This iconic model says goodbye to us. We review the six generations of the Honda Civic Type R, from the first EK9 to the latest FL5, to find out which is the best Type R ever.
Bad news for lovers of compact sports cars: Honda has officially announced the end of the Civic Type R. And to pay tribute to it, we have reviewed the six generations that have existed of this mythical model to order them from best to worst.
Honda will stop selling the Civic Type R in 2026. As a farewell, it has launched the Type R Ultimate Edition, an ultra-limited version of which only 10 units will arrive in Spain. This is the end of a 28-year career for one of the most iconic compact sports cars.
Below, we review all its generations and tell you which are the best... and which were not so much.
Honda Civic Type R generation ranking
- FK8 (2017-2021)
- EP3 (2001–2005)
- FL5 (2022-2026)
- FK2 (2015-2017)
- FN2 (2007-2011)
- Special Mention: EK9 (1997-2000)
1. FK8 Honda Civic Type R (2017-2021): The most balanced
The FK8, fifth generation, is the most complete of all. Like any good Type R, it is very fast on curvy roads, but it is also the most comfortable for everyday use.
It accelerates just as fast as the last model (we checked it at Carwow comparing all generations), but it has a much more striking and aggressive design: spoilers, fins, air intakes... much discussed, but unmistakable.
2. EP3 Honda Civic Type R (2001-2005): the one that started it all in Europe
The EP3 was the first Type R to officially arrive in Europe, and it quickly made fans of sports compacts fall in love. It had a high-revving naturally aspirated engine with the famous VTEC system, which delivered extra power in the high area of the rev counter.
It was pure Japanese character, a lot of fun on mountain roads, and today it's a highly sought-after model, with rising prices due to its rarity.
3. FL5 Honda Civic Type R (2022-2026): Fastest and most extreme
The latest generation, the FL5, is the most radical Type R to date. It holds the Nürburgring record for front-wheel drive cars and is the most focused of all for track.
That has its good and bad sides: it is spectacular at a high pace, but it has lost part of the essence of the fun hot hatches for daily use. In addition, its price has risen quite a bit: it already exceeds € 58,000 in Spain, which distances it from many fans.
4. FK2 Honda Civic Type R (2015-2017): The Return of the Turbo
The FK2 marked the return of the Type R after the disappointment of the FN2. It was the first Type R with a turbocharged engine, and in fact it was the fastest in the Carwow acceleration comparison among all Type Rs.
Aesthetically it was very groundbreaking, especially because of its gigantic rear wing. It was only on sale for two years, thus becoming one of the shortest generations.
5. FN2 Honda Civic Type R (2007-2011): the most controversial
The FN2 is probably the most criticized of all the Type R, thanks in part to the harsh criticism it received, including from the famous Jeremy Clarkson.
Compared to the acclaimed EP3, it was a step backwards. Its rear suspension was simpler and less effective, and its chassis was excessively hard for everyday use. Although it was still fast in corners and its design was very attractive, it always lived in the shadow of its predecessor.
To make matters worse, in Japan they had the FD2, a sedan version with a better engine and much better chassis. Nowadays you can import some units to Spain, but their price is around € 23,000, and they are not easy to find.
6. Special Mention: EK9 Honda Civic Type R (1997-2000): the origin of the myth
We can't talk about the Civic Type R without mentioning the pioneer, the EK9. Launched in 1997, it revolutionised the compact sports car segment with its 185 hp 1.6 VTEC engine, which was spectacular at the time for such a small naturally aspirated engine.
It was never officially sold in Europe, but some units have been imported and current prices easily exceed €23,000 due to its scarcity.
The Honda Civic Type R has been, generation after generation, the benchmark for front-wheel drive compact sports cars. His farewell leaves an important void in the market. We will see if in the future Honda dares to reinterpret its magic formula, perhaps in electric or hybrid version.
