NEW Honda Civic Type R review: the best hot hatch in HISTORY

Steve Sutcliffe drives the 2022 FL5 Honda Civic Type R on road and track.
Read more at Auto Express:
New 2022 FL5 Honda Civic Type R specs and details: bit.ly/3FlFk0x
New 2022 FL5 Honda Civic Type R review: bit.ly/3Fbu7iJ
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Despite the rabid anticipation surrounding the new Honda Civic Type R, and the eye-watering £46,995 price tag Honda has just attached to it, the car itself contains surprisingly few all-new components beside the car it replaces. Yes, it has a new bodyshell that’s 15 per cent stiffer than before (which is a great starting point) but its engine and gearbox are essentially the same as before, as are its steering, brakes and suspension. And yet the overall result is a hot hatchback that once again rewrites the rules when it comes to front-wheel drive dynamics. It is, quite simply, the best hot hatchback there has ever been. In places, by quite some margin.
How? Well what Honda has done with the Type R this time is clever, and quite unusual. Rather than spend time and money developing a range of brand-new components, Honda’s engineers have instead evolved what they already knew worked rather well on the existing Type R, fine tuning them to a level that would never have been possible had they started from scratch.
On the one hand, you could argue that the budget wouldn’t have allowed them to develop an all-new powertrain in the first place, so they had no option but to work on what they already had. But on the other hand, few manufacturers would have the confidence to allow its engineers to spend four years essentially honing a car that was already in a class of one, but that’s essentially what Honda has done here. Steve Sutcliffe tests the newcomer on road and track in this first drive review.
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[@alastairs3727]

£47k....... ffs

[@apexclip3458]

For a civic with bolt on’s, some tweaking, and badging. But the fanboys will pay dealer markup to have one.

[@ryanwilkins7080]

60 grand for an amg 45s

[@Eric-qm5xw]

Ridiculous price

[@michelemariotti8198]

47k is not a hot hatch anymore

[@Eric-qm5xw]

@@michelemariotti8198 and a Honda lol…

[@jonandrews6018]

The £34k I spent on a GR Yaris makes me feel particularly smug now 😊

[@susanpritchard6164]

The civic is a far better car than the Toyota there’s nothing to compare to this Chris Harris said the seat alone is incredible it shows what they can make for 47 k my Honda dealer said it might be 2 years at least to get one like a Rolex watch maybe never should you be lucky enough to get one boy will it hols its value with electric coming 😂😂

[@keynesianeconomics4113]

Mate, Honda in general is in a different league quality wise to Toyota.

[@maquettemusic1623]

@@susanpritchard6164 That goes exactly against the founding principles of the Honda type R and hot hatches in general. This idea of "rarity = good" is exactly what marketing wants you to believe, that by making their car so much more expensive, well, it must be better right? Any person can buy a rolex anyway, they're not rare. There's 0 reason for this car to be either rare or 47 grand.

[@sgillard960]

I'm not a Toyota fan but I do find the GR Yaris a very interesting car. If it wasn't for the FK8 I'd certainly consider the Yaris.

[@beecee6850]

@@susanpritchard6164 gr4 will murder any civic type r in the real world, here in Wales you'll be wheel spinning and understeering all day long while the gr4 grips and dissappears

[@Nemoticon]

I still can't get over how a Civic today is bigger than an Accord from the 90s!

[@876jesseJAMES]

And yet they want to call it a hot hatch .. this is a fast family car

[@Nemoticon]

@@876jesseJAMES The term has changed from what it used to be. Who knows what it will be next... I foresee compact SUVs being called hot hatches in time to come.

[@shintaro6132]

@@876jesseJAMES Rename it Accord Type R. The real Civic Type R is the EK9.

[@Nemoticon]

@@shintaro6132 If this car was called the Accord Type R, I'd be much more impressed.

[@zone47]

Yeah, sort of a bummer. It makes my GTI look like a Smart car. I do like the wide flares, but they could chop off about 6" of width and a foot of length and it would be ok with me.

[@jamesmallison9604]

Exactly... The best hot hatch that literally no-one can afford. Car prices have got so daft over the last 10years. There was a time when an E46 M3 was £45-£48k New. Now you can spec an M3 to nearly £90k. Outrageous

[@alfamonk]

Yep, they'll be rare and it does make me wonder who actually has £50k to buy something like this. Shame salaries haven't increased at the same level...

[@zGJungle]

The best hot hatch that is the size of a family saloon, the word hothatch has lost it's meaning.

