Reviewer Consensus · Head to Head
Comparisons
Every matchup is built from real reviewers driving both cars — their head-to-head verdicts, aggregated.
comparison videos analyzed · hours watched
matchups written up so far
compare › Civic Type R FL5 vs Integra Type S DE5
Honda Civic Type R FL5 vs Acura Integra Type S DE5
35 reviewers · 69 videos · updated Zygrene · 14·Jubbal & Cars · 5·MotorWeek · 4·TheTopher · 3
// the short answer
We watched 69 videos from 35 reviewers. Driving it every day? Take the Integra Type S: it rides better and pulls harder in the midrange. Watching your budget or chasing the limit? The Civic Type R is cheaper for the same hardware and has the keener front end when you push.
They're not quite twins: the Integra actually makes 5 more horsepower, and handling isn't a coin flip. Push hard and the Civic's front end bites harder.
// who each one is for
// category by category
№ 01
Performance
Type S wins16–5clear
Acura tuned torque delivery lower in the rev range compared to the FL5 Type R.
№ 02
Handling
Type R wins8–7split
Civic Type R is the superior driving car for enthusiasts.
Where reviewers split. Handling and value are where reviewers genuinely split. On handling, the same drivers hand the Integra a more compliant, less 'pogo' ride yet credit the Type R with the sharper front end at the limit — daily-comfort loyalists lean Integra, limit-chasers lean Civic. On value, most call the Type R the smarter buy for near-identical performance ~$7,000 less, while a minority say the Integra's extra content and refinement justify the premium.
“if you actually care about driving and cornering and you know like you're you're deep into that driving aspect go Type R Type R is the better driving car”
№ 03
Fun to drive
Type R wins6–4leans
Seats are significantly more supportive for track use.
“these seats are fantastic... way more supportive for hard driving a lot more bolstering for your thighs”
“this type S looks more corporate whereas the Honda Civic Type R looks more fun and playful and more youthful”
№ 04
Daily drivability
Type S wins44–7clear
Integra is more composed and less frenetic on public roads.
№ 05
Value
Type R wins4–2leans
Civic Type R is significantly cheaper for shared hardware.
“The obvious comparison is the Honda Civic Type R at $48,590... That's about $6,600 less for a car that shares a significant amount of hardware with this one.”
“the integr type S MSRP is so much higher roughly a $7,000 price difference for as you can see not that big of a difference”
№ 06// the footage
Hear it in the reviewer’s words
Throttle House
Posted Jul 19, 2023Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
GCCars
Posted Jul 20, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
Zygrene
Posted Jul 7, 2024Open on YouTube
Moments worth your time
// the long version
“Same 2.0-liter K20C1, same six-speed, five horsepower apart — split into the track tool and the tourer.
The Civic Type R is the sharper instrument: reviewers single out its more aggressively bolstered seats for hard driving and a more precise chassis at the limit, where the softer Acura understeers more — Zygrene clocks higher cornering speed and high-speed stability, and Redline Reviews calls it the real monster on back roads. And it undercuts the Acura by around $7,000.
The Integra Type S spends that premium on refinement: more low- and mid-range torque in everyday driving, a more compliant, better-insulated ride, and an always-open exhaust several reviewers prefer to the Honda's — the same hardware wearing grand-tourer manners.
One is the cut-price track weapon; the other is the same engine you'd actually want to commute in.