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Performance cars · Honda

Honda Civic Type R: performance, engines and what owners say

Honda Civic Type R FL5 in Championship White, AI illustration

Pictured: the FL5 Civic Type R (2023).

Civic Type R Touring FK8 · 2017–2019

306horsepower
4.90–60 mph, sec
about 170mph top speed

First U.S. Type R. 306-hp 2.0 turbo, 6-speed manual, front-drive.

Civic Type R FL5 · 2023–2025

315horsepower
4.90–60 mph, sec

315 hp, 310 lb-ft, lighter flywheel. Still manual-only, one trim.

FK8 Civic Type R · 2017–2021

How fast is the FK8 Civic Type R?

Hatchback, 2017–2021. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

Civic Type R Touring

2017–2019

306 hpat 6,500 rpm

Torque
295 lb-ftat 2,500–4,500 rpm
0–60 mph
4.9 sCar and Driver test
Top speed
about 170 mphHonda's track top speed
Gearbox
6-speed manual, front-drivehelical limited-slip, rev-matching
Weight
3,117 lb
Price new
$33,9002017, plus $875 destination
Sources
  1. Honda: 2017 Civic Type R specifications & features (Jun 2017)
  2. Honda: First-ever Civic Type R for America goes on sale tomorrow (Jun 14, 2017)
  3. 0-60specs.com: Honda Civic 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  4. Honda: 2017 Honda Civic Type R press kit, overview

Civic Type R Touring

2020–2021

306 hpat 6,500 rpm; unchanged

Bigger grille and radiator core, two-piece front rotors, faster damper control, stiffer rear bushings.

Torque
295 lb-ftat 2,500–4,500 rpm
0–60 mph
4.9 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox
6-speed manual, front-drivehelical limited-slip, rev-matching
Weight
3,121 lb
Price new
$36,9952020, plus $955 destination; 2021: $37,495 plus $955
Sources
  1. 0-60specs.com: Honda Civic 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  2. Honda: 2020 Honda Civic Type R arriving soon with upgraded performance (Feb 20, 2020)
  3. Honda: 2021 Civic Type R specifications & features (Sep 2020)
  4. American Honda: 2021 Civic Type R and Type R Limited Edition pricing (Sep 2, 2020, via The Auto Channel)

Civic Type R Limited Edition

2021

306 hpat 6,500 rpm

BBS forged wheels, Michelin Cup 2 tires, less sound deadening, retuned dampers and steering.

Torque
295 lb-ftat 2,500–4,500 rpm
0–60 mph
4.8 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox
6-speed manual, front-drivehelical limited-slip, rev-matching
Weight
3,071 lbHonda's release says 46 lb lighter than the Touring; the spec sheets differ by 50 lb
Price new
$43,9952021, plus $955 destination; 600 built for the U.S.
Sources
  1. 0-60specs.com: Honda Civic 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  2. Honda: 2021 Civic Type R specifications & features (Sep 2020)
  3. American Honda: 2021 Civic Type R and Type R Limited Edition pricing (Sep 2, 2020, via The Auto Channel)
  4. Honda: 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition sets Suzuka track record (Jul 9, 2020)

The engine: Honda K20C1

2.0-liter inline-4, turbo

Redline7,000 rpm
Output306 hp, 295 lb-ft (FK8); 315 hp, 310 lb-ft (FL5)
DesignVTEC on the exhaust cam; exhaust manifold cast into the head
BuiltHonda's Anna, Ohio engine plant
Performance engines →

Known issues

  • Fuel pump recallRecall

    2018–2020 Type Rs are in NHTSA recall 23V858: the in-tank fuel pump may fail, which can stall the engine while driving.

    Fix: Dealers replace the fuel pump module free of charge.

    6 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (2017–2021)
  • Heat in long track sessionsOwner-reported

    Track-day owners report coolant and oil temperatures climbing and power dropping in long sessions. Honda enlarged the grille and radiator core for 2020 and the FL5 grille opening by 48%.

    Fix: Owners who track often add a bigger radiator or oil cooler.

  • Low fuel-pressure warning on track (unconfirmed)Owner-reported

    Owners in one CivicXI thread report a low fuel-pressure warning and limp mode on track, some with a low tank. The cause is not confirmed.

