Key Takeaways
- Japan's Type R for this generation was a four-door sedan, not a hatchback
- "A 222 hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder, with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and helical limited-slip differential"
- "Brembo brakes were fitted, along with a stiffer suspension"
- The body used "structural adhesive" rather than seam welding to add stiffness
- Fully independent rear suspension, "extremely stiffly sprung" with "very aggressive rebound settings"
- "Only around 13,000 FD2s were built for the Japanese market between 2007 and 2010" — every car elsewhere is an import
Technical Specifications
Engine Options
| Chassis | Engine | Displacement | Power — JDM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FD2 (JDM Type R) | K20A | 2.0L | 225hp @ 8000rpm | JDM rating; 159 lb-ft @ 6100rpm |
Transmission Options
| Type | Ratios | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-speed Manual | varies | 1970s-1980s base models | Early Civics; market-dependent |
| 5-speed Manual | varies | Most generations/trims | Wide/close ratios vary by engine/market |
| 6-speed Manual | varies | Si, Type R (varies by gen) | Often includes helical LSD on Si/Type R |
| 3-speed Automatic | varies | 1980s models (some) | Early torque-converter automatic |
| 4-speed Automatic | varies | 1990s-early 2000s (many trims) | Hydraulic/electronic; market-dependent |
| 5-speed Automatic | varies | 2006-2015 non-Si (many) | R18/R18Z applications |
| CVT | varies | HX (some), 10th/11th gen non-Si | Steel belt; paddle sim ratios on some |
| e-CVT (i-MMD) | N/A | Hybrid variants | 2-motor hybrid; fixed gearset coupling |
Livability
- Headroom
- 38.0"
- Good front space; sunroof trims ~1"
- Rear Seats
- Usable for adults
- Legroom good; center seat tight; low cushion
- Cargo
- 12-15 cu ft
- Sedan trunk good; hatch best; opening varies
Should You Buy a Honda Civic FD2?
Why You'll Love It
- A Type R with a differential and a proper rear end "A close-ratio 6-speed manual and helical limited-slip differential" plus "a fully independent rear end" — "that diff is very tight, allowing you to stamp on the throttle much more aggressively out of bends".
- Serious brakes and suspension as standard "Brembo brakes were fitted, along with a stiffer suspension."
- A high-compression, high-revving K20A "Its output of 225hp - that's 112.5bhp per non-turbo litre" comes "thanks to tighter tolerances, more advanced i-VTEC, more aggressive ECU settings and a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio. And the redline nudges a glorious 9,000rpm."
- A robust engine PistonHeads’ verdict on the engine after 78,000 miles: “pretty bulletproof”.
- Clever body engineering "Rather than seam welding, the body made extensive use of structural adhesive to help stiffen the chassis."
Why You Might Not
- Ride quality is the price of the chassis "It's extremely stiffly sprung and has very aggressive rebound settings, so there's a lot of low-speed bumpiness."
- Rare, and not sold new outside Japan "Only around 13,000 FD2s were built for the Japanese market between 2007 and 2010", and it "was never sold in the UK officially".
- A sober cabin "The JDM dashboard is pretty sober" compared with the European Type R of the same era.
- Shape divides opinion "The four-door shape (shared with the UK Civic Hybrid) may not be terribly charismatic."
Who Should NOT Buy This
- Buyers who want a compliant ride — it is "extremely stiffly sprung" with "very aggressive rebound settings"
- Buyers who want a hatchback: Japan's Type R for this generation "was sold as a four-door sedan"
- Buyers who would accept a modified car — "totally standard (which is what you want)"
- Buyers who need local dealer support for a model that "was never sold in the UK officially" and was built for Japan
Common Issues & Solutions
| Issue | Cause | Solution | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modified rather than standard cars | Imported performance cars attract modification, and supply is small: "only around 13,000 FD2s were built for the Japanese market between 2007 and 2010". | Prefer a "totally standard" car and treat forced induction or internal engine work as a separate class of purchase. | Price a modified car on its parts and its history, not on the model. |
| High mileage on an import | Cars are exported at whatever mileage they reach; the trade example described at "78,000 miles" is called "on the leggy side". | Weigh the mileage against the evidence, noting that the engine is, in PistonHeads’ words, “pretty bulletproof”. | Budget a full service on any car without a complete record. |
| Import documentation | Cars arrive through importers, and provenance paperwork varies. | Prefer cars with independently certified mileage — the trade lists "BIMTA certified" mileage on some imports. | Certification is cheap relative to a mileage dispute. |
Differences between JDM & USDM
There was no US-market Civic Type R in this generation, and the Japanese car is not the same machine as the European one. Honda built "two distinct versions, and based on entirely different chassis": Japan's "was sold as a four-door sedan, similar to the Civic Sedan available in the U.S. market at the time", with "a 222 hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder, with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and helical limited-slip differential" and "Brembo brakes". The Japanese car also runs "a fully independent rear end" and a differential that is "very tight, allowing you to stamp on the throttle much more aggressively out of bends than the non-diff-equipped UK Type R". Honda launched it on 30 March 2007 with "a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission", "a lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tires and large 17-inch front disc brakes". Because it was a Japan-only model, a car in any other market is an import; note that under 49 CFR 591.5 the FMVSS exemption applies when "the vehicle is 25 or more years old", which this generation has not yet reached.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Critical Priority
High Priority
Medium Priority
Generation History
1st Gen (SB1/SB2) (1972-1979)
- Lightweight economy icon; simple carb engines
- Early CVCC tech improved emissions and MPG
- Collector niche; rust is the main killer
2nd Gen (SL/SS/SR) (1980-1983)
- More space and refinement; still very light
- CVCC continued; strong economy reputation
- Survivors rare; originality drives value
3rd Gen (EF) (1984-1987)
- Crisp hatch styling; huge tuner following
- Si trims appear; early EFI becomes common
- Rust and wiring age are common issues
4th Gen (ED/EE/EF) (1988-1991)
- Double-wishbone front; sharp handling baseline
- Si/CRX era overlap; strong aftermarket support
- Clean, unmodified cars now premium
8th Gen (FA/FG/FD) (2006-2011)
- Modern design; strong economy and reliability
- Si gets K20Z3; high-rev character
- Clearcoat and cracked dashboards seen
9th Gen (FB/FG) (2012-2015)
- More mature; improved NVH and comfort
- Si uses K24; torque up, revs down
- Early model criticism; later refresh improved
10th Gen (FC/FK) (2016-2021)
- Turbo era: 1.5T/2.0 NA; big efficiency gains
- Type R FK8 becomes global benchmark
- 1.5T oil dilution concerns in cold climates
11th Gen (FE/FL) (2022-Present)
- Cleaner design; improved chassis and interior
- Type R FL5: limited supply, strong premiums
- Hybrid (non-US early) boosts efficiency abroad
Market Data
Production Numbers & Rarity
| Generation | Years | Total Built | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (1972-1979) | 1972-1979 | estimated | Global production not consolidated in one figure |
| 2nd (1979-1983) | 1979-1983 | estimated | Global production varies by region/codes |
| 3rd (1983-1987) | 1983-1987 | estimated | Includes wagon/Si variants; global totals vary |
| 4th (1987-1991) | 1987-1991 | estimated | Includes EF/ED/EE/EC global variants |
| 8th (2005-2011) | 2005-2011 | estimated | Includes global sedan/coupe/hatch/Type R variants |
| 9th (2011-2015) | 2011-2015 | estimated | Includes FK2 Type R (2015 EU) limited vs base |
| 10th (2015-2021) | 2015-2021 | estimated | Includes FK8 Type R; global totals not unified here |
| 11th (2021-present) | 2021-present | estimated | Ongoing production; totals not final |
Rarest variant: Civic Type R Mugen
The Buyer's Read
The FD2 is the Type R that Honda built for Japan while Europe got a different car entirely. Honda's own account is blunt about it: the third Civic Type R came in "two distinct versions, and based on entirely different chassis", and "the Civic Type R for Japan was sold as a four-door sedan". Under that unassuming shape sits "a 222 hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder, with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and helical limited-slip differential", "Brembo brakes were fitted, along with a stiffer suspension", and "rather than seam welding, the body made extensive use of structural adhesive to help stiffen the chassis".