[@seshelbow336]

but this thing would run rings around an e46 m3.....and 47k then is far more than 47k now?

[@johnstonlee]

@@alfamonkpcp club mate.

[@parenthlete]

The era of cheap money is gone

[@williambellisIII]

Legends. Steve and the Type R.

[@mikiex]

And the guy with the moustache and sunglasses

[@irfaan7868]

Couldn't agree more

[@seshelbow336]

The fact they gained so much without whacking the power up massively is incredible......anyone can boost the power up

[@aarononeill2366]

Yeah but with more power it will just spin because of FWD

[@paulie2476]

Power without perception is useless

[@CypressRacing]

Great video. Fortunate enough to be enjoying mine in the states for the last 3 weeks. It's been absolutely amazing...true gem of a car.

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Nice in blue.

[@bighands69]

@@VidNibs They cost £35000 in the US.

[@Murphy252000]

But let's face it, it's not yours mate it's the banks

[@limericklad2000]

@@Murphy252000 just like the majority of people's houses. What's your point?

[@limericklad2000]

@@bighands69 in hypothetical imaginary world where you can get one for sticker.

[@michaelteret4763]

More Steve, please.

[@Ollie_5]

When you consider Porsche 981 Cayman GTS manuals are selling for £50k - that’s a lot of car for the money

[@x8dudtrackdaytoy]

£47k 🤪 Not really a hot hatch anymore either, it’s huge 🤣

[@zGJungle]

Exactly man, no one knows what a hot hatch is these days!

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@zGJungle The Suzuki Swift Sport is available in the original hot hatch brief -- yet people seem to think its 140bhp/970kg is "not enough". Go figure! It is 400-600kg less than most other "hot hatches" but it just doesn't sell that way. So people might say they want an old school sub 1000kg hot hatch with a more modest amount of power, but they just don't buy them.

[@Android-vk8yh]

A stiff suspension is what makes a type R. I have an Fn2 GT And yes, it's a bit harsh on main road and bumps, but when you hit those corners in the b roads puts a big smile on your face. Even my family car is a bit stiff being a Mazda CX-5 but for a family car again it handles lovely through the lanes.

[@jamiep61]

I enjoyed watching the Video Review. The World’s Best Hot Hatch Just got even better 😊

[@hughjass2745]

Expensive? Yes. But you all seem to have forgotton the time Renault had the absolute cheek to charge 72 THOUSAND POUNDS for a Renault Megane that looked like it ram raided Halfords...

[@stobsie]

Granted everything has gone up in price but £47k is simply ludicrous.

[@Aliozka]

JPY 4,997,300 = £30k Almost £50k in the UK doesn't make sense.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Don't forget things that don't apply to the Japanese price: no CO2 road tax (£1470 for the Civic Type R's polluting 200g CO2/km bracket), no 10% import tariff due to being made outside EU, no 20% VAT (sales tax is 10% in Japan -- so that's ~32% total tax in the UK since VAT is charged on top of import tariff, versus 10% in Japan). Regardless satisfying the Japanese Domestic Market is Honda's priority hence the more reasonable price and the 10,000 Japanese orders being preferentially filled (compared to very limited export allocation).

[@nycytc8055]

That price point is insane!!

[@BigBear--]

Don't buy it then. Lol. Toyota GR Circuit, Golf R, all at the same price point.

[@sundaramirtanandha7058]

Steve you should do more test vids... simply awesome. Its fantastic that Honda have kept to the pure DNA of a hot hatch, Front Wheel Drive and Manual Gearbox. Better start saving!

[@infidel900rr]

This is one of the rare cars that I actually want to go buy new... Sadly dealer markups are ensuring that I won't get that chance.

[@neilbenton1152]

I could have sworn he said £47,000 🤨 makes my gr yaris purchase seem quite a steal .

[@adambaker629]

Same here. Especially when you consider the GR is rumoured to have cost almost £50k to put together

[@adr23]

Nope

[@cuprashoe]

Yes it is overpriced but I think the type r is more car if you know what I mean, BTW the yaris gr is an epic car

[@juanfernandez8987]

Bought one two weeks ago. I can confirm it's worth evefy penny. It actually feels more expensive than that. This car is a masterpiece.

[@gtiz5]

Congrats! What did the Type R replace for you? Drove the FK8 a few years ago, and loved it, but here (Switzerland) it is almost impossible to test-drive the FL5. My A45 AMG is rewarding, but the CTR looks impressive. Should probably just go for it. G

[@juanfernandez8987]

@@gtiz5 I traded in a 2019 Honda Accord 2.0T with a 6sp manual.

