Chris Harris vs Honda Civic Type R | Top Gear Series 33

Honda has been building Civic Type Rs for 25 years, but what’s most remarkable is that its mechanical template has remained unchanged across that whole period. When many have switched to 4WD and twin clutch gearboxes, here’s a car that uses the original hot hatch template and has lost none of its appeal or ability to entertain. Chris Harris heads to the Top Gear test track to try out the latest Civic Type R…
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[@dfend451]

I salute the Honda engineers and designers. They are why we have these types of cars. RESPECT!!!!!

[@franko8572]

Kinda, but the suits had to approve it and commission the build, and investors had to fund the company, and buyers had to prove it was worth making the product etc.

[@jeffmelara4165]

I was fortunate to get one in the first wave as my daily car. It's an absolute pleasure .

[@ZainJafar]

Is the suspension overly stiff as the majority of reviews mention?

[@rjhick1]

@@ZainJafar I have one. Its only stiff in +R mode. The comfort setting is the Sport setting in the FK8. It doesn't feel that bad except for +R mode for me

[@tanthaman]

Did we ask?

[@Makrel94]

A hot hatch that does 170 mph 🤯 Wild times !

[@swansmeister]

Mine goes 312km/h, you do the math

[@patrikpolivka5285]

How hatch bigger than WRX STI

[@bcraftin7846]

Chris drifting a front wheel drive car like it’s a rear wheel drive car is a masterclass. 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@bruisersdilemma354]

This is a rear wheel drive car.

[@DGT73]

@@bruisersdilemma354no it’s not it’s front, and that’s lift-off oversteer

[@van_der_lindeDA]

​@@bruisersdilemma354awkward

[@Mmm66689]

I knew it is not a cheap car and I have got mine for 3 days and I have to say, its absolutely worth it. It is a 911 GT3 in the world of daily cars, best FF ever. In that way, it is a great value.

[@antiflg530]

I’ve had my brand new 2024 sonic grey pearl for 3 days myself, and I agree! it’s absolutely worth it.

[@DavidusMaximus]

Wrong thumbnail ?

[@TheCaffeinatedDrive]

I mean its the same thing

[@g0d182]

they probably knew 10th gen civic thumbnail would grab more views

[@alanredacted]

Which looks better...

[@pedrorodrigueztube]

Type R gone woke

[@James-May]

Dey arr rook arike

[@HexaSquirrel]

Probably the best ‘regular’ car in the past 5 years

[@ep3]

Seems like the fl5 is very well setup! The best way to make an FF car fast is by setting it so that the rear slides with the corners. Then its a matter of adjusting the throttle for the best corner exit. Very well done Honda! 👏

[@wings9925]

Saw a regular new-shape Civic on the road yesterday. Looked really good! This new Type-R will pull-in buyers who previously couldn't stomach the contrived styling. Me included

[@user-fr9tk4sw41]

私も買いました

[@shahulhusman]

Haha "get in me and thrash me" I feel like that was on purpose Chris.. Lol

[@turbo_tin]

An absolute riot to drive!

[@mondo_stunts27]

Cris thanks for taking the torch with top gear, you’re probably the only one I still appreciate from what seems like older times.

[@jonesy3002]

I have never seen anyone drive the new type R in this manner ….. holy beeeeeeeppppppp now I want one !!!! Have to wait for dealers to stop these absurd mark ups

[@A4ANT]

Me neither, must have watched that turn / skid 30 times

[@FezzaYT]

Mine arrives next month! So excited 😊

[@madmugen888]

🎉congratulations How is it?

[@keith6360]

The 4 wheel drive equivalent is the GR corolla which only a fraction heavier than the CTR. I’d still take the CTR though for the looks and cabin space.

[@afrikengunner]

Buy way smaller practically

[@gtiz5]

Superb review: Chris manages to extract the Civic Type R FL5 essence in just over 5 minutes: If you had to watch just one review of the FL5, this is THE ONE. Respect🙌

[@vicoboi]

Honda will be proud of you for driving it that way!

[@YouTuber-jz5nd]

This is the one car I wish to hell was rear wheel drive... It would be EPIC!

[@b20vteg]

still the best seats in the business!

[@stain628]

Why do I feel the need to buy one after watching this 😊😊

[@TrackSol]

I know it is technically a "hatchback", but it just doesn't feel right hearing it called that. Hatchbacks tend to have a rear end that is at least 45 degrees. The VW Rabbit and Golf, Honda EG/EK/EP3 Civic 3-doors, Peugeot 206 3 and 5 door, and current Toyota Yaris and GR Corolla come to mind. The DC2 and DC5 Integras/RSX weren't referred to as hatchbacks, but rather sport coupes. The Nissan S13 and S14 were usually called liftbacks. And that is what I think this FL5 Civic Type R (and it's Integra cousin) should be called: a Liftback.

[@feelthatfeelthat]

I agree, bothers me when they call this a hot hatch. Regardless it's the perfect daily driver or one car kind of vehicle.

[@JamesSarino]

Same, I think of the Civic Type R (and Integra Type S) as fastbacks/liftbacks, not hatchbacks. But I guess tomato - tohmato. 😁

[@MrGreatnessisme]

I had the FK8 and flipped it when used car prices were really high. I do miss it. It was the most fun car I've ever driven. Just take one out on the track with just sticky tires and you will have a blast!

[@papapetad]

I absolutely cannot look at this car and think "hot hatch". Developped my affinity for cool machines in the mid to late 90's in a country full of jdm cars. None of the icons of the segment had anywhere near this kind of bulk nor shape. I see this more as a refined late 90's/early 00's accord type r. I do like it though. They've finally put someone with functional eyeballs back on the design team to compliment the solid mechanical foundation. It's the first Honda that's tickled my fancy since the CL7. Back in the "cool car" column :)

[@isurumw6119]

One day I will buy that car.

[@LFC1533]

As a previous owner of an original 2000 phoenix yellow dc2 type r in Canada, i absolutely love this honda. This is a proper honda just like the type r was. Id have to see it and feel it to believe this civic is a better fwd car then the R was though cuz even my buddies who owned e36’s and such were mesmerized by the R’s handing. Props to honda for realizing the mistake of the alien spaceship from a few years ago and releasing this 💎 this is a true Type R

[@romeundernero]

That editing at 2:22 is satisfying

[@dmytryblyzniuk8211]

Best hot hatch in its class and most popular family sedan in Britain 🇬🇧, gourgeous car

[@richsan4923]

Most popular saloon in the UK? I'd check your facts on that one. Honda sell less and less cars in the UK every year. They have a very small market share.

[@NCLme]

😂😂 wow Chris jus took the TypeR and went DK on that makeShift B road of an air strip 😅😅😅🙌🏿

[@skylined5534]

I have little interest in the type R (asides this being far better looking than the outgoing model) but as soon as I see Chris Harris doing a review I'm on it!

[@paulstack2431]

But you have enough interest to comment on your lack of interest 😂. Now why would anyone bother doing that 🤔

[@skylined5534]

@@paulstack2431 Smooth brain Paul.

[@nazz0007]

Ha ha

[@SpaceHCowboy]

​@@skylined5534comment and retort of the day of the day 😂 "But iTs V-tEcH BRuH" Bwaaaaaaah.....

[@kchen101]

I have the outgoing model and it's amazing - this one has the whole package... a better look and even better performance

[@iantownsend500]

Those seats look amazing

[@turbo_tin]

They're super comfortable!

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

FWIW, some reviewers have noted that for longer trips, lack of lumber support has become a problem.

[@thestig4408]

Pity it's slower than the previous two models lol

[@williamsilvajr7009]

Cuz of taller final drive. When modded for more power the taller gears will work in your favor. Right Chris?

[@psewgobind]

Sucks that the Si version doesn't have that K20 engine. It leave the door open for the Elantra N, which will take the crown once its long term reliability is proven. Relevant, since us Canadians are not getting the Type-R.

