The 2025 Honda Civic Type R marks yet another milestone in the evolution of the Civic nameplate—arguably Honda’s most iconic performance model. Canadian enthusiasts have long admired the Civic Type R for its perfect balance between practicality and performance. For 2025, Honda doubles down on this formula, refining the Civic Type R’s dynamics, enhancing its design, and keeping the manual transmission alive in a world rapidly turning to automatic and electric alternatives.
Limited Time Automotive Amazon DealsIf you’re in the market for a track-capable car that won’t break the bank or your back on daily commutes, the Civic Type R continues to offer one of the most compelling packages under $60,000 in Canada.
At the core of the 2025 Civic Type R lies a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This is the most powerful Honda production car ever sold in Canada—and it’s only available with a 6-speed manual transmission. There’s no CVT or dual-clutch alternative here. If you want to own one of the last great driver’s cars, this is it.
Limited Time Automotive Amazon DealsThanks to optimized air intake, improved cooling, and a revised exhaust system, the Type R offers more mid-range torque than ever before. Launching from 0–100 km/h takes just 5.4 seconds, and it feels even quicker due to the turbo’s aggressive spool and tight gear ratios.
Handling is sharp, too. With a dual-axis front suspension and a limited-slip differential, torque steer is minimized, and front-end grip is astounding. Whether carving through Quebec’s winding Laurentian roads or hitting a local track day at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the Civic Type R responds with unshakable confidence.
The 2025 Type R offers four driving modes—Comfort, Sport, +R, and Individual. In Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers soften the ride, and the car becomes surprisingly livable for long highway drives or daily commutes. Sport mode sharpens throttle response and steering, making it ideal for spirited driving without compromising ride quality. +R mode, designed for the track, firms everything up and turns the digital gauge cluster into a performance-focused layout.
New for 2025 is the Individual mode, allowing drivers to mix and match settings for suspension, steering, throttle, and engine sound to suit their preference. For example, you can now pair Comfort suspension with a Sport throttle—perfect for poor road conditions in urban areas like Toronto or Vancouver.
The Type R has grown up. The 2025 version sheds the overly aggressive, boy-racer aesthetic of the previous generation in favour of a more refined and purposeful design. It’s still unmistakably a performance car, with its functional hood vent, 19-inch matte black wheels, wide fenders, and that massive aluminum rear wing. But the details are more cohesive, giving it a mature, race-bred appearance rather than a Fast & Furious vibe.
The front fascia features large functional air inlets to cool the turbocharged engine, while the triple exhaust setup returns—this time with better acoustic tuning to reduce interior drone while still delivering a raspy, aggressive tone when you step on it.
Step inside, and the Civic Type R greets you with deep red suede-effect sport seats that offer tremendous lateral support without being overly harsh for longer drives. Red carpets and matching stitching throughout the cabin underscore the car’s performance pedigree.
The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and the 12-speaker Bose premium sound system makes your drive feel immersive whether you’re listening to engine revs or your Spotify playlist.
The digital instrument cluster is fully customizable, with a special +R display showing G-forces, boost pressure, lap times, and gear position. For track enthusiasts, the Honda LogR 2.0 performance app allows you to monitor telemetry data in real time or after a track session using your smartphone.
Unlike many high-performance cars, the Civic Type R doesn’t sacrifice practicality. With its hatchback design, you get 693 litres of cargo space—enough for weekend getaways, groceries, or even four track tires if you plan on a day at the circuit. Rear seat space is decent, although the fixed back seat and absence of a rear center armrest do compromise comfort slightly.
Fuel economy is also reasonable for a performance vehicle: Honda estimates 10.6 L/100 km in the city and 8.1 L/100 km on the highway, making it viable even as a daily driver.
Though it’s a performance-first car, Honda includes a full suite of safety tech:
These features make the Type R one of the safest hot hatches on the market—great news for young buyers or those looking to share the car with family.
The 2025 Civic Type R starts at $53,100 CAD MSRP. Once you include freight, PDI, and regional fees, expect to pay around $55,600–$57,000 CAD depending on your province. In cities like Vancouver or Toronto, some dealers may add market adjustments due to high demand and limited supply.
While not cheap, the Type R is still competitively priced considering its performance rivals:
| Model | Engine | Drivetrain | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Civic Type R | 2.0L Turbo I4, 315 hp | FWD | $53,100 |
| 2025 VW Golf R | 2.0L Turbo I4, 315 hp (AWD) | AWD | $50,495 |
| 2025 Hyundai Elantra N | 2.0L Turbo I4, 276 hp | FWD | $39,999 |
| 2025 Toyota GR Corolla | 1.6L Turbo I3, 300 hp (AWD) | AWD | $48,990 |
In a world increasingly filled with hybrids, crossovers, and autonomous driving, the 2025 Honda Civic Type R is a rare gem. It’s a driver’s car through and through—manual transmission only, track-focused engineering, and loaded with performance tech.
Is it for everyone? Probably not. But if you’re a Canadian driver looking for a performance vehicle that’s as at home on twisty BC mountain roads as it is on a track or in a downtown parking garage, the Civic Type R is tough to beat.
Rating: 9.5/10 — The best hot hatch you can buy in Canada, full stop.
