Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the FK8’s RM301,928 price leaves a RM97,972 gap to the RM399,900 FL5, yet both retain a 1,996 cc turbo petrol four, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive and 272 km/h top speed. The FL5 is the quicker, better-equipped choice: 315 hp, 420 Nm and 5.5 seconds to 100 km/h, plus Honda Sensing and blind-spot monitoring. But the FK8 weighs 33 kg less, seats five rather than four and has a marginally larger 414-litre boot. The outgoing car is the rational used-market starting point; the FL5 justifies its premium chiefly with safety technology and extra performance.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FK8 if you want the RM97,972 lower entry price, five seats and a 414-litre boot without giving up the six-speed manual Type R formula.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time and Honda Sensing safety assistance.
Key differences
- Price: FK8 RM301,928; FL5 RM399,900.
- Power and torque: FK8 306 hp and 400 Nm; FL5 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: FK8 5.8 seconds; FL5 5.5 seconds.
- Dimensions and weight: FK8 4,557 mm long and 1,390 kg; FL5 4,593 mm and 1,423 kg.
- Seating and boot: FK8 five seats and 414 litres; FL5 four seats and 410 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: FK8 20-inch wheels with 245/30R20 Continental SportContact 6 tyres; FL5 19-inch wheels with 265/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.
FK8
- RM97,972 cheaper than the FL5.
- Five seats and a 414-litre boot.
- 33 kg lighter than the FL5.
- 306 hp and 400 Nm trail the FL5’s 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- No blind-spot monitoring, autonomous braking or collision warning.
- 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.3 seconds behind the FL5.
FL5
- 315 hp and 420 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.
- Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring and five-star EuroNCAP rating.
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and wired or wireless Apple CarPlay.
- Costs RM97,972 more than the FK8.
- Four seats rather than five, with a 410-litre boot versus 414 litres.
- 33 kg heavier than the FK8.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM301,928✓ | RM399,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM378 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,996 cc |
| Horsepower | 306 hp at 6,500 rpm | 315 hp at 6,500 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 2,500 rpm | 420 Nm at 2,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 85.9 mm | 86 mm × 85.9 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds | 5.5 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h | 272 km/h |
| Co2 | 200 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,557 mm | 4,593 mm |
| Width | 1,877 mm | 1,890 mm |
| Height | 1,421 mm | 1,407 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm | 2,734 mm |
| Weight | 1,390 kg | 1,423 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 414 litres✓ | 410 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/30R20 | 265/30R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/30R20 | 265/30R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental SportContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United Kingdom (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Alloy | 19" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | 3-Mode Drive System - Adaptive Dampers | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on two outer rear passenger seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Advance Display Audio with 8 Speakers | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 2 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with multi-angle | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
FK8 vs FL5 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R FK8 or Honda Civic Type R FL5 better?
The FL5 is better for outright performance and active safety, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, Honda Sensing and blind-spot monitoring. The FK8 is the better-value choice if five seats, a slightly larger boot and a far lower purchase price matter more.
What is the price difference?
The FL5 costs RM399,900 against the FK8’s RM301,928, a difference of RM97,972. The extra money brings 9 hp, 20 Nm, a 0.3-second quicker 0-100 km/h time and additional driver-assistance equipment.
Which Type R is more practical?
The FK8 is more practical for passengers and luggage: it has five seats and 414 litres of boot space. The FL5 has four seats and a 410-litre boot, although both are five-door hatchbacks with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
