The Honda Civic is the automotive equivalent of the Barratt home — slightly boxy, a tad bug-eyed and not very exciting. But pop a 2 litre 197bhp engine under the bonnet and it becomes one of the most desirable hot hatches in the world.

Launched in 2001, the Type-R Civic developed a reputation as a true driver’s car. Honda squeezes so much power out of the engine without using turbochargers thanks to the latest generation of VTEC (variable valve timing and lift electronic control) technology. While the engine feels docile and unremarkable in normal use, if you can hold your nerve and your throttle pedal when the engine passes 5000rpm a completely different character is revealed.

The exhaust note changes, the rev counter zings to 7500rpm and the performance comes on strong. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 6.6sec, but in truth it feels even quicker, and it will keep pulling all the way to nearly 150mph.

But even more remarkable than the car’s performance is its price tag, just over £15,500 when it first appeared. Early used examples can now be picked up for just £8,000.

The Type-R’s exterior is a little understated but its performance credentials are expressed more clearly when you sit inside. The deeply shaped cloth and suede sports seats, the white dials and the stubby gearstick sprouting from the dashboard all feel immediately right. It’s as if the engineers at Honda started with an engine, added the perfect driving environment and then built the rest of the car around it. This might explain why they didn’t seem concerned about more minor details such as fancy headlights.

On the road the Type-R feels like a top quality three-day eventer. Traffic jams, like dressage tests, are all about patience and control; overtaking is like the showjumping rounds, an opportunity to demonstrate some power. But it’s happiest when completing the cross country.

A blend of handling, power and speed makes the Type-R a very speedy mount indeed. The six-speed manual gearbox is so slick you will wish it had another four ratios just so you could change gear more often, and the beautifully weighted steering allows the perfect connection between driver and road.

From a practical perspective you will also find that the Type-R has a decently large boot and that despite having just three doors it offers good access for rear passengers. The rear seat has space more akin to a medium- sized MPV than a hatchback.

In fact trying to pick fault with a Type-R is pretty tricky; four years after its launch owners reports are positively glowing. Yes, the tyre roar is a little intrusive at speed and yes, the turning circle isn’t the best. But you’ll hear few complaints about their reliability or the Honda dealers that look after them.

So does that make the Type-R the perfect performance hatchback? Probably. But I’m not awarding the title quite yet. There is a new Honda Civic coming out next year that will almost certainly spawn another performance model in the near future.

Air-conditioning A £1,000 option on new cars, it adds around £400 to the value of second-hand examples

Dash-mounted gearstick Falls perfectly to hand, six-speed manual gearbox is a gem

Engine If driven hard, the engine will use oil, so keeping an eye on the dipstick is essential

Traction control Not available on Type-Rs but few drivers seem to care

Safety The Civic range scores four stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, but Type-R models lack the side airbags that are standard on other Civics

Servicing A full Honda dealer service history is essential

Colours Limited choice of red, black and silver. If it's white, then it's a Japanese import

Hatchback Split-fold rear seat is standard but opening the tailgate on a wet day can see water cascade into the boot space

Side skirts Check underside for damage, particularly from speed bumps

Wheels Poor turning circle means the rims are prone to kerbing, so check them carefully

Tyres Low-profile tyres are standard; front ones will last for 8,000-15,000 miles, depending how you drive

Vital statistics

Model Honda Civic Type-R Engine 1998cc, four-cylinder, i-VTEC
Power 197bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 31.7mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 6.6sec
Top speed 146mph

The one to buy

A 2001 51-registration Honda Civic Type-R with 30,000 miles on the clock. Pay £9,595 from a main dealer or £8,500 privately

Or for similar money...

2002 51 Seat Leon 1.8 20v T Cupra

2002 02 VW Golf 2.3 V5 three-door

2002 52 Ford Focus ST170 three-door

2003 53 Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 T Spark Lusso

2003 53 Vauxhall Astra 2.2 SRi three-door



Cars with air-conditioning worth about £400 more.

Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer