I bought this car because of the way it made me feel when I drove it. To be clear: not the fastest- not the most aerodynamic- not the most kitted out interior BUT damn do you forget about all of those things when you put your foot down. Car is simply magic if you enjoy turning left and right. A FWD car that oversteers is also pretty unconventionally awesome. IYKYK
I am fortunate to be an owner of a Blue FL5 for 6 months now. Driven over all types of roads including gravel & on the track. This is undoubtably the BEST car I have owned , in terms of bang for the buck. As EVO MAG UK & other esteemed journals have stated , that if Porsche Weissach had to build a hot hatch , it would be very similar to the FL5. I agree - I currently also own a 911.2 Manual GT3. The Type R is a better road car & almost as good on Track - obviously it does not have the 500HP & sound of the Porsche. I would unreservedly recommend the Type R
For the money, it’s the best sub 100k hot hatch. The fact is that it will still be special in 10 years, when we are living in ev hell. You said it best when you mentioned that all other hot hatches are compromised. Thank you Honda!
@@noirrain6005 And the Type R overheats its engine oil after just a few laps of pushing. There's forums full of us if you don't believe me... Every street car hot-lapped around a proper track will need tuning not to overheat components, and the ones that frequently drive track days know this already. @noirrain6005
@@ryanw3907 I know those forums. The people that had problems are: noobs that don’t know how to drive. People that modded their cars and destroyed the fine tuning made by Honda by going to a “tooning” store or DIY. For every people like that there’s people giving 30-40 laps with the type r in a single day.
@@noirrain6005 These are objective facts coming from someone that tracks a stock FL5. No one (especially GRC owners) is doing anymore than 3-5 consecutive hot laps without heat issues, on any car of this caliber. My FK8 struggled with the same thing; I'm actually disappointed Honda didn't remedy the heat problem in a better way. Maybe wait until you actually own one before defending it's performance.
It's a dream car for me as I have the older version from 2007 in the UK. The only thing they missed out on was making it a five-seater as parents could still buy one as a family car for the thrills 😁
I’ve got the twin in the same color. Except with a OEM CF wing .What a great car in all areas. Absolutely love it even more then my previous 22 M240i 👍🏻😊 Oh and great advice I also added some front and rear Tuxmats to protect that beautiful red carpet . They make excellent carpet diapers and fit like a glove😆
I have the tuxmat as well, but the driver side gets in the way of the clutch … the material is way too high. I don’t use it on the driver side, only the rest of the car.
Sorry but if you know anything about the FL5 and the Nurburgring, a lot of people know Honda changed a few things to get that time, and it wasn't stock. Honda even admitted it. And it's been shown that the gearing has been tweaked too. Type R is still a beast and mates own FL5 and they experience heating issues like the FL5. other people have said and the same thing.
Oh true! I did hear something about the gearing but thought it was speculative. Wondering if small changes that an owner could do anyways means this is still an impressive machine. Or, should they have just dropped a Nurburgring edition like Lexus did with the LFA
It’s just way too much money for me. The markups here in Florida made it unaffordable for me. Still my dream car though. Went with a Si for a similar experience.
stuff like halogen turn signals and stuff i always look past because you can just replace it, would be nice if it came with led from factory, but i'd probably get the mugen taillights anyways they look real nice
You’re looking at a couple grand for headlights and tail lights on this car at least. Fuck that it should come with LED’s F&R, from the factory, at its price point. Wonder why people continually say Honda’s and Toyota’s are cheap and not worth their price? It’s things like this as to why…
Great review, awesome car, but is there music playing in the back ground when youre talking/tour of the car? Kept pausing, to check if it was outside or on the video. It's so quiet its pointless having, but just enough to be extremely annoying. Couldn't watch it all
Too expensive for a 2.0T FWD car. Don’t care about the name. Don’t care how fast it is around a track. It’s driven 99.9% on the streets, in traffic or on the highway. $70k for a 2.0T FWD Civic is ridiculous.
Broken down the Type R in all the worst ways imo. If you drive one, you’ll get it. But on paper, it’s hard to convince a Golf R owner why it’s so good.
If it had at least a nice sounding 6 cylinder engine, could be the whole package and possibly worth its price, being a civic. It's just ridiculous at its price considering what you can buy used for such price. I'd probably buy a 987 spyder, or be sensible and buy m2 and mx5. Or 540i and m240i, or f type and guilia veloce.
