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Best Hot Hatch

Honda Civic Type R

Commended: MINI Cooper S, RenaultSport Clio

Honda Civic Type R

Replacing a legend is never easy – but Honda has done just that with the amazing Civic Type R. With competition from the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Renault, the firm couldn’t have picked a tougher time to introduce its second-generation model. The fact that it has done so with a machine that betters the original in every department is a tribute to the Japanese company’s engineering vision.

So what made it a winner? Well, despite being down on power compared to its big-hitting rivals – its 2.0-litre VTEC-assisted engine produces 198bhp – it’s the way in which the Civic deploys it that impresses. Finesse has always been a Honda trait and once again,
the Type R displays a level of delicacy that none of its rivals can match. The Civic is a car that shrinks around you, and like all great hot hatches, responds directly and faithfully to every input. Yes, there are quicker alternatives with more power and better acceleration figures. But in terms of real-world appeal and, more importantly, driver feedback, the Type R stands head and shoulders above its rivals.

The Civic also scores in the design stakes, too – it could almost
be described as automotive sculpture. From its striking all-in-one nose to the double-deck spoiler at the back, there’s not a duff line
on it. The no-holds-barred approach extends to the cabin, where the space-age dashboard and dual-level display show just how hard Honda has tried this time around. A worthy winner of this year’s title.