2023 honda civic boost blue pearl

When Honda took the wraps off of the 2023 Civic Type R last month, the automaker promised it would be “the most powerful Honda ever sold in North America” but notably refrained from quoting any power statistics until today. In a press release, the automaker dropped the car’s official stats in a press release this evening: 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

True to its word, that’s 9 hp and 15 lb-ft more than the previous-gen Type R and, indeed, the hottest Honda-branded U.S. model ever. However, as Honda fans have lamented before, it still won’t be quite as spicy as what you can get in Japan. 

A Japanese-market brochure for the car, leaked on the internet forum CivicXI this past weekend, indicates that Japan’s Type R’s will get 326 horsepower. As with the previous generation and many other foreign-market hot rods, the difference is likely down to American emissions regulations. 

Beyond the power stats, Honda’s release did tell us more about how the Type R has been developing and its final specs, but curb weight and pricing info are still a mystery.

The Japanese Civic Type R will weigh around 3,150 pounds, which is a little more than the previous-gen model, and it’s likely the U.S. version will gain a few pounds in translation. Still, fans can probably expect it to weigh less than Volkswagen’s 3,400-pound Golf R or BMW’s 3,500-pound M240i. It’s likely to be faster than Hyundai’s Elantra N and Kona N models as well, but also more expensive.

Honed on racetracks from Suzuka to Germany’s Nürburgring, the new 2023 Civic Type R gets a bigger grille opening and radiator as well as a larger-diameter radiator fan to help keep the engine cool while hot lapping for hours at a time. Type R owners really do take their cars to track days, even if they’re usually closer to Mid-Ohio or Lime Rock than the Rhineland.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter K20C1 four-cylinder engine is an updated version of the one in the old car, retuned for more power the old-fashioned way—by increasing airflow into and out of the engine by means of a redesigned turbocharger and exhaust system. A lighter flywheel saps less force, and Honda has retuned the rev-matching system for even more precise control. 

The final drive ratio is now 3.842:1 instead of  4.111:1, which might mean quieter cruising and better gas mileage (another stat we don’t yet know, but it will drink 91 octane).

Honda has widened the front track an inch and the rear by half an inch and added much chunkier stabilizer bars than the stock Civic on both the front and rear. The CTR’s bulging fenders and big wheels make it 3.5 inches wider overall than a regular Civic hatchback.

The 2023 CTR will roll on standard 19-inch wheels, smaller than the previous generation’s standard 20-inch units (and possibly lighter) and use 265/30 R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

July’s initial CTR teaser pictures depicted the car only in Championship White, the trademark color of Honda’s stripped-down Type Rs since the creation of the first NSX Type-R 30 years ago, but tonight’s release brought images of the car in the other colors, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl. 

Expect even more teased details to emerge over the next couple of months, including final pricing. The 2023 Civic Type R is due at dealerships late this fall.

Model Preview

In 2022, the Honda Civic went through a full redesign, giving it an even more mature look and feel. With this design still fresh, the 2023 Civic will be a carryover model. The most noteworthy addition will be the late introduction of the completely redesigned 2023 Civic Type R that promises to be the most powerful Honda ever sold in the U.S.

On the outside, the current Honda Civic took a step away from its Accord-based design, giving it some uniqueness within the lineup. This included a smaller grille with a more prominent “H” emblem, a more rounded nose, a shallower-raked rear glass, bold taillights, and a clean and clutter-free backside. The hatchback model is nearly identical, but its one-piece hatch and unique taillights set it apart. No notable styling changes are present for 2023, as this exterior design still very new.

In contrast, the 2023 Civic Type R features a more mature look compared to the prior Civic generation, although admittedly that's not saying a lot. Functional air inlets, a sleeker rear spoiler, and three-outlet exhaust help set the car apart from the standard Civic hatchback. Wider fenders and exclusive colors like Historic Championship White send a message that the Type R is no ordinary Civic model.

Inside, the current Civic is sharp and simple with its thin and clutter-free dash that boasts a standard 7-inch dash-top touchscreen that’s upgradable to 9 inches. It also features a trio of round HVAC knobs, a dash-width chicken-wire-like insert, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, and more. Standard tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a four-speaker audio system. We expect the 2023 Civic to arrive with the same look and features.

The 2023 Civic Type R interior features unique red sport seats in a suede-like material and matching red carpet and trim. For 2023, each Type R will get a serialized plate mounted on the dash. Unlike the normal Civic, Type R models will come with track-inspired features like a data-logging computer, a special rpm display, a stopwatch, and the ability to share driving videos.

The 2023 Civic will come standard with a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the now-base sport trim, as Honda is discontinuing the LX trim. The EX and Touring trims feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 180 hp. The sportier Si trim gets a tune that sees that figure increase to 200hp.

2023 Civic Type R horsepower will come in at 315 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque. That's a gain of 9 hp and 15 lb-ft compared to the previous generation Type R. The standard turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Honda says it will be their most powerful production car ever sold in the U.S.

The 2023 Civic offers the same safety features as last year's model, which got top IIHS ratings all around, save for "Acceptable" ratings in the lower leg and restraint categories.

Pricing & Release Date

Honda hasn't announced an official release date yet for the 2023 Civic, but we expect both the sedan and hatchback to be on sale later this fall. The Type R should follow suit soon after.

The 2023 Civic’s pricing starts at $25,745 following the demise of the base LX trim. The remaining trims saw $500 to $700 price increases. As for the 2023 Civic Type R, we estimate a price increase compared to the previous MSRP of about $38,000. Whether or not Type R prices exceed $40,000 or $43,000 remains an open question.

The 2023 Honda Civic will compete with the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.

Pictured: 2023 Honda Civic Type R