Honda Civic Type R EP3 vs FL5 | Is the original still the king?

The new Honda Civic Type R is an entertaining machine, no doubt. However, the question we want to ask is whether it lives up to the legendary original Civic Type R - the EP3.
We sent Grace Webb to twin test the new FL5 and original EP3 side by side to see if the true hot hatch blood is still running through the veins.
#CivicTypeR #FL5 #EP3 #Honda #hothatch
Official Website 👉 www.goodwood.com/grr/
Facebook 👉 / goodwoodrrc
Instagram 👉 / goodwoodrrc
Twitter 👉 / goodwoodrrc
SUBSCRIBE for more racing cars, supercars, new car reviews, historic motorsport and Goodwood event coverage 👉 bit.ly/GoodwoodTV
Buy your Goodwood Event tickets 👉 bit.ly/GWBuyTickets

[@GoodwoodRR]

Pre-empting the comments to say that the EK9 wasn't sold in the UK...

[@PlanetautoUK]

Touché - every ek9 owner ever

[@danielrhys2153]

I feel as though noone is paying attention to the video. The presenter states that the EP3 was the first Type R model to come to the UK, therefore making it the Original Type R in that market..

[@GoodwoodRR]

*nodding intensifies*

[@andrewwhite986]

Your last comment says it all. "You want to drive home in modern luxury ". The Type R was a sports car and not a luxury car. The newer cars are bloated and over weigbt. The EP3 was the last of the lightweight, sports derived Type R's.

[@sidathwijeratne7168]

You’re right, even the EP3 was somewhat compromised when it launched, but by todays standards, they’re delightfully simple

[@LCOF]

It's a hot hatch, not a 'sports car'.

[@joshuamurphy1406]

I might be a little biased, EP3 everyday of the week for me. I love mine

[@jamesrobert4106]

Likewise. Brilliant little bread van 😊

[@sidathwijeratne7168]

I’d personally have the EP3, or even the FN2 over the FL5, just for that high revving N/A engine alone… but the EK9 is the absolute cream of the crop

[@LCOF]

I've had a few EK9's. Checking the MOT history site, none of them are on the road now. They all turn to rust eventually. Plus if you have loved ones you'll probably want something safer. A 15 year old lad punched my mates EK9 on the side and left a massive dent. They really are made out of tinfoil.

[@sidathwijeratne7168]

@@LCOF given the fact that EK9s are 20k cars these days, as well as having the aforementioned rust issues, most owners of them now only use them as a weekend car that only gets driven in the warmer months. Might not be the safest, but it’s the most raw and pure civic type r for sure

[@n9oor-q8]

the ep3 type r the last lightweight honda ever made

[@RealMoneyTarutarus]

VTECH is a typo...

[@yukonstriker1703]

EP3 all day.. Reason why still single..

[@jamesrobert4106]

Ermmm...I am also single and have an EP3 😂

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

Expecting my first baby since buying my ep3 back in 2005.. it's finally time to retire the old bird.

[@jasonbernard1277]

Credit for your new presenter - very engaging and knowledgeable :)

[@Rooney_the_grey_bird]

I jump into my mk6 1.6D golf, and it fells like a Bentley compared to my ep3, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Now i have done a k24 frank swap, and love it even more, Much better to drive than any EK series.

[@starseedfiresnake]

At £50,000 the new type R is a joke. Sad times for a once great car manufacturer. Luckily older classic Type Rs are available :)

[@30NLF]

I had to 05 EP5 loved it what a motor

[@PlanetautoUK]

Fantastic cars across the board and still manual, arguably the best 6 speed ever

[@antj29]

Torque steer on the ep3………..think your script editor made a mistake, 😂😂😂 you’re having a laugh

[@littledan6994]

Exactly what I just commented to...laughable that was 😂 lift off oversteer.. yeah 💪😂

[@adamf8335]

Great presenter, calm, fluid and nicely spoken. Not all shouty and idiotic like many channels seems to now be seem to be like. Not really much of a video though. With those epic local roads I would like to have seen better, more exciting camera work.

[@duketogo666]

As soon as they play the Hollywood music on the FL5 intro you could tell it was a Honda funded puff piece. 💨 then they intro a dull AF looking older model with no music. Foreshadowing

[@ItsBuster]

EP3 all day long proper hot hatch 🔥

[@jonathoncoward9358]

I think both occupy different segments of the market now.

