Honda Civic Type R interior
The Honda Civic Type R’s low-set driving position feels sporty, but the infotainment system isn’t particularly easy to use
Style
The Honda Civic Type R’s dashboard has a smart-looking design, but it isn’t as intuitively laid out as the one you’ll find in the Volkswagen Golf R and doesn’t use as many high-quality, soft-touch plastics. That said, the Type R’s interior feels very sturdy and the gaps between panels are pleasingly consistent.
A large swathe of carbon-fibre-look trim across the dashboard – and plenty of red trim pieces around the air vents – make the Type R’s interior look more eye-catching than the regular Honda Civic’s cabin. You also get a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a solid titanium gear knob that makes it feel as if your left hand is hardwired to the car’s gearbox.
Even the instrument binnacle has a race-car look with an analogue speedo that’s backed up by a digital display that’s easy to read. The Honda Civic Type R’s seats feel like they’re stripped out of a race car and come with a bright red suede-like trim as standard.
- Used
- £29,953
Infotainment
You’ll quickly notice that the infotainment system isn’t nearly as well designed as the rest of the Honda Civic Type R’s interior. Its seven-inch display is fairly large for this type of car, but the clunky graphics are below par and the screen is prone to reflections in direct sunlight. The menus are also quite confusing compared to the ones you get in a Volkswagen Golf and the screen doesn’t respond to your inputs as quickly, either.
You get a row of fixed on-screen shortcut buttons to the right of the display, but these sit flush with the screen and don’t offer any feedback when you press them. As a result, it’s pretty tricky to switch from one of the system’s key features to another – especially when you’re driving.
High-spec GT models get sat-nav as standard, but it’s trickier to program and the graphics aren’t as good as the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring systems that let you use your phone’s navigation apps through the Honda’s built-in screen. These features come as standard across the Honda Civic Type R range.
It’s still worth considering upgrading to a GT model though if only to get your hands on wireless charging for compatible phones and a 542-watt 12-speaker stereo that sounds much better than the standard car’s rather tinny system.
- Used
- £29,953