    1 owner complaint to NHTSA mentions it (2017–2021)
Engine sources
  1. Honda: 2017 Civic Type R specifications & features (Jun 2017)
  2. Honda: 2017 Honda Civic Type R press kit, overview
  3. Honda: 2020 Honda Civic Type R arriving soon with upgraded performance (Feb 20, 2020)
  4. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2022)
  5. Honda: Honda Civic Type R powertrain (2017 press kit)
  6. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R press kit
  7. Wikipedia: Honda K engine (K20C1, built in Anna, Ohio)
  8. NHTSA recall 23V858: Honda fuel pump may fail (includes 2018–2020 Civic Type R)
  9. CivicXI forum: Limp mode on first track day (Type R owners, 2024–2025)

What owners say on YouTube

54This car's YouTube owner tone, out of 100 · #2 of 2 generations · videos about this generation only (the engine's tone above covers every car with that engine)

Owners praise

Handling and steering28%
Everyday comfort26%
Looks23%
Power and acceleration17%

Owners complain about

Coolant leaks / water pump / overheating10%
Track overheating8%
Gear grind8%
Clutch6%

Share of the 180 most-watched FK8 Civic Type R videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

Restoration of a Rare Honda Civic TYPE RMad4Motors · 15.3M viewsHonda Civic Type R generations DRAG & ROLLING RACE, BRAKE TEST and review | Head2Headcarwow · 3.4M viewsThe 2017 Honda Civic Type R Isn't the King of Hot HatchesDoug DeMuro · 3.2M views

Should you buy a FK8 Civic Type R?

  • New, the Civic Type R Touring cost $33,900 (2017, plus $875 destination).
  • YouTube likes the 2020 best (62/100).
  • Most owner complaints: the 2021 (11). Fewest: the 2020 (1). Raw counts, not per car sold, for every version NHTSA files under this name.
  • Budget for fuel pump recall: 6 owner complaints mention it. Dealers replace the fuel pump module free of charge.
  • Budget for low fuel-pressure warning on track (unconfirmed): 1 owner complaint mentions it.
  • 3 recall campaigns across 2017–2021 (all Civic Type R versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
  • Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the Civic Type R yet.
Sources
  1. Honda: First-ever Civic Type R for America goes on sale tomorrow (Jun 14, 2017)

FL5 Civic Type R · 2023–2025

How fast is the FL5 Civic Type R?

Hatchback, 2023–2025. 0–60 times are magazine tests where we have one, otherwise the maker's figure.

Civic Type R

2023–2025

315 hpat 6,500 rpm

Torque
310 lb-ftat 2,600–4,000 rpm
0–60 mph
4.9 sCar and Driver test
Gearbox
6-speed manual, front-drivehelical limited-slip, rev-matching, lighter single-mass flywheel
Weight
3,188 lb
Price new
$42,8952023, plus $1,095 destination
Sources
  1. 0-60specs.com: Honda Civic 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek)
  2. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2022)
  3. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R press kit
  4. Honda: 2025 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2024)
  5. Honda: All-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R arriving at dealers (Oct 27, 2022)

The engine: Honda K20C1

2.0-liter inline-4, turbo

Redline7,000 rpm
Output306 hp, 295 lb-ft (FK8); 315 hp, 310 lb-ft (FL5)
DesignVTEC on the exhaust cam; exhaust manifold cast into the head
BuiltHonda's Anna, Ohio engine plant
Performance engines →

Known issues

  • Heat in long track sessionsOwner-reported

    Track-day owners report coolant and oil temperatures climbing and power dropping in long sessions. Honda enlarged the grille and radiator core for 2020 and the FL5 grille opening by 48%.

    Fix: Owners who track often add a bigger radiator or oil cooler.

  • Low fuel-pressure warning on track (unconfirmed)Owner-reported

    Owners in one CivicXI thread report a low fuel-pressure warning and limp mode on track, some with a low tank. The cause is not confirmed.

Engine sources
  1. Honda: 2017 Civic Type R specifications & features (Jun 2017)
  2. Honda: 2017 Honda Civic Type R press kit, overview
  3. Honda: 2020 Honda Civic Type R arriving soon with upgraded performance (Feb 20, 2020)
  4. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2022)
  5. Honda: Honda Civic Type R powertrain (2017 press kit)
  6. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R press kit
  7. Wikipedia: Honda K engine (K20C1, built in Anna, Ohio)
  8. CivicXI forum: Limp mode on first track day (Type R owners, 2024–2025)

What owners say on YouTube

59This car's YouTube owner tone, out of 100 · #1 of 2 generations · videos about this generation only (the engine's tone above covers every car with that engine)

Owners praise

Handling and steering28%
Everyday comfort26%
Looks23%
Power and acceleration17%

Owners complain about

Coolant leaks / water pump / overheating10%
Track overheating8%
Gear grind8%
Clutch6%

Share of the 180 most-watched FL5 Civic Type R videos that praise or criticize each topic (a praise or trouble word near it in the title or transcript).

