2021 Honda Civic Type R Interior and Cargo

Regardless of which model you get, the interior is a mix of red and black, with plenty of faux suede for great grip and a racecar feel. The steering wheel is clad in real Alcantara, while the pedals and gear knob are fashioned from aluminum. There are other brushed accents here too, along with some frustratingly fake carbon fiber trim elements, although a carbon package can help resolve this. Despite some areas that feel a little cheap, you get the sense that the Type R is built to follow function before form, and in a car capable of setting records on tracks across the globe, that's a compromise we're willing to make.

The Type R is remarkably spacious in the cargo department. With the rear seats in place, you get 25.7 cubic feet of volume, enough for all passengers to pack heavily for a weekend away. Fold those seats in their 60/40 split and you get access to an area measuring 46.2 cubic feet in volume.

In the cabin, both rows get a pair of cupholders and reasonable door pockets. In front, there's a storage area ahead of the shifter too, along with a commodious glovebox and a little center armrest bin.

The Civic Type R isn't the sort of vehicle that indulges in too many frivolities, but you do get things like automatic rev-matching, adaptive suspension, keyless entry with push-button ignition, a remote trunk release, a g-force gauge, and LED headlights with auto high beams. You also get hill start assist, forward collision detection and mitigation, lane keep assist, a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, and adaptive cruise control. An auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and a wireless phone charger are optional.

As with other features of the car, what you get is enough. No options are offered and we're okay with that. Infotainment is handled by a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display with SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling. Audio comes courtesy of a 12-speaker setup including a subwoofer, and if you've still got that mix from the time you tried to be a DJ, there are two USB ports for you to access and contaminate the airwaves with. The system also features navigation with traffic updates so you're never late for a gig, but you may pull your hair out before you arrive. The visuals are a little outdated and a lot slower to respond than they ought to be. Still, at least you get some physical buttons to make things easier while you're on the move.