So… which car would you choose?

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 👍

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.

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

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 price.......EVERY 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 it.....try 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!

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.

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

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 👍

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...

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

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 🙌🏽

Very good review! The conclusions about the cars are on point.

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

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

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

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.

First time on this channel. Very honest review I would take the CTR too. You can tell Honda put there hearts into the car and the maintenance cost, the reliability of Honda. Engine is important but not everything. Will subscribe.

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

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!

I like your channel I subscribed today keep it up 🎈⭐️🎈

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!

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 !

Great comparison review, but why are you calling the RS3 in the video a hot hatch? 🤷‍♂️

Brilliant video guys 😊

This channel gives me Chris Harris top gear vibes. Too notch editing and presentation I must say. Well done 👍🏽

In reality they aren’t that similarly priced though. You get everything for that 48k for the Honda. You’re spending we over 60k for a similar specced Audi from factory (which is currently unavailable) and 70k+ on the current market if you want one now.

I got my boost blue FL5 a week ago, absolute refinement. I'm in love

Great review!

Great Job with this video!

Think a better comparison would have been the mk8 gti clubsport. Similar power and both fwd

Game changing Civic Type R worth every penny

Cause of rev hang is the throttle control being motorized instead of a metal string connected to the pedal

Really interesting vid, really well reviewed

Hard choice, I'd probably go RS3 hatch used for 50k than 50k for the new Type R, although I'd try both first as I'm sure its alot closer than the numbers suggest, especially once on the move...

Poor Audi S3 gets no love. It’ll blow the doors off the civic any day but RS3’s get all the love out here. Damn civic Even gets a dedicated video comparing it to the RS3 lol.

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.

Here in NZ RS3 is 140k, Cayman is 170k and CTR is 72k. Quite a big difference in price. Its main competition is Corolla GR which is 74k and is outselling CTR due to AWD.

What a review. And what a car. The Type r is one of a kind.

It feels a very honest review and highlights a couple of things for me. 1) How good the current Civic range is top to bottom , it is getting praise everywhere and 2) Pound for pound, the previous Type R seems to me a better pick over the new one. I also have to say, that RS3 is tempting, devilish tempting. First time I came across this channel. Subscribed 😊

4 thousand pound difference between civic and rs3… in Australia there’s a $50,000- 60,000 difference between the two!

RS3 will have maybe and 8% markup where as type R will be 20-30%. I’ll take the RS3 not just because of that but because of the balance between aggressive and sophisticated styling.

That RS3 with a simple tune is a complete MONSTER! coming from an 8V RS3 owner.

An amazing review!

Honda all day long. I think it'll hold its value better, too. Reliability is a given, too, a great car.

It’s definitely RS3 for me. They are literally the same $$ after markups on the CTR, which is insane. The RS3 is sexier looking, has a legendary 5cyl-T, sounds worlds better, and is AWD. With a tune, it’s easily in the 3-second range 0-60mph time, and would absolutely destroy the CTR, even when tuned, in a straight. Only thing the CTR would be better at is cornering, but that really only comes alive on a track, and that also doesn’t mean the RS3 can’t handle. In a canyon, a good driver in a RS3 could easily keep up with an average driver in a CTR. Yes, easily! So in the real world as a daily, where you can’t really excrete the CTR’s potential, the RS3 is the much better choice. It’s also a lot nicer inside too.

I am a TTRS owner and once you’re able to shift the weights off the front of the car the type R won’t be a problem in cornering or on straights. The Audi just takes more effort to avoid understeer it can’t be driven like a rear wheel drive that our reactions for cornering at higher speed are way more natural.

I think the facelifted A45S would fit well into this comparison too

Great down to earth comparison. Love my 24 type r it’s my all around favorite car to date and I’m coming out of a 22 M240i and I like my type r more and that says a lot when I loved my m240i.

One thing for certain, no EV will ever promote the emotion that both these cars create in terms of sound and involvement ........and isn't that what driving a hot hatch, or a small sports car, is all about?