[@JimmyDShea]

⁠@@juanfernandez8987I had a 2018 accord 2.0T 6MT and LOVED it. I regret trading it in and have been contemplating getting back into one ever since…but I’ve been considering the FL5 the more I read/watch about it. Glad to hear you enjoy the switch. I think I’ll be in one in the near-ish future. I’m gonna do what Topher did and out the type S damper module in it and delete the front resonator.

[@SteYoung]

As an owner of a then new 2002 Type-R at £16,500 I cannot believe the price of the newest model. The prev gen Type-R that got a few tweaks was 'merely' a couple of grand more so this £12k or so price difference at around 185% increase from my 2002 type-R, just feels like a blatant money grab. Its so disappointing. Theyre not alone sadly. As a fan im pleased the Type-R is still causing a stir but not at this price.

[@bighands69]

That is what inflation does. You are going to notice a lot of other things become more expensive as well. Now the good thing about japanese products is that they are reliable but you are going to see them starting to make the products look a little bit more premium due to the price hikes that are coming.

[@lowfeelsblvd]

That's what puts me off about so many car reviews - yes it's a cracking hot hatch but at 45k+ is it really THAT good? I think I'd rather have a slightly used BMW 3 series or go for a Mazda MX5 and stick a supercharger in it for that kind of money. Best hot hatch in history, maybe, but only in a vacuum. For 90% of people. That's an eye-watering price for a hatchback.

[@SteYoung]

@@bighands69 We can brush it under the carpet and call it inflation all day long but we're getting fleeced all over the place atm. I just wish we werent so happy to put up with it by giving it the 'inflation' label. Of course it isnt just car manfacturers either.

[@Hells_Gift_MB]

The price is nuts. The whole purpose of a hot hatch is that it's supposed to be accessible for the majority of everyday people (an everyday car with a bit of poke, fun handling, simple and does everything). Anything north of 30k isn't a hot hatch imo, you could could them hyper hatchbacks. A traditional hot hatch is imo around 20-25k in today's money and gets you around 200-250bhp. Anything above this gets drastically overpriced and moves into the hyper hatch territory.

[@SteYoung]

@@lowfeelsblvd Its not right is it? Even Sutcliffe said it or made reference to the cost 3 times in the video. Bananas pricing. £100k Type-r here we come! #giveittime

[@IdaiMakayaPublications]

This price increase is unjustified. It's the same car! Other car reviewers have raced this against the old one, and it's actually slower. The TypeR engine has hardly changed since the 2003 version and this car is less than 1 sec faster than the version of 20 year's ago. This is typical of the rip-off car industry. I think reviewers need to be bold enough to tell it as it is, rather than pandering to manufacturers in order to be contacted for press launches.

[@dobie_bellaruby]

£47k. Noooooooooooooooo way!

[@u04pww2]

A few years ago I bought a 250hp EP3 for £2,000. It's hard to believe I would need another £45,000 to upgrade to the newest version. Madness but also sadness as I think this could be the end of affordable hot hatches with inflation and the price of gas/electricity there's no way your average working class family could afford one.

[@OngoGablogian185]

@@dtrain1634 Sold mine five years ago for five grand. Loved that car and wish I kept it.

[@ausingtv]

35 was alot, 47 is ridiculous

[@atomalbert]

For a split second there when you laughed, I thought I was watching Ricky Gervais review a Type R

[@joshjmilli]

Truly a great looking car. But I really miss the small compact size that the EK9 and even EP3 had. Car looks very big for a Civic.

[@haveaseatplease]

The same length as the Honda Accord third gen.

[@topadvertising-productiepu4696]

OK, so if you guys think the price for this car is too expensive for what can deliver compared to other cars from its class, I just configure on the official websites, some cars that are just a little more faster than the FK8 not FL5 on Nurburgring because for this car, it doesn't matter 0-100km or rolling race although there is no competition for her in his class, this car just kill other cars from point A to B so Nurburgring is the benchmark. It is exactly the main reason this rocket was build! to destroy on B roads, cars way more expensive or with more power etc. ... anyway, for example, the base price for a A 35 AMG is 56K+ euro, A 45 S AMG is 77K + euro, BMW M2 is 72K+ euro, M3 90K+ euro, audi RS3 67K+ euro, Audi S3 68K + euro (I'm not sure why is more expensive than the stock RS3 .... ) again cars with a Nurburgring time lap very very close to the type R FK8, which is supposed to be slower than the FL5, but we will all find out exactly, when the time will be published by Honda. So, to the prices I put on top, you need to add between 10K and 20K for some very useful options like adaptive suspensions or things like that, when in the type R the only option you have is to change the color so ... yeah, looks like the type R in comparison with others, is from another league. also, it is the cheaper car to buy and and smash the ones who take from your pocket more than 30K just for the name. with the options I've put on the cars, all the 3 came out with a price of almost or more than 100.000K euro and I speak about the RS3, M3 and A45 AMG S so ............. the type R it's a bargain, thanks GOD such a car even exist! don't mention about the so much practicability and a day by day car than the others .....

