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Civic Type R FN2

Euro 8th-gen hatch2007–2011

The driver's benchmark in the hot hatch class. Six generations since 1997, one of the most committed FWD platforms ever built.

20 reviewers · 25 videos · 52 press articles

Generations
EK91997–2000EP32001–2005FD22007–2010FN22007–2011FK22015–2017FK82017–2021FL52023–present
// 00 the verdict

Reviewers are split on performance and handling.

across 20 reviewers

// scorecard at a glance
// where reviewers split
Performance
11 say · liveable

"This is the best drivetrain I've ever used for spirited driving. The engine sounds awesome, feels awesome, makes good power."

Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 8:55
2 say · critical

"so it's slower than its dad"

Top Gear · ▶ 8:52
Handling
12 say · liveable

"The steering is incredibly direct and there's no body roll at all."

KiwiCarLife · ▶ 3:47
2 say · critical

"suspension is joy expensive so in this it's been replaced with a simple torsion bar"

Top Gear · ▶ 5:52
Fun to drive
17 say · liveable

"I've got to say, this car is really, really enjoyable to drive, but it's for different reasons than I usually enjoy driving cars."

Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 5:07
2 say · critical

"I like hot hatchbacks I always have done but this one it's absolutely hopeless"

Top Gear · ▶ 11:43
Daily drivability
11 say · liveable

"this vehicle is ridiculously practical"

JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:22
6 say · critical

"on normal roads it is intolerable... this is completely unacceptable"

Top Gear · ▶ 10:43
Value
12 say · liveable

"the fn2 you can pick them up for 2 and a half Grand that's a bargain"

Car Throttle · ▶ 1:58
1 say · critical

"The problem is you're paying a hell of a lot more for this limited edition car... the normal Type R can do most everything that this can do."

HSG Automotive · ▶ 4:58
// the categories
// 01

Performance

3.5/520 of 20 reviewerssplit

“This is the best drivetrain I've ever used for spirited driving. The engine sounds awesome, feels awesome, makes good power.”

positive · Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 8:55

“it's a lovely naturally aspirated 2-liter the revs to over 8,000 rpm that's mental”

positive · Jack Scarlett · ▶ 0:58

“so it's slower than its dad”

critical · Top Gear · ▶ 8:52
// 02

Handling

3.5/520 of 20 reviewerssplit

“suspension is joy expensive so in this it's been replaced with a simple torsion bar”

critical · Top Gear · ▶ 5:52

“It's not as disconnected and numb as modern electric steering racks, but it's also not as communicative as the best hydraulic racks.”

Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 11:00

“The steering is incredibly direct and there's no body roll at all.”

positive · KiwiCarLife · ▶ 3:47
// 03

Fun to drive

4.0/520 of 20 reviewerssplit

“I've got to say, this car is really, really enjoyable to drive, but it's for different reasons than I usually enjoy driving cars.”

positive · Mick Drives Cars · ▶ 5:07

“Man, I love the behavior of this gearbox. It’s really on the money, man, fantastic. Really short, precise shifts.”

positive · JM Reviews · ▶ 14:27

“I like hot hatchbacks I always have done but this one it's absolutely hopeless”

critical · Top Gear · ▶ 11:43
// 04

Daily drivability

3.5/520 of 20 reviewerssplit

“on normal roads it is intolerable... this is completely unacceptable”

critical · Top Gear · ▶ 10:43

“it is firm I would say it's bordering on hard... it's um a little bit of a bone shaker if I'm going to be honest”

critical · Car Obsession · ▶ 8:05

“this vehicle is ridiculously practical”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:22
// 05

Value

4.0/519 of 20 reviewerssplit

“the fn2 you can pick them up for 2 and a half Grand that's a bargain”

positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 1:58

“the prices are certainly appealing to thanks to the fact that nobody seems to love the car you can pick one of these up from about a thousand pounds”

positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 3:57

“in terms of residual values this is one of the most resilient hot hatches money can buy”

positive · Car and Driving - Car Reviews · ▶ 16:50
How it stacks up

Hear it in the reviewer’s words

Mick Drives Cars
Posted Mar 4, 2026Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
AutoTopNL
Posted Sep 30, 2025Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Car Obsession
Posted Oct 8, 2023Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
More Civic Type R reviews
▶ play all (19)
Head to head
▶ play all (3)
From the press · 52 articles