The Fiercest Rivalry Of The 00s | EP3 Civic Type R vs RS Clio 182

Forget Ferrari verses Lamborghini and M division verses AMG, the closest rivalry of the 2000s was between a Honda and a Renault. The EP3 Civic Type R and Clio Renaultsport 182 couldn't have been more closely aligned. Plenty chose their favourite back in the day, but in 2024, which stands out as the champ of this retro rivalry?

Join Sam Sheehan as he pits the Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 against the EP3 Honda Civic Type R on some of Wales's best tarmac. With 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engines and manual gearboxes driving through front wheels, this test will examine power, handling and usability in a modern world. When electrification and turbocharging is commonplace, these two hot hatches feel so very special. But are they still any good? Click play to find out.

Presenter: @samsheehan55

00:00 RS Clio 182 vs EP3 Civic Type R
00:30 Prices
01:00 F4R Renault engine specs
01:16 K20 Honda engine specs
02:15 EP3 design
02:44 182 design
04:27 Civic Type R impressions
07:30 Clio 182 impressions
10:30 Clio 182 interior
12:35 EP3 Civic interior
14:40 Running costs
15:16 Their successors
15:40 Why we got it wrong
15:58 Why these cars matter

#cinch #carreview #renault #renaultsport #clio #182 #ep3 #honda #civic #typer #ctr #vtec

[PureLeeful]

I'm a Renaultsport fan, but acknowledge how good Hondas are. What a boring world it would be without both manufacturers making so many great hot hatches.

[markjones]

Still got my ep3, 12 years in and don't plan to sell

[DZDii]

Had an EP3 from 2002 - 2020 when it rusted away :D. Great car!. Few points, the Ep3 doesn't have stability control, or hydraulic power steering. The one you reviewed is a last of line premier edition that has privacy glass, red carpets and recaro seats. Its also a facelift, so it had a lighter flywheel and revised steering compared to the first revision. There was also a JDM version of the car ironically made in England in Swindon then shipped to Japan, it was available in Championship white paint, but also had significantly better parts inc a helical LSD, shorter 3-4-5 gear ratios, a higher compression k20 A engine that revved to 8, 600 and made 212 bhp, stiffer anti-roll bar at the rear. It also shared alot of interior bits with the UKDM premier edition, so you got red recaro trendlines, red carpets etc. Golden age for hot hatches!

[masterfok]

The EP3 type R doesn't have ESC thats why there's no off button.

[sebspitz]

I have owned my little racing blue Clio 182 for 8 years now. Whilst I've had some really extreme performance cars come and go I just can not let go of the little Clio. Great video!!

[tatshore]

I've had my 05 ep3 16 years next summer and still only got 72, 000 miles on it, really looked after it love the car and never missed a beat. After either rs3 or amg 45s plus next year, but really will miss the Honda if I sell it, longest I've kept any car by a long way

[PaddyMcQueen]

Had 3 Clios in the past, loved them and still missing them... the sad part is that it s impossible to find a mew car with the same pedegree. And guess what, in my perfect garage I will take both !

[kenzohkw]

These were the peak of hot hatches for the man/women on the street. Having owned a 172 Cup and driven many EP3s. Nothing has really excited me much since those glory days.

[glew]

I had both of these for a few years. Great video, reminds me how much I miss them😢

[gumpy]

Perfect time for hot hatches, they where still small and light, had a usable amount of power, exciting engines and not too expensive, it’s down downhill since.

[gregorrose]

Glad to see Sam still has his Clio, I remember seeing his review of his car years ago before I bought my RB 182

[fabjam]

first video ive watched from you guys, fabulous stuff

[NC]

Love the filming locations you guys pick, visuals are always 👌

[crg]

Owned ep3 and currently own a 172 cup, both great the EP3 felt more special, but the chassis on the clio is fantastic

[koolkat]

Great to see Sam's Clio. It looks properly sorted. Miss the updates on Pistonheads. Partly responsible for me getting my Artic Blue 182 a few years ago. Still enjoying it as my daily and happy to have a Vtec in the form of a DC2 Integra alongside it. Thoroughly enjoyed this video production. Hope to see more of these modern classics on the channel now and then!

[YZYE]

Great video mate.

I’m a Honda fan personally, only ever had 4 of the EP shape (now on a Prefacelift JDM EP3) and also own an 90’s EG6 (currently being K-Swapped engine wise) so can’t wait - the years I’ve owned the car, I’d have had said that it’s a bit fairer to be put against slightly newer cars as it was genuinely that good! For example the Renault Clio 197, the Ford Fiesta ST-150, Vauxhall Astra VXR and Toyota Corolla T-Sport - these cars are much more similar I’d have said (slightly anyway) - The EP3 was my dream motor and finally I got one turning 21, insurance was high but worth it! The only problem like usual is that the cars can rust! My second EP3 was from Birmingham and turned out to be rusted through haha, always got to check for that - the Clio I’ve heard from a few people is a great car, never knew about the exhausts rusting, only that the gearboxes were made of paper, what everybody always says haha, love the colour on it, sad that Renault don’t make cars as exotic anymore; look forward to videos in the future though! Give those cars I listed a go against each other if you can, would be a good set of videos! Have a gooden mate.

[adrianbunyard]

I have had both in standard form. I loved the Clio. It was brilliant fun and handled great but my ep3 was a better car. It was much better inside, better engine and never went wrong. I would say in a straight line it was very slightly faster too. It don't matter which one you like wonderful and hot hatch heroes.

[Piranga]

Still have my Ep3, bougth in 02/2002. Every day put a smile in my face.

[DwellEasy]

There was no comparison the ep3 was better in every single department.

That does not mean the 182 is not fun and a capable car.

[HumdrumAnt]

Really great video, and love the presenting style, knowledgeable without trying too hard to be funny. Audio level is pretty low and the cut on the mic seems a little aggressive, perhaps a couple of lapel mics are in order for the next one! Keep it up guys.