I recently had the pleasure of spending a week behind the wheel of the almighty Toyota GR Corolla Circuit, and it was everything that I wanted it to be. In the video review I published, I called it “the new standard for hot hatchbacks.” As is expected with any sort of statement like that, some backlash formed in the comment section. However, there was a recurring theme of folks pointing out that the Honda Civic Type R is a better example of the poster-child hot hatchback. There is one problem, though. It’s not a hatchback, right?
First of all, I’m not seeking to downplay the outright phenomenal driving experience that the Civic Type R provides. It’s a fabulous car, and I absolutely love it. That said, let’s call it what it really is here: a performance sedan. Before you take to the comments to clarify that the hinges for the “rear door” extend all the way to the roofline, let me explain my logic here.
Liftback, Hatchback, Sedan, Trunk, Hatch, who CARES?!
Let’s take a step back to a handful of years ago when Honda first introduced the newest generation of the Civic. The automotive enthusiast world had an all-out meltdown because of the lack of availability of a “coupe” variant. Step back a couple more decades, and there’s an uproar about the Integra “Sport Coupe” because it is “actually” a three-door liftback. All this jargon has the power to cause near-endless arguments among car fans, but what does it all really mean?
Basically, it means nothing, and all it really is is a chance for internet warriors to feel correct. You don’t need to point out the irony in me writing an entire article to feel right about the Type R, either. It’s not lost on me. But in this case, it’s a hill I’m willing to die on.
The EG9 Honda Civic Type R is a hatchback. The EP3 Civic Type R is a hatchback. I’ll even yield to the goofy-ass FK2 Civic Type R being a hatchback. The FK8 and FL5, though? Those are as much a hatchback as the Mercedes AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is a coupe. It just isn’t.
2024 Hot Hatchbacks: There Are Only Two
From where I’m standing, the only true-to-form hot hatchbacks for the 2024 model year in the U.S. are the Volkswagen Golf (GTI or R, choose your preferred flavor) and the Toyota GR Corolla. We would love to add a taste of the Mercedes A45 AMG to that list on this side of the pond, though.
I want to reiterate here that I’m not trying to discredit the Type R. It’s a fantastic car. It just isn’t truly a hot hatchback. I don’t care where the hinges are.
Photos: Honda
