RE: Ford Focus RS vs. Honda Civic Type R - the video

RE: Ford Focus RS vs. Honda Civic Type R - the video

Thursday 23rd June 2016

Ford Focus RS vs. Honda Civic Type R - the video

Let Matt explain about why we rank the Civic Type R over the Focus RS



OK, so the thread was hijacked somewhat by discussion of a certain Polo GTI. But as it stands our feature comparing the Honda Civic Type R against the Ford Focus RS has attracted over a thousand comments!

So, yes, these are two very important cars. If you've read the story you'll already know we preferred the Civic's feistiness and general lunacy to the Focus's tyre munching showboating. It was a very close run thing though and in the following video Matt gets a chance to explain - and demonstrate -why in a little more detail. It was also a successful first flight for the PH drone, with credit to our man Ben for his piloting skills there.

Here's the vid though. Let the debate continue, hopefully without any Polo-shaped interlopers this time...

Photo: Will Aron

Author
Discussion

MrBarry123

Original Poster:

6,025 posts

120 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Seems a fair, honest and balanced conclusion.

thumbup

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Good video and an interesting conclusion.

So: Civic more exciting, a better track/weekend car; Focus a better daily proposition. Is that the conclusion to draw?

MrBarry123

Original Poster:

6,025 posts

120 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
macky17 said:
Good video and an interesting conclusion.

So: Civic more exciting, a better track/weekend car; Focus a better daily proposition. Is that the conclusion to draw?
I would say so.

Steven_RW

1,727 posts

201 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Good video.

So, buy the civic and stick some michelin supersports on it. Job done.

I really fancy a go of one.

RW

AMGJocky

1,407 posts

115 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
That Civic is very appealing.. Would love a go in one!

BeillyNoy

389 posts

235 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
AMGJocky said:
That Civic is very appealing.. Would love a go in one!
Knockhill racing circuit (Dunfermline, Fife) offers Civic Type R experiences. I was there on Monday.... it was absolutely amazing.
2 sighting laps, then 15 instructed laps, broken into 3 sets of 5. Because Knockhill is such a hilly circuit you really get a sense for just how well set up the Civic is.
If anyone is considering a Civic, I suspect this will be £275 well spent. In fact, anyone considering a Megane or Golf or Focus should invest a few hundred pounds in this to test whether you're making the right decision before parting with £30k...

(I've just realised that this sounds like an advert for Knockhill, so I'll just clarify that I have no connections whatsoever with the circuit other than being a regular visitor given it is just a few miles from home)

Neil

nickfrog

20,874 posts

216 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Steven_RW said:
Good video.
So, buy the civic and stick some michelin supersports on it. Job done.
Yes agreed although if tracking then Cup2s might prove a bit better what with the SS soft sidewalls, it won't take many laps to chew the front outer shoulder, sadly.

Matt Bird

1,450 posts

204 months

PH Reportery Lad

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback guys, you're much nicer than YouTube eek

I would love to try the Civic on some more aggressive tyres, I suspect it would be great. As for the everyday stuff it's hard to call; I think the Civic is perfectly liveable despite a few little gripes, but I've not spent long enough in the Focus to draw any meaningful comparisons. Hope to address that soon!

Cheers,


Matt

Martin_Hx

3,951 posts

197 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Matt Bird said:
Thanks for the feedback guys, you're much nicer than YouTube eek
Ah yes

"Blatant paid for by Honda review"

I knew you journalists would do anything for a free Jazz! hehe

Relax

39 posts

93 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Any lap time's, for humour's sake?

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
I thought the "PH Drone" was forum-ites going on endlessly about their Mx5/TVR/335d (*delete as appropriate) ;-)

666 SVT

1,052 posts

239 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Think I'd still take the Ford for it's 4 wheel drive as in reality the roads in
the UK tend to be damp/Wet 90% of the time? (in the N. West anyway)

Adrian W

13,848 posts

227 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Why are PH saying the opposite to the motoring press. I.e RS great, type R fat and heavy?

dave_s13

13,813 posts

268 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Why is there no button to full screen that video in th browser or via the youtube app. It's impossible to watch on my phone.

lee_erm

1,091 posts

192 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
I wish there had been a Golf R thrown in to this test too! Is the Focus a better drive than the Golf R?

macky17

2,210 posts

188 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
That Noble put things in perspective at 7:55...

750turbo

6,164 posts

223 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Matt Bird said:
Here's the vid though. Let the debate continue, hopefully without any Polo-shaped interlopers this time...
That bit did make me laugh!

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
Adrian W said:
Why are PH saying the opposite to the motoring press. I.e RS great, type R fat and heavy?
It does make you wonder.

The way the focus was handling out of a corner certainly looked more fun in the video.

Its odd to see someone saying that they have not had much driving time in the focus and then also say how great it feels to drive and fun with a hint of oversteer and being able to power out of the corners and then exclaim that the Civic is more "exciting" despite not being able to cite a reason for that other than controls feeling a tiny bit better, nothing about the way the chassis/handling feels other than ride quality.

I have only seen 3 weeks of sunshine in the UK this year so would be interested to see the conclusion on a less than perfect day. Would they come up with the same conclusion as the rest of the motoring press in those circumstances?

Also rather than go on about the Focus having superior tyres rather than a fantastic awd system why not test one without the upgraded alloys and cup tyres?

All in all seems a somewhat biassed review in biassed conditions by someone with a fleet CTR imo.

Edited by rb5er on Thursday 23 June 19:31

Splats

625 posts

161 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
I heard wheelspin on a smooth track surface in what looked to be perfect dry conditions in 15-22°C heat. That doesn't bode well for rutted UK B-Road with damp patches and crusty mud from tractors. It spells certain frustriation on a soaking wet miserable day or the depths of winter.

Matt, I'm sure you are right that the Civic is that little bit more exciting on a dry track day. However, you have to remember your readership live in the real world where chances to enjoy a car are few and far between and often the best drives are unplanned (i.e. you didn't specifically go looking for a great drive). For me, the Civic is far too risky a proposition. These are hot-hatchs so, by definition, they are supposed to be able to serve as an all-in-one with thrills and rapid progress on tap. I hold the view that in the civic I might get a handful of 'better' drives a year but in the Focus you'll get a great drive nearly every time you step into it. I'd love it if you got the opportunity to do some longer term comparisons in mixed conditions throughout the year.

Translation: would you rather shag a 10 once, or marry a 9? wink

nickfrog

20,874 posts

216 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
quotequote all
666 SVT said:
Think I'd still take the Ford for it's 4 wheel drive as in reality the roads in
the UK tend to be damp/Wet 90% of the time? (in the N. West anyway)
Unless I am mistaken, the limiting factors on the road tend to be traffic, line of sight and licence preservation, not traction. But then again if someone can't handle a two wheel drive on a wet road, then I am glad they have the 4wd option.