Most-watched videos

Restoration of a Rare Honda Civic TYPE RMad4Motors · 15.3M viewsHonda Civic Type R generations DRAG & ROLLING RACE, BRAKE TEST and review | Head2Headcarwow · 3.4M views

Should you buy a FL5 Civic Type R?

  • New, the Civic Type R cost $42,895 (2023, plus $1,095 destination).
  • YouTube likes the 2024 best (62/100).
  • 1 recall campaign across 2023–2025 (all Civic Type R versions). Check a VIN before you buy.
  • Repair costs: we don't have owner-reported repair costs for the Civic Type R yet.
Sources
  1. Honda: All-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R arriving at dealers (Oct 27, 2022)

Compare the Civic Type R

Civic Type R vs Toyota GR CorollaComing soon
Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf RSee it →
Civic Type R vs Hyundai Elantra NComing soon
Civic Type R vs Acura Integra Type SComing soon
All sources (16)
  1. Honda: 2017 Civic Type R specifications & features (Jun 2017) Honda
  2. Honda: First-ever Civic Type R for America goes on sale tomorrow (Jun 14, 2017) Honda
  3. 0-60specs.com: Honda Civic 0-60 runs by magazine (Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Road & Track, MotorWeek) magazine tests, aggregated
  4. Honda: 2017 Honda Civic Type R press kit, overview Honda
  5. Honda: 2020 Honda Civic Type R arriving soon with upgraded performance (Feb 20, 2020) Honda
  6. Honda: 2021 Civic Type R specifications & features (Sep 2020) Honda
  7. American Honda: 2021 Civic Type R and Type R Limited Edition pricing (Sep 2, 2020, via The Auto Channel) Honda
  8. Honda: 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition sets Suzuka track record (Jul 9, 2020) Honda
  9. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2022) Honda
  10. Honda: Honda Civic Type R powertrain (2017 press kit) Honda
  11. Honda: 2023 Honda Civic Type R press kit Honda
  12. Wikipedia: Honda K engine (K20C1, built in Anna, Ohio) Wikipedia (fallback, engine code only)
  13. NHTSA recall 23V858: Honda fuel pump may fail (includes 2018–2020 Civic Type R) NHTSA recall
  14. CivicXI forum: Limp mode on first track day (Type R owners, 2024–2025) owner forum
  15. Honda: 2025 Honda Civic Type R specifications & features (Oct 2024) Honda
  16. Honda: All-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R arriving at dealers (Oct 27, 2022) Honda

Showing the years only ().Showing every year.

Owner complaints to NHTSA

NHTSA lists the Type R as its own model, but some owners file it under Civic or Civic Hatchback, so these counts can run low.

No Lemon Index for the Civic Type R: the index is complaints per car sold, and sales by trim aren't published. These are raw counts.

FK8: 26 complaints for 2017–2021.

FL5: 14 complaints for 2023–2025.

20172
20186
20196
20201
202111
20239
20241
20254

What they're about

FK8 · 2017–2021

Fuel/propulsion system6
Engine5
Power train4
Electrical system4
Fuel system, gasoline2

FL5 · 2023–2025

Steering7
Electrical system2
Service brakes2
Visibility/wiper2
Fuel system, gasoline1

Recalls

  • 26V332000 Air Bags2017–2021

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-202

  • 23V858000 Fuel System, Gasoline2018–2020

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V

  • 24V064000 Air Bags2021

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura

  • 24V744000 Steering2023–2025

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles.

Source: NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov). Check a VIN for open recalls on one car.

Quick answers

How fast is the Honda Civic Type R?

The FL5 Civic Type R makes 315 hp and 310 lb-ft. Car and Driver measured 0–60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

What engine does the Honda Civic Type R have?

The FL5 Civic Type R (2023–2025) uses the Honda K20C1, a 2.0-liter inline-4, turbo. Older generations: FK8: Honda K20C1.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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