While its fun-per-dollar factor still represents a relative bargain, the lightly refreshed — but safer — 2020 Honda Civic Type R hot hatchback is creeping toward the $40,000 mark after arriving in the U.S. in mid-2017 at $34,775 (including an $875 destination charge). The 2020 will start at $37,950 (with $955 destination) and begin rolling onto dealer lots Feb. 28.
The 2020 price is $695 more than the most recent 2019 Type R price — which was raised again in January — but is $720 more than last July and $1,330 than a year ago in January. Seeing a pattern here?
But the extra dollars bring an updated 2020 car that includes a big upgrade in safety and driver-assistance tech. The 2020 Type R gets standard the Honda Sensing suite already on other Civics that includes a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering at higher speeds and adaptive cruise control that operates all the way to a stop.
Otherwise, the refinements are at the margins, such as a slightly bigger grille and updated radiator said to improve cooling under high demand, new bumpers with better aerodynamics, brake and suspension tweaks, a new data-logging smartphone app and a new blue paint color. In addition, a new sound control enhances engine growl through the stereo speakers. The sole powertrain continues to be the 306-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four and six-speed manual.
The pricing is pretty much all in, with only minor add-ons offered, such as a wireless phone charger. In any case, the Type R is a big price leap over the also-fun — though not nearly as track-ready — 2020 Civic Si that you could drive home for $26,155 with destination.
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Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief
Fred Meier
Former D.C. Bureau Chief Fred Meier, who lives every day with Washington gridlock, has an un-American love of small wagons and hatchbacks.