The New Honda Civic Type R FK8... Is It As Good As Everyone Says? (JDM Legends Tour Pt. 9) 

Now after a full year with my '18 FK8, I plan on keeping it forever. There is really nothing out there like it. And as a senior citizen- the looks work just fine for me. Highly recommended. Just like JayEm's videos, which never disappoint.

Just bought a Type R and now I find myself looking for past Type R videos and I totally agree with what you said! Well done! This is a special car and I feel so fortunate I was able to get one. We need to continue to support companies like Honda who put their passion into making proper driver's cars with manuals or we face the demise of the manual and literally pave the way for self driving cars.

One of positive things I took away from my FK2 ownership experience was the amazing front end. This FK8 has that and more. Your dead right about the Golf R, had mine for a year and yes its relentlessly fast and capable but it does lack a bit of personality. After a test drive in the FK8 I was hooked. It feels as if Honda are picking up the baton that Mitsubishi dropped, albeit with FWD and I am glad that they are willing to offer something other than dull SUV's and boring hybrids. With a petrol/diesel car ban looming, car manufacturers seem to be pulling out all the stops to give us awesome internal combustion powered cars while they still can.

You got a thumb's up from me! I'm actually talking with the dealer right now to pick up a blue one as my 4 door dad mobile to add to my garage. I've driven them and they are great with tons of room. Unless I want to spend way more for a German saloon or go full minivan, the Type R is the way for us dads who still want to have fun!

The channel has really pushed on. Let's hope manufacturers support your efforts and comprehensive reviews. I really think you are up there with the best. Cheers for the hard work.

Come on Honda, give him the NSX for god's sake! Great review matey, as usual. Dunno why you haven't got like 250k subs yet.

Just discovered the channel, refreshing presenter with a very in depth and fluid style, I am subsribing now.

I think this is the best review I've seen of the FK8, not a car for me I much prefer the late '90s stuff but non the less great review.

Good review. All I want now is Honda to put this engine in a CRX. 4m long, 1,3m height, 2 seats and a reasonable boot. Of course aggressive styling and not too expensive.

As an owner, having owned a vast range of cars, this is the best car hands down I ever had. It leaves me with this undescribable satisfaction everytime I go somewhere. Yes, the screen is small and you know what, I often find myself turning it off because of how well this car brings you back to the era in which a driver was required and that infotainment was secondary. I cannot praise it enough and the styling as grown so much on me that I would probably only change the front blocked vents as you said to functional ones if possible. This is a masterpiece and probably the last of a drying breed of actual driver's cars. Kudos for such a great review and hopefully the internets get to realize that this is one of those books you cannot judge by its cover ... moreover, you get to love the cover over time. This car is a the perfect match of a lost era where slight tech of today makes it even better instead of dumbing it down.

Its nice to see a reviewer actually understand what the three exhaust tips are there for. Rather than just going, "Its just for that wacky style" Great review!

Pretty unbeatable in it's class. You have to applaud Honda for making a specific product, not trying to appeal to everyone

Great vid, great presenting!!

I really love how you do your videos! I’ve just discovered you a few weeks ago and I’ve noticed you’re really fair with cars! Even bad cars such as the Peugeot 307 you reviewed a few weeks ago, you still pointed out good things about the car that others wish to overlook. Long story short, love your videos! Have liked and shared with a few friends. Looking forward to your amazing future content.

This is a really superb review. You've gone into great depth and provided a lot of insight. I've seen a number of reviews of this car, but this one is the most comprehensive. It's a long review but no time is wasted... your style really carries you along. Really, well done. Subscribed and liked!

Well done! This car is already a legend and a modern-day classic. I don't think e will say anything as bold coming out of Honda again.

I am a German who do not just like it, I looooooove it! By the way your cockpit is at the wrong side...

