FL5 Type R Overview: Why Honda’s Hot Hatch Still Leads the Way

The hot hatch category has evolved fast—and in many cases, not for the better. Heavier curb weights, automatic-only drivetrains, and all-wheel-drive systems have made many modern performance hatches faster on paper but less engaging to drive.

Honda didn’t follow that path.

The FL5 Type R, officially the 2023+ FL5 Civic Type R, sticks to the original formula that made the badge legendary: front-wheel drive, a six-speed manual, and obsessive attention to chassis tuning and driver feedback. It’s currently the most powerful production Honda sold in the U.S., but more importantly, it’s one of the last new cars built around feel rather than filters.

This overview breaks down what makes the FL5 Type R special, how it compares to past Type Rs, what ownership is really like, and where RokBlokz products fit into protecting a car that’s meant to be driven.

2023+ Honda Civic Type R (FL5)

The FL5 Civic Type R is based on the 11th-generation Civic platform, giving Honda a stiffer and more refined foundation than the FK8. While the car is physically larger, the added size translates directly into improved stability, better cooling, and more predictable handling—not softness.

Honda’s goal wasn’t to reinvent the Type R. It was to refine it everywhere that matters.

What You’ll Find in This Overview

• What Makes the FL5 Type R Different

• FL5 Civic Type R Styling and Cabin Details

• Engine, Transmission, and Performance Explained

• Ride and Handling Review

• Interior and Technology Overview

• Why the FL5 Type R Makes Sense for Honda

• Pricing and Market Reality

• Where RokBlokz Fits In

• Who Should Buy the FL5 Civic Type R

• Key Takeaways

• Final Thoughts

• Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes the FL5 Type R Different?

Short answer: chassis, cooling, and drivability.

The FL5 Type R uses an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful Civic Type R to date. Torque delivery is broader and smoother than the FK8, with strong midrange pull that makes the car easier to drive fast.

More importantly, Honda focused on structural improvements:

• Increased body rigidity

• Wider front and rear track widths

• A 1.4-inch longer wheelbase

• Revised suspension geometry

• Improved steering hardware and software

These changes don’t inflate spec sheets—but they fundamentally change how the FL5 Civic Type R feels when pushed.

FL5 Type R Styling and Cabin Details

Honda deliberately toned down the exterior compared to the FK8. The FL5 Type R looks wider, lower, and more muscular without relying on sharp angles or excessive vents.

Key exterior highlights:

• Functional front fender vents

• Wider rear quarters

• Redesigned rear wing for real downforce

• 19-inch wheels instead of 20-inch, improving ride quality and tire compliance

Inside, the FL5 delivers an interior that matches the car’s performance. The layout is clean, driver-focused, and free from unnecessary distractions. Red sport seats provide serious lateral support without sacrificing daily comfort, and all major controls fall naturally to your hand.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The FL5 Civic Type R remains manual transmission only, a decision that defines the entire car.

Honda refined the six-speed gearbox with:

• A lighter flywheel

• Optimized rev-matching

• Improved shift feel

• Reduced internal friction

The result is one of the best manual transmissions available today—precise, forgiving, and deeply rewarding.

Performance benchmarks:

• 0–60 mph: under 5 seconds

• Quarter-mile: mid-13s

• Top speed: ~170 mph

Unlike many modern performance cars, the FL5 maintains consistency thanks to improved cooling, including a larger radiator, better airflow management, and upgraded brake cooling.

FL5 Type R Ride and Handling Review

Front-wheel drive at 315 horsepower sounds like a compromise—until you drive it.

Honda’s dual-axis strut front suspension dramatically reduces torque steer, while the helical limited-slip differential maintains traction under heavy throttle. Steering feel is direct and communicative, with excellent on-center response.

Drive modes that make a difference:

• Comfort: livable for daily use

• Sport: sharper steering and throttle

• R+: maximum chassis control for aggressive driving

The FL5 Type R is firm, but never unpredictable. It rewards smooth inputs and communicates clearly at the limit—exactly what a Type R should do.

Interior and Technology Overview

The FL5 Civic Type R finally brings its technology up to modern expectations:

• 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• 12-speaker Bose audio system

• Digital instrument cluster with Type R–specific displays

Honda LogR is now integrated directly into the vehicle, offering lap timing, performance data, and driver feedback without requiring a separate app. It’s there for taking the car to the track—but stays out of the way the rest of the time.