[@Murphy252000]

It's a honda, it's like having a times for the price of an omega, i dont know what your trying to imply, they are sticking the hand in when the old model was much cheaper

[@topadvertising-productiepu4696]

@@Murphy252000 you just have to keep the proportions of the times we live in and refer to the prices of other cars today. compared to the prices of other cars today, the FL5 is cheaper than the FK8 when it was released in 2017. In that year, the FK8 was not half the price of the RS3, M3 or A45 AMG but that's how it is today that mean is cheaper than the FK8 when was released :) is it abnormal to pay 100K for an Audi RS3 or a BMW M3 or even a Mercedes A 45 AMG ... how much will the higher classes cost?

[@flaw3dgenius222]

34k to 47k? GTF Honda

[@bighands69]

It is the same price as what VW, BMW and Mercedes has. People seem to want more expensive cars that they cannot afford. But as long as you feel that you are saving the environment and paying more for the privilege then who am I to say anything about that.

[@aaa84gt]

I know we got Chris Harris and Henry Catchpole, but I love Steve Sutcliffe the most. He convinced me to buy Boxster GTS 981 and BMW 3 Series, and now I'm convinced about this car.

[@bobanppvc]

I love him too his love for cars is obivious watching him since 997 gt3 was new

[@fkhothatchi]

Can't wait for the track test!

[@Ransack777]

Owned an FK8 and currently an FL5, the FL5 is so much better all around. I still love the FK8

[@albertogonzalez1746]

$30k markup on a type r here in Houston…and it was spoken for. Someone dropped over $75k on a civic….

[@ovidiudiumea4012]

wow insane

[@keith6360]

Could the price increase mean that the moving of production outside UK may have affected it?

[@faviojimenez5444]

I paid 60k. And I would do it again. Every time I get in it, it just feels special, the pentacle of front wheel drive performance. Ofc I’ve always liked Honda, this is just my opinion

[@shaunsimpson9902]

I was thinking about getting one but 47k is nuts I'm afraid. I'll stick with my 4 wheel drive focus rs thanks.

[@capuchinseven]

Was considering one but the dealer is claiming 50k, no way I'm paying 50k. I could get another Porsche for that and for a useable hot hatch the i30N gives me everything I'd need on the road and I can get one new for 35k.

[@MrTiptonboa]

You must be very proud :)

[@lastexile1187]

Good luck with your engine bro. One of the worst Ford engines ever made (and im a ford fan)

[@capuchinseven]

@@lastexile1187 Given the context of the issues with the last CTR engine I'm not sure how fair that is.

[@lastexile1187]

@@capuchinseven thats nice. Ive a friend who works in a ford specialist, he sees multiple mk3 focus rs' coming in each week with blown up engines. I somehow dont think the f20c is quite that poor. Of all the generations of Ford STs and RS' the mk3 RS 2.3 already has the worst reliability track record. The best were the mk2 ST and RS volvo engines but those werent sold in the USA. Same 2.5T 5 cylinder in the Volvo c30 and s40 T5s.

[@craigsphotography46]

47 grand. 47 grand.........again 47 grand. The world has gone insane

[@Murphy252000]

I know, and wages have stagnated. All these plonkers who can't afford to buy it and rent it off the bank have driven these prices so people like myself who save for things are getting priced out. Mummy and daddy never knew how to say no to little Jimmy.

[@craigsphotography46]

@@Murphy252000 yup surely the market for these will only have 1 way to buy one and that's with those insane PCP deals. After 3 years there will probably be a few of these knocking around early to mid 20s. To be THAT older plonker I remember buying my first type R new in 2002 for I think it was 17k

[@jameskelly972]

I put a £500 deposit on one of these in May....I'll keep my GR Yaris! They're taking the p**s at that price!

