.' Dan Prosser, Road Test Editor (evo 227) Image 3 of 30 > Performance and 0-60 time - Turbo power helps make this the fastest Civic ever, by quite some margin.
Read all about the Honda Civic Type R performance here > Engine and gearbox - A slick manual gearbox and broad range of torque are standout features of the new Type R. Read all about the Honda Civic Type R Engine and gearbox here > Ride and handling - Pressing the +R button stiffens damping up too much for UK roads. The chassis is composed enough without. Read all about the Honda Civic Type R Ride and handling here > MPG and running costs - Respectable MPG and emissions figures are countered by expensive tyre replacement costs. Read all about the Honda Civic Type R MPG and running costs here > Prices, specs and rivals - The VW Golf R and Vauxhall Astra VXR are tough competition. But the Honda remains unique. Read all about the Honda Civic Type R prices, specs and rivals here > Interior and tech - Some will dislike the busy dash, but everyone can appreciate the sorted seating position. Read all about the Honda Civic Type R Interior and tech here > Design - The Honda's brash styling will be a swaying factor for many buyers.
Read all about the Honda Civic Type R Design hereNew 2016-2017 Honda & Used Car Dealership in Poughkeepsie serving Kingston, Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls & NewburghFriendly Honda on Route 44 in Poughkeepsie is dedicated to providing you with an ownership experience worth raving to your friends about. That includes new models (i.e., the Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey), financing, and everything in between, including genuine Honda parts & service.Friendly Honda, the top-rated Honda dealership in Poughkeepsie, is proud to have been serving Honda customers from the neighboring cities of Newburgh, Brewster, and Kingston in the Hudson Valley for many years. New York Honda customers come to us for top-of-the-line service from our maintenance department, helpful insight from our sales team, and custom-tailored options from our finance team. Come in to visit us or give us a call at (845) 454-2400.How will a new 2016-2017 Honda in Poughkeepsie such as the Accord, CR-V, Civic, Pilot and Odyssey elevate your daily commute?
With Cutting edge technology and some of the best safety features available, these new Honda vehicles will do more than just satisfy your need for getting from point A to B. The latest Honda vehicles all come equipped with the latest sound systems, temperature control and a comfortable cabin environment. Everything about the new Accord, CR-V, Civic, Pilot and Odyssey - from their time-tested endurance to their fun-inspired performance - is designed to give you something to look forward to at our dealership near Kingston. View details about the new 2016 Honda HR-V.We know that the new car buying process can be intimidating and we're here to help and make it as easy as possible. Maybe you're not in the market for a brand new Honda near Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls, Newburgh and Kingston and would rather browse our used cars in Poughkeepsie. We have a wide range of options that are sure to satisfy you as well as your checking account.More New & Used Honda Car Services & Auto Repair in Poughkeepsie, New YorkIf you already have your next new 2016-2017 used car picked out, let the Honda financing experts at Friendly Honda help you get behind the wheel fast.
Whether you're looking to secure a car loan or lease near Poughkeepsie we can work with you to help make sure you don't overextend yourself. We'd expect the same from you, if we put ourselves in your shoes.Aiming to make your life as easy as possible and offer everything you could need for your vehicle under one roof, Friendly Honda also offers a state-of-the-art Honda service center and - for the do-it-yourself types - a comprehensive parts shop.Curious to learn more? Feel free to stop in to Friendly Honda in Poughkeepsie, where we are always eager to assist you. We can discuss vehicle here in our showroom at 1143 Dutchess Turnpike Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, over the phone at (888) 888-7314, or you can contact us via the form on our website. Getting to know all of you in the greater Kingston, Hyde Park, Wappingers Falls and Newburgh areas is always an enjoyable experience for us, so stop in during our scheduled business hours, where we can continue the conversation, and answer any questions you might have.