Honda launched it in Japan on 30 March 2007 with "a specially tuned 2.0-liter normally aspirated engine matched to a 6-speed manual transmission" and "a lighter, more rigid body shell, specially tuned suspension, 18-inch tires and large 17-inch front disc brakes". PistonHeads' account of driving it adds the parts that matter on the road: "that diff is very tight, allowing you to stamp on the throttle much more aggressively out of bends", the car has "a fully independent rear end", and the engine reaches its output "thanks to tighter tolerances, more advanced i-VTEC, more aggressive ECU settings and a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio", with a redline that "nudges a glorious 9,000rpm".
There is a real trade-off. "It's extremely stiffly sprung and has very aggressive rebound settings, so there's a lot of low-speed bumpiness, but on a smooth road or track, it's phenomenal." Drive one over poor surfaces before you decide.
Buying is mostly about supply and originality. "Only around 13,000 FD2s were built for the Japanese market between 2007 and 2010", and it "was never sold in the UK officially", so every car outside Japan came through an importer. Aim for a "totally standard" example, prefer independently certified mileage where an importer offers it, and take some comfort in the mechanicals — PistonHeads calls the engine “pretty bulletproof”. If there is a halo version to know about, it is the 2007 Mugen RR — "only 300 were produced, each painted Milano Red", with "a power bump to 237 hp".
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is this Type R a sedan?
- Because Japan's version of the third Civic Type R was built on a different car. "The Civic Type R for Japan was sold as a four-door sedan, similar to the Civic Sedan available in the U.S. market at the time."
- What is the specification?
- "A 222 hp 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder, with a close-ratio 6-speed manual and helical limited-slip differential. Brembo brakes were fitted, along with a stiffer suspension."
- How is the body stiffened?
- "Rather than seam welding, the body made extensive use of structural adhesive to help stiffen the chassis."
- How does the engine reach that output?
- "Thanks to tighter tolerances, more advanced i-VTEC, more aggressive ECU settings and a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio. And the redline nudges a glorious 9,000rpm."
- How rare is it?
- "Only around 13,000 FD2s were built for the Japanese market between 2007 and 2010."
- Was there a hotter version?
- Yes. "Sold only in 2007, the Civic Mugen RR was based on the Japanese Civic Type R. Only 300 were produced, each painted Milano Red", with "a power bump to 237 hp thanks to Mugen performance camshafts, exhaust and engine computer".
Sources & References
Sources (12)
- Honda Civic — model overview (article source) — JDMBUYSELL Verified
- Honda Civic — encyclopedic overview — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda Civic Type R — generation-by-generation overview — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda B engine family — B16A, B16B, B18C technical reference — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda K engine family — K20A technical reference — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda D engine family — D-series reference for non-Type R Civics — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda Civic (sixth generation) — EK chassis including EK9 Type R — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda Civic (seventh generation) — EP chassis including EP3 Type R — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda Civic (eighth generation) — FD/FN chassis including FD2 and FN2 Type R — Wikipedia Verified
- Honda Civic Type R — Japanese encyclopedic overview — Wikipedia (Japanese) Verified
- Honda Civic Type R — Bring a Trailer auction archive — Bring a Trailer Verified
- Honda-Tech — model-specific owner and tuning forums — Honda-Tech Verified
Sources last verified: