Is this the pinnacle of hot hatches? 2023 Honda Civic Type R review (FK2 and FK8 comparison)

Welcome back to the channel of nonsense!
The latest FL5 Honda Civic Type R is the last pure petrol hot hatch we'll see from the Japanese overlords of tight diffs and red seats - and I think it's one of the best hot hatches of all time. Find out why it feels like a Porsche and why the engine feels better than in previous generations of turbo Type Rs.
It's a good'un, and I don't mean the video.
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[@EliteGi]

Hahaha never seen a reviewer mention the horn before! I have an FK8, and it's the best thing about the car, even above the steering and gearbox! Someone hearing the horn and then seeing the car is a thing of beauty. I was so tempted to jump to this model but couldn't justify the huge jump in price even though I like everything about it (though I happen to be childish enough to love the looks of the FK8). I have a similar history with the Type R to you, great review!

[@pigeonpoo1823]

There are so many superb cars out there at the moment. I'm glad Honda bothered. And I'm glad you've spent time with it. Cheers!

[@jamiljafri4841]

I love it when a car tempts you to redline. Can't wait to get to try one of these

[@newbwheeler9777]

Well done. I’ve never seen your channel before but your very watchable.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks! I’m getting better all the time (apart from the times I’m worse than before)

[@markscars1069]

A superb set of wheels shown off by a brilliant presenter. Good stuff.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thank you Mark!

[@alechopkins6545]

The FL5 Type R looks great, haven't experienced a type R but definitely want to one day

[@evertonthompson4760]

Nice review... Im trying to buy 1 here in Jamaica 🇯🇲... just 1 Honda dealer here with crazy markups. Take it or leave it!

[@DontPanicDear]

You look like you really enjoyed that Tim! A type R one can drive in daylight 😀

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

Actually really enjoyed this review, thanks!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Actually?! Thank you ☺️

[@johnhaynes9910]

Fun video Tim, very enjoyable :)

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks John, appreciate it!

[@shaunm9928]

Great video Tim and I love it - just feel fun motoring is dying, due to the incedible costs of owning new cars of any merit generally - always changed my cars every 3 years and financially managed it - there is no way nowadays makes me sad cos I love me motors 😪

[@eugenux]

100% this. this fl5 maybe is worth it...maybe not. I can't find out since is so out of my price range. I also have a problem with the fact that, while technically similar, this one is 50k(with some options) while the fk8 was less than 39k...and this price difference appeared from the mid-to-late 2021 to autumn 2022. Honestly is too much...too much for me to be able to afford the hike...and, as a fan, that bothers me severely.

[@alichaudhry12]

some reviewers have called it a fwd Porsche

[@damienhowell3727]

Honda played the long game, now they have destroyed all competition smh they really are another level of engineering full credit to em well deserved

[@josemanuelreuss9604]

Tim, you are AWESOME. How does it compare to the GR Yaris??

[@abcdLeeXY]

FL5 will be the last ICE civic type R. That alone for me it’s worth the $45k USD

[@EliteGi]

No way, the next one is hybrid with a little motor at the rears powered by KERS batteries, a little nod if anything to the future but it's still going to be 90% this!

[@simbo52bn22]

Great review Tim - I'm not surprised you are 'still shaking' - first 5 mins of the video you are bouncing around all over the place in that driver's seat...

[@DontPanicDear]

You’re not wrong! My moobs would be all over the place 😮

[@ChrisMisMYhandle]

I have the final payment on my FK08 at the end of may and im massively in the green in terms of equity, but there's no way i can bring myself to spend 47 grand on this version. I'm sure its amazing to drive, maybe like mine +10 or 15%, but the value just isnt there. There are some REALLY good used buys for that money.

[@xout1990]

The old saying it's just a civic is not true lol

[@genetung8590]

Type R is the Swiss Army knife of sport sedans. Reliable, utilitarian, quick, inexpensive, efficient, feelsome. If you want to make a statement….FK8. If you want the clean look…..FL5

[@genetung8590]

Porsche is great but reliability is still imperfect.

[@johnguidetti5839]

@@genetung8590 Honda is not the best in reliability either.

[@carolusdero6663]

I have an fk2 and have literally been thinking of installing another horn. I just feel ridiculous when honking at someone. 😂

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I was always too embarrassed to use it! People would be looking around for a kei car or something while I’m there with my big wing

[@carolusdero6663]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff exactly. It's sometimes better to use the blow off valve rather than the horn. 🤣

[@EliteGi]

Ah man it's my favourite thing about my Type R. Nothing better than seeing someone double take to make sure that's the car who beeped :D

[@paulwardzynski3265]

I bet it's not often a car can make your bits tingle - result!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Not at my age

[@garytheobald9538]

Has the golf gti ceased production?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I forgot about it because it isn’t great in the Mk8 version… my mistake though

[@jonathanparkes1603]

GT86 rear wheel drive , more fun , keep license and half the price😉

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

No back seats, small boot, not a hot hatch… but apart from that you’re spot on

[@lanekrarup]

The type R will end up costing less to own when you sell it due to the higher resale value. If you can get it close to msrp.

[@leeengland1748]

Have you driven a gr yaris? £13k less!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I have! I love the Yaris, but it’s as practical as a flip flop, 4wd and a different kettle of badgers

[@leeengland1748]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff i use mine with both kids in the back its great. Traction all year round!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Interesting! How old are your kids? Mine are both in big old car seats (one with a base) and not sure I could manage it!

[@leeengland1748]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff 5 and 7 and have been trained to get in and out themselves which makes it alot easier 😆

[@michaeleaton5053]

Good nonsense. I wonder if the GR Yaris influenced Honda at all with the development of this car? I say that because compared to the previous model, nothing on the exterior is superfluous, it just concentrates on being a great driver's car. I love it! I choked on my low fat soya latte at the price though! In other news, I've sold my GR Yaris as I had 3 'incidents' in one weekend, took it straight to the local honda dealer and handed it over. If anyone comes into contact with my old car, steer clear, it's possessed by the ghost of Tiff Needell!

[@christopherbassit2757]

Gr corolla is 🎉

[@fale892]

Disrespecting the Japanese there buddy. Stop with comparisons with the Germans. Give full credit to the Japanese 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Mexxx65]

Thrashing about = Bad Torque steer

[@simbo52bn22]

First in!

[@nathanclose3911]

Good car, but it's still as weak as piss. It should be 0-100km in well under 5 seconds, but sadly, it is not even close.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It’s front-wheel-drive, what did you expect? Not sure anyone who’s driven it would call it weak 😂

[@mharro88]

No it's not. The rs3 is. Even in comfort mode the suspension is too stiff in the type r

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

Car Magazine said the opposite in their comparison and concluded the Honda was better... The RS3 is a straight line monster, not particularly engaging to drive.

[@mharro88]

@@alsayedfakhri4597 less engaging sure. It's not a manual. would split it in half on track though

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

@@mharro88 the new RS3 was only like 3 seconds quicker around the 'Ring than the FK8. I reckon it'd be super close.

[@mharro88]

@@alsayedfakhri4597 what ring? 3 seconds is massive lol

[@alsayedfakhri4597]

@@mharro88 Nurburgring - 3 seconds across 7mins 40 isn't massive, and that's the FK8 time, not the latest FL5. You would expect a 400hp auto 4wd car to be better tbh.