It's still £40k, and for maybe the zenith of hot hatches worth every penny

In 2022, jaws dropped when Honda announced the starting price of the 'FL5' Civic Type R as £46,995 - £15,000 more than the 'FK8' had cost six years earlier.

It was an example of supply economics: numbers were limited in Europe due to CO2 emissions regulations (the Type R emits 186g/km), so even at that inflated price demand outstripped supply.

Even now, used cars start from around £35,000, or similar money to the equally acclaimed swansong Ford Focus ST Edition.

Beneath the FL5's calmer styling are fundamentals from the FK8, but this was more than a mere reskin. As for the chassis, the wheelbase is a touch longer, the track is 15mm wider and torsional rigidity is 15% greater.

Moving to the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, the flywheel is lighter and the air intake capacity greater, resulting in slightly stronger peak outputs of 325bhp at 6500rpm and 310lb ft at 2200rpm (up 9bhp and 15lb ft).

As before, all of that is sent to the front axle via a fabulous six-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential, while the brakes are four-piston Brembos.

The only disappointment was that the Type R gained weight between its generations, primarily due to the mandated addition of a petrol particulate filter - which also had a negative effect on the exhaust note.

Nonetheless, the FL5 feels like a racing homologation special on the road - like the FK8, only more so. To get the best out of it - the most satisfaction and feedback - you need to drive it hard, so it's a hot hatch for a serious driver who wants to extend it on challenging roads.

When you do uncork the Type R, you will find beautifully fluid suspension, which in combination with communicative steering makes pushing on intuitive and natural. It sticks to the road like no front-driven car has a right to - and has the power to really shoot you out of corners.

You soon get into a rhythm, with a real driver and machine relationship building, just like in any of the other all-time performance car greats.

You can choose from Comfort, Sport and +R modes; Comfort is all you really need in the UK, but there's also an Individual mode (unlike in the FK8) that lets you separately tweak things such as the engine note, steering weight, damper stiffness and more.

Whichever way you go, the FL5 is particularly good at making you feel at ease. The driving position is near enough spot on and the control weights feel just right. The comfortable and supportive seats locate you low enough to give a sports car feel, while offering plenty of adjustment, and other familiar touches like an aluminium gearknob and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel are pleasing to touch and amp up the engagement factor.

Otherwise, it's all pretty familiar from the standard 11th-generation Civic, which is to say well built and easy to use - with what might be the best balance of physical switchgear to digital screens in the class.

In terms of practicality, it's on the larger side for a hatchback, so the cabin is roomy in both the front and the rear (although the Type R does lack a middle perch) and the boot is impressively capacious, at 410 litres.

If a hot hatch is to be your only car, that will make this Honda more usable than an equivalent Focus or Volkswagen Golf, at no penalty to your driving enjoyment.

What we said then

10 August 2025: "The 'FL5' Type R is a tribute to the skill and commitment of the people behind it, and a riot to drive as they intended. But they also intended it to be driven flat out: to set front-drive lap records. If you like a car that entertains at lesser speeds, it might feel like it's missing something. In the grander scheme of things, however, it will be the hot hatchback market that's missing something when Honda sells the last of these cars."

An owner's view

Steven Baker: "Having owned many a performance car over the years, I've come back to the Type R. It was a scary price to spend on a front-wheel-drive hatchback, but I have no regrets so far. It's definitely hardcore: the ride is firm and the road noise is obvious. But it's never uncomfortable to spend long periods of time in, because the steering, gearchange and driving position are spot on."

Buyer beware

Reliability: So far, most FL5 owners have reported flawless reliability, in typical Honda fashion. In the future, watch out for rattles and cracked or buckled wheels from the stiff suspension and low-profile tyres. Many cars will have been ragged and taken on track, so ensure the service history is bang up to date and the car has been generally looked after.

Modifications: Many modifications will be purely cosmetic, but some owners have fettled their cars' mechanicals. Make sure that any such mod was done by a reputable company with history. Aftermarket 18in alloys are often fitted for improved performance and ride comfort rather than simply for aesthetics, because the standard wheels are quite heavy.

Aloof character: Owners liken the FL5 to serious Porsche 911 variants. It's extremely capable and rewarding when you're pushing on but much of the time lacks excitement and personality. The preceding FK8 had a more aurally interesting soundtrack (blame legislation) and more torque steer with which to entertain drivers.

Refinement: This may be a fantastic all-rounder, but if you're looking for a quiet motorway cruiser, look elsewhere. Road noise in particular is pronounced, if not overbearing. The Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus ST are quieter. Owners report that lining the boot with sound-deadening material makes a big difference, however.

Also worth knowing

Honda sold the FL5 in just a single well-equipped specification in the UK and offered only three optional extras. These were paint colours other than grey, the Illumination Pack (comprising puddle lights and red ambient lighting inside) and the Carbon Pack (carbonfibre mirror caps, rear spoiler and diffuser, plus some interior bits).

In 2025 the UK received 10 of 40 Ultimate Edition cars, priced at £57,905. These were painted in signature Championship White with red racing stripes and gained extra carbonfibre, including for the rear wing, door sills and centre console.

Americans can buy the DE5 Acura Integra Type S, which is basically a rebodied FL5. It's probably a better car more of the time, with a fruitier exhaust, nicer interior and more sound deadening. It will be going on sale in Japan soon, so expect some to arrive in the UK not long after as grey imports.

How much to spend

£35,000-£38,999: Cars that have previously been written off or damaged.

£39,000-£43,999: Two- and three-year-old cars with 10,000 to 30,000 miles. Some Japanese-market grey imports are available for a little less, like for like.

£44,000-£50,000: Nearly new cars, around a year old and with fewer than 10,000 miles. Ultimate Editions will be at the top of this range or possibly even above if you can find one.

One we found

Honda Civic Type R 2.0 VTEC Turbo, 2023, 22k miles, £38,995: This is as cheap as a clean FL5 gets. This Championship White car is still owned by its original buyer and has had three services. It also comes with 18 months' worth of a Honda service plan.