Great to see a more mature design for the CTR. It’s been screaming for a move away from the cartoonesque Max Power look. But that price 😮 is almost unbelievable and difficult to justify in a Honda……whatever type it is.

Outstanding review! Civic b/c "Save the manuals!"

Looking at the 2 side by side at the end of your vid, i cant take my eyes off the honda, looks ace

Audi goes round Nurburgring a good 3 seconds quicker than civic. But for what you get in Honda for price is pretty decent.

Had a Boxster 981 GTS with the sports suspension in California. That was an amazing handling car. My FK8 feels is v close to that in driver enjoyment. Miss the rwd traction and feel out of very tight bends in mountains but all others it rips. Here in Aus a 2015 981 GTS costs 130k used, high service costs and v high repair cost if needed. Fk8 62k new and has gone up in value my 2yrs of ownership, plus 300 a service with 5yr warranty. The main things I miss are 981 GTS sound and top down experience, which in a warm location is fantastic. 50% light bonnet than fk8? Are you sure you don't mean vs the regular gen 11?

This Civic for sure.. it’s more beautiful and handles better and balanced

I drive a GR Yaris so I just came here for the popcorn. Now I'm leaving wanting both of these bloody cars as well. Not fair!!

I like both cars but the RS3 is just so much faster, plus higher power potential modded. C&D Lightning Lap times bear that out. If you can actually find a Type R at retail it may be a better value but most are paying markups

Tried to buy a 23’ Type R but every dealer was at $15k or more over MSRP so went with RS3 (got lucky and was able to buy it at MSRP) since then I have driven FL5 Type R and as far as a pure drivers car it is actually better. Steering/shifter/handling are Porsche GT like. But I’m still happy with my decision, although if Type R’s settle down as far as the markups I may look into one again sometime down the line

fantastic video

Can you put this body kit to the normal civics? If we change all the fenders and bumpers and skirt? Is that possible?

that civic looks great in that blue

I have an 8Y RS3 and absolutely love it, but he is 100% right about the handling. Something just feels "off" about the Audi and it's hard to explain, the dynamics are a bit unpredictable and artificial feeling. That being said, it is a fantastic road car. I've been tempted by the thought of trading for an FL5 CTR recently and might make the move when it's a bit easier to get my hands on one, but it's going to be so hard to give up that 5-cylinder.

Just to understand.. the parts servicing will be much more than the previous version?

For the next review, we'll compare the Golf R to the 918 Spyder. All kidding aside, I don't think you can compare the 2 side by side. Nobody is trying to decide between CTR and the RS3. They are 2 completely different cars built to do completely different things for 2 completely different people. That stated; if I had to choose between those 2 cars, it would be the RS3 hands down.

I'd pick the RS3 just for the 5 banger.

£55 000 seems like the real world price for the new CTR judging from the adverts online! Makes the comparison 'for' the Honda even less likely and I am a real Honda fan having owned 2xFK2's in the past. But not at this price, no way! A few months later and I see nearly used versions about 4-5k cheaper which is good news I guess. The rev hang though? that was one thing I really disliked in my FK2's.

Reviewers have said chassis on the Audi is brilliant because no matter how bumpy the road wheels are always in contact and gripping

The Civic TR looks a larger than the RS3 beside it. If you want a track weapon, then get the Civic Type R. If don't plan of tracking your car, you want a fun canyon carver/daily driver, the RS3.

How can you call these $50k if you literally cant buy them without an insane dealer markup?

I want both of these cars in my garage. Two incredible machines!

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

I'd pick the rs3 but I would need to find a brickwall to change the 90s look front and rear to make it perfect so think the hondas for me with no damage

Erm... can anyone else see that the Audi is a 4 door saloon?

I think a lot of folks bashing the CTR have never driven one. It punches way above its weight class, even at 45k.

RS3 lap time on Nurburgring: 7:35.522 FL5 Civic Type R on Nurburgring: ????

