Honda once noted for its technical edge built on the back of motor sport lost its way after the Global Financial Crisis. However, the Japanese company in recent years is back in the game, the latest Civic Hatch, CR-V and HR-V SUV’s and the small Jazz hatch all doing very well. As such Honda sales in the first three months grew 54 per cent. The edgy Civic Hatch very popular, Honda Australia recently adding a performance model, the Civic Type R. The Type R has striking, somewhat edgy architecture – Not inexpensive at $50,990 it delivers very exciting performance from a 2.0-litre turbo engine driving through a close-ratio six speed manual gearbox. A three mode electronic suspension, Brembo performance brakes and a suite of safety and driver assist technology makes this performance hatch a joy to drive. Drive-ability simply superb – with 400Nm of torque and with gearshift, clutch, brakes, steering and handling top class this is superb driver’s car by any measure. The edgy styling is not everybody’s cup of tea, for me the accentuated rear spoiler over the top but having said that the grandchildren loved it. The test car in dark grey with black rims and red highlights rather eye-catching, so too the red sports seats, seat belts and red stitching. A roomy four-seat sports hatch the Honda Civic Type R loves to be driven hard – automatic gearboxes with manual shift paddles have spoilt us in recent years but this manual proved effortless to drive with excellent clutch pressure. I’m David Berthon

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