Browsing through the glossy Honda Civic website, there are a few things that may grab your attention of this sporty compact. The visual display of models, the way the Civic manages to look good from five different angles, and the $12,295 jump from the Civic Si to the Civic Type R.
So what’s the real difference between the 2020 Honda Civic Si and 2020 Honda Civic Type R — and is the price jump worth it?
A rundown of the Civic Si
The Civic Si comes in a coupe or sedan, both of which get a solid 36 highway MPG. They start at $25,200 — a lot less than the Civic Type R.
Fun quirks of the Civic Si include red seat stitching, front and side underbody spoilers, sport pedals and an aluminum shift knob. The ride gets 205 horses with a turbocharged engine. A close-ratio six-speed manual transmission improves acceleration.
As for what’s inside, there’s a 450-watt sound system and multi-angle rearview camera. Honda Sensing now comes standard, which means active safety galore.
LED headlights now come standard
The 2020 Honda Civic Si is the first of its kind to come with LED headlights as standard material. Since LED headlights let drivers see 25% farther than halogens, this is nothing to shy away from.
All about the Civic Type R
While the 2020 Honda Civic Type R only gets 28 highway MPG (quite a bit less than the Si), many race enthusiasts have other things on their mind. Namely, they care about the Type R’s aggressive styling and performance.
Aerodynamically built for speed, the Civic Type R gets bolstered front seats and a carbon fiber wing spoiler. Drivers can use the built-in data logger to measure lap times, play back sessions and more. A seven-inch display audio touch screen joins iPhone integration for a quality experience. Honda Sensing also comes standard.
The new 2021 model adds a Limited Edition variant to the lineup, with just 1,000 copies of it being built. It includes a lightweight build that boosts speed beyond par.
So, is the 2020 Honda Civic Type R worth it?
If you’re more into racing on the track than commuting, then yes, the 2020 Honda Civic Type R — or the forthcoming 2021 model year, which has yet to share its MSRP — is worth the price hike. But if you’re seeking a steady-but-sporty vehicle, I recommend sticking with the 2020 Honda Civic Si and using that extra cash on gnarly OEM or aftermarket upgrades.