The Honda Civic has become a true hot hatch contender. Over the last few decades, it has clawed its way into the limelight. Becoming more powerful, more refined, and much faster. It has stood toe-to-toe with the competition, and not flinched. The 2023 Honda Civic Type-R is a Volkswagen Golf R killer.

That is high praise indeed. But Honda isn't some new kid on the block. They are an old hand at creating fast road cars. With the civic itself having been serving up spicy thrills for the best part of 50 years. Some of its offerings, like the 2004 Civic Si was vastly underrated. Whilst others like the Type-R series have left a lasting legacy.

An accessible, reliable hatchback, the Civic has a proud lineage. A line-up that caters to most people's needs, whilst remaining affordable. Peppered amongst that history is a selection of special cars. Ultimate gems that elevate the model even further. So, in a plentiful back catalog of cars, these are the 10 best Honda Civic hatchback models ever made.

Related: These 10 Honda Cars Were Born To Be Souped Up

10 Honda Civic 1200 RS

1973 Civic
source: Wikimedia Commons

Launched to cater to those wanting economy, the original CIvic was a winner. A clean running hatchback, it excelled at city duties. Powered by a decent selection of engines, the Civic sipped fuel. Well-equipped and fun to drive. The Civic had set out its stall early.

honda-civic-1200-rs
source:Honda

The 1200 RS was the first hot Civic. Its 1.2-liter engine pumps out 75hp and 75 lb/ft of torque. The RS 1200 also came with a five-speed manual transmission. Fantastic fun, the Civic RS 1200 had a 7000rpm redline. A scarce car, good examples are tough to find.

Related: Why We Wish The 1st-Gen Ford Focus RS Was Sold In The States

9 1985 Civic Si

honda-civic_Si 1985
source:flickr

Only offered in Japan, the full-fat Civic Si got a 120hp engine. A 1.6-liter DOHC unit that loved to rev. Other markets would get a watered-down version with far less power. Relatively quick for the period, it could hit 60mph in 8.4 seconds. Its top speed is an impressive 122mph.

1985 Civic Si Rear
source:honda

Guaranteed to make a driver smile, the Civic Si was a great hot hatch. Small, light, and very powerful. It could carve through a set of corners. Huge fun on a twisting road, the engine loved to be revved out. It was a car that begged to be driven hard and fully enjoyed.

8 1998 Civic Type-R

civic type r white
source: Wikimedia Commons

The first version of the Civic Type-R raised several eyebrows. This was a small, cheap hatch that could hit 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. It would run to 60mph in just 6.7 seconds. Mightily impressive stuff. But nothing compared to its cornering ability.

1998 Ctr interior
source:flickr

Equipped with a 1.6-liter engine it generated 180hp. A huge amount from such a small displacement. It came as standard with a limited-slip differential and close ratio gearbox. Inside were Recaro bucket seats, a Momo leather steering wheel, and a titanium shifter.

Related: 10 Reasons Why The Volkswagen Scirocco Is A Severely Underrated Hot Hatch

7 2009 Civic Mugen R

HONDA-Civic-Type-R-Mugen-1
source:flickr

Tuning maestros Mugen took a Generation 8 Type-R and added a lot of spice. Sporting a 2.0-liter VTEC engine power has been bolstered to 237hp. Weight has also been stripped out. This allows the Mugen R to hit 60mph in 5.8 seconds. A second faster than the standard car.

HONDA-Civic-Type-R-Mugen
source:flickr

Feeling every bit like a race car, the Mugen is a snarling Civic. It hunts down apexes. Launches out of corners. And just swallows up the tarmac. Ideally suited to fast back road assaults, it's also a perfect track weapon. One that isn't compromised by its retained practicality.

6 2003 30th Anniversary Type-R

30th Ann
source:flickr

Muscling its way onto the hot hatch scene the EP3 Type-R was awesome. Ferociously fast, blindingly capable when covering miles. Just hugely enjoyable to drive. The only chink in its armor was that its equipment list was fairly basic when compared to rivals.

30th Ann Interior
source:flickr

The 30th Anniversary version looked at resolving this. It came with tinted windows and air-conditioning as standard. Complementing the special Recaro seats and Momo steering wheel. Only 300 were made. Each retained the 197hp engine and 6.6 second 0-60mph time.

Related: This Is What Made The 2015 Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition So Special

5 1992 Civic SiR-S

CIVIC_SIR-S_1
source:honda

A true pocket rocket the JDM Civic SiR-S was an impressive hatchback. Powered by a 1.6-liter DOHC-VTEC unit with 168hp. The little Civic could hit 60mph in 6.8 seconds. The five-speed manual transmission proved to be very precise. It also came fully loaded with extras.

1990 Sirs
source:flickr

Boasting such features as keyless entry plus Momo gear knob and steering wheel. The SiR-S could take down much bigger prey. On and off the track, the Civic SiR-S would deliver high-speed thrills. Feedback was sensational. A true Honda gem, it's still a contender today.

4 1999 Civic Jordan Edition

Honda_Civic_1595cc_Jordan
source:wikimedia Commons

Just 500 examples of the Jordan were made. Each being a bright hue of Sunlight Yellow. All were fitted with a plush leather interior and a commemorative plaque. It was only available in the UK. Despite its name, the Jordan race team had no input into the car's development.

Jordan Interior
source: Wikimedia Commons

Under the hood lurked a 1.6-liter VTi engine. Good for 157hp the Jordan could hit 60mph in 7.7 seconds. At the time, it was the fastest Civic available in the UK. Made even more appealing by the lavish specification. Highly collectible, decent examples are hard to find.

3 1994 Civic Shuttle 4WD

Civic Shuttle
source: Wikimedia Commons

Way before crossovers were a thing, Honda released the Civic Shuttle. A longer, taller Civic for those with a family. As it was equipped with real-time 4WD, owners could also take their families off-roading. Something made even more possible by its increased ride height.

Civic Shuttle Beagle Rear
source:flickr

Fitted with a 110hp 1.6-liter engine, it wasn't fast. A 0-60mph time of 10 seconds was adequate. But that is missing the point. This is a multipurpose Civic. Load it up, and venture off into the wilds. A car that will take some user abuse. Plus, it also still looks pretty cool.

Related: Why The New 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison Is An Off-Road Beast

2 2021 Civic LE

Honda-Civic_Type_R_Limited_Edition-2021
source:netcars

The Limited Edition 2021 Civic is fast. Properly fast. It marked 306hp from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. All that power allows it to hit 60mph in 4.8 seconds. With the throttle buried, this is a Civic Type-R that will storm on to hit 130mph in an impressive 19 seconds.

Honda-Civic_Type_R_Limited_Edition-Side
source:netcars

The Type-R LE isn't all about straight-line grunt. It will also attack twisty roads. Always feeling planted, the LE just finds grip. Sublime handling and power allow for an incredible turn of pace. This is the most polished Civic Type-R yet. A car that punches above its weight.

1 2008 Civic Type-R Championship

Champion Civic R
source:flickr

In an ode to its racing heritage, Honda released the special Championship White edition. Thanks to a limited-slip differential, it shaved half a second off the standard cars' 0-60mph time. Bespoke white alloy wheels, the sparkling white bodywork, and smoked handles set it apart.

2008 Champion Civic
source:flickr

The equipped LSD transforms the Type-R. Handling becomes more communicative. Grip levels are increased, with wheel spin muted. Corners can be attacked with far more aggression. Braking made later. The Championship Edition feels far more alive when driven hard.