[@ClickSpringReview]

As I remember you guys got 5.4s 0/60 out of the FK2 CTR when tested it against the Golf R and the FK8 is faster than the new can in a rolling start , Sounds like you'd be better of Yaris GR and and with the extra 17K get yourself a Westfield track car

[@parenthlete]

Why would you need the track car though??!

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@parenthlete Because the CTR many think is a track car for the road and so like to track it Matt

[@parenthlete]

@@ClickSpringReview i meant if you have a GR Yaris why would you need the track car

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@parenthlete The Yaris is very and cool I really like it , I look at as a modern day EVO 6.5 but its still a road car and when it comes to track days its hard to beat the fun that can be had from a light weight RWD track car , Yes the GR maybe faster but speed and power doesn't always mean more fun 👍🏻

[@cuprashoe]

I've still got my fk2 and before the price was announced I was tempted with the fl5 but is there really any point? I don't think there is to be honest, I refuse to believe I would trade the fk2 in and have to cough up another 20k

[@theofanisvasilakakos8203]

I was waiting for video ... And I was hoping that AUTOEXPRESS gave Steve the assignment. No disrespect for the others at AE, but the Type R is Steve material

[@nattcharles]

Well it’s not surprising it’s so good. Its the first real Type-R since the FD2. BUILT IN JAPAN!

[@antonymunn8386]

Cancelled my order, after paint option £47.5k plus £2.5k if you want carbon pack. Bought another FK2

[@gbthegreat]

I don’t drive stick and would absolutely buy this if it was available as automatic. To that end I contacted Honda and they told me no chance. Love that Honda are still keeping the hot hatch game alive.

[@hman9581]

You won't get the same driving experience and control of the engine/throttle if it were an automatic. I stopped driving cars with a stick a few years ago. Maybe I could go back because of this Civic!? hehe

[@chrisahmed8660]

Takes all the fun out of driving

[@cuprashoe]

Don't get me wrong when I'm stuck in traffic I often think I should get an auto but when I get my fk2 up in the Yorkshire dales I forget all about it

[@shaffermarkshaffer]

Not sure if this can be described as a hot hatch anymore. It seems very far away from the original template of a warmed over cheap hatch. It seems to occupy the space vacated by the Impreza and EVO plus the Sierra Cosworth originally.

[@robinmarples5198]

More like a 4 door saloon

[@tkmwong020480]

They described it Wrong. It's not a hatch since EP3 Type R changed to FD2 Type R in Japan which is a sedan with 4 doors. Even FK2 had 4 doors and it doesn't look like a Hatch. The only hatch thing that remains is the Big Boot space that the EP3 and FD2 had that still carried through to FK2 FK8 and now FL5.

[@Birmingham_racing]

This is basically a accord type r to me

[@irfaan7868]

Yes ! .. Steve back in a hot Honda ! 🔥

[@RandomVideosFirst]

Just checked the price , wow wow wow! the EP3 in 2001 was £20,000

[@shane6115]

@@dtrain1634 you are correct sir on the prices of EP3, they were a steal at the time.

[@shane6115]

@@dtrain1634 you know what though, even they were a bit older than that group you have there a Peugeot 306 S16 was a brilliant car too.

[@shane6115]

@@dtrain1634 I had a 2008 Honda FN2 for 8 years and a 2005 EP3 never a days trouble with both, gone old and lazy now, Lexus is300h FSport is my daily now, but still love the hot hatches.

[@shane6115]

@@dtrain1634 I’ve had Renault 5 turbos Peugeot 1.9 gti escort RS turbo 2 golf gti,s mark 2 Honda CRX,s vti as I said I’m older now🥲

[@stevewallace1387]

I had an FK2 for nearly four years and loved it I had pre ordered the new one bat cancelled it when they told me it was £50.000 the salesmen who sold me my FK2 told me that of the 13 people who pre ordered the car when told the price 12 of us cancelled I know it's a great car but the price is too high

[@cuprashoe]

Great cars I'm on my 2nd fk2, I was in the exact same position. I got my name down then cancelled when I saw the price, trading mine in and having to cough up another 25k nah

[@stevewallace1387]

@@cuprashoe I'm glad people are walking away I will keep my mustang gt for another year

[@sparkplug964]

I would save £10K and buy the old one or keep the old one.

[@beecee6850]

More like 20 000

[@Sto950]

Sutcliffe and the Civic Type R - two Masers of their trade right there.

