Every Honda Civic Type R ranked: which of these iconic hot hatchbacks is best?
June 05, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
Honda has just announced the death of the Civic Type R, so we’ve been looking back at all six iterations of this much-loved performance car to rank them from best to worst.
Bad news for hot hatch fans – the Honda Civic Type R will disappear from UK showrooms in 2026. Honda has just announced the Type R Ultimate Edition, an ultra-rare tribute to this car of which only 10 will come to the UK.
It marks the end of a 28-year run for the Type R, and there were five different generations sold in the UK. We’re going to take a closer look at each one and rank them from best to worst.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can also sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Every generation of Honda Civic Type R ranked:
- 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 fifth-generation Honda Civic Type R is the best all-rounder of them all. Like all Type Rs it’s incredible to drive on a twisty road, but it’s also the most comfortable one for driving every day.
It’s just as fast as the latest version in a straight line, as we found out when we drag raced every Civic Type R, but it’s way more outlandish to look at compared to that car. All those wings, fins and vents continue to be controversial today, but it certainly turns heads.
2. EP3 Honda Civic Type R (2001-2005)
The EP3 was the first Honda Civic Type R to come to the UK, and it immediately captured the hearts of every hot hatch enthusiast in the country. It was a very different animal compared to the car we know today, mostly thanks to the engine.
It had an incredible, high-revving engine with Honda’s VTEC system, something which gives you an extra burst of power towards the top of the rev range. This gave it a unique character, and it was fantastic fun on twisty roads. EP3s are getting rare these days, as is reflected in their increasing values.
3. FL5 Honda Civic Type R (2022-2026)
The latest Honda Civic Type R is the fastest and most hardcore version ever made. It currently holds the Nurburgring lap record for front-wheel drive cars, and it feels the most focussed of all the Type Rs.
That could be seen as a good or bad thing. The FL5 may be incredible to drive fast, but it’s lost some of its hot hatch purity in doing so. It’s not a car you can drive to its full potential on the road, and it now costs over £50,000 which puts it out of reach of a lot of car enthusiasts.
4. FK2 Honda Civic Type R (2015-2017)
The FK2 Civic Type R marked a return to form after the slightly disappointing FN2 (more on that in a bit). It was also the first Type R to be turbocharged, and it was the fastest in our Type R drag race.
The styling was wild compared to the previous two Type Rs we got in the UK, and that enormous wing took a lot of people by surprise. It also had the shortest production run, lasting just two years before being replaced.
5. FN2 Honda Civic Type R (2007-2011)
We finish on the most controversial of all the Type Rs, the FN2. This car received a lot of hate when it was launched, mostly thanks to a scathing review by a farmer called Jeremy Clarkson.
The main issue with the FN2 was that it felt like a step back compared to the revered EP3 which came before. It has a more basic rear suspension setup which made it less fun to drive, but it was also bone-shakingly firm. It was still good in the corners, and it looked wicked, but it will always live in the EP3’s shadow.
What made this more egregious was the fact that, at the time, the Japanese market got a Civic Type R called the FD2, a saloon version which was more powerful and had much better suspension than the FN2. Plenty of these have been imported into the UK, but they’re very rare and expensive these days – around £20,000 is the going rate.
Special mention: EK9 Honda Civic Type R (1997-2000)
We can’t talk about the Honda Civic Type R without mentioning the very first one – the EK9. Launched in 1997, it was revolutionary at the time with its 1.6-litre VTEC engine. It put out 185hp, which in 1997 was incredible from an engine this small.
We never saw the EK9 in the UK, but you can import one if you really want. Just don’t expect much change out of £20,000 if you do, because demand certainly outstrips supply.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on WhatsApp, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos.