Six months into running a 2024 Honda Civic Type R as a daily, we logged 8,000 km on motorways, city streets, and one track day to assess not just performance, but what it really costs to own over three years and 45,000 km.
The FL5-generation Civic Type R pairs a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder (315 hp/235 kW, 420 Nm) with a six-speed manual and standard limited-slip differential. Our UK test car rode on 265/30 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and Brembo four-piston front calipers. Kerb weight is circa 1,430 kg. List price at test: about £47,000 OTR.
Day-to-day, Comfort mode keeps the adaptive dampers compliant enough for rough urban patches, though tyre roar is present on coarse asphalt. The high-bolster seats deliver superb lateral support without being punishing over distance. The gearbox is a highlight: short throw, defined gates, and auto rev-match that can be disabled. Rear visibility is adequate despite the wing, and the hatchback layout swallows a weekly shop with ease.
Performance is consistently accessible. On a cool 12°C morning with VBOX timing, we recorded 0–62 mph in 5.4 seconds on standard rubber and launch control absent. The front axle finds traction cleanly; the LSD pulls the nose to apex with minimal tug at the wheel. Brake pedal feel is firm and repeatable; from 100–0 km/h we saw sub-35 m stops with no fade in back-to-back runs.
On track, oil and coolant temps stayed stable, but tyres heat-soaked after 6–7 hot laps. Fuel use depends heavily on driving style. Over the test, we averaged 9.0 L/100 km (26 mpg US, 31 mpg UK) on 97/99 RON premium. Commuting at steady speeds returned 8.0 L/100 km; a brisk B-road loop pushed that to 10.5; the track day peaked around 14.0.
At 45,000 km, expect roughly 4,050 litres of fuel. At £1.55/litre for super unleaded, that’s about £6,300 in fuel. Total cost of ownership estimate (UK, 3 years/45,000 km, assumptions noted above): Depreciation is the largest line item. Strong demand means values are resilient; from a £47k list, our market checks suggest £34k–£36k at three years with 45k km, implying £11k–£13k depreciation.
Insurance is typically Group 40E; for a 35-year-old in a suburban postcode with a clean record, budget roughly £1,000–£1,200/year (£3,000–£3,600 over three years). Scheduled servicing is annual: expect two minor and one major service plus brake fluid, totalling about £1,000–£1,200. Tyres: the 265/30 ZR19 PS4S last 18–25k km per set depending on use; plan on two full sets at ~£900–£1,000 each, plus yearly alignment (~£100), so £2,000–£2,200. Front pads may be needed once in 45k km with light track use (~£300–£400); discs typically survive this interval.
Rolled up, a realistic three-year total lands around £24k–£26k excluding tax/financing: depreciation (£12k), insurance (~£3.3k), servicing/consumables (~£1.4k incl. pads, fluid, alignment), tyres (~£2.0k), and fuel (~£6.3k). That’s approximately 53–58 pence per km. If you’ll track it often, add a contingency for extra tyres and pads.
For drivers who value precision, everyday usability, and residual strength, the Type R makes its case despite premium running costs.
