The Honda Civic Type R is brilliant and here's why

It can be hard to separate hype from reality, but in the case of Honda's latest Civic Type R, the praise definitely aligns with the performance. It might share a lot of under-the-skin stuff with its predecessor, the FK8 Civic Type R, but the way it drives is wholly different - in a very good way.

[@STORM3SHADOW]

We bought an FL5 last year. Sonic Gray Pearl. I am a product of FWD JDM cars of the 90s in my younger days, so I am very experienced with torque steer despite owning cars with LSD. I don't know what kinda witchcraft Honda engineers conjured up, but the front end of this car is razor sharp! I was mind blown driving it in anger in the backroads for the first time! It is as fun, if not more fun, than my E46 M3 and R8 V10 through the twisties. Such a capable machine. Now I know what all the hype is about. It absolutely lives up to it and more! We plan to keep this car forever and teach our sons how to drive a manual once they are old enough.

[@hartmutthomas989]

Ja ,Go Kart für die Straße

[@solar5286]

It really is 992 good on twisty roads. Insane achievement.

[@gambit_toys6554]

When the FOCUS RS, GOLF R, Type R came out they showed it as #2 or #3, but I knew long term Type R would be most popular.

[@EMed9423]

Makes sense though. The highest powered version of one of the most sold cars in the US.

[@gambit_toys6554]

@@EMed9423 yess.

[@HoodBatman]

This type R yes, the old one Hell naw

[@mikevsamy]

Car so good it brought Tony back to KZbin.

[@axledog7297]

I've owned a Focus RS, Mk7.5 Golf R and now an FL5. 4 months in and I'm loving it.

[@Instamatic898]

Glad to hear it, but I'm also interested in whether there's anything your old cars did that you wish the FL5 did?

[@axledog7297]

@@Instamatic898 Well, of course. Focus RS: Very active rear diff that made for excellent turn-in. That car was hard to break loose. But, the high seating position and the interior left much to be desired. It also weighed quite a bit. Golf R : lovely car to live with daily. Great seating position, ease of entry/exit, traction all the time. After some shifter and chassis improvements, it was a great and satisfying daily for almost 5 years for me. FL5: It feels special. The engine pulls hard and revs quicker than the other 2 (factory flywheel is light), the shifter is excellent out of the box (that hasn't kept me from improving some aspects), the chassis is amazing. Despite the size, it's the lightest of the bunch and feels it. The back seat and trunk space is great for daily duty (I have two young kids). FWD = easy to lose traction, especially mid-corner. AWD isn't a "made up niceity" as some will insist. I've modified the items that needed modifying to suit my preferences and I'm still in love with the car. I also own an ND2 Miata (RF Club) that's been nicely modified for a proper "Jekyll & Hyde" garage.

[@GodsGunsGlory777]

I just wish it came with a hand brake.

[@Instamatic898]

Haha, it'd be an autocross demon if it did.

[@MikeStevens]

Great take mate, and well presented. Thought you'd given up on this channel! Glad to see it's still kickin' :)

[@Instamatic898]

Yeah, life and work got busy and motivation to produce vids evaporated, but I'm keener than ever to make something of this channel - maybe not so heavy on the reviews, too much competition there, but I'll be doing something unique (I hope!).

[@vlj1133]

The new FL5 didn't need to be much different from the FK8. What it needed to be was much better looking than the FK8, inside and out. It needed to not look like something an eight-year-old boy designed while doodling on his notebook during social studies class. It needed a better, classier interior. It needed to do a better job of engine cooling for track use. It needed to ditch all the tacky fake vents and stupid plastic pieces. It needed to lap faster than the FK8 at Suzuka and the Nurburgring. Most of all, it needed to not take a step backward, functionally. Along the way, adding some nice features like better rev matching, the fully developed LogR display, a vastly superior infotainment system, and a much better stereo would also be welcome additions. All in all, I'd say...job done.

[@thefactor6909]

Agreed! Love my 24 FL5 👍🏻

[@Instamatic898]

My sentiments exactly. It's way more mature as a producy, and it's difficult to pick an angle where it doesn't excel. Maybe passenger space, given it's a four-seater in Aus, but who buys these things to carry heaps of people?

[@AlexAcidia]

It’s ugly and bland looking car now

[@Bukichi1127]

Watching your video, you really look enjoying driving. I want Civic type R.

[@user-sz3pn5nx5b]

Some good stuff here, Tony. Love it when a bloke can send and journo-speak at the same time.

[@Instamatic898]

Thanks mate, I do try!

[@grahmdoughty]

It's an amazing driver's car. As a daily, the road noise gets old. I wouldn't mind it as much if the engine/exhaust sounded like anything - but all I can hear is tire roar. The Integra Type S suspension module helps the stiffness a bit if you can get your hands on one (it's still stiff, but feels like the car should've come this way stock).