Recently replaced my long-term 370bhp Golf R with one of these (in red). It’s bloody fabulous. Better than the golf are: the steering, the chassis, the transmission (my Golf was manual), the seats, the driving position, the power delivery, the brakes, the sound, the handling, the ride (especially in sport and +R) and overall driver involvement/fun factor. Best daily I’ve ever owned and genuinely special and characterful. Do I have anything original to offer? I think it sounds terrific - no exhaust noise but fantastic engine note. Also, +R is perfectly useable on most roads and makes the whole car ‘tingle’ with feedback. Feeling great about my decision.

Very good review and so refreshing to find a reviewer who appreciates the FK8 for the cornering performance etc rather than looking to drag race the bollocks off it and wonder why it gets beaten by 4wd rivals (I'm looking at you CarWow...)

One year into ownership and our family still loves the car. I usually chop and change my cars and bikes at least once a year, always chasing the next thing but there's nothing out there I would change the fk8 for - not even an fl5.

You are patient, thorough, knowledgable. Drive round on B roads, on an overcast day. When it comes to information for someone considering purchase of a car this is what people need to know. You can see this in the quality of comments you attract. The manufacturers should find it in their interest to support you. Keep it up and yes, go and visit your tailor.

Replaced my much loved 2004 E46M3 with 113k miles (but really well looked after) with FK8 in 2018 (brand new - leased then I bought it). It beat an M240i as the replacement based on how it drives from a long time BMW customer. I could hardly believe it myself (FWD!). Anyway I added a 981 GT4 18 months ago and I STILL love the Honda... GT4 is a dedicated tool the FK8 is a real-world better car. Only thing is the lack of noise, but the GT4 does that rather well :)

Very good review although just like you, I thought it was the best value for the money but there's one you should try out before you come to that conclusion and it's the Hyundai i30N in performance spec with the extra power. It's not as powerful as the Civic type R but a very exciting car to drive, full of character. I'm a Honda fan and currently own an S2000 and an Integra type R and was looking at getting the FK8 but I'm sold on the Hyundai. I test drove the FK8 for a second time and the Hyundai for the first time and I couldn't stop grinning in the Hyundai. Hope you can get one to review and you'll be pleasantly surprised, I guarantee!

2 1/2 years later...still loving and keeping that '18 FK8. Not feeling the FL5. Have really enjoyed watching this channel grow. Jay Emm has added more style, more performance and more features to his videos. Oh yeah, the cars are great too.

Fantastic review. Great knowledge on the car and history of the type r. Considering no script and your own camera work, this is probably the most comprehensive review on the car.

There's some cracking car reviewers on youtube at the moment, and this guy definitely fits the bill. This was heartfelt, honest and fun. From an editing perspective you tend to leave your shots quite long before cutting to the next, but this isn't the BBC so who cares. Top stuff!

Great video! I picked up mine yesterday, white GT exactly the same love it! Agree on the buttons on the steering it is the only thing I'm not pleased with given the quality of everything else. Keep up the good work!

Great video. Fair take. I own an '18 CTR. Love it. Favourite thing: Everything, but seats, engine, grip, braking, turn in, are up there. Nitpicks? Large turning circle. Small gas tank. Electric ebrake. Deal breakers? Nah. Keeping it? Oh yeah.

I quite like how the Honda Civic Type is an affordable hot hatch first, while also a great family car.

I'm at the very start of saving up for my FK8. I'll probably have mine in a year or so. It's gonna be a long 12 months!

Found you on Pistonheads and watched all of your videos over the past couple of months. Really refreshing, informative reviews, without the usual RU-vid bollocks. Keep up the good work! Cheers.

I drove this car in the dry - it was amazing - better more engaging feel than my golf r (manual). In the wet though the front just moves too much for my liking if you give it a lot of throttle. If you live in a very wet weather country id prefer AWD. otherwise, this civic type r drives better than anything in its class.proper sports car, feels raw and connected to the driver.

