Honda Civic Type R: car review

A blisteringly quick track-ready car. But is it really the ideal choice for a trip to the shops?

Price: 29,995
Top speed: 168mph
0-62mph: 5.7 seconds
CO₂: 170g/km
MPG: 38.7

Everything about Honda's sizzlingly hot hatch seems designed to make me feel old. It should have a "generational warning". The styling is so extreme, so brazenly out there, it's as if the Type R has raided the dressing-up box to create its own version of what a full-on racer looks like. In this case: Power Ranger meets Mortal Kombat warrior. Sitting at the wheel, the car's panels swooping with curves, vents and intakes, all topped off with a huge wing and enough pipework to build an organ, I felt" well, slightly ridiculous. In the watery sunshine of a Sunday morning, it was like doing the walk of shame after a raucous Saturday night - with all eyes on me.