Honda Civic Type R vs Audi RS3 | £50k Hot Hatch Battle

#HondaCivicTypeR #AudiRS3 #HotHatch
Honda’s released a new generation of its incredible Civic Type R hot hatchback. Problem is, it’s quite a lot more expensive than the last one, so can it really be a better car than the Audi RS3? CAR magazine’s James Dennison finds out.

Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
1:38 – Honda Civic Type R walkaround
3:33 – Honda Civic Type R driving
11:11 – Audi RS3 driving
17:02 – Verdict

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@JDennisonCars

CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[gandules]

Coming from an RS3 owner, the civic is a great car but you can't compare the two. They are two different cars. The RS3 is a bully on the street. The civic is a cornering masterpiece. If I could I would own both. Great video 👍

[diho]

Your analogy between the Lotus Evora and the Civic is spot on.
I drove an Evora for 9 years and traded it in for a Civic FK8 Type R because my kids became to big to fit in the back of the Evora.
Nobody could understand my move but for me, in terms of driving feel, it was a logical step.

[JBOsurf]

On road, there is a 30 thousand dollar price difference between the two in Australia. Nobody is cross shopping these two down here.

[julianpmg]

I've just taken delivery of a new Civic Type R....having also had a couple of the older versions previously. It is night and day a better and phenomenal car....an amazing all rounder, and I've owned an amazing bunch of cars in my time. Just annoys me people keep going on about the new car is expensive these days, all due to rules and regulations....but at least the Type R pretty much just comes in one spec....with everything on spec'ing an RS3 or Golf R or M135i etc....and add all the extras you really want....and then you'll see what an actual bargain the Type R is!

[hazauno]

In Australia on road cost for a Honda Civic Type R is $72, 600. Audi RS 3 a lot more.
Also a huge point of difference apart from all you mentioned in the simple fact that one is a sublime manual whereas the other is just another automatic. I have a number of fast automatic cars including an AMG 45. I also am damn lucky to also 19:23 19:23 gave the Honda Type R 2023 model. It’s no longer about the speed but the feel (is this because I’m getting towards “the light”🤔). A bit like riding a fixie bicycle rather than one with many gears. My daily driver hands down? The Honda Type R every day of the week.
Cheers.

[biglugaming]

I would get the RS3, but my heart has always been with Honda. So ideally I would have both, but if I needed to choose, the RS3 in a heartbeat. It’s my next car 🙌🏽

[CypressRacing]

Brilliant comparo...I also x-shopped both and went with the Type R, its the complete package!

[Rrdd]

Civic all day every day. Dependability, resale, looks, handling, upgradability, and fun to drive.

[ragemydream]

Great review. Really weighing the pros and cons and the Civic looks amazing in that blue.

[mikej]

Fantastic review, James. The only problem with the Type R is you can't buy one. Every dealer I've spoken to have a waiting list, and each dealer has a small allocation of about 3 cars per year at the moment, and you have no influence over the colour. So, for now, only the lucky few can even get hold of one. For the rest of us, we can just dream...

[reveregreist]

Great review. Just picked up my CTR. I've had a ton of interesting cars. This is one of the greatest. It's an amazing car.

[jimiverson]

6 speed manual with a really good linkage. That wins the day.

[milosdjordjevic]

Amazing review! So well laid out, regardless if you are a fan of either car!
Btw I would definitely choose a Type R

[benglasby]

I just bought a PFL 2016 RS3, replacing my 2013 manual BRZ I had since new. I know the era is different, but I tested against the i30 sedan n, the FK8 type R, Megan RS, current BRZ/86, and GR Corolla. I would’ve loved to have tested the FL5 Type R, but didn’t get to. For the money I paid, with 2 years factory Audi warranty, that 5 cylinder engine is so good, plus not a bad package overall. Honestly, I believe the Hyundai i30 sedan n handles better than the 2016 RS3. You can’t beat the manual gearbox in the type R either. We just have to buy what our heart desires sometimes.

[simplysubaru]

I saved the video to watch later. I already know im choosing the Type R, regardless

[jimmy-the-bear]

Rs3 in Australia is 110k vs 72k for the Type R…so not even close to the same ballpark. Also no manual in the RS3. I am looking at replacing my GTI Clubsport and the Type R is the only thing I can find for under 100k that is worth the update. Great watch 👍

[DjNikGnashers]

I quite like the styling of this new 2023 Type R, and I didn't like the old one much. I still don't like three tailpipes, and a few other details, but it's a lot nice to look at than the previous model, which was an absolute scalpel when it comes to FWD handling. This should be even better if that was possible.
The RS3 is a nicer looking car imo, and a serious weapon.
Nice pair of cars, but christ, the price !

[MrBTRDAYZ]

Brilliant review and the one I've been waiting for someone to do! Super Inline 5 and AWD vs a totally dialed in chassis. A comparison for intellectuals, because you have to look deeper than the obvious. It boils down to which car offers the better "Giggle Value". In America, the price differential is further apart. The CTR's base price (excluding markups) is about $44, 000 where as the RS3 equipped with the technology package is $65, 000. That's a $21, 000 price difference, and one has to decide if the few things the Audi does better is worth the difference, versus the fun each car delivers. For me (and I previously owned a 2013 TT RS), I can honestly say the CTR does a better job of proving its value, and I come to the same conclusion as you!

[mediocreman]

As someone who has owned a lot of cars, the most memorable ones were always the ones that had special engines.

[Chris-njmr]

A civic with the 5 pot from the Audi (ideally with out the OPF filters!) would be epic!

...or the Rs3 with the chassis and transmission of the civic!