The front-wheel drive sport compact segment is a competitive market which, unfortunately, has lost players in recent years. Although the supply is currently lower than in the past, it is still possible to find very attractive options for purchase.
However, prices have risen sharply and it is easy to find cars in this segment for over 50,000 euros. Two of the models that best represent the philosophy of front-wheel drive sport compacts are the Honda Civic Type R and the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport. As we know that they can both seriously claim to become your next purchase, today we decided to compare them to know all their characteristics and choose the best of the two.
Dimensions: the Civic Type R more imposing than the Golf GTI Clubsport
The new generation of the Honda Civic Type R, probably the last to be equipped with a traditional combustion engine, presents itself as a compact vehicle measuring 4,595 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,405 mm high, the all on a platform offering a wheelbase of 2,735 mm.
For its part, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is the precursor to the Golf R and the most powerful front-wheel drive version of the eighth generation of the German compact. In this case, the body offers dimensions of 4,290 mm long, 1,790 mm wide and 1,470 mm high, with a wheelbase reaching 2,625 mm.
Trunk volume: almost a draw between the two rivals
In terms of trunk, although it is not a key point when choosing a sports compact, in the case of the Honda model its larger exterior dimensions give it access to a cargo compartment with a volumetric capacity of 410 liters, a figure which reaches 1,210 liters once the backrests of the second row of seats are folded.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen's sports compact does the same despite its slightly smaller dimensions, taking advantage of the available space to offer up to 375 liters of loading capacity in the trunk and reaching 1,230 liters once the backrests of the row of rear seats folded.
Engines: powerful 2.0 turbo units under the hood
Mechanically, the Civic Type R relies on the well-known 2.0-liter supercharged in-line four-cylinder engine, a unit that develops 329 hp at 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 420 Nm available from 2,200 rpm. It's only available with a six-speed manual transmission and sends power to the front wheels.
On the other hand, the Golf GTI Clubsport relies everything on an old acquaintance, the 2.0 TSI in-line four-cylinder engine. In this case, maximum power is 300 hp at 5,300 rpm, while torque reaches 400 Nm, available from just 2,000 rpm. Although it is also front-wheel drive, the transmission of choice is a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission.
Performance: the Civic Type R slightly ahead
In terms of performance, the Type R is capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds, while its top speed has been set at 275 km/h, making it one of the sporty compacts fastest front-wheel drive vehicles in its segment.
The GTI Clubsport, despite its lower power, is still quick enough to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.6 seconds, while its top speed can be optionally unlocked with the Race Pack up to 267 km/h .
Standard equipment: on equal terms or almost
Among the standard equipment of the Honda Civic Type R we find elements such as:
In the case of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport we find:
Price: the Golf GTI Clubsport (a little) more affordable
In terms of prices, the Honda Civic Type R is on sale in Spain from 58,850 euros for the standard model, while the version with the Carbon Pack reaches 61,890 euros.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport, for its part, has just undergone a complete mid-term restyling, and although its price has not yet been revealed, we know that in the case of the previous model it was sold for 53,790 euros , reaching 57,975 euros with the optional GTI Performance Pack.
So, which of these two formidable sports compacts do you want the most? The overpowering and radical Honda Civic Type R or the versatile and efficient Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport? One thing is certain, you will not be disappointed by the performance and driving pleasure offered by these two models, which proudly carry the standard of front-wheel drive sports cars in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs…
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