2020 Honda Civic Type R range starts from £32,820

• Type R gets a mild facelift for 2020
• Subtle Sport Line joins standard Type R and high-spec GT model
• The 20 Limited Edition models coming to the UK have been sold

The facelifted Honda Civic Type R has a starting price of £32,820. The updated range will reach showrooms in the next few weeks, with a wider selection of models to choose from.

Buyers can opt for the more subtle Sport Line version as well as the standard car and the tech-filled GT models. Both the Sport Line and GT models cost £2,000 more than the base model, while the 20 stripped-out Limited Edition versions were just under £40,000 - but all have now been sold.

The starting price represents a £500 increase on the cost of the pre-facelift car. For that, you get minor styling updates, revised suspension, a redesigned air intake system and improved brakes. On Honda’s example finance deal, you’ll be paying £339 per month after a £8,520 deposit.

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2020 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition

Honda says the sold out Limited Edition model is the most extreme Civic Type R yet, with lightweight components, other weight-saving measures and chassis tweaks to improve the car’s performance.

Both the infotainment system and air conditioning have been removed to save weight, although, unlike the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R, the Limited Edition still has rear seats. Elsewhere, Honda has removed some of the sound insulation from various parts of the car, and overall the car weighs 47kg less than the standard Civic Type R GT.

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The Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition also gets lightweight 20-inch BBS alloy wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Cup 2 tyres. These are designed to work both on a racetrack and on the road. Honda has also adjusted the car’s dampers and its ‘EPAS’ power steering system. Limited Edition models come in an exclusive Sunlight Yellow paint colour with contrasting black elements, a dark chrome Civic badge and a numbered plaque.

2020 Honda Civic Type R: Sport Line and GT specs

The Sport Line is essentially a less brash version of the Type R. Instead of the huge spoiler fitted to the GT and Limited Edition models, the Honda Civic Type R Sport Line gets a low-level wing similar to the one fitted to the standard 1.0-litre Civic in Sport Line trim. The silhouette is more subtle but the car still stands out with its bulging wheel arches and three central exhaust pipes.

Honda claims the Type R Sport Line is more comfortable and compliant than the other Type R models. Different Michelin tyres have a softer sidewall than standard, and there’s extra soundproofing to reduce road noise, vibration and harshness. It also gets exclusive dark grey 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the sporty bucket seats are black instead of red for a more discrete look.

Confirmation of the new trim levels coincides with a very mild facelift for the 2020 Type R. There are new bumper elements and redesigned LED headlights, while new grille sections are said to reduce the coolant temperature by up to 10 degrees when the car is working hard.

Honda has tweaked the suspension for even sharper handling, and upgraded brakes are fitted. There are also improvements to the infotainment system, a new teardrop-shaped counterweighted gear lever and ‘Active Sound Control’, which amplifies or reduces the engine sound through the speakers, depending on the driving mode selected.

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The Type R’s 2.0-litre engine is unchanged, so all three models still have 316bhp. Zero-to-62mph acceleration takes 5.7 seconds, as before, meaning the Civic Type R still takes its place on our list of the fastest hot hatchbacks on sale.

The 2020 Honda Civic Type R also gets a ‘LogR’ performance data logger for the first time. Alongside a smartphone app, it taps into the car’s computer to give you detailed driving and performance information, including lap times and tips on how to drive more smoothly.

See where the Honda Civic Type R places on our lists of the best driver’s cars and the best used hot hatchbacks.