If you love driving and want to grin, get the honda. If you need a capable commuter car that's a bit numb, get the golf.

At todays exchange rates converted from list prices cost USA £36k Japan £31K Australia (smaller market ) £40K what's the story Honda UK £47k to us ? no reason for this apart from sheer greed?

Your car presentations remind me of Tiff Needell back in the day.

Correction- the FK8 has an aluminium bonnet as well.

Is the "rev hang" from the clutch delay valve?

I’ve had two Civic Type Rs, wouldn’t have another. I’ve also had two Focus RSs. Both better than type Rs. Now have an Audi RS3. Would never go back!

The Civic will be reliable.. That guarantees a big win...

Which car would I choose...well, I've been going around pointing out the Cayman price comparison, because I daily drive a 981CS, so for £50k, I'd pick a 981CS plus £20k change, although even at £50k I'd pick a 981 GTS honestly. Out of these, I'll take the...FK8 or FK2, or pre-OPF RS3. Actually I'd probably have a 308 GTi or i30N over those too, they're unquestionably worse, but much more fun at speeds you can actually drive them on roads. Technically I didn't pick out of these, it's the RS3 for the engine, the FL5 is probably more fun, but as I mentioned it's nowhere near the top of that list (based on reviews and my experience driving the FK8). Here's a thing though - the Type R hasn't been a good hot hatch since they stuck turbos on it, others are just far more fun, but I'd suggest it's not a hot hatch really now- it's a GT. For that, well, is anything better for driving to the 'Ring (or other less clichéd track), doing a few laps and driving hundreds of miles home? Perhaps the Civic is now best at that...still, I want fun and this ain't it. Just personal taste.

What one will last longer?

Thinking about the CTR, it's basically the modern day Accord Type R!

For me personally…. RS3 is 1000x better than civic…

The Civic will be more exclusive and reliable and you won't look like every rep going up and down the motorway tailgating people.

Great review; especially the final commentary… I couldn’t agree more.

rs3 .. without question, this isnt even a comparison in my opinion.. unless you are just a JDM fan there isnt a reason to get the type r over the rs3

No comparison RS3 every single day of the week full stop.

Make the ideal car. Take the Type R, put the Audi's engine in it - and complement with the GR4 4WD drivetrain. Leave all else as is - including the Type R's price. Either way - a very well done production for the video. Some years ago while visiting UK bought a CAR magazine at an airport - and was pretty disappointed because it couldn't hold a candle to the Car and Driver and Road and Track magazines which I subscribed to - and got in my mailbox - here in Latvia - for some ridiculous low amount (probably the reason none of those are available any longer from Hagerty Magazines for subscription). In regard to videos, it's pretty much the opposite - CaD has much lower quality of video production than the british CAR - and that's how you get a new subscriber. Thanks for the video, greetings from Latvia.

All recent Type R's are great fwd cars. I owned one the best fwd ever made , the record breaking Megane Trophy R.... But a good rwd wins all day for the fun, driving pleasure and feeling. The Rs3 engine is a masterpiece and monster acceleration . 5 cylinders sound 👌

Am I crazy for wanting a Type R over current bimmers on sale?

The RS3 all day . That 5 -cylinder engine sounds awesome ,like a mini V-10! It also drives brilliantly , fast , sporty when you want it , smooth comfortable when you want it. That is a difficult thing to do , have the best of both worlds, not many cars can do that . This RS3 can , it's expensive but brilliant !

Both great cars, but theres only one drivers car here and that's the Civic. If you want off the line and straight line pace the Audi beats it. But with an automatic gearbox it will never have the same street cred

16% increase rigidity, 15% camber stifness , tighten up more, more glue was use to hold parts together.. none of this justify the high cost.....this more confirm that previous model wasnt good enough🤣

From my part of the world, the RS3 is approx. $50,000 AUD more than the Civic Type R.

Rs3 anyday

I am not sure how these competitors though. The price difference between them is massive!

Wish they had made the TypeR 5 seater, and I would have pushed my budget