[@LFC1533]

Are you sure we arent? That would be an absolute disaster

[@psewgobind]

@@LFC1533 Site now has it for $52k and the usual no inventory notice.

[@Bmontepeque11]

I know this is overly expenive, but you want the "Working, Middle-class man 911 GT3"? THIS is that Middle-class GT3 ❤️😩 And when you add the usability and space this offers? This might just be the closest thing we have to a perfect car 🧐

[@michaelmassart2349]

And not even one word about the mental price tag, well done Mr Harris

[@raajkumaar16]

He did in the full episode.

[@jameswillard1]

Well in fairness to it’s exceptionally high price it basically doesn’t depreciate at all. In the US 2017 models (first year on sale) MSRP was just under $34k……fast forward 6 years later and you won’t find one with 50k miles for much less (if any) than that. Same goes for every other model year

[@RICARD01]

The price tag is not mental....the MARKUPS are.

[@richsan4923]

Price IS MENTAL. I've got two cars that do 0-60 only 1 and half seconds slower and they cost me less than 3K each. OK they are obviously not brand new.

[@RICARD01]

@@richsan4923 $45k msrp for this car is NOT mental

[@paulabhilash5852]

Awesome car ❤ Respect to honda engineerzz

[@SON-ci9mv]

Im subscribing to bbc because Mr Harris. Way to go sir.

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

Mine's coming soon - cant wait!

[@turbo_tin]

Woohoo! You're gonna love it!

[@ThePiquet888]

Chris Harris tombstone 'What a THING!!'

[@krishnaasaurab]

BBC doesn't even know which one is the new one? They have put the old one on the thumbnail. 😮

[@CerberusTenshi]

Dear BBC, please correct the thumbnail. You're showing the FK8 Civic Type R Sport Line, not the FL5 Civic Type R as in the video. Please and thank you.

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

I never got the Civic sport models/Type R. They are the same price as a V8 Mustang that will eat a Civic for lunch on the track.

[@Tiger-pu4oz]

Last gen V8 5.0 Mustang sounds great. It’s a proper RWD. Has better acceleration. Looks good as a coupe. However, it is not blessed with lightweight agility, nor it’s 6-spd manual is as satisfying to shift. The type R has better steering response/feel. And Mustang can’t seat 4-5 people decently. Much tighter backseats. Less practicality. Both cars have their advantages and disadvantages. And let’s be honest they are not direct competitors. One is a light weight fun 4 door hot hatch. One is a 2 door sporty coupe/muscle car. Now the new gen Ford Mustang V8. I am looking forward to it. Let’s see how driver focused they make it. Will it have a great steering feel/feedback, great 6-spd manuals, more agility, better rear seat room. I guess we all will have to wait.

[@LFC1533]

You never got it and no problem, hope you never do lol your clueless and delluded comparing mustang vs type r’s of past. Why dont we compare celicas and golfs with challengers and camaros while were at it🤦🏻‍♂️

[@poopsie117]

Did not know that the European and Japanese versions of these cars get more power ... interesting.

[@SuperBotfly]

Because of feul quality

[@asianskywalker]

This is the kinda buzz i get when driving my s2000

[@piee93able]

330hp as for round-up figure 🔥🔥

[@jamestubman2016]

Great owning this type r. Good job Chris. 🥳😎

[@maximumattackrallying]

Just a shame it's so expensive and that the numbers are so limited.

[@fluffymuffinsyummy]

mr. @BBCStudios your thumbnail's wrong! that's not the new honda!

[@constillustrus]

I like the looks of the older one better!

[@MrYabber]

I love Honda’s. Toyota’s, too. I JUST LOVE JAPANESE CARS 😅

[@maplefreak64]

3:50 If I were a car collector, I would collect a Honda tractor and a Lamborghini tractor.

[@hagestad]

4:57 yep it was styled by 10 year old

[@davidsong286]

"Get in me and thrash me." - Civic Type R, via Chris Harris.

[@MsFishfish1]

Top review of a top car 💪

[@jameswillard1]

Why is there an FK8 on the thumbnail for an FL5 road test?

