New v Old Civic Type R: Ultimate showdown!

The Civic is among the most popular & recognisable hot hatches on the planet! And following the release of the new FL5, we require to find out whether the most recent generation is an improvement on the previous edition.

Well, let's take a look at what's changed. When it concerns the design, the FK8 had a reputation for being a bit outlandish, with a huge rear wing along with an excessive front and rear end. In contrast, the FL5 has a lot more basic, refined look. Sure it features a rear wing, however overall the looks more advanced than previously.

It's a similar story on the within, with a more simple & traditional interior to be discovered in the FL5. It also features very comfy sports seats, and the digital dials display is certainly an improvement on the old edition. Nevertheless, we would state that the positioning of some aspects, such as the infotainment system, is absolutely better in the FK8.

When it concerns efficiency, both vehicles come with the exact same 2-litre 4-cylinder engine. However, whereas the old edition produced 320hp and 400Nm, the brand-new edition pumps out a slightly enhanced 329hp and 420Nm!

It all seem like the FL5 is a slam-dunk success, right? Well, you need to remember that it begins with an eye-watering ₤ 47,000 – ₤ 12,000 more than the FK8! So is it worth it? You'll require to stick to Mat and see for yourself!

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Comments

75 responses to “New v Old Civic Type R: Ultimate showdown!”

  1. MTM Avatar
    MTM

    As soon as Carwow uploads it makes my day .

    1. squala Avatar
      squala

      Perfect if they change the countdown voice, worst British accent ever!

    2. Mike Rew Avatar
      Mike Rew

      @squala @rse

    3. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      @squala agree. 😂

  2. carwow Avatar
    carwow

    New vs old… Which is better? VOTE BELOW!

    1. Tornado 1 Avatar
      Tornado 1

      Gotta say old, new one us just too sedate looking and a little too grown up. The type R is supposed to be a crazy car

    2. Phil Cliffe Avatar
      Phil Cliffe

      None and I have an FN2.

    3. Wayne Tyson Avatar
      Wayne Tyson

      FK2!

    4. Mazuzu Ndhlovu Avatar
      Mazuzu Ndhlovu

      Older fans like me would like newer more mature one. And they older fans are more likely to actually buy them from the showroom.

    5. Mazuzu Ndhlovu Avatar
      Mazuzu Ndhlovu

      What’s the average age of Carwow viewer?

  3. Kiss Gergő Avatar
    Kiss Gergő

    I love the previous generation design. The fact that it’s overdesigned and overly agressive and race-y just makes it feel like a true Type R to me.

    1. panos323 Avatar
      panos323

      @Giga Chad actually noone cares about the fake vents the car was aggressive beautiful and fast unlike the ugly new gen

    2. Oetti Avatar
      Oetti

      Couldn’t disagree with you more mate

    3. PJ Adamson Avatar
      PJ Adamson

      The original type R’s never were showy though

    4. FREEDOM CHASER Avatar
      FREEDOM CHASER

      You like strobe lights too don’t ya?

    5. JHOW_NICOLAS Avatar
      JHOW_NICOLAS

      YEEEES, THE OLD CIVIC TYPE R IT’S WAAAY NICER… The new one it’s a Accord

  4. The Happy Guy Avatar
    The Happy Guy

    What a comparison carwow! Have to say the New Civic Type-R is awesome but that is a lot of money in difference compared to its previous generation.

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      What about comparison between Ford Focus 2022 and Toyota RSC?

    2. Ray Han Avatar
      Ray Han

      @Purwanti Allan Ofc the RCS slayy

    3. SHIVAM ARYA Avatar
      SHIVAM ARYA

      @Purwanti Allan what’s an Rsc?

    4. Smok Wawelski Avatar
      Smok Wawelski

      But at least it’s not as nasty

  5. SV GAMING Avatar
    SV GAMING

    I like the older one idk, I’ve always liked the design of it, even have a hotwheels version in the same spec as in the vid

    1. gav com Avatar
      gav com

      @Giga Chadare you a child?

    2. Giga Chad Avatar
      Giga Chad

      @gav com Clearly you must be the child, if you want to bring up something that has nothing to do with the discussion.

    3. Giga Chad Avatar
      Giga Chad

      @Hrvoje Krsnik FL5 > Fk8. Not only is the FL5 better looking but it also has more downforce while maintaining a much more simple design, that’s how the type R should be; simplistic. Stop coping. Honda went back to a simplistic design for a reason, because the vast majority of people hate the FK8 and it is objectively dreadful looking. Relating vents to sportiness also makes no sense if the vents are fake and have no functionality…

    4. NvSrAgE679 Avatar
      NvSrAgE679

      @Giga Chad you mean the exact same two on the back of each car? They both have the same fake vents lmao

    5. Rawrrr Avatar
      Rawrrr

      @Giga Chad Since you’re whining about fake vents, why don’t you whine about it’s shape? It’s so not aerodynamic. If only if it looked like an egg for max aerodynamica. Or is that too much for you? Cringe.

