Honda Civic Type R FL5 vs Volkswagen Golf R Mk8
We watched 14 videos from 12 reviewers. Get the Type R if you want the sharper, more exciting car; reviewers give it handling and fun without much argument. Get the Golf R if you want the grown-up one: quieter, more refined, easier every day.
Counts are head-to-head calls: each time a reviewer picked one car over the other.
Performance
Civic Type R is significantly faster in a straight line.
“Even so, it was faster, turning 1.3.6 seconds faster than the 21-inch wheelie”
“we also did a video on it yesterday testing the Golf R yes and you could see there was quite a bit less grip in the tight bar like there was lots of under steer a lot of tire squeal in the dry”
Handling
Civic Type-R is tighter and more responsive.
Fun to drive
Civic Type-R is much more exciting to drive.
Where reviewers split. Reviewers agree the Type R is the more engaging car and the Golf R the more livable one; they split mainly on weather and wallet. The Honda wins dry-road pace, steering and shifter; the VW counters with AWD traction that 'wouldn't see which way it went' in the wet, a comfier daily, and — in several markets — a lower price that has reviewers asking whether the Honda is worth the premium.
“this gearbox is such a humrum affair. It feels like an afterthought.”
Daily drivability
Golf R is significantly more refined and luxurious.
“the ride really is comfortable if anything it's probably more comfortable in the golf is a bit more absorbent”
Value
Type R is expected to undercut the Golf R by approximately $5,000.
“if honda can get the pricing right and undercut the golf r by about five thousand dollars i think a lot of enthusiasts are gonna be okay with the fact that this is not all-wheel drive”
“each service is capped at $199 a pop so that's just $995 for the first 5 years”
Hear it in the reviewer’s words
“The front-drive driver's car against the all-wheel-drive all-weather hammer — engagement versus civility.
The Civic Type R is the enthusiast's pick: reviewers have it walking away from the Golf in a straight-line roll, with sharper, more feelsome steering and a six-speed manual they rate far more precise and exciting than the VW's — a lot more exciting than the Golf R.
The Golf R plays the grown-up: all-wheel drive that shrugs off a wet road, a markedly more compliant and quieter daily ride, and — in many markets — a lower price and an easier way to go quickly in any weather.
One is the car you drive for the sake of it; the other is the one that just gets it done, rain or shine.