[@williambellisIII]

Yeah. And that’s not even an FK8 Type R.

[@CerberusTenshi]

​@@williambellisIIIIt is the Type R, but the Sports Line, with the spoiler instead of the wing.

[@williambellisIII]

@@CerberusTenshi I don’t think it’s the Sportline. The one pictured doesn’t have a red badge, the front lip/diffuser, the rear arches, etc.

[@davevernon4993]

Love it, even if it does look like a Bull Terrier suffering with anaphylactic shock. ( P.S, I love Bull Terriers)

[@jamessheehy4895]

The m135i is the problem with all new hot hatches

[@Pirustae]

170 in a civic type R? 😂 wow, never expected that. Compare it to a non-type R. The piss poor 2.0l engine making only 158hp in the Sport trim. Sport my ass.

[@hoomee7605]

And hot hatches shud also be 2 door. They forget this. FWD and 2 door hatch. !! Anything else doesn't cut it for me as "hot-hatch".

[@philcliffe6909]

Eluded to the price I notice.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Too bad it’s +$40k… before the $10-20k markup. Lol

[@hassyg4083]

the things slower than a 1.6 gr corollla/yaris lol

[@DavidJohnson-zz2yn]

FWD VS AWD. but still, honda beats them in a roll race😂

[@hassyg4083]

@@DavidJohnson-zz2yn erm not really Golf R faster lol

[@pinut187]

Honda is the only brand nowadays to bring us a car in this segment. So yeah winner again as always.

[@aerialbugsmasher]

Laughs in Golf R, Corolla GR, MB A45 AMG, Hyundai 120N, Audi RS3 etc etc

[@pinut187]

@@aerialbugsmasher well ok the Hyundai is correct, the R is not being sold anymore and the other are in another price range/class.

[@kingandrey1688]

Have you seen other drivers drove ctr like chris harris did?

[@user-pu4gs9rz2g]

I think he likes it.

[@pjayx7320]

You wanna know what is amusing though? The dealership price of these things.

[@testdriveph]

Ok so, ummm wrong thumbnail? 😅

[@ronaldwarren1267]

3 cylinder turbo awd yaris now thats a car only one problem cant get them in the states gazo

[@Vermonstered]

psst... The GR Corolla does basically everything the GR Yaris does and better. Both are still significantly slower than the CTR on a track. Only when you start adding in varied grip or wet conditions is the GR 'rally' cars going to keep up. But both interiors are out of the absolute base model car if you don't mind absolute cheapness and neither GR have a great driving position.

[@mishimposble]

CTR is junk

[@bmx687]

​@@mishimposble it doesn't blow up like carolla/yaris

[@ryanyeethegifted]

Did he just drift this front wheel car😂

[@madmugen888]

Multiple times it would seem! Harris is the only one who drives like you’re supposed to!

[@ryanyeethegifted]

@@madmugen888 is not about the drivers, is abt the cars. The cars can do nomatter who drive.

[@madmugen888]

@@ryanyeethegifted the car is definitely capable, there’s plenty of reviewers talking about the amount lift of over steer you can get and how much the car can rotates, however Chris’s driving and the way BBC captured it is soo much more satisfying to watch than any other channel I’ve seen. While it still technically not a drift, I’ll take it and it looks like a lot of fun.

[@romerosneck]

'get in me, and thrash me', sounds like my ex

[@aaronwalker1549]

2:16 My girlfriend coming home drunk at 2am

[@jamescollins408]

Pity it's now £50+K! Only worth around £34K. Rip-off.

[@hasantuter3398]

Chris Harris looks like he broke out of jail

[@nadeemaziz7471]

Honda👌

[@ryb2189]

This car is awesome until the elements take over.

[@philochristos]

It looks to me like you CAN buy happiness.

[@area50view]

Work on the Thumbnail.

