The Civic only scored four stars in the Euro NCAP crash test ratings at a time when most alternatives have been awarded five. The Type-R gets six airbags as standard, electronic stability control, seatbelt pre-tensioners and Isofix child seat mounting points.
The Type-R offers superb luggage space with a 485 litre capacity - that's 100-litres more than the Ford Focus, plus the boot features a neat twin-level floor. But it's the rear seats that are the Civic's cleverest feature - they fold flat in one go, or alternatively the bases can be lifted up - there's also extra storage space underneath the chairs.
This is an area where the Honda is way ahead of rivals. However there are gripes - rear visibility is obscured slightly by the spoiler in the split rear screen and there's no rear wiper either, the bottom pane has a water-repellent coating that Honda claims clears itself - but in practice it doesn't really work and collects dirt easily.
Euro NCAP Rating
The Honda Civic Type-R (07-10) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:
Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.
