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

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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

[MrBarry123]

Seems a fair, honest and balanced conclusion.

[MrBarry123]

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.

[MrBarry123]

rb5er said:

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

Oh do please bugger off with these stupid comments.

The CTR is the better performing car on track. Put the CTR on equivalent tyres and it looks like it'd st all over the FRS.

[MrBarry123]

YOU CAN'T GO FASTER AT ALL TIMES IN AN AWD CAR!!!!!

For goodness sake. AWD allows more effective acceleration in certain situations. It does not create cornering grip.