[@matthewdavies4358]

Both……amazing machines…..😁

[@gambit_toys6554]

FL5 seems like the R35 GTR version of the TYPE R's, FATTER, FASTER, and more REFINED.

[@stonedfly46]

What about the EK9? Didn't you get them in the UK?

[@stonedfly46]

@Norykmai Thanks for the clarification, I honestly thought the UK would have got them.

[@floobadoo]

​@@stonedfly46 many have been imported

[@MrLense]

The fl5 costs 10x the ep3 not really a fair comparison. The average age of the ep3 owner is closer to the target audience of people in their 20-30s while the people who can afford the fl5 will probably be looking at porsche gt3’s and bmw m4/5s

[@gambit_toys6554]

FL5 = Civic with more HP than a 2000 Camaro Z28

[@Speedy_dew]

Aww why'd you have to pick the ugly ones, the earlier type r civic is wayyy better the that cheese wedge

[@SVW1976]

Right after this video I'm going to forget this Civic ever existed. I can't ever forgive that gear shifter.

[@AndrewMalkin]

I love the mini-Odyssey

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

"Refined" is not a word that I want to hear when I'm considering a True Hot Hatch. I have test driven all new Type Rs after the EP3 and NO, I disagree with your conclusion that the new Type R is a true Type R. Even from the FN2, Honda had started "Refining" the Civic Type Rs. Yes, they have improved the ride comfort but they have lost the essense of Honda Racing Heritage. The Character of Honda's Racing philosophy is truly gone. This is a shocking video which has all the characteristics of Paid Promotion.

[@SmallBlogV8]

"Revised turbos" - first of all there's only one turbo, secondly it might be revised compared to the FK8 but the EP3 being used as reference isn't turbocharged at all. No disrespect to Grace, since I don't know who writes how much script or whatever, but this didn't feel as informed as GRRC videos can be. Thanks for reminding us of the EP3, but I don't know who this video was made for.

[@littledan6994]

Im honda through and through...and NEVER have i heard anyone describe an ep3 having torque steer 😂😂 lift off oversteer, yeah 😂💪

[@85gt]

You need torque to have torque steer. Was more concerned they think the EP3 is the OG.

[@jamesrobert4106]

I love my EP3, but don't you actually need torque for torque steer? 😂

[@alext.6541]

No i-VTECH !! Please 😢

[@jimvollmongo5188]

The latest model was too mutch optic you see it on the i30n its looks sporty but not full in your face like the last model .the new one looks way more less hardcore but for commercial better.the ep3 in white❤❤❤❤❤❤ the k20 a what to say rev it

[@Jay-Kay-Em]

Not the original though, is it.

[@TheTempo2387]

Torque steer!? 🤣 EP3 is an icon and the FL5 is too expensive.

[@jep1912]

Had the EP3 back in the day. You could watch the fuel gauge drop visibly just on idle. Correction chaps EK9 was the absolute original.

[@onsomebits7486]

Ek9>

[@gordythecreator]

EK9 is EXoTiC to me. Rarely have i seen any here in E.Tenn USA. I'd rather NOT have the new1. OldSkool all day

[@Brickhazard]

Ek9 is the original. Too many kids not knowing their history these days. Who does the research?

[@stonedfly46]

She did say the EP3 started the Type R brand in the UK, also caught me by surprise. The "V-TECH" in the annotations was unacceptable though.

[@mike_cars]

EG6 and EK9, and the Civic ED

[@FCT8306onTwoWheels]

Yup ek9 bubble

[@floobadoo]

In the UK the EP3 was first. The EK9s were all imported.

[@Hughjanus720]

@@mike_cars there was no EG Type R dude, get with the programme

[@ricknick74]

Was she born when the ep3 came out 😂

[@turbowankel1264]

Original? Someone missed a memo.

[@nothinghere7391]

It's not the original though, is it?

[@PK-gs3xo]

Fk8 all day. 😂

[@jareknowak8712]

325hp in FWD....

[@davidkelly2542]

Ep3 is well overated, I'd choose the fl5 every day. its propper performance car with a brilliant chassis.

[@MrLense]

Mr moneybags over here

[@tegboy]

I can’t watch the video as the title alone triggers me. EK9 Was the original. NOT the EP3.