Honda Civic Type R

We got our first taste of the Type R in the U.S. with the last-generation Civic in 2017 even though prior models were sold overseas since 1997. This latest Type R adopts the current Civic hatchback's styling as a foundation, making it less flashy and garish than the previous generation. Under the hood is the same turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but this time around it makes 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That's a marginal increase of 9 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque over the previous Type R. But there are subtle improvements, including an updated transmission that has a lighter flywheel and revised gate shift pattern and shift lever for cleaner and snappier shifts. Combine that powertrain with a sport-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes and you've got a pretty serious performance car. The Civic Type R is incredibly fun to drive on a racetrack or your favorite twisty road, yet it's relatively affordable and easy to live with as a daily driver.