• Check out common Honda Civic problems
  

The interior of the Civic is equally as mid-2000s futuristic as the outside. The dash used something Honda calls the Dual Link Concept – this put the most important controls up high while less important switches are lower down. As a result the ventilation and stereo controls were at the same level as the steering wheel, so you didn’t have to take your eyes off the road.

The driving position is excellent and there’s plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering column while the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is a wonderful piece of design.

The blue back-lit dash with it’s digital read out creates a 3D effect, although it’s sometimes hard to see as the arched plastic instrument cover reflects light in bright sunshine.

Honda Civic Type-R behind the wheel

The Type-R’s interior is similar to the standard Civic but adds some sporty features such as an aluminium gearshift, sporty pedals, red stitching on the steering wheel, red seats and deep red carpets. It feels different enough from the standard car to remind you that you’re in a hot hatch while still retaining the futuristic look.

The instrument cluster features a strip of red LED lights that illuminate as the revs rise but while the driving position is good, some drivers may find that their view of the digital speedo is obscured by the top of the steering wheel. The quality is excellent though with precise buttons and soft touch materials.

While the Civic is roomy the rear is lacking in headroom for taller passengers and care needs to be taken in the five-door model to avoid hitting your head on the rear pillar on the way in.

The large pillars also make you feel hemmed in, but the interior is comfortable and should carry five people without complaint. Climate control is standard from SE specification upwards and on the Type S plus electric windows are fitted across the range.

How comfortable is the Honda Civic Type-R?

The Type-R is certainly more refined than its predecessor but compared to a Golf or Focus it lags behind in the comfort stakes. The ride is firm and the suspension isn’t particularly forgiving over uneven road surfaces while the engine’s relative lack of in-gear pace means a fairly frantic driving experience most of the time.

The bucket-style seats are superbly supportive though, if a little on the firm side and as with the standard Civic, there’s decent room in the back – although headroom is a limited due to the sloping roof. The engine is a little more vocal and the note has a lot more character than the old one.