[@g0d182]

~~~~ doesn't look as special as 10th gen, but still looks fun

[@shadquirk607]

That is 100% a saloon car, NOT a hatch of any kind.

[@zpe1200]

only 5 minutes?

[@TheFK8Life]

Wish he could drive my 640bhp FK8 😂 absolute riot - the people who complain about these cars have no idea of their potential and it shows. Just laugh at their ignorance. 😂

[@SpaceHCowboy]

We'll laugh at the understeer.

[@controlfreak1963]

I've got the same engine in my Acura RDX and it is very impressive for a 4 cylinder. The RDX has Super Handling All Wheel Driver (SHAWD) so it handles turns a bit better than the Type R's front wheel drive.

[@jordyariaszapata6124]

Lmfao yea nope. I have an rdx aspec and a type r and the rdx is nowhere near close to the handling of a type r, not even remotely close and engines are bit different aswell same block different pistons and the head different aswell.

[@controlfreak1963]

@@jordyariaszapata6124 Try it in snow.

[@madmugen888]

Turn in and handling has more to do with vehicle setup and geometry over if a car is driven by the front wheels or all 4 wheels. Eg. The CTR will still out handle a 4 wheel drive (stock) STI on back roads and on tracks (in the dry) which has similar power and weight.

[@Stark1ller]

4.59 m is too big for a "hot hatch".

[@cmarz6564]

its a Saab

[@robertoehni7272]

Chris Type R or Yaris GR ???

[@christianglyde2696]

Yeah Chris which one?

[@pinut187]

Chris didnt skip a meal for a while✅

[@smellyfish36]

I feel like with that size chassis they could've made it RWD, I dont know why were pretending FF is a good layout for a performance car when its the worst one possible

[@albertogonzalez1746]

324hp?

[@konholio2]

Honda needs to shave off 200kg of this car, to make it special.

[@madmugen888]

Hopefully an LE version will pull that off, time will tell.

[@patrickbateman7122]

Here we go the CH OTT top gear acting is back 😒

[@stuffs76]

🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️

[@swansmeister]

It runs hot on the ring is all you need to know.

[@dTheHammerb]

Such an ugly car, cant get over it. The FK8 is way better by the stretch of anyones imagination.

[@93Tillinfini]

If you like cars that look like boy racer cars. Last Gen was way to fake. Fake vents, fake carbon fibre, fake hood scoop, shitty steering wheel, shitty looking seats. As said in this video it looked like a 7 year old designed it. It was rice. This is actually aerodynamically styled, better cooling, functional hood vent, no fake vents and over the top styling. I cringe when I see an FK8. It didn’t even look aggressive, it looked like they said “style this, style that, style this, put more fake vents here”

[@CerberusTenshi]

​@@93TillinfiniYou're talking out of your ass and it shows. You have no idea what you're talking about. Fake vents? Only a few. They are called style elements, to brake up boring design and endlessly round surfaces Fake hood scoop? Nope. Functional hood scoop. It just works in a way you don't understand. Fake carbon fibre? No. Honda never claimed it's carbon fibre. You can get a carbon fibre package, interior and exterior to replace the textured plastic. Shitty stearing wheel? It's the same stearing wheel in the FK8 as in the FL5. Shitty looking seats? They are the same seats, except for colouring. FK8 is red and black, FL5 is only red.

[@tonyboswell5414]

I agree, the FK8 looks like what it is a hot hatch, the FL5 would impress your 👵 grandma, toned down WAY too much and made to look very generic

[@farishanafiah8461]

Much better looking than FK8. The FK8 is an overdesigned mess.

[@mishimposble]

Overpriced and front wheel drive. Blah

[@TheCaffeinatedDrive]

Ditto, really don’t get the appeal of this car.

[@paulstack2431]

I always find it hilarious when people comment on something they have no interest in ' I also find it's usually from a point of not being able to afford the item or liking /owning something else that this car will drive rings around 😂

[@da-yh3uy]

@@paulstack2431 probably a mustang owner

[@isurumw6119]

Stop it. Get some help😂

[@williambellisIII]

And how many times have you driven one?

[@lotfims969]

Dissapoiting

[@S29V8T]

Seen one for sale expecting it to be 38-40k. It was 51000 and it was ex demo. That’s rs3 money.