The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R brings a lot of hot hatch heritage and pride to the speedy little grocery getter. However, the latest and thankfully restyled Honda Civic Type R promises to put the squeeze on the venerable Golf. Here’s how the upcoming 2023 Honda Civic Type R will likely stack up against the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R in a hot hatchback showdown, based on what we know so far.
Which car is more powerful?
The Volkswagen Golf R produces 315 horsepower courtesy of its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. While that may seem unimpressive in the days of 1,000 horsepower EV sedans, it’s pretty potent for a hot hatch. That makes it more powerful than the outgoing 2021 Honda Civic Type R, which produces 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant.
However, Honda announced that the upcoming 2023 Honda Civic Type R will be the most powerful ever. That means the restyled hot hatch will make more than 306 horsepower and might give the Golf R’s 315 a run for its money.
Is a Volkswagen Golf R or Civic Type R faster?
The 2021 Honda Civic Type R was quite a bit slower than the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R in terms of acceleration. Specifically, the Golf R could sprint to sixty in just 3.9 seconds with its DSG gearbox. That’s fast by sports car standards. According to Car and Driver, the 2021 Type R Limited Edition could hit sixty in 4.8 seconds. While that’s quick, it’s nowhere near quick enough to beat the planted Golf.
With a more robust and focused 2023 Type R on the way, the Volkswagen Golf R might not keep such a commanding lead. Still, the Volkswagen hatchback uses an all-wheel drive (AWD) system and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That combination allows the Golf to launch hard. In comparison, the new hot Civic will pack a manual transmission, meaning a fun drive but likely slower launches.
How much does the Golf R cost?
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has a starting price of $44,640, making it pretty expensive for a hot hatchback. Car and Driver estimates that the upcoming Civic Type R will cost around $39,000, making it quite a bit cheaper than the Volkswagen. That’s in keeping with the price gap between the Golf and the outgoing 2021 Type R Touring.
Which vehicle should you buy?
The next generation Civic Type R is the 30th anniversary of the venerable Honda hot hatch. Also, the manual-equipped track star is available in the handsome Historic Championship White. Not to mention that Honda finally bestowed mature styling on the new hot hatchback.
However, if you want a vehicle with AWD and muscle car acceleration, check out the king of hot hatch hill, the Volkswagen Golf R. The Volkswagen hatchback has a judicious dual-clutch transmission and a lineage connecting it to one of the original hot hatchbacks . Still, be prepared to spend extra to get one. Scroll down to the following article to read more about hot hatches!
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