  6. JULIEN VBZ Avatar
    JULIEN VBZ

    I love the ” Type R ” configuration 🇯🇵🔥

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      And also has double the amount of bhp than the 2010s Civic.

  7. Jalal uDean Avatar
    Jalal uDean

    Hi mat, for the first time i couldn’t agree more on the exhaust system, I prefer the New one, it feels like a little more sporty or … 🤔😁

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      I prefer 2023 one. Its just way better and has double the amount of bhp from the 2010 Civic.

    2. Zno Avatar
      Zno

      You mean you couldn’t agree less?

    3. Bioshock Avatar
      Bioshock

      Um Matt preferred the older one….

    4. Jalal uDean Avatar
      Jalal uDean

      @Bioshock 🤦‍♂️

  8. PutThatCoffeeDown Avatar
    PutThatCoffeeDown

    Matt changed gear on the older version just before 60, when he could’ve punched through and had a quicker time, anyone else notice that? It seems like the new one has to be better, which I think is a bit unfair because it’s not £12,000 better, and if you were to put a couple of cheap things into the old car, you probably gain that nine brake horsepower difference. If it was my money I take the previous version car, I also prefer the infotainment system to be lower down and not sticking out the top interfering with the front screen.

    1. ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴍᴇ👉mr_car_wow Avatar
      ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴍᴇ👉mr_car_wow

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    2. Cameron Jackson Avatar
      Cameron Jackson

      The fk8 needs a shift just before 60

  9. Tharun Krishna V Avatar
    Tharun Krishna V

    Mostly people love aggressive design, hence the old one is getting more love in the comments. But I prefer the more streamline design of the new one it looks more smooth like most modern cars.

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      Agreed. Spoon cars are equally aggressive as 2023 Civic Type R.

    2. WildGenji Avatar
      WildGenji

      I like agressive design, but I hate how many fake features it has so I preffer the new one

    3. Calum White Avatar
      Calum White

      The new one really feels like a spiritual successor to the integra dc5 lol

  10. W1es Inspirational Avatar
    W1es Inspirational

    I love both, but I absolutely am delighted over the refined look of the FL5. The FL5 is more like the times of the EG chassis, its as if they modernized that, and I like the throwback feel of that because the EG looked very very good, and still looks good if you see it today. The FK8 is very cool, but its cool to see, not to live with, its the reason I dont have one. FL5 is such a nice looking vehicle that I cant wait for the ridiculous mark up to die out and then the lack of sales to make it dip even more, then Ill be ready..

    1. Purwanti Allan Avatar
      Purwanti Allan

      Ready for what?

    2. Tamjid Vlogs Avatar
      Tamjid Vlogs

      Facts EG design was the best

    3. W1es Inspirational Avatar
      W1es Inspirational

      @Purwanti Allan To buy one….

    4. W1es Inspirational Avatar
      W1es Inspirational

      Oh, and also, I would leave the crazier design space for Mugen to utilize, thats what they are suppesed to be about

  11. Moses Avatar
    Moses

    In person, the older one looks so much better and aggressive.

    1. TheWeeknd♕ Avatar
      TheWeeknd♕

      @Red yeah but it looks FREAKING SICK! like stands out like a supercar on a road almost 😂👍🏼

    2. ΕΥΛΟΓΗΤΟΣ Avatar
      ΕΥΛΟΓΗΤΟΣ

      and hideous

    3. ΕΥΛΟΓΗΤΟΣ Avatar
      ΕΥΛΟΓΗΤΟΣ

      ​@TheWeeknd♕ You looked the thing and especially from behind and you thought that dude?

    4. Smok Wawelski Avatar
      Smok Wawelski

      Both are ugly, but the newer one is not so much.

    5. Matt Pipke Avatar
      Matt Pipke

      I disagree but this is very subjective.
      I like the more mature look of the 23″ I think it looks more like a sleeper than a Type R and I appreciate that.
      People not in the community have no clue your daily hatchback has over 300 hp and can whip your neck back in the seat anytime you want.
      the older model looks immature, kiddish and a little animated to me.

