Honda has given its Civic Type R a refresh for 2027, adding sharper styling, improved cooling and suspension tweaks while making its famously hardcore hot hatch a little easier to live with.

The updated Type R arrives as Honda celebrates 30 years of the nameplate, which first appeared in Japan in 1997. Six generations later, the recipe remains reassuringly simple: a 315bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox.

The revised front end features a deeper splitter and larger grille opening, improving airflow and engine cooling during hard driving.

Honda has also tweaked the suspension damping in +R mode to improve body control and reduce harshness, while faster Rev Match operation promises smoother downshifts. Brake pedal feel has been sharpened, too.

Inside, the Type R gains heated front sports seats for the first time, adding a welcome dose of everyday comfort to the aggressively styled cabin. New trim, darker metallic finishes and additional Ultrasuede help give the interior a more premium feel.

Technology gets an upgrade, with Alexa built-in and Google built-in making their debut. The latter includes Google Maps, Google Play and Gemini, while two additional USB-C ports join the standard wireless phone charger.

Honda has also enhanced the Civic’s safety systems, including improved detection of motorcycles and bicycles and revised adaptive cruise and lane-keeping functions.

The 2027 Civic Type R starts at $48,695 in the US and remains exclusively manual – making it an increasingly rare proposition in a world of dual-clutch gearboxes and electrification.