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The 2025 Honda Civic Type R achieves 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined according to EPA ratings[1]. With a 12.4-gallon fuel tank, you can expect roughly 273 miles of city driving range or 347 miles on the highway per fill-up[2]. Real-world owner reports suggest average fuel economy between 23-27 mpg depending on driving style[3].
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
The 2025 Civic Type R runs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque[4]. Despite packing serious performance credentials, Honda managed to extract respectable efficiency from the VTEC powerplant.
| Metric | Rating |
|---|---|
| City MPG | 22 mpg |
| Highway MPG | 28 mpg |
| Combined MPG | 24 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12.4 gallons |
| City Range | ~273 miles |
| Highway Range | ~347 miles |
| Required Fuel | Premium unleaded |
The 2025 model shows a slight improvement over the 2024 Civic Type R, which managed 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway[5]. If you’re wondering what gas does the Civic Type R take, Honda recommends premium unleaded for optimal performance.
Real-World MPG: What Owners Report
Here’s where things get interesting. EPA numbers rarely tell the full story. During Car and Driver’s 75-mph highway fuel economy test, the Civic Type R actually exceeded its rating, returning 30 mpg[6]. But your mileage may vary—literally.
Owner feedback from dedicated Civic Type R communities paints a nuanced picture. One FL5 owner noted averaging 23-24 mpg with mixed driving, while highway-focused trips at 70-85 mph yielded 27.5 mpg[3]. Another owner reported trip computer readings showing 32 mpg on sustained highway cruises[7].
The driving mode you select impacts consumption significantly. In R+ mode (the aggressive setting), owners report 18-22 mpg. Switch to Comfort mode and drive conservatively, and you might see 26-30 mpg[8]. The catch? If you bought a Type R to drive like a snail, you probably grabbed the wrong keys.
Factors That Affect Type R Fuel Economy
Several variables determine where your actual numbers land:
- Driving Mode: R+ mode prioritizes throttle response over efficiency; Comfort mode relaxes the mapping
- Driving Style: Regular pulls to 5,000-6,000 RPM drop averages to 24-25 mpg versus 27-28 mpg with restraint[9]
- Traffic Conditions: Stop-and-go city driving hammers fuel economy more than steady-state cruising
- Climate Control: A/C use and cold starts reduce efficiency, especially on short trips
The small 12.4-gallon tank is one owner complaint worth noting. Several enthusiasts wish Honda had fitted a larger tank given the high-output engine[10]. You’ll find yourself at the pump more often than in a standard Civic—plan on roughly 250-300 miles between stops with mixed driving.
Civic Type R vs Competitors: Fuel Economy Comparison
How does the Type R stack up against its hot hatch rivals? The numbers reveal trade-offs between performance and efficiency.
| Model | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Honda Civic Type R | 22 | 28 | 24 | FWD |
| 2025 Volkswagen Golf R | 22 | 31 | 26 | AWD |
| 2025 Honda Civic Si | ~27 | ~37 | ~30 | FWD |
The Volkswagen Golf R edges out the Type R by 3 mpg on the highway when equipped with its DSG automatic transmission[6]. The Golf R’s all-wheel-drive system and available automatic make it the more efficient choice for highway commuters, though both cars require premium fuel.
The regular Honda Civic Si delivers notably better efficiency—owners report up to 40 mpg on the highway[11]. But you sacrifice over 100 horsepower for that efficiency gain. It comes down to priorities: raw performance or daily drivability.
Estimated Annual Fuel Costs
At current fuel prices, Edmunds estimates the 2025 Civic Type R costs approximately $183 per month to fuel[2]. That translates to roughly $2,200 annually, though your actual costs depend on local premium fuel prices and driving habits.
For context, the Civic Type R starts at $45,895 MSRP[12], making fuel costs a relatively small component of total ownership. If you’re cross-shopping performance cars, the Type R’s fuel economy actually represents a practical advantage—many sports cars in this power bracket return worse numbers while demanding the same premium fuel.
Maximizing Your Type R’s Fuel Economy
Want to stretch your range between fill-ups? A few strategies help:
- Use Comfort mode for daily commuting and save R+ for spirited drives
- Maintain steady throttle on highways rather than fluctuating speeds
- Keep tires properly inflated—underinflated rubber hurts efficiency
- Avoid excessive idling, which burns fuel without moving you anywhere
- Combine short trips when possible to minimize cold-start losses
That said, if fuel economy ranked as your primary concern, the Type R probably wasn’t meant for you. The car exists to deliver driving thrills. Obsessing over every tenth of an mpg misses the point entirely.
FAQs
Does the Civic Type R require premium gas?
Yes. Honda recommends premium unleaded fuel for the Civic Type R. Using regular gasoline may reduce performance and could potentially affect long-term engine health, though modern knock sensors provide some protection[2].
How far can a Civic Type R go on a full tank?
With the 12.4-gallon tank, expect approximately 273 miles of city driving range or 347 miles on the highway based on EPA estimates[2]. Real-world mixed driving typically yields 250-300 miles per tank.
Is the Civic Type R fuel-efficient for a performance car?
Relatively speaking, yes. The Type R delivers respectable economy for a 315-hp hot hatch. Comparable all-wheel-drive competitors like the Golf R offer marginally better highway numbers, but few performance cars in this class achieve significantly higher combined ratings.
Why is my Civic Type R getting worse MPG than EPA ratings?
Aggressive driving, frequent use of R+ mode, city traffic, short trips, and spirited acceleration all reduce real-world fuel economy. Owners using Comfort mode with moderate driving typically match or exceed EPA figures on highways[6].
Did the 2025 Type R improve fuel economy over the 2024 model?
Yes. The 2025 Civic Type R gains approximately 1 mpg in both city and highway ratings compared to the 2024 model, which achieved 21 city and 27 highway[5].
References
- Edmunds. (2025). 2025 Honda Civic Type R Specs & Features. https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2025/type-r/st-402044272/features-specs/
- Edmunds. (2025). 2025 Honda Civic Type R Fuel & MPG. https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2025/type-r/st-402044272/features-specs/
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Reddit r/Civic_Type_R. (2024). FL5 Owners.. What’s your MPG?
FL5 Owners.. What’s your MPG?
byu/PhanphyWaffle inCivic_Type_R - Honda. (2025). 2025 Civic Type R Features & Specs. https://automobiles.honda.com/civic-type-r/specs-features-trim-comparison
- Casa Honda NM. (2025). 2025 Honda Civic Type R: Features, Technology, and MPG Comparison. https://www.casahondanm.com/2025-civic-type-r.html
- Car and Driver. (2025). 2025 Honda Civic Type R Review, Pricing, and Specs. https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/civic-type-r-2025
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Reddit r/Civic_Type_R. (2025). How viable is the fk8 for day to day life?
How viable is the fk8 for day to day life?
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Reddit r/Civic_Type_R. (2024). Gas mileage.
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Reddit r/Civic_Type_R. (2024). 2020 Type R Owner Report.
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Reddit r/Civic_Type_R. (2024). Owner comments on fuel tank size.
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Reddit r/cars. (2024). 2023 Honda Civic Type R – Brutally Honest 1-Year Review.
2023 Honda Civic Type R – Brutally Honest 1-Year Ownership Review by TheTopher
byu/NoctD incars - Edmunds. (2025). 2025 Honda Civic Type R Prices, Reviews, and Pictures. https://www.edmunds.com/honda/civic/2025/type-r/
I am a senior automotive analyst at Autvex. Expert vehicle evaluations, in-depth reviews, and objective analysis helping readers make informed automotive decisions with years of industry experience.