@@jimmyb4982 I have gen 10 civic sedan. So I can only imagine how good it drives, what worries me is the fart. Engine sound is art and part of experience also what you pay for.
Two different cars. One offers better daily comfort and quicker acceleration. IS500 The other focuses mostly in agility and cornering confidence with a touch of more fun for those that enjoy shifting manually.
As another commenter said, not comparable as they're different cars and you can't buy a IS500 in Australia. Don't get me wrong, IS500 is dope and I love a Lexus V8, but it's heavier and more comfort orientated compared to this track toy
@@ProductReviewCars You'll be surprised by the ZRV's "winding control" which utilizes small body roll for faster corner to corner touge speed. Does not drive like an SUV that's for sure.
@@TheUnreadableUser I got to drive an i30 N once when I used to work for Hyundai. I LOVED that. I do get to drive the base models around here and there but sports mode ain't the same haha
No squeaks and rattles here Just saying 😆 My 24 FL5 is amazing in every area 👊🏻👊🏻 This is coming from someone who owns one. Even in +R mode which is very stiff. For me I keep it in individual mode with every thing in +R mode with suspension in comfort . Best all around settings for all roads.
Yeah not ideal in the slightest. This was a press car that's been through many hands, so sometimes it can be just the fact that this is a early build FL5. But if this was my car, I'd be getting those looked at by a dealer.
I bought this car because of the way it made me feel when I drove it. To be clear: not the fastest- not the most aerodynamic- not the most kitted out interior BUT damn do you forget about all of those things when you put your foot down. Car is simply magic if you enjoy turning left and right. A FWD car that oversteers is also pretty unconventionally awesome. IYKYK
Combine all that, and it’s such a great experience for under $100K
💯
And you're getting the build quality and reliability, And residual holds its price, You're not just buying a German badge to show off. Good choice
I had a test drive last weekend and had the same experience will definitely get one later this year
@@ProductReviewCars overpriced
The FL5 is one of the most beautiful cars currently in production and it drives like a dream.
I am fortunate to be an owner of a Blue FL5 for 6 months now. Driven over all types of roads including gravel & on the track. This is undoubtably the BEST car I have owned , in terms of bang for the buck. As EVO MAG UK & other esteemed journals have stated , that if Porsche Weissach had to build a hot hatch , it would be very similar to the FL5. I agree - I currently also own a 911.2 Manual GT3. The Type R is a better road car & almost as good on Track - obviously it does not have the 500HP & sound of the Porsche. I would unreservedly recommend the Type R
How do you find the comfort mode?. Any issues not having a spare tyre?. Thanks
Porsche would never build a fwd track car. Fl5 is overpriced, far from bang for your buck. You're delusional
For the money, it’s the best sub 100k hot hatch. The fact is that it will still be special in 10 years, when we are living in ev hell. You said it best when you mentioned that all other hot hatches are compromised. Thank you Honda!
to each their own, the honda is slightly faster but the GR corolla has the superior suspension and handling and a proper AWD setup
@@teamskdm1lol. GR Corolla doesn’t come close to this FL5. Overheat and underperform.
@@noirrain6005 And the Type R overheats its engine oil after just a few laps of pushing. There's forums full of us if you don't believe me... Every street car hot-lapped around a proper track will need tuning not to overheat components, and the ones that frequently drive track days know this already. @noirrain6005
@@ryanw3907 I know those forums. The people that had problems are: noobs that don’t know how to drive. People that modded their cars and destroyed the fine tuning made by Honda by going to a “tooning” store or DIY. For every people like that there’s people giving 30-40 laps with the type r in a single day.
@@noirrain6005 These are objective facts coming from someone that tracks a stock FL5. No one (especially GRC owners) is doing anymore than 3-5 consecutive hot laps without heat issues, on any car of this caliber. My FK8 struggled with the same thing; I'm actually disappointed Honda didn't remedy the heat problem in a better way. Maybe wait until you actually own one before defending it's performance.
It's a dream car for me as I have the older version from 2007 in the UK. The only thing they missed out on was making it a five-seater as parents could still buy one as a family car for the thrills 😁
Just got my FL5. Best car I’ve ever driven ! Well done Honda. There is nothing like driving manual!
Nice detailed review brother, thanks. The FL5 is definitely one of my dream cars
Drove the Acura integra type S and the fl5 type R. Bought the type r. Feels more special. Great car.
