Official 2023 Civic Type R (FL5) U.S. Specifications Released! 315 hp / 310 lb-ft!

[TrackS]

The GRC beat the FK8 LE around Throttle Houses track with inferior tires and suspension & destroyed the MK8 golf R manual. If anything I think they over delivered.

Am I missing something? I don't think the GR Yaris beat the FK8 let alone the LE on any track (could be wrong here). Weight means nothing (execution means everything), if it did the R35 GTR wouldn't have smashed all the supercars in its release generation.

My issue with the GRC is that it maintains so much 'Corolla'... thr dashboard, plastics, design etc. IMO The normal Corolla has materials and a feel (and drives) like a cheap car (unlike Mazda for example - or even Honda)... so in terms of drive I can't say for the GRC.. but the fact it seems so similar to the standard Corolla otherwise (which to me is a bad baseline), puts me off completely.

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[citrus]

My issue with the GRC is that it maintains so much 'Corolla'... thr dashboard, plastics, design etc. IMO The normal Corolla has materials and a feel (and drives) like a cheap car (unlike Mazda for example - or even Honda)... so in terms of drive I can't say for the GRC.. but the fact it seems so similar to the standard Corolla otherwise (which to me is a bad baseline), puts me off completely.

I'm just glad FL5 had a much better place to start from.

 

[Mrwaite]

Easy decision for us in the UK. We're not getting the corolla and the yaris has a huge waiting list! Lol

Having said that I'm still a Honda guy and would pick the fl5 after having had the fk8 and fn2. Unless I could buy a box fresh ek9 ?

 

[RoidRage]

My issue with the GRC is that it maintains so much 'Corolla'... thr dashboard, plastics, design etc. IMO The normal Corolla has materials and a feel (and drives) like a cheap car (unlike Mazda for example - or even Honda)... so in terms of drive I can't say for the GRC.. but the fact it seems so similar to the standard Corolla otherwise (which to me is a bad baseline), puts me off completely.

Yup, the GRC interior is LOL trash, I think those toy cars they sell for toddlers ar costco have similar interiors. I'll get one of those lambos for my kid LOL.

Ideally I would have preferred a more premium interior, but beggers can't be choosers at this point. As long as it drives well...

 

[Sazabi]

My issue with the GRC is that it maintains so much 'Corolla'... thr dashboard, plastics, design etc. IMO The normal Corolla has materials and a feel (and drives) like a cheap car (unlike Mazda for example - or even Honda)... so in terms of drive I can't say for the GRC.. but the fact it seems so similar to the standard Corolla otherwise (which to me is a bad baseline), puts me off completely.

Yeah in Canada the circuit is 61k after tax. Yes you get the amazing powertrain, but the interior is just a nice corolla. I ain't paying 61k for just a nice corolla interior. The core is even worse. Cloth seats for 55k after tax? What?

I'm sure the Type R will be 60k after tax in Canada as well, but atleast the interior is unique, looks different, and is more premium.

 

[RoidRage]

Yeah in Canada the circuit is 61k after tax. Yes you get the amazing powertrain, but the interior is just a nice corolla. I ain't paying 61k for just a nice corolla interior. The core is even worse. Cloth seats for 55k after tax? What?

I'm sure the Type R will be 60k after tax in Canada as well, but atleast the interior is unique, looks different, and is more premium.

Circuit is 53? Huh. Please double check quoted prices, I think you're confusing specs my guy.

 

[Sazabi]

Circuit is 53? Huh. Please double check quoted prices, I think you're confusing specs my guy.

My guy, who's going to pay tax and shipping? I was quoting the all in price.

 

[VarmintCong]

A car that you can exploit the limits of daily is more fun, a car that communicates with loads of feedback is more fun. Doesn't matter which wheels are being driven. My first car was a 70 Roadrunner. RWD. 335 hp 425 lb ft. It would punish you for the smallest mistake. My GSR swapped 97 EJ was way more fun to drive at the limit. 1st gen AWD Turbo Eclipse was faster than both but also the most boring. Depends on your commute and access to backroads etc. Not to mention Honda has really improved FWD limitations with the Type R. Golf R is awd and FK8 CTR beats the NEW Golf R around the Nurburgring by 4 seconds. AWD not the cure all. Go look at Ring records and see how many rwd and awd cars the CTR trounced.

I’ve driven the Nurburgring, it’s not a track that benefits from AWD unless you’re trying to put down 500 hp.

