Civic Type-R turbo power earns ‘Wards 10 Best Engines’ for 2018

It’s a big deal to earn Wards’ coveted “10 Best Engines” accolade. For 2018, Honda has two models acknowledged by Wards. What do we like about the most powerful engine to ever be offered in a production Honda car?

Without question, for most Honda performance fans, the #1 attribute of the most powerful Honda car ever offered for public sale in North America is its 2.0 L VTEC, fuel injected, turbocharged 4 cylinder gasoline engine. Not only is this engine powerful, but when operated within the limits of the law of the land, is very fuel efficient, and mechanically bulletproof.

The first time Torque News experienced Civic type-R was on a closed circuit road course situated in the pristine Pacific Northwest. As thrilling as it was to test the limits of Civic Type-R on the track, where Honda’s one and only extreme touring hatchback truly shines, is on the street.

Wards Auto likes Civic Type-R’s motor for its torque, refinement, and relative quiet

Coming up against the most advanced, fuel efficient, powerful, and durable, long-cycle, electronically cylinder managed engines in history is something that Honda excels in. This year, the 5th largest automaker by sales volume in North America, finds two very innovative power trains on Ward’s 10 Best Engines list.

Honda Civic Type-R finds itself in good company with a couple of very advanced hybrid drivetrains. Civic Type-R lands on the list due to its superior across the shift range torque, 206 horsepower enabled sprint capabilities, and class leading fuel efficiency. I love the way Type-R’s engine meshes perfectly with one of, if not the best close throw 6-speed manuals found in the compact hatchback segment today. We spend a week with Civic Type-R on the road to the Redwoods.

Here’s what Honda says about Civic Type-R

The Civic Type R features the most powerful engine ever offered in a Honda production vehicle for North America. The Type R's 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC Turbo® direct-injected power plant advances performance on multiple fronts with a peak output of 306 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm1. The Civic Type R is the absolute pinnacle of Civic performance, and ranks as the fastest Honda production automobile ever offered in America, with a track top speed of approximately 170 mph.

Honda Civic Type-R and Clarity FCV in good, mostly electrified company

Innovation is the key to superior drive-train and engine development today as electrification goes mainstream in the automotive world. As noted by Ward Automotive, the luxury car segment pulls to the side of the road in 2018, as the mainstream auto incorporates technology once reserved for only top trim, luxury model offerings. Here’s your top 10 for 2018.

This year’s winners:

150-kW Electric Propulsion System (Chevrolet Bolt EV)
3.6L Pentastar DOHC V-6/PHEV (Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid)
2.7L Twin Turbo DOHC V-6 (Ford F-150)
5.0L DOHC V-8 (Ford Mustang GT)
130-kW Fuel Cell/Electric Propulsion System (Honda Clarity)
2.0L VTEC Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Honda Civic Type R)
3.0L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Infiniti Q50)
2.0L Turbocharged DOHC 4-Cyl. (Jaguar XF)
3.3L Turbocharged DOHC V-6 (Kia Stinger)
2.5L Atkinson DOHC 4-Cyl./HEV (Toyota Camry Hybrid

The very advanced Clarity Fuel Cell made Ward’s top 10 list in good company with Chevy Bolt, Pacifica Hybrid, and Toyota Camry. However, Clarity is the only fuel cell electric to be recognized by Ward’s Auto in 2018. Read more about Clarity here.