Honda Civic vs Honda Civic Type R
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Honda Civic
From $43,250
Sedan
Hybrid
Hybrid
135kW
4.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
410L
Honda Civic Type R
From $77,250
Hatchback
Petrol
DOHC VTEC Turbo In line 4-cylinder
235kW
8.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
410L
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Price Breakdown
The Honda Civic starts from $43,250 before on-road costs, while the Honda Civic Type R opens at $77,250. That makes the Honda Civic the more affordable entry point by $34,000.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. Estimated driveaway prices sit around $49,900 for the Honda Civic and $85,000 for the Honda Civic Type R.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Honda Civic by roughly $6,415 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Honda Civic features a 9-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Honda Civic Type R gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Honda Civic Type R counters with heated front seats that the Honda Civic does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Honda Civic uses a Hybrid producing 135kW and 315Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Honda Civic Type R responds with a DOHC VTEC Turbo In line 4-cylinder making 235kW and 420Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The Honda Civic Type R has the clear power advantage at 235kW vs 135kW. In the real-world sprint, the Honda Civic Type R is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Honda Civic measures 4,560mm long on a 2,733mm wheelbase, 46mm shorter than the Honda Civic Type R at 4,606mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Civic Type R generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 410L in the Honda Civic and 410L in the Honda Civic Type R. Fold the rears and you get 1187L vs 1212L. The Honda Civic seats 5 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.8m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,197/year for the Honda Civic and $2,480/year for the Honda Civic Type R. That is a $1,283 annual difference in favour of the Honda Civic.
Estimated annual total: $1,197 (Honda Civic) vs $2,480 (Honda Civic Type R). The Honda Civic saves you roughly $1,283 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Honda Civic) vs 5 years (Honda Civic Type R). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Honda Civic)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Honda Civic if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Honda Civic Type R if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Honda Civic and Honda Civic Type R trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Honda Civic will save you roughly $1,283 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Honda Civic and Honda Civic Type R?
The Honda Civic is the cheapest at $43,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Civic Type R by $34,000.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Civic uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Honda Civic all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda Civic Type R makes the most power at 235kW. The Honda Civic Type R is quickest to 100km/h in 5.4s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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