2023 Honda Civic Type R (FL5) Review & Test Drive! 

Great review! Glad we were able to make this video happen man! If anyone has any questions about my experience with the car, feel free to ask!

I’ve never seen someone so happy handing out 5k to a dealership…

FL5 is a classic - made in Japan, huge engine bay for monster turbo - better cooling - stiffer chassis - Ill be buying one to keep along side my Fk8

I’m a fan of the FL5. If I was in the market though, I would wait for the Integra Type S. That thing is beautiful.

I personally wouldn’t buy a type R over MSRP with 500 miles on it especially knowing those are some hard pressed miles on the car without properly being broken in yet but that’s just how I feel. I’ll be more interested in seeing the Integra Type S this summer. As a former STi owner, I just can’t do those big wings anymore so the Type S will be more my style.

This car is really enticing. I have the funds and I'm starting a new job that will force me to drive to different job sites from time to time. But those markups really kill the mood and remind me that it's still just a fast civic.

I think there are three key differences to switch from Fk8. 1: more premium interior 2: more conservative stylying 3: improved cooling. I think if you track your car its definitely worth the upgrade. But the other two reasons are subjective

Crystal Black Pearl #00711 here! It’s a lot of fun and it’s definitely a mix of FD2 and EK9 in terms of looks. The FK8 was an evolution of the the FK2 and FN2. I can guarantee that it is a very rigid ride on rougher roads. These roads you guys are on are beautiful for the FL5 in comparison. Enjoy it! This is as close to a 90s JDM feel with modern tech we’ll get!

I believe a lot of the upgrades you’re experiencing are not from fk8 r to fl5 r but from one generation standard civic to another. This platform has been a major push to up the premium feel from the last gen. Of course adding type r upgrades not to mention every single exterior panels excluding front doors and roof adds up to price increase from the fk8. I am waiting on mine at msrp. Took me 60+ emails and calls to every dealerships around me but it is doable. Most likely I would get one after fl5 refresh

The FL5 in black is so nice. Love the review

It's funny how everyone trashes the FK8 for fake vents and the FL5 has functional aerodynamic vents yet in a straight line the FK8 is faster than the FL5 stock v stock

Just wanted to say that you inspired me to start doing my own car content on youtube, your dedication and passion has been inspiring for me. Just wanted to say thank you and I hope you keep doing what you are doing! 👌🏻

The boost blue is beautiful and one of my favorite colors next to Sonic Grey Pearl

Nothing better than a couple bros vibing about Type Rs! The life!!!!!!

Best looking Civic to date!!! Haters goin to hate! (as with every gen)

I like the FK8 Type R because it actually looks like a Type R. The new one looks like the original at first glance.

lets go, so glad you got to review one of these

I had the FK2 and one thing it had which was better than the two later versions was the quad exhaust system it looked much better than the triple exhaust on the newer models

I already upgrade to this from a 2021 fk8 this car is better on gas and is smooth at 80 miles an hour my fk8 had a prl intake and the turbo noise thing but the fl5 is a better car is assemble in Japan thats a huge difference if you know Honda you know im right

I've driven an fl5 myself. I'll stick to my fk8. Same platform. Feels the same.

12:22 to 12:50 I 100% agree with you…. It’s a great car, but 50k+ for a little over 300hp is a tough sell for many of us….

I bought an FL5 a little over a month ago. Paid a 7k markup but got it in the exact color i wanted. I was very torn between the boost blue, sonic grey pearl and red prior to purchasing. ultimately decided on red as its the rarest color of the 5. boost blue and white are by FAR the most produced color on the FL5's and i didnt want that. This car is absolutely worth every penny. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Never selling this thing.

Ok man, the color! Much better than championship white

Feels good to see Cam in a FL5!

If you're interested in grabbing one, I've called around to basically every dealer in northern Florida and Crown Honda in Tampa has been the most reasonable at 7k over (6k for protection package, 1k doc fee). I'm still holding out for 5k or less over MSRP, but Crown has been by far the closest

This man did the impossible and flew to California for a car that's nuts😅😅 also this car is growing on me!!!!

Jdm cars never fails us

I'm happy you finally got to review the FL5. Great review! I know you're going to break down and get one.

I wish the civic could do that wing delete and a smaller lip spoiler on the boot for the guys who don't want or need that wing

augh i'm in the market for a new car.. i really like the FL5 but its hard to justify the price. in regards to the ride comfort, the FL5 does that thing where it'll "detect" spirited driving and raise the dampening, even if you're in comfort mode. so i think people are just locking the dampers into the soft setting

Glad your thoughts changed Cam! I’m looking to buy a FK8 in the future to be my daily. My 2000 Integra GSR needs to be replaced lol.

