Verdict
At RM301,928, the FK8 undercuts the RM399,900 FL5 by RM97,972, a substantial saving for a 306 hp, 400 Nm manual Type R. The FL5 gets 315 hp and 420 Nm, cuts 0-100 km/h by 0.3 seconds, and adds Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Its wheelbase is 34 mm longer, but it has four seats against the FK8’s five. For a Malaysian buyer, the newer car’s safety kit is the clearest reason to spend more.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FK8 if you want five seats, a 414-litre boot and save RM97,972.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want the quicker 315 hp Type R with Honda Sensing and adaptive cruise control.
Key differences
- Price: FK8 RM301,928; FL5 RM399,900.
- Horsepower: FK8 306 hp; FL5 315 hp.
- Torque: FK8 400 Nm; FL5 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: FK8 5.8 seconds; FL5 5.5 seconds.
- Wheelbase: FK8 2,700 mm; FL5 2,734 mm.
- Seating and boot: FK8 five seats/414 litres; FL5 four seats/410 litres.
FK8
- RM97,972 cheaper.
- Five seats and a 414-litre boot.
- Rear air-con vents, front foglamps and navigation.
- 306 hp and 400 Nm versus 315 hp and 420 Nm.
- No Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control.
- 7.0-inch audio display versus the FL5’s 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay.
FL5
- 315 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.
- 9.0-inch touchscreen with wired Android Auto and wired or wireless Apple CarPlay.
- RM97,972 more expensive.
- Four seats and a 410-litre boot, against the FK8’s five seats and 414 litres.
- No rear air-con vents, front foglamps or navigation.
| 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 | 315 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | 86 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | 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 equipped for safety and assistance, with 315 hp, Honda Sensing, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The FK8 is the better choice if five seats and a substantially lower purchase price matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R FL5 costs RM97,972 more than the Honda Civic Type R FK8: RM399,900 versus RM301,928.
Which Type R is more practical?
The FK8 is more practical on the numbers. It has five seats, a 414-litre boot and rear air-con vents, while the FL5 has four seats and a 410-litre boot.