Honda continues to upgrade its widely known Civic Type R variant, but stays true to its legacy. His new 11th generation of the famous hatchback gets improved and more modern styling without sacrificing high performance and established mechanical his layout.
Unlike most of its competitors, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R retains the old-school front-wheel drive and manual gearbox. But power is definitely stepped up, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged K20C1 engine making his 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The brand itself calls the 2023 Honda Civic Type R Honda’s factory pinnacle of performance and the most powerful model in his 30-year history with the Type R.
Still, it should be emphasized that the 2023 Honda Civic Type R has some fierce competitors that aren’t lacking in legacy or enviable design either. Like every other automotive segment, hot hatches are full of top-tier entrants, and the Type R isn’t the only respectable vehicle on the scene.
To give you a better idea of the whole thing, here’s a look at the 2023 Honda Civic Type R’s biggest competitors.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Vs. 2023 Volkswagen Golf R
The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R is the Civic Type R’s biggest competitor. As our first-hand reviews state, the Golf R offers a thrilling driving experience that makes everyone want to drive it at least once.
The Golf R is a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that produces 315 horsepower and 280-295 lb-ft of torque. This is slightly less than the Civic Type R. But the Golf R is faster than the Civic Type R. About 4 seconds from 0 to 60 miles per hour, almost a second faster. The former also offers an automatic transmission alongside a manual transmission, but with slightly less intuitive infotainment than the Civic Type R.
Otherwise, both vehicles offer more or less the same features, albeit with vastly different designs. As for pricing, the two hatches cost similar, with the latest Golf R starting at $44,740 and the Civic Type R starting at $43,295.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Vs. 2023 Toyota GR Corolla
Another model contending for the hot hatch throne is the 2023 Toyota GR Corolla. This compact and powerful vehicle is powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces 300 ponies and 273 lb-ft of torque. Like the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, all-wheel drive is standard on all trims, although the only available option for him is a six-speed manual transmission.
The 2023 Toyota GR Corolla is certainly slightly less powerful than the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, but prices start at $35,900. However, this is the price for the base trim. His other two more well-equipped models (Circuit Edition and Morisot Edition) start at $42,900 and $49,900 respectively.
In terms of design, the GR Corolla comes with specific and evocative styling that many might actually prefer over the Civic Type R, but this is a matter of taste. In fact, the GR Corolla has a lot of top-class equipment both inside and outside. Note that the GR Corolla has slightly less space than the Civic Type R.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra N
Last, but most importantly, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N is another worthy rival to the 2023 Honda Civic Type R. Although a sedan, the Elantra N is compact enough to compete with the likes of the Civic Type R and GR Corolla. , and the Golf R. Plus, N Division praised the car with a badge that speaks volumes enough for its performance-oriented design.
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra N boasts unique styling that combines sleek, sharp lines with a pronounced front grille. Power comes from a 2.0-liter Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Sure, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R offers more road love with 315 ponies and 310 lb-ft of torque, but as our review shows, the Elantra N offers excellent grip and offers good handling for the price.
As for the cost of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N, this compact sedan starts at $32,900, which is significantly below the Honda Civic Type R’s suggested retail price. There are some improved features compared to the Civic Type R. So, someone who values comfort and not performance might actually prefer the 2023 Hyundai Elantra N.