[@Dax151tube]

I did put a holding deposit down...until they published the price....so I bought an AMG C63 instead....no regrets

[@Labiqueabro]

In Australia it cost 72600 driveaway. Which is about 37200 pounds. Its so sad to see it 10000 pounds more expensive in the UK compared to Australia. But im glad to be here. Waiting for my delivery.

[@slyarsenal]

Honda Type R is just a special car. The sterile and boring Euro 4wd hot hatch car lovers don't understand this vehicle. The 2017 Civic Type R is still 4 secs faster than a 2023 Golf R mk8. Who says you need 4wd? I test drove both the FL5 and Mk8 Golf R on the same day to get a fresh comparison. The Type R was so much more exhilirating and dynamic. I also prefer the extra boot and cabin space. The Golf R is a great car in its own right but not even close when it comes to pure driving

[@tkmwong020480]

Not the same exhaust, it's a redesign where You now can open the valve inside.

[@christopherdaniel2747]

Check out dream automotive, they have a setup that makes it sound like a jet ....I'm in love with it .

[@markku011]

I really don’t understand why the goodness of a car like this has always to be tested only in on dry and smooth-like-pool-table roads. Driving in real life is made of facing wet roads, slippery roads, b-roads, most of the time. I mean, this is really a fantastic car and one of the best ever made. But I drove the previous Type R, and like all the FWD hot hatches, it loses too much of its greatness once the road is even slightly worse than dry and flawless. Battling with spinning front tires, understeer, and track-focused suspensions is not the best of fun. This is why my previous car was a Focus RS MK3 (AWD) and my current one is a GR Yaris (AWD again, of course). I don’t miss FWD cars like the Type R for a second of my driving. Maybe before granting a car with a huge praise like the one mentioned in the title of this video, let’s put into the equation how much fun and performance a car can give in ordinary life… I easily guess that this unique award won’t definitely go to a FWD car. After spending this much money for a car, we badly need full-time fun, not just in rare and artificially neat conditions.

[@TassieLorenzo]

If you are from the UK, it likely rains a lot! Here in southern Australia or, say, in southern California, 3/4 of the year is quite dry and warm. People have different views. I would always prefer the Megane RS, or the GTI Clubsport, or the Type R as I think they are more exciting than the AWD models. I had an AWD WRX and I did not like it, it was too easy IMO, YMMV of course! 🙂

[@markku011]

@@TassieLorenzo In your case, you sure have a point, I acknowledge it. But not all countries get much sunshine like yours, sadly. I live between UK and Northern Italy, and perfect, dry days are quite uncommon. I even faced heavy snow many times, and I left so many FWD hot hatch like the Type R (or weak-AWD like the Golf R) stuck on the side of the road, while I slowly went my way with no problem at all. I think a car, and particularly a sportscar, should be rated upon its performance in any kind of weather. That would finally relieve me from the usual question: "AWD? Why? You don't live in the countryside!". Car magazines should be the first to underline the perks of AWD eve in everyday driving, otherwise the AWD cars market will end up disappearing at all sooner than later, and I will be really sad...

[@UKGBManny]

Look alot better than the last model for sure i bet its a fun ride. Crazy how this hatchback is bigger and heavier than my 2006 Subaru Forester STI SUV cars are massive now.

[@TassieLorenzo]

That's not quite correct, even the 2005 Impreza STi (1475kg) is heavier than this car (1445kg), let alone the 2005 Forester STi (1500kg). The Forester is probably only that light because it's still on the older less rigid body structure more similar to the GC8 Impreza anyhow. 🙂

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

I can't wait until Steve tests the Corolla GR.

[@user-gi4uz5rc6u]

No GR Corolla in Europe

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

@@user-gi4uz5rc6u Really? I didn't know that. Not even in Germany?

[@93455Driver]

@@AllAhabNoMoby Europe got the GR Yaris. That said, would be surprised if they send a GR Corolla press car for the journalists to play with.

[@Atomus87]

No Yaris for US and no corolla for EU. This is what they decided :) I think Yaris is more interesting dynamically and in design so its not that bad the bigger one is not arriving. I would love to see GR Yaris Cross but no way this will be happening

[@user-gi4uz5rc6u]

@@AllAhabNoMoby unfortunately no

[@mikewhitehead50]

I can accept it's worth the price, but it's a shame it's out of reach for a lot of the potential audiance. I know the FK8 well, so if they noticeably improved this in all key areas, it'll be brilliant.

[@minimumtrade]

You are the first commentator to state the Michelin PS4S is Honda bespoke. Perhaps firmed/tuned similarly to the BMW bespoke 4S tyre.

