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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $39,507–$45,658 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 8.3/10, the 2020 Honda Civic Type R earns a Recommended rating among the sportss we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Value at 7.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate the Honda Civic Type R's reliability at 8.7/10 — among the strongest in our sports database, reflecting the nameplate's track record and recall history. On safety it earns 8.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.9/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a sports you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.8/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $39,507–$45,658, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic Type R sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Honda Civic Type R ranks #9 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 8.3/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $39,507 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 14%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Honda Civic Type R scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 8.3 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.5/10 | $46,241 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.5/10 | $44,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.3/10 | $43,548 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $42,201 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.2/10 | $40,854 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 8.3/10 | $39,507 | |
| 2019 | 8.2/10 | $38,160 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $36,813 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.1/10 | $35,467 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 18/12/2023 · 23V858000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2020 Honda Civic Type R's reliability 8.7/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 8.3/10 overall, ranking #9 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2020 Honda Civic Type R starts at $39,507 and ranges up to $45,658 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.