Porsche 718 Cayman S / Honda Civic Type R FL5

The Honda Civic Type R FL5 makes 315 horsepower and costs $45,000. The Porsche 718 Cayman S makes 350 horsepower and costs $70,000—a $25,000 price gap (36% cheaper for the Civic) despite the Porsche having 35hp more power. Across 13 shared tracks with 185 unique comparison scenarios, the Porsche wins by 0.59 seconds overall, but when you filter the comparison data on this page for matched modifications and matched tire treadwear, the Civic wins 70.3% of battles with a 1.88-second average gap.

This is Honda's 11th-generation Civic Type R FL5 (2023-2025) versus Porsche's 718 Cayman S (2016-2022). The Civic weighs 3,188 lbs. The Porsche weighs 3,086 lbs—102 pounds lighter. The Porsche makes 35hp more power (350hp vs 315hp), yet the Civic wins 70.3% of matched battles while costing $25,000 less. The question isn't which is faster—it's whether the Porsche's mid-engine layout and brand prestige justify paying $25,000 more (56% premium) for a car that loses 70% of matched battles to a front-wheel-drive Honda hot hatch.

The Generation and Age Reality: 2023-2025 vs 2016-2022

The Civic Type R FL5 launched in 2023 as Honda's K20C1 turbocharged hot hatch, making 2023-2025 models 0-2 years into their lifecycle. The 718 Cayman S ran from 2016-2022 (second-generation Cayman with turbocharged flat-four, not the earlier flat-six), making these models 3-9 years into their lifecycle. This 1-9 year age gap creates ownership cost differences when comparing a Honda under warranty to a Porsche approaching or past warranty expiration:

• Civic Type R FL5 (2023-2025 model years): Factory warranty active (Honda's 3yr/36k bumper-to-bumper covers through 2026-2028, 5yr/60k powertrain through 2028-2030). At 0-2 years old with low mileage (5k-20k miles), maintenance needs are minimal: oil changes ($80 each, 2-3 per year), tire rotation ($40). Conservative estimate for 0-2 year old Civic: $500-800 over next 2-3 years. Honda dealer service: $120/hour.
• 718 Cayman S (2016-2022 model years): Factory warranty (Porsche's 4yr/50k) expired for 2016-2018 models (6-9 years past coverage), active or recently expired for 2019-2022 models. At 3-9 years old with moderate mileage (20k-60k miles), Porsche maintenance begins: brake pads/rotors ($1,200-2,000, Porsche Ceramic Composite optional brakes even more), tires ($1,400, N-spec Porsche tires required), PDK transmission fluid service ($800-1,200), coolant flush ($400-600), spark plugs ($400-600). Conservative estimate for 3-9 year old 718: $4,000-7,000 over next 2-3 years. Porsche dealer service: $200/hour.

The $25,000 upfront savings buying the Civic grows to $28,500-31,500 effective savings when you factor in the 718's Porsche maintenance costs and potential warranty expiration versus the FL5's active Honda warranty coverage. The Civic costs dramatically less upfront AND costs dramatically less to own while winning 70.3% of matched battles.

The 35-Horsepower Deficit vs Front-Wheel-Drive Dominance: K20C1 vs 2.5L Turbo Flat-Four

The Civic's K20C1 2.0L turbocharged inline-four makes 315hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft at 2,600-4,000 rpm (database shows 420 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 10.12 lbs/hp. The 718's 2.5L turbocharged flat-four makes 350hp at 6,500 rpm and 309 lb-ft at 1,900-4,500 rpm (database shows 419 lb-ft, likely data error). Power-to-weight: 8.81 lbs/hp—a 13% advantage despite only 35hp more power.

The K20C1's 315hp represents modern Honda turbocharged engineering: 157.5 hp/liter specific output (highest of any turbocharged Honda), 310 lb-ft torque, and instant midrange punch. The 718's 350hp represents Porsche's controversial move from naturally aspirated flat-sixes to turbocharged flat-fours: 140 hp/liter specific output (11% lower than Honda per liter), and the engine that divided Porsche enthusiasts who mourned the loss of the howling flat-six. Yet the Civic's front-wheel-drive layout, limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, and 2023-2025 chassis technology deliver a 70.3% win rate when conditions are equal. The 718's mid-engine layout and 102-pound weight advantage can't overcome the Civic's modern FWD traction systems and K20C1's power delivery.

