What’s the Rarest Honda Civic?

The rarest factory-backed, road‑legal Honda Civic is the 2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen (FN2) built for the UK—just 20 hand‑assembled cars were produced, making it the scarcest production Civic variant recognized by Honda and Mugen. While one-off prototypes and race cars exist, among road cars with full manufacturer backing and registration, nothing is rarer.

Why “rarest” depends on how you define it

Rarity can mean different things: one-off prototypes, race-only chassis, dealer specials, or limited-production, road-legal cars. Most enthusiasts and collectors use “rarest Civic” to refer to a factory-sanctioned, road-legal production model with a confirmed build count. By that standard, the UK-market 2010 Civic Type R Mugen (FN2) sits at the top.

The 2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen (FN2): the unicorn Civic

What it is and why it matters

Developed and hand-built by Mugen Euro in Northampton, England, the FN2-based Civic Type R Mugen took the UK-market Civic Type R and re-engineered it as a homologated, road-going special. It featured a hand-worked 2.0-litre K-series engine tuned to approximately 237 bhp, bespoke cams, intake, exhaust and ECU mapping, lightweight components, uprated brakes and suspension, unique aero, and numbered plaques. It was a fully road-legal car sold through official channels, not a mere aftermarket kit.

Production and availability

Only 20 examples were completed, each individually assembled and documented. Sold new in the UK in 2009–2010, they were positioned as a no-compromise, track-leaning interpretation of the Civic Type R. That verified count of 20 factory-sanctioned cars is why it’s widely considered the rarest production Civic.

Other notably rare Civics worth knowing

Beyond the 20-unit FN2 Mugen, several Civics were produced in small numbers and are highly collectible. The following highlights provide context on how the FN2 Mugen compares to other scarce models.

• 2007 Honda Civic Mugen RR (FD2, Japan): A Japan-only special with extensive weight reduction, bespoke aero and a tuned 2.0-litre engine. Limited to 300 units and reportedly sold out immediately; long a benchmark among JDM Civic enthusiasts.
• 2010 Honda Civic Type R Mugen 200 (FN2, UK): A run of 200 cars with Mugen styling and chassis tweaks. Rarer than most Civics, but distinct from the 20 hand-built, full-fat FN2 Mugen cars with engine rework.
• 2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition (FK8): A lighter, track-focused variant with forged wheels and reduced sound deadening. Honda allocated 600 units to the U.S., with additional small allocations to Canada, Europe, and Japan totaling roughly 1,000 worldwide—scarce, but not the scarcest.
• 1998–2000 Honda Civic Type R (EK9) Motor Sports Base (Japan): A stripped, homologation-friendly configuration intended for competition. Exact production numbers were not publicly disclosed, but it’s understood to be limited and prized among collectors.
• 2017 Honda Civic Type R Black Edition (FK2, UK): Final-run UK-built FK2s in a 100-unit “Black Edition,” marking the end of that generation’s production there.

Taken together, these editions underscore two realities: Honda has periodically produced low-volume specials that become instant collectibles, and even among these, the 20-unit FN2 Mugen remains an outlier for its extreme scarcity.

How collectors judge rarity and value

Rarity alone doesn’t dictate value; condition, originality and provenance matter. If you’re shopping for a rare Civic, confirmations such as build plaques, documentation, and unmodified components are critical.

What to check before you buy

The following checkpoints can help verify authenticity and protect value.

• Matching documentation: Factory build letters, original purchase paperwork, and service records that reference the specific limited edition.
• Numbered identifiers: Official plaques or etched identifiers unique to the edition (e.g., Mugen build plate).
• Correct components: Engine internals, ECU, brakes, suspension, wheels, seats, and aero specific to the limited model, not just cosmetic add-ons.
• Expert inspection: Independent verification by a marque specialist familiar with the exact variant.

These steps help distinguish a true limited-production car from lookalikes built from parts or cosmetic packages.

Summary

Among factory-sanctioned, road-legal Hondas, the rarest Civic is the 2010 Civic Type R Mugen (FN2) for the UK, with just 20 hand-built examples. Other scarce standouts include the 300-unit Mugen RR (FD2, Japan) and limited runs like the FK8 Type R Limited Edition, but none match the FN2 Mugen’s combination of official status and microscopic production. For collectors, verified provenance and originality remain as important as the build count itself.

What is the rarest Honda in the world?

The Honda NSX-R GT is arguably the rarest Honda ever made, with only five examples produced. This homologation model was created specifically to allow Honda to compete in the GT500 class of the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship in 2005. 
This video discusses the history of the Honda NSX-R GT: 1mThatCarLifeYouTube · Sep 26, 2024
Here’s why it’s so rare:

• Homologation Special: The NSX-R GT was not intended for mass production; it was built to meet racing regulations.
• Limited Production: Only five of these cars were ever made, making it incredibly scarce.
• Exclusively for Japan: The NSX-R GT was only available in Japan.
• Focus on Racing: The car’s design was geared towards homologating the wider, longer NSX-GT race car for the Super GT series. 

The standard NSX, while not as rare as the NSX-R GT, is still considered a desirable and collectible car, with prices for rare examples exceeding $500,000.

What is the rarest Honda Civic?

And they’re extremely rare i think worldwide. I probably know of about 15 or 16 at the most couple in Ireland.

Which is the most expensive Civic?

Some around 150,000 $150,000 including the COE. And the COE is the license that allows you to buy and own a car is that right 70,000 70 to 80,000. At one time was go up to 100,000 of the COE.

What is the rarest Honda color?

The rarest Honda color depends on the specific model and production year. For the Honda Civic Type R (EP3), Viva Blue Pearl is considered the rarest, with only 132 cars produced in that color, according to YouTube. For the Honda Element, Midnight Red Pearl and Root Beer Metallic are the rarest, says a Facebook group. For the sixth-generation Civic, Madori is the rarest, followed by Dark Amethyst Pearl, Island Coral Pearl, Maloney Red, and Plum Pearl, according to a YouTube video. 
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Honda Civic Type R (EP3):

• Viva Blue Pearl: Only available in the final year of production, with 132 cars made according to YouTube. 

Honda Element:

• Midnight Red Pearl: A very rare color for the Element, especially on non-SC trims. 
• Root Beer Metallic: Another rare color for the Element, often mentioned alongside Midnight Red Pearl. 
• Cargo Khaki: A one-year-only color (2005). 
• Omni Blue Pearl: Considered a rare color due to its less common production numbers. 

Sixth-Generation Civic:

• Madori: Described as a unique and rare color, unlike any other on a factory car.
• Dark Amethyst Pearl (DAP): A dark purple shade.
• Island Coral Pearl: Another rare color, though sometimes considered the ugliest.
• Maloney Red: Only available on the SI model, and quite rare.
• Plum Pearl: Considered a luxurious color.