I love this host man. ProductReview give this man a stake!
Hostman: Stop embarrassing me mum.
Haha greatly appreciated!
One of the best new car reviewers
Too kind. Thank you!!
I’ve got the twin in the same color. Except with a OEM CF wing .What a great car in all areas. Absolutely love it even more then my previous 22 M240i 👍🏻😊
Oh and great advice I also added some front and rear Tuxmats to protect that beautiful red carpet . They make excellent carpet diapers and fit like a glove😆
Very jealous! Good idea, have heard from owner reviews it's a good idea to invest in those mats.
I have the tuxmat as well, but the driver side gets in the way of the clutch … the material is way too high. I don’t use it on the driver side, only the rest of the car.
Elantra N is 10k cheaper and for the money is better than the over rated slow ctr
@@davothegreat9990 10K cheaper and looks it too … looks like a bad rental car.
@@douglaskrueger357 and leaves the fl5 in its dust! Elantra N is the quicker and faster car.
It’s great car I feel when I drive it ❤that’s why I love type R
Sorry but if you know anything about the FL5 and the Nurburgring, a lot of people know Honda changed a few things to get that time, and it wasn't stock. Honda even admitted it. And it's been shown that the gearing has been tweaked too. Type R is still a beast and mates own FL5 and they experience heating issues like the FL5. other people have said and the same thing.
Oh true! I did hear something about the gearing but thought it was speculative. Wondering if small changes that an owner could do anyways means this is still an impressive machine. Or, should they have just dropped a Nurburgring edition like Lexus did with the LFA
It’s just way too much money for me. The markups here in Florida made it unaffordable for me. Still my dream car though. Went with a Si for a similar experience.
It’s gonna be the LFA of hot hatches. Too expensive to buy for many, but going to be looked back on as one of the greats.
Please don’t bring up automatic cars. A supercar doesn’t mean anything unless it has a manual gear box.
Huh? If anything, being faster than a automatic transmission is a brag.
Waited for your review ❤
Appreciate you waiting for it!! Hope ya like it :)
Yes. Loved it
stuff like halogen turn signals and stuff i always look past because you can just replace it, would be nice if it came with led from factory, but i'd probably get the mugen taillights anyways they look real nice
Oh no doubt. But just sets different expectations when asking over $70,000 for a Type R now
You’re looking at a couple grand for headlights and tail lights on this car at least. Fuck that it should come with LED’s F&R, from the factory, at its price point. Wonder why people continually say Honda’s and Toyota’s are cheap and not worth their price? It’s things like this as to why…
Great review.
Really appreciate that, thank you!
Yep the most stiff ride you can experience 😂 not a daily drive especially if you have passengers. But it’s a lot of fun for the weekend.
Easy fix though
It is stiff, but not completely unliveable tbh
@@JimmyDShea How?
How is it an easy fix.. ?
@@JimmyDShea
Lots of people switch out the dampening module from the Integra type s @@chris_henry876
Good review.
Great car, i dont know if this is spirtually a hot hatch to my eyes though. Civics are big cars these days lol
It's a odd vehicle as it is pretty much a sedan with a hatch rear.
I picked up an Integra S for under 50k... Much much better than the civic R as a daily
Wish we had that here too :(
The nurburgring time was set by a special version of the civic type r so its misleading marketing
Great review, awesome car, but is there music playing in the back ground when youre talking/tour of the car? Kept pausing, to check if it was outside or on the video. It's so quiet its pointless having, but just enough to be extremely annoying. Couldn't watch it all
Appreciate the feedback! Noted.
I hope and dream that this car will be one day allwheel drive and more horse power around 400 hp
Plenty of other cars that’ll offer that
The TypeR doesn’t need all of that. It’s way fun without it.
The fl5 around the ring wasn't stock it was modified. Golf r is the better car
Golf r is definitely not the better car.
@@MikeJones-on9vm wrong
Nice review..
Thanks!
Its not a hatchback and the Ring lap has been dispoved as not a standard car.
Not a hatchback. How? Plus could you argue ring results were minimal changes an owner could make in the aftermarket?
This, the elantra N or gr yaris rallye?
Personally, this all day
@@ProductReviewCarsElantra N is the quicker car
@@davothegreat9990So. Look at the whole package.
@@jimmyb4982 exactly.