I have always been a muscle car guy, I have only owned Camaros (I leased a Cobalt SS while I waited for the 5th gen Camaros to come out), but I have always liked the Civic Si/SiR etc. When they showed this car off before (the base model), I was pretty disappointed with the styling... But I CAN'T stress this enough. This car looks FAR better in person than in any of the media when they revealed it. You did a great job showing this car at great angles, and I think this car looks outstanding. As soon as I saw these cars on the road (even the base models) I was just like... oh, ok this thing actually looks really great. I'm really impressed with this Type R, and I hope they do something with the Integra to get it on par with this, because... I'm a bit disappointed in that... however, I have yet to see one on the street, so that may change. And to be fair, my first car was a 95 Camaro Z28, and I always felt like that car didn't look great in photos, but when you were next to it, it was gorgeous. I think it's the headlights. They look like they kind of don't match the car somehow, but it looks great in real life. It's hard to explain, so hopefully you understand what I mean, lol. Great video, really enjoyed it.

I miss my 9th gen Too. But I drove My friends fk8 the other day with acuity shifter and it was extremely tight and nice feeling. Not that I dislike the shifter in the fl5 but that acuity sure was a nice upgrade. But I actually liked the way the clutch pedal felt and the way it shifts in the fk8 over my fl5. Not sure why that is, I figured that aspect would be very similar. My pedal feels lighter and and long travel and it’s hard to time the shifts into second but in the fk8 it was effortless.

The new Type R just looks grown up. Everything about it is nicer!

My hot take, the new type R looks like a Japanese Charger. I really liked the 10th gen R but the new one I'm having a hard time liking it. Plus mark ups I can't get behind it .....

I really think you should get one if you can let yourself give up the FK8. There’s not a lot of parts out for the FL5 yet but they are on their way and, selfishly, we need those CamH install videos for inspiration. 😅

That gent was golden for letting you take his car out👍 Wondering why he didn’t like the Red, one of my favorite colors on the Type R

I think boost blue is a bit too bright for my liking but it’s sexy for sure. CPW and Black would be my #1 picks

10th gen still my fav

Awesome video Cam!! Love it brother!! I agree with you I think the FL5 is more premium feeling for sure! I loved my fk8 but I think I like my FL5 quite a bit more! The car feels more solid and more quality! Both amazing cars but the FL5 is my favorite for sure! I was fortunate to get mine at msrp so it made it possible for me!! Keep up the phenomenal content Cam!! I have been enjoying the videos for years and you are one of my favorite channels for sure!! I hope you can make it work to get one!! But if you don’t get one at this point the fk8 is an absolutely amazing car for sure! I look forward to the next video!! 🚙👍🏼😀

"They were able to work with me" *pays $5K over* 😂

As a content creator I think you pretty much have to buy one Cam (go where the clicks are), but for everyone else if you already own an FK8 it's a tough call. Between ADM, low volume and high APR's you really got to WANT this car to purchase one right now. I love both cars, but I can wait for a couple years to upgrade and see what the refresh brings.

The brake calipers and rotors are the same as the refreshed FK8, however I believe they went with a different setup for the brake master cylinder. So they'll feel a bit different in application. They bite a bit sooner and quicker.

You can put those same size tires on your FK8 Cameron. I had that size along with some Titan 7s thanks to Michael Baxi’s recommendation. No rubbing issues at all!

I would rather have the FL5 ! Both are amazing

I hated the FL5 at first,now I love mine. Took seeing it in person when it arrrived for me to fall for it. Had it since Nov 4th,2022 one of the first.

I live in Puerto Rico and this is my dream car but here they sell it in 55k to 65k the only way that you can find a 40k type R car is if it's already used and the owner is sailing them, beside that is hard to buy a car like this when the minimum wage here is $8.50 the hr (in August it will go up to $9.50) but I'm determined to one they buy my dream car. 💖

Also the sidewall of the tires on the FL5 is larger than on the stock FK8. I don't think the guy understands how tire sizing works. The 30 in 265/30 is the ratio of sidewall to tire width and not the actual measurement. Basically the size of the sidewall is a percentage of the overall tire width. So a 245/30 tire would have a sidewall of 73.5 mm (245 x 0.30), while a 265/30 would have a sidewall of 79.5 mm (265 x 0.30).

Watching this on my birthday, it was small gift I didn't expect to get! Haha banger of a video though! Keep it up my man 🔥

I think the new 2023 Type r's put the older body style to shame! I'm actually looking to buy one in the next few months and hand over my Forte5SX to my son. Was looking into the Veloster N but after driving the two I'm on the Type R. That or perhaps the Corolla 4wd but they wont let you test drive them!

I miss my fk8, I'm hoping to get an fl5 within a couple of years, it's so good looking, currently have an a5 3.0 tdi quattro as a family car, even tho that thing is quick its no fun like a type r, I cannot wait till I get my hands on an fl5, ultimate car!

This was awesome. Loved the format.

FK8 is still the head-turner.

Just searched for civic type-r and find this video of you driving in my area. Big up Riverview/Gibsonton area. Driving down Symmes.

Great Video Cam. Loved to hear your take on the FL5.

Awesome cam! The perfect Type R would be the exterior of the FK8 with the interior of the FL5, imo. I bought Griot’s Garage Interior Cleaner to clean the alcantara and it works wonders on the steering wheel and seats. 🔥

got a new regular sport being a younger buyer be wrong to try and put my self through thoses payments but one day FL5 or Fk8 will be mines y’all’s are a beauty ! 👌🏾

Thanks Cam for this awesome video!

14:36 Hell yeah blink-182 sound test

When he turned the corner i thought you were gonna cry 😂😂😂😅

FL5 is pretty nice but bro your FK8 is looking sick and mean!

like the blue exterior color but red seats dont really match, honda should offer black seat option. dont like paying over msrp.

You should know the side Vents behind the wheels on the FK8 were Fake Vents same as the front ones on the Bumper. FL5 ones were Real Vents.

Great comparison/review from a true Honda fan!

@Cameron....When are you getting an FL5? I think you should trade in your FK8 for an FL5 and keep it stock! There is just something beautiful about stock.

Before consider or decide to buy FL5. You should check also the Acura Integra Type-S as well. Maybe it also an upgrade car...

Great video bro the fl5 looks amazing in person

boost blue looks ohhhkay but I would get it in champion white or red..🔥🔥👌

The Flat piece on the inlet is for better noise, not cooling.

thank you for paying overprice, You are helping the car industry too much.

I absolutely love my CW FL5, but no way would I be excited to pay over MSRP. I waited and paid MSRP. Nonetheless, amazing car and will definately be a classic

The slit in the seats is because fk8 seats will wrinkle there. Also. Fk8 is the only type r ever to not have red carpet. Also the only one not to be made by Honda Japan

This was a really cool review!! There definitely nice!! Should get the next batch 🤙🏼🔥

it does kind of looks like a charger

The price is the issue with these cars. As an FK8 owner I will agree with you that the FL5 is better but not worth the mark up. Insurance in the UK will not cover any mark up. If the car is totalled and that just means Dash air bags deployed, here in the UK you will only get the market value and that will be MSRP minus the age condition and mileage on the car. There's a saying in the UK that you lose £1000 the moment you drive off the forecourt. With current UK mark up that relates to £11000 to £15000. Not a risk I'm willing to take.

Respect for not going with him on the test drive when you took yours 👍

Spoon sports said they compare fk8 and fl5 to the eg and ek as far as chassis development. The fl5 is just a step above

Keep doing content with the cars that you have and people will continue watching, wait a little. Maybe you could find a better deal on the fl5 .

Reppin' the Maine plate 💪🏻

The new one looks a lot better

Nice video and I have a 2025 reserved in Canada. As far as I and the dealer knows, there is no mid-cycle refresh, as it is only a three year run (2023-2025) and extra tooling costs would not make sense as all cars are pretty much already sold (to dealers or assigned to customers) worldwide.

IT LOOKS WAY BETTER STRETCHED OUT!

Am i the only one loving the black type r model more than the blue one I like the style more idk

lol you were talking shit on the FL5 before release.

I seen the notification and I click on it

I’ve to drive the FK8 mainly because I don’t know anyone personally that owns one I’ve only driven my SI but same that the new FL5 grew on me hope to one day test drive one

7:21 that unused button is for the auto turn off and on when stopping and going in the UK model. Lol it’s a button that turns on or off that system. I see a lot of type r owners want a REV match button somewhere in the car, I don’t understand why because I keep the rev matching on and I love it. Boost Blue growing on me a lot but I love my Championship White FL5 ^.^

It is a lot of money. I got my brand new 2020 ford mustang ecoboost for 22k. My cousin works at ford and gave me a discount. But it has 310 horsepower. 5 less than a 45k car before markups. That’s crazy.

Both great cars. The FL5 interior is better, but it isn't enough for me to want to change from the FK8.

U were saying the new Type S is out of your price range? But here they are going to be going for around the same price as the new Type R.. or is the new Type R also out of your price range?

After he pulled up and park on the street, the looks of the FK8 are better

I love that color!!!!!!!

I have an Elantra N and ngl i think im going for the type s that thing looks insane

Great review…I’m looking for an fk8 for now. Lol those new R’s are beautiful tho🎉🎉

I saw one here in the Philippines same color I can’t take my eyes off of it

If I had a FK8 I could definitely say good bye to it for a FL5.

The fl5 is awesome, I got a sonic grey one brand new for 6250 over msrp, so I paid a lil over 50k before ttl. I gapped a nismo 370z a few days ago on the freeway.

15k markup for a sonic grey I saw yesterday at the local dealership. After sitting next to it for over an hour while waiting for my 9th Gen Accord getting an oil change it started up look plain. I like my FK8 better

No offense owned two fk8 . I would never pay over msrp. In fact you are better off buying a tesla model 3 performance during this economy. Type r is just slow off the line

Not hating, genuine question. Why are people paying over 60k for these FWD civic. I understand it's greatly engineered, cornering, overall driving etc etc sure. But 60k? Wait list for months? Don't get me wrong I loved my 06 civic si when I had it and I know it's a completely different beast but. Why not get an bmw M2 or ANYTHING that's near it's price that's better?