[@averyclevertitle]

The fl5 has a $72,600 drive away price. $71k more to save then im calling the dealer.

[@keonigt]

And still, the type R remains the king car!

[@asdpoi121]

Loved the true content here. Respect.

[@Instamatic898]

Thanks mate!

[@wholespeed]

“Now theirs a new one.” Been out for 2 years 😂

[@arnoldkiel7670]

FK8 also has rev-matching in all gears. 1st just works worse because of the heavier flywheel.

[@jackkramer3884]

You didn't mention the interior, which is a huge improvement on the previous FK8. And the gearbox, which for me, is pretty much the reason I bought one. It's sublime.

[@akoito7564]

Nice color 🎉

[@minimumtrade]

Shame you had to hand it back. Reefton/Lake Mtn double is immensely fun in a Megane RS275 that only costs pocket money comparably and might be a bit more comfortable to place on the narrow sections of road owing to reduced width?

[@Instamatic898]

I've got a lot of time for the Megane RS, the 275 is a peach and yeah, like you say, it's a total performance bargain that is being slept on. However... Civic Type R just has that much more bandwidth and flexibility, plus better packaging. If the extra cost is no factor, it's an easy choice for sure.

[@Discoworx]

Nice videography

[@Instamatic898]

Thanks mate!

[@joek1353]

For the price its not worth 50k+ it should've been around low 40s. Very bouncy ride even on comfort mode. The shifter feels smooth and clunky sometimes, like it doesnt wanna go into gear. It's a little weird

[@Sp33dYAU]

Been a long time between drinks ... WB!

[@Instamatic898]

Cheers! It's good to be back.

[@aseroxmilez]

That’s a good thing if it is built in Japan

[@MagiKKarpets]

I love my FK2 Type R 👍

[@hartmutthomas989]

Stimmt diese Civices sind ein Messer . Als Fk8 Fahrer tu ich mich allerdings sehr schwer ,auf einen Fl5 umzusteigen . 🤗

[@arnoldkiel7670]

Wheel size doesn't influence ride quality, the aspect ratio does: 30 is 30. 20s would look better, but with 265/30 the circumference would have risen, possibly creating wheelhouse-problems.

[@axledog7297]

I dropped my FL5 down to 18" wheels with 255/40 tires. Highly recommended for those that daily the car (I don't know why else you'd buy a 4 door hatchback). The 7.x lb per corner weight loss was much appreciated, as well. The stock wheels are porky (26 lb).

[@Evolution10X]

Of course it does. It means less road impact bc more tire. Assuming the profile increases.

[@anthonyscott5484]

More Honda glazing 🙄

[@Evolution10X]

This car needs three things IMO. 1). Ditch the flashy red interior - it cheapens the feel. 2). Ditch the big spoiler for something more mature - it makes it still looks too ricey. 3). Awd. the cornering would just be that much better

[@rabihdeeb111]

For me the type r remains a failed because it needs more horse power minimum 400hp and it need to has sunroof option and the very important thing it is the time without hesitation for type r to be allwheel drive my advice for honda company use your mind

[@abcwarrior91]

Funny thing is statistically people are buying the type R and it really hard to secure one, so I don't know why you are saying it's a failure I don't think you understand what type R means. The Type R is not supposed to have a sunroof the older type R don't even have air-conditioning it was optional and a lot of the safety features and airbag for saving weight but now because of regulations all cars built new must have all those features. The type R is a race car for the road not a luxury car and it's a track-built car not straight-line speed, so horsepower is not the focus and making it Awd is adding more weight to the car. Funny thing is the type R beats all its Awd rival on track so what does that tell you Honda know what they are doing lol people that makes statements like you are not car enthusiast just go buy a BMW or Mercedes than you get speed and luxury lol.

[@archie_bunker]

a little bit to firm? come on man grow a pair or go buy a cadillac for ffs. to much talking

[@Instamatic898]

A Cadillac?! I just want a little more ride comfort, not to fall asleep at the wheel :p

[@axledog7297]

@@Instamatic898 255/40R18 is the answer.

[@bige7186]

S2000s will eat this type r on these twisty roads even without turbo

[@reonbarrett5546]

dont think so seems your might even like s2000 just honda put dowm bro

[@bige7186]

@@reonbarrett5546 s2000 is 50/50 weight ratio from factory with double wish bone suspension, adding a supercharger will demolish a type r, all you would need is a driver mod and it’ll kill a type r.

[@abcwarrior91]

@@bige7186 and a civic eg with a swap will kill the s2000 your point?

[@bige7186]

@@abcwarrior91 lol S2k still looks better then a civic tho (;

[@abcwarrior91]

​@@bige7186 That's your preference as for me s2000 is at the bottom of my favorite list of Hondas even below the Accord (I'm only referring to the Accord Type R and older models not the newer boring models) lol idk why just never like s2000 (maybe cause I'm not a fan of convertibles) I'm kinda like Eric the car guy.