With solid utility and a fun-loving nature, the Honda Civic hatchback can be a great choice among compact car buyers. Starting in 1997, the Civic Type R performance variant was initially sold only in Japan, but Honda introduced this hot hatch to the United States market in 2017. It had suspension enhancements, better brakes, and the most potent engine in the Civic range. Honda upgraded the Type R’s brakes and suspension in the 2020 model year. After a short hiatus, a redesigned Type R returned to the Civic hatchback lineup in 2023, a year after the launch of the 11th generation Civic. When it debuted, Honda claimed it was the most powerful production car the automaker had ever sold in the U.S.