Cargo space remains excellent thanks to the hatchback design, reinforcing the FL5’s dual-purpose nature.

Why the FL5 Type R Makes Sense for Honda

Honda could have gone all-wheel drive. They could have offered an automatic. They didn’t—because the Type R exists to represent the brand’s racing philosophy, not chase the  market trends.

The FL5 Civic Type R serves as:

• A performance halo car

• A statement of engineering intent

• Proof that driver engagement still matters

In a market moving toward isolation, the FL5 moves in the opposite direction. And it’s very much needed!

Pricing and Market Reality

MSRP for the FL5 Type R sits in the mid-to-upper $40,000 range, depending on options and destination fees. Early dealer markups were common, but today buyers can often find:

• New examples at MSRP

• Lightly used cars below original sticker

The FL5 Civic Type R holds value well due to limited production, strong demand, and a loyal enthusiast base.

Where RokBlokz Fits In

The FL5 Type R throws a lot of debris.

Wide, sticky tires combined with functional side fender vents direct rocks, gravel, and road grime straight at the rear doors, side skirts, and quarter panels. Honda does not offer factory mud flaps or splash guards for the FL5.

That’s why we developed RokBlokz Rally Mud Flaps and Splash Guards for the FL5 Type R, now including our Mesh Rock Guard Kit.

Key benefits:

• Designed specifically for the FL5 Civic Type R

• Uses factory mounting locations (no drilling)

• Mesh guards protect the side vent without blocking airflow

• Rally flaps for maximum protection

• Splash guards for a clean OEM+ look

We also offer RokBlokz Window Vents for the FL5, providing airflow with reduced wind turbulence—popular with track day drivers, daily commuters, pets, and road trippers.

Who Should Buy the FL5 Civic Type R?

The FL5 Type R is built for drivers who:

• Want a manual transmission

• Value steering feel and chassis balance

• Still want real cargo space

• Actually drive their cars hard

If you want a modern performance car that still feels mechanical and engaging, the FL5 Civic Type R delivers.

Key Takeaways

• The FL5 Type R is the most refined Civic Type R ever built

• Manual-only, front-wheel drive, and unapologetically driver-focused

• Major upgrades to cooling, rigidity, and steering

• Mature styling with real aerodynamic function

• Hatchback practicality with serious performance

• Proper protection matters—RokBlokz is here for you

Final Thoughts on the FL5 Type R

The FL5 Civic Type R proves that modern performance cars don’t have to abandon driver engagement to stay relevant. It’s fast, communicative, and engineered with purpose—not trends. And we can’t wait to see future generations. 

If you’re going to drive it the way Honda intended, protecting it properly is part of ownership. That’s exactly where RokBlokz comes in. We're here to help protect your FL5.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the FL5 Type R?

A: The FL5 Type R is the 2023+ Honda Civic Type R, built on the 11th-generation Civic platform and powered by a 315-hp turbocharged 2.0L engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

Q: How much horsepower does the FL5 Civic Type R have?

A: The FL5 Civic Type R produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful production Honda sold in the U.S.

Q: Is the FL5 Type R manual only?

A: Yes. The FL5 Type R is available only with a six-speed manual transmission.

Q: Is the FL5 Type R front-wheel drive?

A: Yes. Honda retained front-wheel drive and uses a dual-axis strut suspension and limited-slip differential to manage power effectively.

Q: Does Honda offer factory mud flaps for the FL5 Type R?

A: No. Honda does not offer factory mud flaps or splash guards for the FL5 Type R.

Q: Why does the FL5 Civic Type R throw so much debris?

A: The combination of wide tires, aggressive offsets, and functional side fender vents directs rocks and debris toward the side skirts and rear quarter panels.

Q: What protection options are available for the FL5 Type R?

A: RokBlokz offers FL5-specific Rally Mud Flaps, Splash Guards, and a Mesh Rock Guard Kit designed to protect paint without affecting airflow or fitment.

Q: Is the FL5 Type R good as a daily driver?

A: Yes—if you’re comfortable with a firm ride. The FL5 offers real cargo space, modern tech, and reliability typical of Honda performance vehicles.