Which R-Rated Hatch Is Best? (Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 2024 Comparison Review)

Detailed review and comparison of the VW Golf R Mk 8 and Honda Civic Type R FL5 including performance, handling, ride, interior and more.

In this video, Chasing Cars deputy editor Curt Dupriez conducts a comparison of two top-line hot hatches: the 2024 Golf R with AWD and the 2024 Civic Type R with FWD.

Which one is the right choice for you?

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Key differences
0:53 - Test criteria
1:19 - Civic Type R on road
4:16 - Golf R on road
8:27 - Golf R interior
10:23 - Civic Type R interior
12:01 - Ownership
12:25 - Servicing costs
12:55 - Verdict section
13:09 - Which one is hotter?
13:52 - Which one is nicer to live with?

Chasing Cars makes Australia's most independent car reviews.

[chasingcars]

Note: Various driving segments filmed at our private facility. 👍🏼

[stevewallace]

I had the TYPE R before I brought my mustang and after having my mustang for three years which I love to bits I would have no problem going back too the TYPE R it's that's good

[wt]

I can't believe I live in a world where 80k Honda Civic exists 😂

[mattk-kffx]

I have had my FL5 Type R for 12 months now. Absolutely love the car. The only let down has been all of the rattles from the dash and other areas of the car. Some obvious cost cutting from Honda…

[jimsgaragetoys]

The first problem is that the Civic Type R isn't a hatchback, it's a liftback/fastback. The Golf R is a true hatchback.

[Markcantfindausernam]

Hmmm, I feel like powering through, as opposed to just out of, corners in a Golf R, reveals the real benefits of that RS3 diff arrangement. It requires a bit of a shift in driving style and to be fair the more tight the corner the better. Just my humble opinion and Im not a motoring journalist.

[Reptilianoverlord-jcmt]

$72, 600 AUD for the FL5 type R vs $85, 000 for golf R 8.

[robertmccormick]

I drove both. I ended up with the Golf R. The mature interior items. Heated seats and steering wheel, and AWD won me over. The type R was really nice but it didn't have that fun factor like the Golf R. In USA we can still get the 6spd. It's comparable to the Type R but the type R factory is better there. 2nd is tricky at first in the golf. The Golf R as it always seems with VW needed a bigger rear sway bar and needed some better tires. Once those are done it gains what the type R has on corners and is still way faster on the straight aways. You can't beat the performance and mpg of the Golf R and awd. It's a great vehicle for whatever weather is thrown at you and can still have fun in all of it. Most Golf Rs actually dyno at 329hp. Haven't heard is thr type Rs are the same. In the end, I really think like is said in this video, it's your driving style. I much perfer the awd and long term the interior on the golf R is better for daily and road trips. The Type R has more rear room but somehow VW has done some magic and those seats and room is quite comfy even for me at 5'11 and there's rear climate control and heated seats which my 9 year old son loves.

[xili]

Isn't the Golf Wagon no longer available? Why mention it?

[NathanE]

Civic, has the pedigree and the looks

[steveallen]

My head says Golf R my heart says Type R.

[richo]

Thoroughbred to describe a Type R? It's a nice car but I think that's taking it a bit far there

[chrisparr]

Civic easily. Not only because it’s a proper manual. But because it may be the Best manual gearbox ⚙️ car on sale today, !

[joserafaelleonvera]

Any commments about durability of mechanical parts, electric parts, Gearbox and resale value ?

[MadAdventure]

Golf has better technology with minimum modification you can unlock the beast.

[axledog]

I've owned both a Mk7.5 R and an FL5 (along with a Focus RS). Great video!

[Nate-Aims]

I had a 23 mk8R, if I had to do it over again, I’d go FL5 type R.

[Digiphex]

What's that you said about the Cayman GT4 maybe the most beautiful 2 door mid-engine coupe ever? That this 4-door family econobox with front wheel drive is somehow in any way an "answer" to it??? WTF???

[noell]

Great review Curt, like the way you covered their strengths and particulars here and there to keep things interesting.

Looking forward to your comparison with the GR Corolla.

I have an FL5, and tested a GR Corolla. If the Golf R came in manual I reckon I would’ve had a conundrum.

For the Golf R - was there any benefit of having the HVAC digital Eg voice controlled or remote via app? Otherwise i wonder how that got checked off during design.

I will say that I took the civic out at SMSP a few weeks ago, just sublime. Compares well to my outgoing 86.

[JacesOwnWorld]

The Golf R is the clear winner in terms of price per performance in this matchup. Golf R is cheaper (low-$50k’s vs mid-to-high $60k’s+)(this is calculating real world pricing, not MSRP as everyone knows CTR’s don’t sell for MSRP), it’s faster, it has better tech, and it’s AWD.