Throttle House released their GRC review, it beat the Golf R and Type R on their track, due to fantastic grip in the corners. Their track is bumpy, which benefits an AWD car. It won’t stand much chance on a high speed track like the Ring vs the new Type R.

 

[VarmintCong]

Savagegeese also said "read between the lines" in comparing against FL5. Looks like the general opinion so far was "okay, pretty good."



I was gonna give every video coming out UMC a pass, since it was pretty hot and all the cars were running all day on probably the same sets of tires, so you can't really expect the best performance. But then to hear TH say the same about "tameness" in cooler, wetter weather up north just confirms it. I'm a little underwhelmed that "safe" seemed to be big theme repeated in a lot of impressions. I hoped that GRC would outdo the Evo, but it looks like that's not the case.

You have to remember that the only way to get FWD based AWD cars to oversteer is with trick differentials and software (Golf R and Focus RS). The GRC has none of that so it’s not going to power oversteer even in 30/70. Hopefully in the rain or snow it’s more playful. I don’t think it’s a safety thing at all, look at the GR86 and Supra.

 

[Obscure_Worship]

The GRC beat the FK8 LE around Throttle Houses track with inferior tires and suspension & destroyed the MK8 golf R manual. If anything I think they over delivered.

Am I missing something? I don't think the GR Yaris beat the FK8 let alone the LE on any track (could be wrong here). Weight means nothing (execution means everything), if it did the R35 GTR wouldn't have smashed all the supercars in its release generation.

The GRC beat the FK8 LE around Throttle Houses track with inferior tires and suspension & destroyed the MK8 golf R manual. If anything I think they over delivered.

Am I missing something? I don't think the GR Yaris beat the FK8 let alone the LE on any track (could be wrong here). Weight means nothing (execution means everything), if it did the R35 GTR wouldn't have smashed all the supercars in its release generation.

Just wanted to point out that many reviwers didn't like the LE as much as the standard issue FK8. Many felt as though the rear was too stiff and the rear end was unpredictable under hard braking compared to the normal FK8. Id like to see standard FK8 vs GRC as well. Im sure same result, but if its not a pro driver the added stability and confidence of the standard R may actually see a slightly better performance than the LE.

 

[citrus]

You have to remember that the only way to get FWD based AWD cars to oversteer is with trick differentials and software (Golf R and Focus RS). The GRC has none of that so it’s not going to power oversteer even in 30/70. Hopefully in the rain or snow it’s more playful. I don’t think it’s a safety thing at all, look at the GR86 and Supra.

Totally. I didn't mean the understeer was for safety, just that "safe" was a word several reviewers used to describe the characteristics of the car, which certainly understeer lends to.

In any case, firmly in the FL5 camp now. Just gonna enjoy our Abarth as much as I can in the meantime.

 

[RoidRage]

Just wanted to point out that many reviwers didn't like the LE as much as the standard issue FK8. Many felt as though the rear was too stiff and the rear end was unpredictable under hard braking compared to the normal FK8. Id like to see standard FK8 vs GRC as well. Im sure same result, but if its not a pro driver the added stability and confidence of the standard R may actually see a slightly better performance than the LE.

The TH leader board has both. The GRC beat both, LE was faster than normal FK8.

 

[VarmintCong]

My issue with the GRC is that it maintains so much 'Corolla'... thr dashboard, plastics, design etc. IMO The normal Corolla has materials and a feel (and drives) like a cheap car (unlike Mazda for example - or even Honda)... so in terms of drive I can't say for the GRC.. but the fact it seems so similar to the standard Corolla otherwise (which to me is a bad baseline), puts me off completely.

It competes fine with the 10th gen Civic, the Corolla is already almost a generation old, and it’s a little unusual that the GR comes out 4 years into the model year. The next gen Corolla hatch is likely to arrive in 2024.

11th gen Civic is a big step up in interior.

 

[VarmintCong]

Totally. I didn't mean the understeer was for safety, just that "safe" was a word several reviewers used to describe the characteristics of the car, which certainly understeer lends to.

In any case, firmly in the FL5 camp now. Just gonna enjoy our Abarth as much as I can in the meantime.

love the Abarth! No stock hatchback should sound that good lol.

I’m also in FL5 camp although we might buy a house in the NH mountains. In that case the GRC would be on the table. Snow drifting is too much fun.

 

[Obscure_Worship]

Regardless, you guys enjoy your Corollas. More Type Rs for the forum. Cool car and I respect its ability, but just cant get past the styling. Plus as a Honda fan, buying a Toyota is like a Ford guy buying a Camaro.

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