Verdict
At RM399,900, the Honda Civic Type R costs RM61,088 more than the RM338,812 Volkswagen Golf R. The Golf backs its lower price with 329 hp, all-wheel drive and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Civic’s 315 hp, front-wheel drive and 5.5 seconds. But the Honda brings the six-speed manual experience, a 410-litre boot and 2,734 mm wheelbase. For a Malaysian buyer carrying five people, the Golf’s fifth seat, rear air-con and 55-litre tank are hard advantages.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want a six-speed manual hot hatch with a larger 410-litre boot and can live with four seats.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R if you want the quicker 329 hp all-wheel-drive car, five seats and RM61,088 left in your pocket.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Volkswagen Golf R RM338,812.
- Power and torque: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm; Volkswagen Golf R 329 hp and 420 Nm.
- Driveline and transmission: Honda Civic Type R front-wheel drive with six-speed manual; Volkswagen Golf R all-wheel drive with seven-speed wet DSG.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds; Volkswagen Golf R 4.6 seconds.
- Seating and boot space: Honda Civic Type R four seats and 410 litres; Volkswagen Golf R five seats and 341 litres.
- Fuel tank: Honda Civic Type R 47 litres; Volkswagen Golf R 55 litres.
Civic Type R
- Six-speed manual transmission.
- 410-litre boot, 69 litres larger than the Golf R's.
- 2,734 mm wheelbase versus 2,629 mm.
- RM61,088 more expensive.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 5.5 seconds versus 4.6 seconds.
- Four seats instead of five.
Golf R
- 329 hp and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 4Motion all-wheel drive with torque vectoring.
- Rear air-con, head-up display and power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory.
- 341-litre boot is 69 litres smaller.
- No manual transmission; it uses a seven-speed wet DSG.
- Shorter 2,629 mm wheelbase versus 2,734 mm.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM338,812✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM372✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 420 Nm | 420 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 86 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 4 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental MaxContact MC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | 4Motion AWD with Torque Vectoring |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Civic Type R & Golf R for sale
Civic Type R vs Golf R FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Volkswagen Golf R better?
The Volkswagen Golf R is the stronger all-round buy on these figures: it is cheaper, has 14 hp more, all-wheel drive, five seats and reaches 100 km/h 0.9 seconds sooner. Choose the Civic Type R specifically for its six-speed manual and larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf R costs RM61,088 less than the Honda Civic Type R.
Which is quicker, the Honda Civic Type R or Volkswagen Golf R?
The Volkswagen Golf R is quicker to 100 km/h, taking 4.6 seconds versus 5.5 seconds for the Honda Civic Type R. It also has 329 hp, compared with 315 hp.