A whole bunch of haters In the comments😂😂I just got my 2024 Type R and I’m in love with it . First manual car and it’s so smooth
Too expensive for a 2.0T FWD car. Don’t care about the name. Don’t care how fast it is around a track. It’s driven 99.9% on the streets, in traffic or on the highway. $70k for a 2.0T FWD Civic is ridiculous.
Broken down the Type R in all the worst ways imo. If you drive one, you’ll get it. But on paper, it’s hard to convince a Golf R owner why it’s so good.
As a previous fk8 owner, I agree with you. The previous type r was priced PERFECT for what you get.. but this new one.. overpriced
@ProductReviewCars you're just a fl5 fanboy
If it had at least a nice sounding 6 cylinder engine, could be the whole package and possibly worth its price, being a civic. It's just ridiculous at its price considering what you can buy used for such price. I'd probably buy a 987 spyder, or be sensible and buy m2 and mx5. Or 540i and m240i, or f type and guilia veloce.
You've obviously driven one to present such a view with confidence.
@@jimmyb4982 I have gen 10 civic sedan. So I can only imagine how good it drives, what worries me is the fart. Engine sound is art and part of experience also what you pay for.
An m2 is 25-30k more second hand in Australia…
this or a lightly used IS500... 🤔
Two different cars.
One offers better daily comfort and quicker acceleration. IS500
The other focuses mostly in agility and cornering confidence with a touch of more fun for those that enjoy shifting manually.
As another commenter said, not comparable as they're different cars and you can't buy a IS500 in Australia. Don't get me wrong, IS500 is dope and I love a Lexus V8, but it's heavier and more comfort orientated compared to this track toy
6500 rpm? 7000
Just get a honda ZRV same chassis as this type r only 30k cheaper and more practical for your family or daily use.
Comparing a ZR-V to a Type R is a new one for me hahah but I’m about to get behind the wheel of one, so I’ll keep this in mind.
@@ProductReviewCars You'll be surprised by the ZRV's "winding control" which utilizes small body roll for faster corner to corner touge speed. Does not drive like an SUV that's for sure.
It is very nice except for the godawful wing on the back. I would be embarrassed to drive around the city with such a ridiculous wing.
Fk8 stilled looked better and looked more sick like a super car
$72k... lol
Problem with this car is the existance of bmw z4 m40i with manual transmission.
Civic Type R drivers probs not cross shopping with that
@@ProductReviewCars Civic Type R is fun concept, but it will never trump a Z4 m40i with manual clutch in cabrio format.
@@MrBazsi888😂
I rather get nissan z400
All depends on what you need.
The CTR is more practical than the Z.
The Z is another beast.
Hmmm I can respect that. But more of a GT car by comparison tbh.
The FL5 is growing on me but FK8 is still superior. Better suspension, it’s quicker and 10 grand less if you buy used with very low miles
Great car but overpriced. Competition has caught up
can you suggest some alternatives?
@@grafboystefi30N, cupra Leon, golf r, etc
@@TheUnreadableUser ngl those Cupras look pretty sweet. thanks dude
@@grafboystef yeah the cupra and the i30N are sick!
@@TheUnreadableUser I got to drive an i30 N once when I used to work for Hyundai. I LOVED that. I do get to drive the base models around here and there but sports mode ain't the same haha
Some squeaks and rattles…seriously that’s not acceptable, a new car especially in this class should be rock solid.
No squeaks and rattles here
Just saying 😆 My 24 FL5 is amazing in every area 👊🏻👊🏻
This is coming from someone who owns one. Even in +R mode which is very stiff. For me I keep it in individual mode with every thing in +R mode with suspension in comfort . Best all around settings for all roads.
Yeah not ideal in the slightest. This was a press car that's been through many hands, so sometimes it can be just the fact that this is a early build FL5. But if this was my car, I'd be getting those looked at by a dealer.
@thefactor6909 not amazing 8n every area. Down low the car is a shocker, Elantra N destroys it
Fake ring times, honda cheated.
How so?!
Can you provide evidence for this?
@@douglaskrueger357 a simple UA-cam search isn’t hard to find 😂
@@douglaskrueger357look it up yourself. The fl5 wasn't stock
@@ProductReviewCarswasn't stock. It was modified
Overpriced and overrated.
Lol you have no idea
@@deshanmk6it is over priced for what it is. Stop being so narrow minded. The fk8 price was more suited for this car. Now, not so.
still not a sports car
Yeah, it’s a hot hatch?
Why?