So, I’ve done it. Switched my perfectly good 2022 Honda Civic RS for a reconditioned Honda Civic FL1 fresh out of Japan. The RS? It was solid, comfortable, and practical—a proper all-rounder. But the FL1? Well, this thing is all about the details, and it’s those details that make you sit back, grin, and think, “Yeah, this is it.”

Let’s start with the obvious: the face. The Civic FL1’s front grille looks like it means business—sharper, sleeker, and just the right amount of aggression. It’s a bit like your mate who got a haircut and suddenly looks 20% cooler. But the upgrades aren’t just skin deep. Underneath, there’s a stiffer suspension setup that feels tighter in corners without rattling your teeth out. Honda’s nailed the balance here, it’s sporty, not spine-shattering.

And then there’s the gearbox, a six-speed manual that just feels right. The shifts are short, precise, and satisfyingly notchy, making every gear change an event in the best way possible. It’s a setup that gives the Civic FL1 an engaging edge, especially when paired with the more composed suspension. It doesn’t just get you where you’re going; it makes you want to take the long way there.

Inside, it’s familiar yet noticeably better. Dual-zone climate control? Nice. Rear air vents and vents for the passenger’s legs? Brilliant. Long drives just got a lot more bearable for anyone sitting in the back. The passenger seat now comes with electric adjustments, which is one of those “why didn’t they do this before” features. Small, yes, but it makes a difference when someone else is fiddling with it.

Now, let’s talk tech. The full digital meter is modern and sharp, displaying everything you need in crisp, clean graphics. The blind spot monitor replaces the RS’s lane watch camera, and honestly, it’s better. Less fiddly, more intuitive. Rear cross-traffic alert and a speed limit detector are also onboard, which means the Civic FL1 has your back (and sides) covered. And here’s a party trick: the manual comes with adaptive cruise control. It’s one of those features that makes people go, “Wait, what?” Yes, a manual with adaptive cruise, and it works surprisingly well. It handles the stop-and-go stuff smoothly, making highway drives far less tedious without you having to sacrifice control.

The Bose sound system is good. Better than the RS? Sure, but not by miles. The RS’s sound system was no slouch, and unless you’re actively comparing the two, you’d probably find the difference subtle. What does make a difference is the Civic FL1’s quieter cabin, goodbye wind noise and annoying vibrations, which makes both systems sound better simply because you’re not fighting road noise to hear your music.

What about the handling? Well, it’s still a Civic, so it’s predictable and planted. But thanks to that suspension and manual combo, it feels sharper, more direct. It’s not a Type R, but it’s got enough bite to keep you entertained on a winding road. And that’s the point, it doesn’t scream “look at me.” It just delivers where it counts.

The Civic FL1 feels like it was built for people who love driving but still need a car that’s practical enough to live with every day. It’s not trying to reinvent the Civic.

ICE-Pops is a subsection of EVMalaya dedicated to internal combustion vehicles, delivering a pop (and crackle) of insights, ideas, and cool updates. Let us know in the comments: What do you think about the Civic FL1 in Malaysia? Is it a better buy than the newly updated Civic RS from Honda Malaysia instead?

Images by: Myself, Vcaremotorsport