New v Old Civic Type R: ULTIMATE Showdown! 

New vs old... Which is better? VOTE BELOW!

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.

I love the previous generation design. Simply one of the best looking hatchbacks ever

I always liked the big spoilers and aggressive look, hot hatches are meant to look a bit out there, like you would see in the car mags in the 90's.

I'm so glad the new one doesn't make my eyes bleed when I look at it.

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

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

Compared to all the drag race videos you upload, this was a welcome change back to a proper car review, and I have to say, you are incredibly good at it. This is one of the best car reviews I have _ever_ seen!

This channel is never boring. There are always new exciting videos.

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

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.

I don't know much about cars but I do enjoy watching and learning about it cheers mate

I have the FK8 in America and we have the cup holders in the backseat, weird they weren’t included in the Euro spec model. Also, Ive had the car for a coup of years and I still love this car. Boy racer… for sure… but I honestly like that it stands out from everything else. Currently working on replacing the fake CF trim with real CF. Both are great cars, but I can’t justify the price of the FL5.

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

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.

New one is a massive improvement. No overengineering or faking anything. Every vent is real and the body looks much more put together. Unlike the old one, Honda really went all out with their engineers to REALLY make sure the new one was going to blow track records out of the water, which is why it's now #1 on the Nürburgring FWD times. Overall, the new one is just the better car. Upgraded and practical parts and it's actually something I would buy over the other.

After years of driving, fixing and racing cars, the only kind of car I drive is a Honda Civic. That says alot. I've been in so many cars, but Honda's, especially the Civic, are it for me. Great video.

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. Edit: I started a war with this comment, proceed with caution.

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.

I love the look of the Fk8. It’s in your face, it’s futuristic, and it’s instantly recognizable as a type r. The new type r can be parked next to a base model vw Jetta and you’d think they’re the same car. It looks good yes, but it doesn’t have that “cool” factor, it doesn’t say “I’m a race car”. It says “I’m on my way to the grocery store”

Was behind the new one yesterday. It's enormous!!

As soon as Carwow uploads it makes my day .

I love the " Type R " configuration 🇯🇵🔥

I had just been wondering why I hadn't received any notifications from your channel and this pops up on my feed 😊

Excellent video Mat!

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.

We upgraded the fronts on our FK8 to Michelin ps4's and the improvement in grip was huge so I'm not surprised you managed to launch the Fl5 a bit better.

Good to see actual journalism again!

Love the Belgian Malinois reference. Accurate description and I love them

The previous generation looks savage and unique, whereas the new one is more car ish and simple looking. It took me a while to get used to the looks of the FK8 though! Both are super fun to drive and reliable boy racers for reasonable money.

I have an fk8, and I love it. I thought about trading it in for an acura type s but I'm really not sure until it comes out. Love the video, man!

I just can't wait till I get mine. I have to wait until 2025 !!!!! For my Fl5 ... I got videos in the mean while lol. Good job mate.

One thing to remember is fk8 has 245s and fl5 has 265s as tires. I know that makes a difference for sure. I wonder what the results would be if they were both on similar sizes

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.

Matt is second to none in terms of test driving cars; his thorough, articulate turn by turn commentary on the driving experience of each car made me feel like I was actually driving them rather than watching a review. No other car reviewer does that for me; kudos!

The review I was waiting for

I love the way the previous GEN type I looked except the rear, the new type R doesn't look bad, but I think it's a little under styled and looks basic in some angles

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

Such good cars. Would love to experience one of these and if had the chance definitely buy one and use it as a daily. Strong, reliable, 5 seater and spacious. Talk about a perfect car.

I just bought an EP3 Type R and I love it!! Would love to see the new Type R vs the EP3 round a track maybe?

I must be the only person in the world that loves the FK8 design 😅

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?

Yes, we definitely need to see a track battle between the FL5 and the FK8

Really enjoy all your content Matt! Thanks for another interesting / fun video. At the end of the day, Honda is the real winner, as you said, they are really only competing with themselves. Also, well played Honda - the folks saying they enjoy the FL5 for it's "grown-up" looks, are ready to make the switch to an Acura. The future TypeS will be one to keep your eyes on.

Muito bom, conteúdo de primeira qualidade.🇧🇷

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..

Those FL5 seats indeed are truly fabulous

Love to see a drag race between the two. Saw another video n the fk8 , even with less hp kept winning .

1 LOVE THE LOOK OF THE PREVIOUS MODEL TYPE R!!! It looks waaaay more intentional and dramatic than the car that replaced it.

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 ... 🤔😁

Cant wait for the roll race!

the older one is definitely one of the bizarre designs ever.. simply loving it! Will be buying one this year

You should compare the FK2 with the FL5, too. Like the 1st VTEC Turbo vs the last VTEC Turbo. 😬

The upcoming Acura Integra Type S will be an excellent alternative. Same powertrain but a little more luxurious, and likely a smaller dealer mark-up.

regarding the handling/tyres/differences between the two gens: i switched from the OEM contis on my fk8 to the PS4Ss and it's basically as you're - Matt - is describing: i basically prefer the contis. so much more precise but the PS4Ss do feel more playful.

Just got the FL5 Sonic Gray. It's gorgeous and a blast to drive! Ran into a few FK8 homies and they only had good things to say about the design change.

5.62 was the best time an fk8 got on a previous video from Carwow!

Sorry, got a disagree with Matt ,This isn’t even my type of car, but I prefer the old car with the aggressive styling.

Great video Matt. Much prefer the FK8, in every respect.

I've got a late 2019 FK8 and love it. Have been thinking about the new one since it came out but the price hike and increased road tax cost as it's over £40k will probably make me keep what I have or look at other options in the used market. They actually just increased the new car from £47k to £50k as well.

Matt please do a FK2 VS FK8 VS FL5 Drag, roll, track.. All same tyres. Stock VS stock.... With DECENT MANUAL DRIVERS.

Mat We need a drag race of the type r fl5,fk8,fk2

Just sold my fk8 yesterday it was gorgeous and I miss it already

Bravoooooo. Great analisy. Great video

I like the new one better in and out. I love the retro dash. Taken straight out the 70s

The new Civic R is very simple yet looks really amazing.. a lot better than the previous generation.. the latest gen is one of my fav cars.. I was just hoping that it would have come with AWD drive system then it could have smashed all the cars in the segment.. just like a Lancer evo

Doesn't matter which one. Civics are awesome. I used to be a WRX kind of person but damn. The Civic outperformed every STI there is. Switched sides and boy do I not regret it.

As soon as I get a ad that I can’t skip 👋🏻

It’s amazing how both cars seem to be so similar in hardware yet feel so different. I’m still not exactly sure what I think about the looks of the FK8 even after all these years. Fake vents don’t do it for me and it’s probably too OTT and too aggressive for my liking yet in certain colours it looks sort of awesome. Each to his or her own I guess. I am or at least used to be a die-hard Honda fan. Owned an original NSX, Accord Type R, DC2. The only thing that stopped me from getting the FK8 was the turbocharged engine. Effective, sure. And obviously an amazing car in most other respects, at least the ones which matter to a petrolhead. But I still think they went in the wrong direction with the engine. A proper Type R engine with a stratospherically high-revving NA engine and a an electric motor with a small LI-ION battery would have been both a better choice and a purer one, preserving what made Type Rs unique in the hot hatch world. The hybrid unit in the CRZ wasn’t all that heavy or expensive and I’d have taken the small weight penalty over adding a turbo. I just think Honda make some really weird decisions sometimes. Same with the ‘new’ NSX. That car lost so much by going turbocharged when they could have achieved similar results with a NA engine and slightly more powerful electric motors. These things should have been locked-in at the conception stage as absolute non-negotiables and, given that Honda was a pioneer with the whole hybrid thing with the original Insight, it would have doubly made sense! As it stands, if I wanted a 4 seat car which could - at least at a push - do family duty, I’d go for an Japanese FD2 over any of the turbocharged Civics, regardless of them offering more shock and even if they are better in many ways.

Absolutely love the new design. Very simplistic just how the original ek9 was.

That rear valence on the FL5 look knackered.

I have the FK8 but I want to upgrade to the FL5. Love the look way way better.

I like the newer type r..I’m not a flashy car kind of guy..the newer one allows for some good exterior upgrades

If I'm not mistaken I believe the fl5 has different gearing than the fk8. So it might be hitting 60 at the top of second where the fk8 needs 3rd gear. clever way to make a car seem faster than its predecessor.

I looove how that new one looks

Watching this sat in my 2021 Type R GT in bright red.

The new design of this Civic is too common for me, but the spirit of the samurai is still here.

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!

Between the FK8 gen and the FL5 gen Honda Civic Type R, the one I would use everyday is the FL5 gen Civic Type R, because it's the best Honda Civic Type R ever made!!!🤩

Also a comparison with fk2+fk8 and fl5 would be great to see

In my opinion, the 2005 Honda NSX Type R is the greatest Japanese car... *Jeremy Clarkson pause*... ever.

I LOVE the design of the 10th gen. That’s why I decided it to be my first car. The regular civic, not the Type R. And everyone of my family and friends loves the 10th gen design as well. I like the interior of the new one though.

I’ve always loved the look of the fk8! But I did phone to put an order in for the Fl5, but unfortunately being informed by several uk Honda dealerships that each one of them was only allowed a maximum of two vehicles a year! And I was also informed that there was a six to twelve month wait! And even though I love grey, I was told that I had to pick two different colours, as the dealership could commit to which colour would eventually arrive!!!! 🤦‍♂️😢 So my choice was decided! I bought from a Honda dealer the last of the line FK8, in the colour I wanted (grey) one previous owner car with only 7,859 miles on the clock. And the dealership I bought it from originally supplied the car brand new!!! Well chuffed! 👍👍😃😃😃😃

I love the inteior of the old FK8 and exterior of the new FL5

I truly think the older one looks better. It’s stands out as a type R better. Yes it’s aggressive, yes it’s rice-y, but that’s what’s you’re going for with a type R. At least in my opinion.

The past generation seems more athletic and it is not worth paying this difference in the new generation.😶😶

The new design is so much better. Really hope y’all do the actual drag race

FL5 tires are 265mm vs FK8 245mm. Interesting that you like the FK8 handling better. Maybe too much rear grip now is a little more understeery. Maybe they had to lighten the steering to handle the extra contact patch.

I like the older one, But I liked the one before that even more

New ones so much better looking than the old one!

Get my new red one at Friday ❤ Excited 😅

Red carpets remind me of my DC5! 😍

Raise your hand if you've been watching Carwow for a long time🤚

I mean, the price is a total piss take.

Would be interesting to see a track battle with 1/4 mile and laps . Both have pros and cons . All personal preference which one is better. Allegedly fk8 is still faster but they have refined it a bit in Fl5 and looks more grown up more like a saloon with a wing bolted on.

as an fk8 owner i love the exterior of the fk8 more but would love the fl5 interior upgrades in the fk8

I'd have neither, save myself 20k and get an fk-2

Hot take: The old Civic looks better to me

Love your videos so much but when are u going to review the Toyota land Cruiser & land Cruiser sport 2022

FL5 better, might got too boring but it’s have better upgrades, FL5 stands out better especially the headlights at night