2025 Honda Civic Type R owner review

Have you experienced any reliability issues with your vehicle since you purchased it?

No

Have you had to make any warranty claims?

No

Has your vehicle been serviced at least once since you took ownership?

No

Overall, are you satisfied with your ownership experience so far?

Yes

“What I enjoy most is how exceptionally well the car drives. It strikes a rare balance where it feels purpose-built for spirited driving, yet remains genuinely comfortable and usable as a daily. From the factory, it’s an impressive piece of engineering — the chassis, steering feel, and overall refinement make it clear how much development has gone into making this car feel cohesive and confidence-inspiring in all conditions.

I would absolutely recommend this vehicle to others. If you’re looking for a driver-focused car that delivers performance without sacrificing practicality or reliability, the Civic Type R is hard to look past. It offers a level of engagement and polish that’s becoming increasingly rare.

I would strongly consider future purchases with the brand, though it really depends on what Honda offers next. The current Type R sets such a high benchmark that it would be challenging to improve on, especially as the industry shifts toward electrification. That said, if Honda can retain the same driver-first philosophy while evolving with future technologies, it would certainly keep me interested.”

Fezz’s experience with the 2025 Honda Civic FL5

Owning and driving the Civic Type R has reinforced just how rare a truly driver-focused car has become. What stands out immediately is the way everything works together as a complete package. The steering is direct and full of feedback, giving you a clear sense of front-end grip and road surface, which builds confidence whether you’re pushing through a fast corner or placing the car precisely on track. The chassis feels exceptionally well balanced, with very little unwanted movement, and the car remains predictable even when driven hard.

On spirited drives and track-style conditions, the car really comes alive. The front end grips harder than you’d expect from a front-wheel-drive platform, and torque steer is impressively well managed. Power delivery is strong and linear, making it easy to modulate throttle mid-corner without upsetting the car. The manual gearbox deserves special mention. The throws are short, mechanical, and rewarding, making every shift feel intentional rather than a chore. Heel-and-toe downshifts feel natural, and the car encourages proper driver involvement rather than masking mistakes.

Braking performance has also been a highlight. Pedal feel is firm and consistent, even after repeated hard use, and there’s a reassuring sense that the brakes are engineered to cope with enthusiastic driving rather than just occasional bursts of speed. Combined with the car’s stability at higher speeds, it feels composed and confidence-inspiring rather than edgy or nervous when pushed.

What’s impressive is that none of this comes at the expense of daily usability. Switching back to a more relaxed driving mode immediately softens the car’s character, making it comfortable enough for commuting and longer drives. Despite its performance focus, it still offers usable rear seats, a practical boot, and good visibility, so it never feels like a weekend-only toy.

From an ownership perspective, the running costs feel fair for the level of performance. Fuel consumption obviously increases when driving hard, but under normal conditions it’s quite manageable. Servicing and maintenance so far have been straightforward, and nothing about the car feels fragile or overly complex, it feels built to be driven properly, not just admired.

If I were advising a fellow enthusiast, I’d say the Civic Type R is one of the most engaging modern performance cars you can buy, especially if you value driver feedback and mechanical involvement. It feels like the result of engineers being allowed to prioritise driving feel over trends. With the shift toward electrification, cars like this are becoming increasingly rare, and that makes the current Type R feel even more special. If Honda can carry this philosophy forward in future models, it’s a brand I’d confidently consider again.