Love these cars! My wife has a 2018 Si which we are about to replace with a new Type R. She just ordered the car today. I know I can’t wait! As good as that Si was; I’m seriously looking forward to her getting the Type R.

You know, as a GTI Mk7.5 driver I just can’t complain about a lack of power or anything. I’m quite happy with the car itself because for us Germans a Volkswagen is comparable to a jeans - it suits any kind of life situations (except for the extremes, of course). However, I’m starting to think (or better: to feel) the urge to switch to an FK8 Type R. This thing wasn’t on my radar when getting the GTI, but now I’m seriously considering going for this thing next year. Genius car.

15:00 - James May wants his shirt back....

Of all the modern FWD hot hatches this seems the most complete, will be interesting to see how this new generation of Honda turbo engines holds up over the years. I wanna pick one up second hand!

Another good and rounded review.

Sunday Morning in Northwest Arkansas, caught up my usual channels, You Tube "recommended" throws up this gem of a video. Very impressed - the content, delivery, camera work, etc. demands way more than 19,000 subscribers. Am sure this has already been said, but there is an early Clarkson feel to the delivery (with a James May shirt!). Look forward to seeing more content, hit the like and subscribe button.

Nice dialogue, felt very professional. Love the car

great review, fingers crossed this will be my 28th birthday present to myself.

What a great review! Jay, you are the best! Honda please......just bring back the S2000 with all the latest technology! Just make it a little bit wider for wider tires....no flaring fenders.....thank you. Even today, the very clean lines of the S2000 do not look dated. So Honda........your type R has again, as always proven your engineering prowess!! You have outshown all the competition! Thank you! But the very capable abilities of the type R are drawing everyone to your brand. All the while, thee exterior, is causing our hearts to look back and lust for the S2000.........! just jim

The only thing that lets it down for me is the rear door handles. They should of kept it like the Gen 8 (2006 - 2012) with its hidden door handles. Which made it look like a three door.

Great in-depth review - knowledgable and very nice style, it’s like your smart car guy friend tells you all you need to know. Hope you get as much views, likes and subs as possible, let’s get that NSX on this channel! :D

Superb review, wouldn't mind giving one of these a spin myself , not sure I could live with the in your face boy racer looks thou.😀

As mentioned earlier, I just discovered your videos a week ago and really enjoy your videos. Lots of really good information and concise non-bias views. Keep up the good work sir..... looking forward to your NSX video.

I do want this car. It would be a forever car for me. Just need to wait for them to come down abit more!

I have to add: terrific review! Of all the Type R auto-journalist reviews out there, this is my favorite by far. I’m more excited than my kids on Christmas Eve waiting for my wife’s to Arrive!

Couldn't think of a better shirt to wear in a type r.

Good review as usual. The car ia surely high performance but for me the best Civic is the EG6 VTI, a great car on all aspects during its time and even now....

I hadn't seen your channel before watching this, but this was a great review! Nice job, and that's one hell of a shirt.

Very much like your thorough yet humour-filled reviews.

I bought the 2020 - 2021 updated version which fixes issues this car had. I also chose the sportline over the GT. Exact same car except, the wing is lower and the red seats are black. Also the wheels instead of being 20inch are 19 inch. Which means the tyres last more than 10000miles due to them not being track tyres.

Every day it seems you pick up another thousand or two in subscriptions with the view counts advancing in lock step. Nice!

I've always owned Hondas, mostly Type Rs. I currently own an FK2 Type R, and honestly prefer it to the FK8. There really isn't a HUGE difference between my FK2 and the FK8, but I will admit the FK8 is faster around B roads stock to stock, but my FK2 has suspension mods and an intake. I also owned a EP3 Type R, and sometimes miss the high revving VTEC, but I do enjoy the torque of the FK2 R I own - you really had to flog the EP3 R to get any power, which was fun but tiresome in traffic. I also owned a 1993 NSX Type R, really brilliant car, but I didn't like the 2 seats and when I had children I had to let it go. I'm fathomed at the US Honda enthusiast...they're obsessed with speed. A 20 year old clapped out Mitsubishi GTO TT / VR-4 is much, much faster than a brand new 2018 FK8 Type R in a straight line! I have 4 mates with FK8s, and plenty of mates with GTOs and VR-4s, all factory spec trim. *Just an example - my mate has a 2018 UK-spec (320bhp) FK8 Type R with an intake, and he ran my mates high mileage US-spec 1995 3000GT VR-4 that is stock and has bald tires; from 0 to 245kph the FK8 was 2 car lengths behind, and the VR-4 was still pulling. He then lined up against my mates UK spec factory spec stock 1993 GTO TT, and was 2.5 cars behind at 260kph. The US spec 95 VR-4 ran the 420 in 13.2s@103.8mph, and the UK spec 93 GTO TT ran a 13.4@105.3mph - our fastest FK8 ran a 13.71@104.6mph, easily slower than both the Mitsis. The GTO TT and VR-4 both make 285 to 295@whp in stock trim...The FK8 owners here laugh at all the 'race' videos on here...the FK8 R is meant for B roads and tracks* Can an ADULT please explain why the Honda scene in the US is obsessed with straight lines? Here in the UK, we all get along with all other enthusiast, and Honda owners focus on handling, not speed! I

The Type R compared to other sports cars period, you get alot of BANG for your buck. It's the best bargin. Proven fact now that the latest Type R is at the end of its generation

It's some civic. What a good looking car

I absolutely love the geographical area you're filming and living in. It's exactly what I would want if I had a choice. I love it.

Having owned more Hondas for as long as ive been driving (and 3 fn2 including a diesel) Started with a mk3 wedge civic and now have this shape civic on an 18 plate. No civic was shabby, but this is so good. Sadly not an R but my sport is good enough in 1.5 guise....wonder if I'll beat my 14 year ownership, with NO problem!?

Great that Honda were willing to borrow you a car. However im sure it puts you in a difficult position in that in order to increase your chances of receiving more cars from Honda you might be persuaded to give it a more favourable review than you might have liked to. Does look a lot better in white than red.

+R on the road is actually really nice. The heavier steering and additional stiffness in the suspension work for me down here where we have nicely maintained roads. I'd agree with Harris that it would be nice to have a user mode where you can adjust all three (steering weight, suspension and throttle response) individually, but I pop mine into +R quite a bit and I'm not thrashing the nuts off it as we're talking public roads.

Great video and information as a family member is planning on buying one will make sure they put it in comfort mode on the test drive 😂👍

Really down to earth presenting, cheers for a great review

Great cars. I have to say though the old high rpm VTEC on the intake and exhaust does work well with turbo’s. Look at EP3’s with turbo conversions. They produce insane power and torque right upto redline

best, honest and worthwhile review of this car I've found, Grats mate.

I'm a huge fan on the type R Hondas. Having to work hard to keep them on the boil makes them huge fun to drive. This one sounds different... I love the front three-quarter view, but that rear wheel arch flare is pig ugly. Looks pretty neat in white..

Surprisingly good video, keep up the work and enthusiasm in your reviews.

nice review, but 1 big flaw, the duct in the hood isnt for cooling the engine bay at all...

OMG best shirt yet 👏🏻👏🏻

Liked - fingers crossed for the NSX :D

Hi,. New to your channel and wanted to say what a fantastic review! I drove one in August 2017 at Brindley Honda Wolverhampton who I have a good rapport with. Was really impressed with the handing, performance and build quality. The previous gen was too too bumpy and road noise. It is a better car than the Focus RS to me as you can't go wrong with Honda reliability and there fantastic customer service.

I can't say that I like the styling, but I love that they designed it like that. I appreciate that Honda decided to make the car "exciting" without trying to appeal to everyone. I'm GLAD that the styling is divisive. No, I don't like the styling. But that's okay. The people that do like it, love it. It is for that reason that I can appreciate the styling, even if it doesn't appeal to me.

Good video. I like these reviews and I think I have a pretty high standard.

Fwd are fun cars! I don't understand why so much hate on this car. It's a practical car for me. And I like it.

I'm a big Type R fan... can't believe the FK8 was 2017 :o But I'm still in love (after 14 years) with my Accord Type R (CH1)...

Like the front of the car almost like an updated Impreza WRX. Its just the rear that is too over styled. But I guess the spoiler serves its purpose in handing and stability..

Great review as usual, you are one of the best on here, keep up the excellent work.

Excellent review. Subscribed.

Very good review jay as always pal good luck with that nsx 😂 keep the content rolling👍👍👍👍

Good review as per usual. Personally, I prefer cars where you have to learn about their capabilities over a period of time. A car that immediately gives you absolute confidence in it's abilities is one that breeds complacency, overconfidence and ultimately, contempt. Much like the Impreza and Evo of days past, cars that flatter every driver, no matter how inept. Which is why I've seen dozens of them in ditches, wrapped round trees, upside down or mangled in the remains of some oncoming vehicle. Eventually, they bite you when the laws of physics remind you they don't disappear when your 'talent' run out. A vehicle should take time to get to know... it's part of what makes driving a skill.

I had a feeling you'd mention the fact the fuel and temp gauges are similar to cars from the 1980s. I thought the way Honda designed the FK8's dash was reminiscent of the C4 Corvette.

Love my FK8 it is so quick, I keep trying to change gear on the flappy paddles as an ex V10 SMG M6 nut. This Honda is far more fun to drive

Brilliant and detailled Review! The Type R is the choice for people who are still alive.

Glad that the spoiler serves a purpose it would be tragic if it looked that stupid for no reason.

Getting mine tomorrow, so excited

Good vid. Think I’ll go and take my fk8 out today. Worth pointing out though. The bonnet scoop isn’t for cooling purposes , it’s for airflow :)

Don’t fuck it up, I like your originality !

I love your work bud, great job! Keep it up!!

I'm watching in anticipation of buying one in a couple weeks.

Love the Honda way- engineer a FWD car to drive brilliantly rather than easily chuck 4WD in and give it a bigger turbo.

Good point at the beginning around about sourcing cars, appreciate the effort you’re making. If it’s not already on your list, I’d love to see you do a video on the Lexus LC500, and even the hybrid to be honest with it’s multi-stage CVT...🤔

Very detailed review James, congrats. If you haven't already seen, I've responded to your email. In short, should be ready in May 😉

Happy new year and best wishes for your channel in 2020. Great review as always, facts and straight forward how it should be. Keep up the good work and in no time the car manufactures will be queuing up to give you a car review.

@ JayEmm Great review wish you the best,your love of cars and knowledge of cars is interesting and mature and you don't hurt our ears with tacky production! One new sub from me! Love the sound of your Lotus but this Honda needs a better Exhaust sound with valve control to match it's sporty looks?

Liked and Subscribed! Thank you for your work. I'm a huge fan of Honda. you are an easy presenter, accessible and understandable

Interesting review. I had 2xFK2 (a '16 and a '17 - don't ask) CTR's but felt that the ride was too harsh. I did prefer the styling of these (FK2's) as I don't like the fake vents, lack of analogue handbrake and exhaust on this FK8 version) There is no denying it's pedigree however!

Fantastic review. Love your style.

Great review! Keep up the great work!

one of the best reviews. excellent flow. good info.

Informative well presented review of a car i'm very interested in owning in the near future. The Golf R is another candidate for me but the Type R just seems a much more exciting proposition at present even with the Mad looks. Too old to be seen in a FK8 at 52yrs of age??? Great video JayEmm, just looking through your library. Keep the good work up.

What an awesome review.... thank you for the nice long detailed video I thoroughly enjoyed it.