What the Filtered Data Reveals

• Matched mod + matched tire (37 laps): Civic wins 70.3%, 718 wins 29.7%, 1.88s gap. When both run equal preparation and tires, the Civic's dominance is clear—the K20C1's 315hp and FWD traction overcome the 718's mid-engine layout and 350hp. The Civic wins 26 laps vs 718's 11 laps—proving modern Honda FWD engineering has surpassed mid-engine Porsche performance in matched conditions despite 35hp less and front-wheel-drive "disadvantage".
• Medium Civic vs light 718, TW200/200 (33 laps): Civic wins 81.8% with 2.27s gap. The largest scenario shows the Civic's advantage increases when the Civic runs slightly higher modifications (medium vs light). The K20C1's modification potential and Honda tuning community support create performance advantages over the 718's more limited aftermarket.
• 718's path to victory: Tire advantage scenarios (MATCHED MOD | MISMATCHED TIRE): 718 wins 68.7%. When the 718 runs grippier tires, the mid-engine traction advantage finally shows. But when both run equal tires, the Civic's FWD traction systems and power delivery win 70.3% of battles—proving Porsche's mid-engine physics can't overcome Honda's modern engineering when conditions are equal.

The Total Cost of Ownership: Honda Value vs Porsche Prestige

Civic Type R FL5 (2023-2025): $45,000 buys Honda's K20C1-powered hot hatch—315hp, limited-slip differential, adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and factory warranty through 2028-2030. At 0-2 years old, you're buying minimal risk: warranty covers powertrain failures, K20C1 proven reliable across Civic/Accord applications, maintenance is oil changes ($80), regular fuel works (premium recommended but not required), lower insurance for hatchback classification despite performance.

Total 3-year cost: $45,000 purchase + $800 maintenance (warranty) + $2,700 fuel (regular, 28 mpg) + $1,800 insurance = $50,300 total. Resale value: $40,000 (depreciates moderately). Net cost: $10,300.

718 Cayman S (2016-2022): $70,000 buys Porsche's turbocharged flat-four mid-engine sports car—350hp, PASM adaptive dampers, PDK dual-clutch transmission, and the Porsche badge that carries prestige. The 718 depreciated from $67,000-75,000 MSRP (2016-2022 Cayman S models) to $70,000 in 2024-2025—pricing reflects collector demand for final 718 generation before 718 GTS 4.0 flat-six return. At 3-9 years old, you're buying Porsche maintenance costs: brakes ($1,500), tires ($1,400 N-spec), PDK service ($1,000), dealer service ($200/hour). Premium fuel required, higher insurance for Porsche sports car classification.

Total 3-year cost: $70,000 purchase + $5,500 maintenance (Porsche dealer) + $3,600 premium fuel (12k miles/year, 23 mpg) + $3,000 insurance (Porsche premium) = $82,100 total. Resale value: $65,000 (slow depreciation, Porsche holds value). Net cost: $17,100.

The Civic saves $6,800 in net 3-year ownership costs (40% less than 718) while winning 70.3% of matched battles despite having 35hp less and front-wheel-drive. The Civic's $25,000 lower purchase price becomes a $31,800 ownership advantage when you include lower maintenance ($800 vs $5,500), lower fuel costs ($2,700 vs $3,600), and lower insurance ($1,800 vs $3,000). You're paying $31,800 less over 3 years for a car that wins 70.3% of battles—this is one of the clearest value propositions in performance cars.

The Verdict

Choose the Honda Civic Type R FL5 if you want front-wheel-drive hot hatch performance at $45,000, prioritize winning (70.3% matched win rate), and value factory warranty through 2028-2030 over Porsche prestige. You're saving $25,000 upfront (36% discount) and $6,800 in 3-year net ownership costs while beating the 718 in 7 out of 10 matched battles despite having 35hp less and front-wheel-drive "disadvantage". The Civic is the choice for drivers who want maximum performance-per-dollar, refuse to pay Porsche premiums for slower lap times, and prioritize modern Honda reliability and warranty coverage over mid-engine layout and brand cachet.

Choose the Porsche 718 Cayman S if you want mid-engine sports car engineering at $70,000, accept losing 70.3% of matched battles, and prioritize Porsche brand prestige and mid-engine handling character over lap time performance and value. You're paying $25,000 more (56% premium over Civic) for 35hp more power that loses 70.3% of the time when preparation is equal, plus $6,800 more in 3-year ownership costs for Porsche dealer maintenance and higher insurance. The 718 is the choice for drivers who value Porsche heritage, mid-engine layout purity, and sports car exclusivity over raw performance and affordability—but understand you're paying dramatically more for a car that's demonstrably slower in matched conditions.

LapMeta's -0.59-second overall gap (718 wins barely) hides the matched-condition reality: the Civic wins 70.3% with a 1.88-second gap when preparation is equal. The Civic's modern FWD traction systems and K20C1 power delivery overcome the 718's mid-engine advantage and 102-pound weight savings in 7 out of 10 battles. For the driver who wants the best performance-per-dollar with factory warranty protection, the Civic at $45,000 delivers a 70.3% win rate for $25,000 less upfront and $6,800 less over 3 years. For the driver who wants mid-engine Porsche character and can accept losing 70.3% of matched battles plus paying $31,800 more over 3 years, the 718's $25,000 premium buys brand prestige and mid-engine purity—but not speed.