Honda Civic Type R: FK8 vs FL5
Verdict
The FL5 is the quicker, dearer new-generation car: RM399,900 against RM301,928, with 315 hp/420 Nm versus 306 hp/400 Nm and 0-100 km/h cut from 5.8 to 5.5 seconds. Both remain 1,996 cc petrol, manual, front-driven hatchbacks with the same 272 km/h top speed, 47-litre tank, six airbags, five-year warranty and RM378 road tax. For Malaysia, the awkward trade is real: the FL5 adds auto emergency braking and a longer wheelbase, but drops to four seats and 410 litres of boot space versus the FK8’s five seats and 414 litres.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FK8 if you want five seats, a 414-litre boot and the same 272 km/h top speed without paying the FL5 premium.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want the newer car’s 315 hp, 420 Nm, 5.5-second sprint and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: FK8 RM301,928; FL5 RM399,900
- Output: FK8 306 hp/400 Nm; FL5 315 hp/420 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: FK8 5.8 s; FL5 5.5 s
- Seating and boot: FK8 5 seats/414 L; FL5 4 seats/410 L
- Size: FK8 4,557/1,877/1,421 mm; FL5 4,593/1,890/1,407 mm
- Auto emergency braking: FK8 not listed; FL5 Yes
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 301,928✓ | RM 399,900 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,996 cc | 1,996 cc |
| Power | 306 hp | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 5.8 s | 5.5 s✓ |
| Top speed | 272 km/h | 272 km/h |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 8.8 L/100km | — |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| 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 |
| Boot space | 414 L✓ | 410 L |
| Fuel tank | 47 L | 47 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 378 | RM 378 |
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.
FK8
- Lower RM301,928 price
- Five seats versus the FL5’s four
- Slightly larger 414-litre boot
- 306 hp and 400 Nm trail the FL5
- 0-100 km/h takes 5.8 seconds
- No auto emergency braking listed
FL5
- 315 hp and 420 Nm
- Quicker 5.5-second 0-100 km/h
- Auto emergency braking included
- RM399,900 price is much higher
- Four seats only
- Boot dips to 410 litres
FK8 vs FL5 FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R FK8 or Honda Civic Type R FL5 better?
The FL5 is better on performance and safety kit, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time and auto emergency braking. The FK8 makes more sense if you need five seats or want the lower price.
What is the price difference?
The FL5 costs RM399,900 and the FK8 RM301,928, so the gap is RM97,972. That money buys 9 hp, 20 Nm, a 0.3-second quicker 0-100 km/h time and auto emergency braking, but not extra seats or boot space.
Are the Honda Civic Type R FK8 and Honda Civic Type R FL5 mechanically very different?
Not on paper. Both use a 1,996 cc petrol engine, manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, with a 272 km/h top speed, 47-litre fuel tank, six airbags, five-year warranty and RM378 annual road tax.