Civic Type R vs. Civic Si comparison highlights:

• The 2023 Civic Type R will likely cost $10,000-12,000 more than the 2022 Civic Si
• The 2022 Civic Si will likely offer better fuel economy than the 2023 Type R
• The 2023 Civic Type R will be significantly more powerful than the 2022 Civic Si

Honda’s Civic Type R is all-new for the 2023 model year, and it comes with some significant updates, improvements, and performance upgrades. But, don’t count the 2022 Civic Si out just yet. This classic Honda sedan packs a punch for its price point.

2023 Honda Civic Type R vs. 2022 Civic Si: differences and similarities

The biggest differences between the 2023 Type R and the 2022 Si come down to body style, power, and purpose. The Civic Type R is a five-door hatchback, though the overall design is much more “liftback” than the classic turtle-shell shape of competitors like the Golf R or the old Subaru WRX STI hatchback. The newer Civic Si offers only a sedan configuration.

Both are designed to be exceptional daily-driver sports cars, but the Type R has always been more powerful than the Civic Si. Both offer premium interior upgrades that you would normally only find on higher Civic sedan trim levels. And both hold their value extremely well.

How much will the 2023 Honda Civic Type R cost?

Kelley Blue Book—an industry leader in car pricing—estimates that the 2023 Civic Type R will arrive with a starting price of around $40,000. The 2022 Honda Civic Si starts at just over $27,300 and can get up above $30,000 with various additional packages and options.

Will the 2023 Type R cost more than the 2022 Civic Si? More than likely. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the all-new, super-powered Type R will be cheaper than an Si. The good news, though, is that it’s impossible to depreciate a Civic Type R.

Is the Civic Si better than the Type R?

In the 50 years of the Honda Civic, the Civic Si has been more readily available for American markets than the Type R. That means that the Si had more opportunity to gain ground and develop for what the West wanted in a sports sedan. 

In the past, MotorBiscuit writers have made the case that the Civic Si is better than the Civic Type R for reasons surrounding availability and price. After all, many average drivers can have just as much fun with 200 horsepower as they can with 300. 

But, the newest and best generation of Civic Type R hatchbacks may change all that. We’ll have to see what we actually get when the 2023 Type R arrives.

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R should be the most powerful and fastest Honda sedan yet

We’re still waiting on Honda to announce official specs for the 2023 Type R, but all signs point to this hottest of hatches being the most powerful and fastest Honda Civic we’ve ever seen. A heavily camouflaged Civic recently broke its own Suzuka lap record, so it’s incredibly likely that the newest Type R will have more horsepower and a speedier 0-60 time.

Honda Civic Type R vs. Civic Si 0-60 time

The 2021 Civic Type R goes 0-60 in about 5.0 seconds, powered by a 306-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo. We know that the newest Type R will come standard with a similar engine that should be slightly more powerful. The 2023 Type R may also be lighter than its 10th-generation sibling. These factors combined should speed up the newest hatchback, and possibly drop that 0-60 time to sub-five-second figures.

The 2022 Civic Si has a 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds, which is considerably slower than the Civic Type R, but respectable for the class. With just 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, sub-seven seconds is plenty speedy for the sedan.

Which fast Honda sports car is the better choice?

Until the 2023 Type R is released in the spring or summer, we can’t know for sure whether the all-new Civic Type or or the 2022 Civic Si is the better choice. For top power and performance, it’s looking likely that the Type R will take the crown as the best sports car. 

But for an all-around, fun-to-drive sporty car with an affordable price tag and practical fuel economy, the Honda Civic Si has a lot to offer. 

If new-car prices are too rich for your blood, you could also consider the used-car market. A used Civic Si sedan is reliable and can likely be found for under $20,000. A used Civic Type R hatchback will likely still run into the high-$20K range, though there are some things to know about the Civic Type R before you buy one used.