  12. Nick Loong Avatar
    Nick Loong

    Awesome comparison of the 2 Type Rs, but I noticed that the drag times of these performance cars tend to tapper off when compared to their newer models during a test, where usually when they’re new, the times are more impressive. Is it due to ageing of the engines or the choice of tyres?

  13. FerrariFrank Avatar
    FerrariFrank

    I would absolutely buy the new one if they made a couple. Love the videos watching from the U.S

    1. ᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉 mr_car_wow Avatar
      ᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉 mr_car_wow

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  14. Chandrahas Chouhan Avatar
    Chandrahas Chouhan

    People always start loving the old design once they see the new one

    1. SynchLy Avatar
      SynchLy

      That’s pretty much the cycle until a year or two. Same goes for the same mfs that started liking the fish GT86 over the GR86 for some reason

    2. DaftCow Avatar
      DaftCow

      the old one looks like a hotwheels car

    3. Fara- J Avatar
      Fara- J

      Both good but dont have money for either

  15. Justin Dunn Avatar
    Justin Dunn

    Never had an issue with the FK8 design, still think it looks great but that FL5 really does look like a step up. Exterior and interior. Would love to take either one on a twisty bit of road

    1. iMark Avatar
      iMark

      FK8 has to be one of the most overstyled cars in history. Looks like it was designed by a 14 year old after watching fast and furious

  16. Justin Jooste Avatar
    Justin Jooste

    Top review Mat. Great to see how your opinions have become more nuanced and informative over the years. Agree with you here for sure. The price diff isn’t justified.

    1. ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴍᴇ👉mr_car_wow Avatar
      ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ᴍᴇ👉mr_car_wow

      Wow you have won a gift 🎁 🎉🎉Dm for it ⬆️⬆️👆

  17. Greymark Avatar
    Greymark

    The reason why i went from my FK8 to the Civic E HEV, yes the FL5 is better ( Especially the interior ) but not £13000 better, ridiculous increase. Very impressed with the E HEV, good performance, comfortable, good handling and steering. The Advance model, which i am buying is nicely equipped. Not forgetting between 55-60 mpg.

  18. Blackhole Avatar
    Blackhole

    What I’ve learned from driving these hard is that it only takes one mountain turn and some sand on the the ground to make you go flying off that mountain. Otherwise fantastic machine, drive safe everyone!

    1. LITTEULCEVENN Avatar
      LITTEULCEVENN

      The differential will send power to the wheel with the more grip. If both wheels have no grip it will send you off the road.

  19. Magnus Tan Avatar
    Magnus Tan

    The perfect R for me would be the FL5 with a sprinkling of the FK8’s crazy styling. FL5 has the nicer cabin, better user interface, without sacrificing much user ability, but looks way too plain for my liking. By the way, I heard and read the FL5 will be built in smaller numbers, which explains the price.

    1. OfficialMatwatson01 Avatar
      OfficialMatwatson01

      Congratulations!
      You won a New Year surprise package quickly message me now on telegram to claim🎁.

    2. Matyas Keresztes Avatar
      Matyas Keresztes

      so the FK2 is the answer :))

  20. M3PH Avatar
    M3PH

    My dad was one of the quality engineers on the team that designed the seats in both cars (they are basically identical underneath the upholstery) and he is almost (i stress almost) solely responsible for the way they feel to sit in. He died in early 2020 so he isn’t around to hear how much people love his work. So thanks Matt for the compliment. Also, if there are any engineers out there with a first edition iso 9000 standards book. Go look in the contributers section for a dude called Williams. Same dude.

    Also fun fact: the seats in the type r are cheaper to make than the seats in the next model down.

    1. M3PH Avatar
      M3PH

      @A R you would be surprised how often a computer simulation gets it wrong. Just ask mercedes F1 how that went for them last season.

    2. Zeshan Ajaib Avatar
      Zeshan Ajaib

      When it’s our time to go, we can’t do anything about it. Nice to know that your dad left a nice legacy behind him though.

    3. Cristian Cristi Avatar
      Cristian Cristi

      Myself being a freak about seat comfort and ergonomy, , having for years suffered from back pain produced by uncomfortable and unergonomical seats, I put seat comfort as one of the most important criteria when searching for a potential new car… I can really apreciate this story … Too sad it ended like that… It is so awful to create a masterpiece and not be able to live to enjoy it being praised…..

    4. Matt Pipke Avatar
      Matt Pipke

      IMO the seats might be the weakest point of both cars.
      They should offer those seats as an option for others who woudl rather have power heated seats and not interested in racing style seats or track days.
      Some people want this car as a daily that will never see a track, for them, these seats suck.

    5. Zac Thomas Avatar
      Zac Thomas

      @M3PH Please tell us more stories 🙏

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