Honda has face-lifted the legendary Civic Type R for 2027—and does anyone really care much about a restyle on a car like this? No, of course not, and Honda knows it. However, the changes Honda made to the front fascia—and if you can spot them at first glance, you’re a way bigger CTR nerd than anyone here—are meant to enhance engine cooling and reduce lift. In fact, nearly every update made for 2027, and there are quite a few, are designed purely to enhance the driving experience. Give Honda credit for keeping this beloved performance car on-mission.
Let’s run through the rest of the changes coming to the Type R for 2027, beginning with the purely functional ones. Honda revised the suspension damping, a change it says “improves road-following performance and reduces bounding and impact harshness for more stability and enhanced handling.” We’re going to interpret that as a slight softening, which no self-respecting PR person wants to write, but which (if done correctly) can improve handling while making the ride more tolerable.
Honda also added a spring to the brake-pedal linkage to reduce free play, which should give the pedal a more direct feel, and the rev-matching system now revs the engine more quickly when you go for a downshift.
A few other changes should make the Civic Type R nicer to live with, including heated front seats (a first for the Type R), an auto-dimming mirror, improvements to the safety and driver assist systems, and a dual-tone horn. The instrument panel and upper door panels are now covered in Ultrasuede, a nice visual improvement from the outgoing CTR’s black plastic. The infotainment system software is updated with Google functionality, and the USB ports are now of the USB-C variety.
To be fair to our inner cynics, there are a few design changes-for-change’s sake, including a new paint color called Meteorite Gray Metallic. Much of the brightwork (shift knob, door handles, console trim) is now a darker gray, and the chrome is gone from the air vents and climate control knobs. There’s also a new pattern on the seat perforations.
The 2027 Civic Type R also gets a new engine cover designed to evoke memories of older Honda engines. The engine beneath that cover is unchanged: It’s the K20C we know and love, delivering its usual 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Purists rejoice: The six-speed manual remains the only transmission choice.
And, of course, there’s a price increase: $49,990, up $1,300 from the 2026 price. Ah, but there’s a catch: Honda eliminated black and red, the only two paint colors on the ’26 CTR that did not incur an upcharge. You’ll have to pay for premium paint, which means the real sticker price is $50,445—still a fantastic deal for one of the most thrilling hot hatchbacks on the market.
Stay Ahead of the Curve.
Get the newest car reviews, hottest auto news, and expert analysis of the latest trends delivered straight to your inbox!