[@dehv]

47k!?!?!

[@gavsmart4360]

I don't understand the jump in cost that's à45s territory

[@AR-rs2dy]

Well done Honda. The last of the hot hatches is the King.

[@dh-ro6gh]

A45s wants to have a word

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@dh-ro6gh Have you seen L'Argus lapping the Nurburgring in the A45S? The body roll and understeer is unreal, the way it understeers into a corner and then rolls into torque vectoring oversteer on the way out is really strange too (a car that both understeers and oversteers, wonderful!). The same driver drives the track a lot more confidently in both the old Civic Type R LE or ordinary, or the Megane RS Trophy or ordinary one. The A45S seems to be too softly sprung and biased towards understeer compared to the more planted handling of the Civic or Megane.

[@maciejbigos7434]

Lovely car, but that price is too close to RS3... Of course Typer R is probably better on a track, but most buyers will use it as a daily.

[@gpaje]

That car starts at 35,000 pounds in the US based on current exchange rates. Why is it so expensive in the UK and Europe?

[@TassieLorenzo]

In the UK, there is a CO2 tax on new cars (which is £1470 pounds or $1800 USD for the Civic Type R's 200g CO2/km bracket) as well as a 10% import tariff on cars imported from Japan and a 20% VAT tax on cars.

[@PurpKing4377]

Typical Type R greatness

[@DC5dotty]

47k!

[@warwid5419]

Its weird cause in Canada here we get it for 50k MSRP and when doing the conversion 47 pound equal 77 dollars Canadians :/ You guys are getting robbed!!!!

[@Sakratic]

basically Honda took a page from Porsche with its iconic 911 - from last gen to this one, just little incremental advancements/refinements. Not a bad thing, actually very logical approach, being the last gen. was impressive already.

[@sk-un5jq]

I even get a Porsche styling vibe from the front and rear.

[@drum57yellow]

Feels weird that fq360 Evos had more power and torque back in 2006 for the same sort of money in todays converted money. I still prefer my evo but this does look mega

[@tomeklubomir]

Honda got their target market wrong. New TypeR costs £47k marketed as “more grown up”, but less seating capacity than EP3 costing £17k when new. Growing up means having a family and kids to drive around, yet there’s only 4 seats in the last 3 generations of this car (FK2, FK8 & FL5), but all of them having 5 doors for some weird reason. EP3 had a space for driver and 4 of his mates to hoon around, yet only 3 doors (go figure). I fit the profile of more grown up bloke and really like the new typeR, but having only 4 seats is a deal breaker.

[@paulie2476]

Thank you from The Land Down Under. Signed the contract today 😊.

[@pittwm]

Excellent car at MSRP, but every buyer is met with inflated dealer price, last I saw was 72k USD. NO THANKS

[@alexmaddox2255]

Keep going on about the price but isn't a Golf R about the same price these days. The Mercedes A35 and 45 are just as expensive, so are offerings from BMW.

[@pauln0371]

An Audi S3 is about £5k less as is a Golf R and A35.

[@Panster7]

That price though

[@adrianbennett3761]

Shame it’s no longer made in the UK

[@djwarren5081]

I bought a Civic Type R new in 2003. I can't remember what it cost but I certainly wouldn't pay £47 k for one now, no matter how good it is.

[@Murphy252000]

You would need your head read

[@santoshrathod123]

That car you bought in 2003 is nothing like the modern Civic Type Rs.

[@gordon238]

@@santoshrathod123 Yes, but it was lighter, revs to 8.5k and had proper VTEC. Also cost £16k new.

[@bighands69]

What is your alternative to a performance car? Mercedes, BMW or VW are just as expensive or even more expensive.

[@CoopersSpecC]

I paid £15.5k brand new in 2003 for mine, £47k is nuts

[@obsessedcloset2638]

£50k best hot hatch in the world. Shame you can’t get one until middle of next year. If you are lucky. Honda UK is a joke. Remember when you could get an EP3 for £17995 with AC. No way has inflation went up that much in 19 years.

[@riccccccardo]

Toyota Yaris gr and Corolla gr but wait *HOLD MY BEER*

[@NigelsModellingBench]

£47K??? Are they having a laugh?

[@wileecoyote5749]

A '73 2 Door stock Datsun 510 will mop the floor with that car

[@christopherdaniel2747]

Typical.

[@rolo_061]

this or Supra Manual with that price tag?

