The Honda Civic Type R has reached cult status of late. This latest 2023 model (FL5 generation) is considered THE compact performance car benchmark, but with a newfound sense of refinement. It has cleaner lines and newer tech to go with its powerful mechanicals. In fact, it almost feels like a race car as soon as you get behind the wheel and press that glowing red starter button. Honda has gone to a lot of effort to make the Type R’s interior feel special. I mean just look at it! The seats and steering wheel are trimmed in lovely suede, with the seats and carpets coloured an eye-popping shade of red to match Type Rs of old, as well as the iconic red ‘H’ logo used on Honda performance products. Finally, the (FL5) Type R is what you could imagine a Porsche 911 GT3 would be like if it was built to this price point. It’s exceptionally quick both in a straight line and through a set of corners, is incredibly precise and engaging to drive, with a level of sharpness, grip and stability you will never have experienced in a front-wheel drive hot hatch. It is also wonderfully damped in all its drive modes, yet looks and feels like a race car for the road. Come along and try what the legendary “Type R” moniker is all about.