Honda Civic Type R (FL5) vs. Honda Civic Type R (FK8): which is better?
We put two generations of the Honda Civic Type R – the ultimate hot hatch – up against each other to find out which is best.
When it comes to buying a hot hatch, there’s a lot to consider. You’ll want to check out what makes it hot (performance and driving experience) as well as what makes it a good hatch (practicality and reliability).
There’s not much that comes close to the Honda Civic Type R in terms of appeal and design, but with the launch of a new model comes yet another dilemma.
We pitch the 2023-onward Honda Civic Type R FL5 against the 2017-2022 Honda Civic Type R FK8 in this ultimate head-to-head.
Honda Civic Type R (FK8) vs. Honda Civic Type R (FL5): which has more style?
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Starting with the brand’s newest model, which went on sale in 2023, the FL5 takes a more subtle approach and looks leaner than its predecessor.
It still features all of the typical Type R enhancements that you’d expect, including an oversized rear wing and a specially designed sporty bumper, but the car underneath all of this looks quite soft and curvy.
Other upgrades, like the red Honda badges, give away the fact that this is indeed not your standard Civic.
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The FK8, on sale between 2017 and 2022, has a much bolder design that gives the car an overall more aggressive stance.
Its wing is even more in-your-face, and the wheelarches and bumpers are even more flared.
Compared with other hot hatches, both of these stand out as exceptionally well-designed models and have plenty of unique touches like the three centrally mounted exhaust pipes.
Honda Civic Type R (FK8) vs. Civic Type R (FL5) specs: what are they like to drive?
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The previous-generation FK8 model has been likened to giving drivers a raw experience – its punchy 320hp engine and performance-enhanced manual gearbox mean you can drive this car enthusiastically.
It also provides a lot of feedback from the road through the steering wheel and inspires a lot of confidence, which is important if you want to take your Civic Type R to the track.
Its suspension is a good balance of being firm enough to handle tight turns while still being soft enough to make it a good daily driver.
The new Honda Civic Type R FL5 model feels more mature in the way it drives. There aren’t any significant changes – instead, Honda focused on minor improvements right across the board, making it a more well-rounded product.
Those changes include more control over driving modes, rev-matching across more gears, and a slightly stiffer chassis for greater rigidity.
If speed is important to you, then you’ll want the FL5 model, which does 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. The FK8 does the same sprint in 5.8 seconds. The FL5 also has 9hp more than the model it replaces.
What is the technology in the Honda Civic Type R (FL5) and Civic Type R (FK8)?
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Given that the cars were launched within just a few years of one another, both feature equally modern car tech, but the newer FL5 model has the FK8 beat on overall cabin quality.
A large and crisp touchscreen infotainment system takes centre stage in the FL5, with smartphone connectivity options like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
It also features a completely digital instrument cluster, which has customisable layouts that can display performance metrics like G-force and lap times.
The FK8 still has a digital driver’s display, but it’s more like a digital version of a conventional instrument cluster and puts the rev counter first and foremost.
Despite having completely different designs, one key area that both cars do well in is the use of physical controls. Being driver-centric cars, physical controls make adjusting the car’s settings easier than having to prod away at a touchscreen on the go.
Honda Civic Type R (FL5) vs. Civic Type R (FK8) dimensions and boot space
When car manufacturers introduce newer versions of existing models, they almost always end up being bigger, and the same is true of the Honda Civic Type R.
FK8 models are 4,557mm long, 1,877mm wide (excluding mirrors) and 1,434mm tall. That’s about the same as many other hot hatches, but the Civic is slightly longer than average.
The FL5 is nearly 4cm longer (4,594mm) and slightly wider (1,890mm), but it sits more than 3cm lower (1,401mm), giving it a sportier stance.
Civic Type R (FK8) vs. Civic Type R (FL5): which is more reliable?
Honda has a reputation for building reliable cars, and the Civic is no exception, being a long-lasting and dependable model even in Type R form.
The Civic and Honda on the whole perform well in customer satisfaction surveys, but the Type R is often excluded because it’s a more niche product.
Data on the FL5 is fairly limited because it’s a much newer model and so fewer have been sold, but so far, the outlook for both models is pretty positive.
Used Honda Civic Type R (FK8) vs. used Honda Civic Type R (FL5): which should I buy?
Despite some subtle differences, the reality is that the Honda Civic Type R, from any generation, is an incredibly joyous car to experience.
There’s little that separates these two in terms of performance, leaving you free to pick which you prefer the style of.