[@cuprashoe]

£47k! I'll stick with my fk2

[@Wubyuwongthyme]

£47k is a rip off!! This car in left hand drive is offered for the equivalent of £36k on the U.S. market. Why is there over a 30% mark up for the European market? No brainer, buy a 2 year old BMW M2 competition for £40k instead..

[@jameshoward9700]

Expensive? Yes. But to class these simply as a 'hot hatch' is a bit misleading - you're really talking about a car with Porsche GT3/Lotus levels of driver feel and nuanced ability. And very high quality. It's just not the same sort of thing as a Golf R or Focus ST. The GR Yaris is close, but a different performance focus (nadgery back roads vs flowing B's and track) and nowhere near the overall vehicle quality. The problem is that it now clearly competes with 'prestige' brands, but it is a better car than an S3/M240, maybe even M2/3 on track.

[@towerdave4836]

My Type R was £14k in 2004. Is this one more fun to drive? £40k s worth of more fun? Somehow I doubt it.

[@jelwing]

Don't care about the negativities said by someone else, this is one of the best cars in 2022

[@infidel900rr]

Steve is a legend - one of the best!! 👍

[@davidphanh]

No way in hell I pay $50k for a FWD car……..

[@23ofSeptember]

I still want an EK9 over this beast.

[@dair919]

Forty-Seven Thousand ........ Typo surely

[@Murphy252000]

A GR Yaris appears to be a bargain now and on that country road would kill it.....

[@bighands69]

They are two different types of cars and Toyota are also going to get more expensive in the future as well.

[@lowfeelsblvd]

Fiesta ST is still the best hot hatch you can buy. Even with the insane inflated prices of today you could buy a loaded ST3, take it to a stage-2 remap and it would be chasing the Civic Type R and Yaris for performance at a fraction of the cost. A loaded ST3 would barely top £30k. My Mk8 on a stage 1 (240BHP) cost me £23k. That's half the price of a new Type R.

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

@@lowfeelsblvd I doubt it. Throwing more power at a car without all the other aspects ruins the experience more often than now.

[@ISOLATICN1]

Gr Yaris actually gets left. Next joke

[@TassieLorenzo]

If it's wet, yes. If it's dry, I think the Civic would be faster even though it's a bigger car. The Civic has got 40mm more tyre on each corner and a higher power-to-weight ratio for instance.

[@adambaker629]

I had an EP3, absolutely brilliant car so I'm a big honda fan. But this is too long, too heavy and too expensive to be a 'hot hatch'. I now drive a GR yaris - even for the same price I'd stick with the GR. I hope Honda bring out a neater cheaper iteration next time

[@peterbennpan7288]

Jezza & crew, Chris Harris & Stevie Sutcliffe together would make the perfect car show

[@outofthefoxootf979]

I ordered mine for 74k AUD with some options and delivery won't be till 2024 / June however I truly think this will be one of the last best cars Honda will ever make. Everything seems to be Electric or hybrid and I think that is where Honda will lose some of its soul which clearly they've put a lot of in this car so really makes it worth the money. I also wanted to purchase it as an investment for the future and I can think of much worse cars to buy.

[@stevenmcgeorge1983]

Most of these reviews are blatantly paid for by Honda. How can say a FWD car is better than a GR Yaris or Corolla for example, when it can't launch, so it's 0-60 time is poor, it's crap in the wet, and it's useless in the snow? It's literally good on track, in the dry and that's about it.

[@fooyc188]

it seem like Honda still don't hv or made that reverse gear lock out gate?

[@Jack-rj1dq]

47k for a hot hatch - don't be ridiculous and bucket it with the finance super hatches, such a shame to see true hot hatches disappear. l'll with my mk8 ST

[@Birmingham_racing]

I remember ep3 being 16k new. I know it was 20 years ago but 3 times the price is ridiculous

[@wolfpackpete6408]

"Extra 20% cost"... that's less than the inflation from April 2021 until now. In a way it's cheaper than the last model. If salaries had risen in line with inflation, it would be.

[@themrmarkprior]

I get that everything has been refined and perfected but it still pains me that its fundamentally the same engine, same gearbox, same suspension, same car that previously sold for £34k, but now its £47k. Whats the extra £13k get you? 9bhp more?! And its slower than the FK8 in a straight line!! I still want one. But it feels like a money grab.

[@funkyfin3023]

Everything a Civic R should be except the price. That’s nearly a 35% increase Steve not 20%…… Are Honda not aware the ¥ has depreciated as well?

[@bighands69]

It is the same price as the other brands.

[@funkyfin3023]

@@bighands69 😂