2023 Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R Comparison
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R are two of the most popular hot hatchbacks on the market, and for good reason. Both cars offer a great combination of style, performance, and value, making them appealing to a wide range of consumers.
The Honda Civic Type R has undergone significant changes in its design with the 2023 model, moving away from the angular cuts and creases of previous models in favor of a sleeker, more mature design language. The car is lower, longer, and wider than before, and the back of the car features a subtle, more rounded design, while still maintaining the massive wing that fans of the Type R have come to love. This new design language is consistent with Honda’s overall design approach and is in line with the design of the new Honda Civic model.
The Volkswagen Golf R, on the other hand, takes a more streamlined and sporty approach in the styling department. The front of the car is not as dramatic as the Civic Type R, but the sportiest look comes from the back, thanks to the diffuser, quad pipes, and spoiler that make it stand out. This new design language is consistent with Volkswagen’s overall design approach, and is in line with the design of the new Volkswagen Golf model.
In terms of the interior, the Honda Civic Type R keeps things simple and classic, with physical buttons, rotary dials, and a chunky gear knob. While there is a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment system, the overall design of the cabin is traditional, which is something that fans of the Type R are used to and will likely have no trouble adjusting to. The Volkswagen Golf R, on the other hand, goes all out with modernization, with almost all functions of the car being controlled through a touch input, and even the gear selector knob in the automatic transmission variant being small and minimalist. This approach might be appealing for some customers who prefer a more futuristic cockpit, but it may not be for everyone.
When it comes to performance, both cars offer plenty of power and speed. Honda says that the latest iteration of the Civic Type R is the most powerful Type R model to be ever made and the most powerful Honda car to be put on sale in the US market. The new-generation Civic Type R is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and the front-wheel-drive Type R’s six-speed manual transmission has also been upgraded to handle the power increase. Honda also improved brake cooling to help handle track-day punishment.
The Volkswagen Golf R is powered by a 2.0-liter in-line 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which can help the car go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph. This engine can be had with either a six-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Power is sent to the wheels through an all-wheel-drive system and thanks to a new rear differential, the Golf R can send all 100 percent of the torque to the back through a dedicated “Drift Mode”.
Both the 2023 Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf R are great value hot hatchbacks that offer a lot of performance and style for the price. While they may have different design approaches, both cars show that big brands like Honda and Volkswagen have not forgotten about hot hatchback lovers, and that is something to be happy about regardless of which model you prefer. The Civic Type R sticks to a formula that purists love and the Golf R uses every trick in the book to become faster.
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