New VW Golf GTI Clubsport vs Honda Civic Type R review: which is quickest on track and 1/4 mile?
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The Golf GTI Clubsport is the most focused version of the MK8 GTI. With tweaked suspension, bigger brakes and better tyres than the standard car, plus a power hike to 300hp it should be a match for the king of the front-wheel drive hot hatches - the Honda Civic Type R. However, the Honda has an extra 20hp at 320hp. But it's a six speed manual while the VW Golf GTI Clubsport has a seven speed dual clutch automatic. So which will be quicker round a racing circuit and from 0-60mph and over the standing quarter mile. Watch the video to find out.
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Ok
I don't think u will see this mat but ur the best mat
How old are you ?
@Mat Watson Cars - Any more 996 stuff coming?
Why did they not bring the megane rs ? Is it becoz it will destroy the other two or is it becoz it's engine will break during the middle of its testing 😂 ?
for the first time in your life you finally derived the front wheel drive civic in dry condition
Amazing difference to his first performance stats THAT ARE ALWAYS DONE WHEN ITS RAINING
Aaaand in real life the Golf will be 9/10 times better suited. Not everybody drives them on racing track. A little bit of rain and the Civic is done for. I am struggling with my Civic 2.2 d-tec in the rain and that car is much slower than the Type R.
@@kamata93 Done for? Are we talking as a daily, here? I own a FK8 and I live in the UK (we get our fair share of rain) and I’ve never really ran into issues on slippery roads…
Type R is a monster through corners! Love it!
Trophy-R is the fastest in the class in terms of curve speed and has been since they came out with the first Megane R.S., 71.2 km/h vs 72,5 in the 18m slalom with lesser tyres. Actually normal Trophy is as fast through the corners as the Limited Edition Type R. Type R easily beats Renault's fastest on the straights though, leaving it in the dust the higher the speed gets. Always been a Renault problem. That's why I expect a low 7:30 time at the Ring from the Civic, along with their usual tricks.
@@MajorAMinor Isn’t the trophy R the one with no rear seats and a roll cage? Or am I getting them mixed up?
@@lukegodfrey9391 You're getting them mixed up. The only Megane with a roll cage was the old R.26R. I wouldn't be surprised to see Honda take the rear seats out of the Civic again though when they go for the record.
@@MajorAMinor megane trophy is a shitbox..
@@hondasarefaster5914 I know imagine paying 30 Grand more for carbon ceramics lol. Any 30k car with 30k of mods is prolly gonna be good haha. The trophy tried so hard. It’s embarrassing really
Mat, you're actually a good racing driver. Should probably get a license.
yes
@@officialwowow OK wowow😂
you are talking to a man who always has problems with manual transmission 😅
Man you are pretty funny😃😃😃
going for that top gear moneysssss
When Mat says 0-60 seconds in 6seconds is slow, you know he’s driven HyperCars 🤤😂
0 to 60 in 6 seconds is slow
@@garycoc1984 Except it really isn't. Tell me why you think so though.
6 is respectable but it would only be considered fast in the late 80s early 90s. 4s seem to be the new 6s.
@@skylined5534 when you’ve driven a car that runs 3.3 seconds 0-60 (ie a tesla M3P) it’s considered slow as hell
@@JoshTheFrosch07 So when I run an ultra modern electric car with super car bothering performance as a daily then anything north of this random 3.3 seconds is suddenly deemed slow? So all modern hot hatches and performance saloons are by your definition slow? I don't think so.
Carwow: **cries in the corner**
Lmao
Lol i just realized this wasn't Carwow until after I read your comment. And this is after I pretty much watched through most of the video 😂.
RIP
Carwow: **Looks at their 5.8m subscribers** 😁
Yeah, but this was recommended by Carwow, lol.
He got sponsored by NordVPN, you know what’s coming next guys. Raid shadow legends Edit: sheesh I have more likes than mat’s pinned comment. Thanks, and yes I know he won’t get sponsored anytime soon but this was just done for internet jk purposes.
Yup lets see
NordVPN, the best car vpn, protects your car from messing up the launch and gives you yianni's reaction times.
Or raycon earbuds
@@themicrowavenetwork lol
@@leeeinfield raycon comes after raid
Love these videos. This is a much better test comparing cars then just the beginning of a race (0-60 and 1/4 mile). More of these track tests please!
I reckon the clubsport can make up at least half a second if it had comparable tires to the Type R.
Mk 7.5 TCR vs mk8 clubsport drag race wouldn't it be fun to watch? Make it happen mat!
Great video Mat. I’d love to see these track style comparisons more often, they’re way more informative than drag races.
Pretty sure the CTR has a mechanical diff not an electric one.
It has.
Correct
Electronically controlled mechanical LSD.
@@oppos727 It is not electronically controlled, it is mechanical however it is a helical differential which perform better than ones with straight teeth. The only front wheel drive hot hatches with e-LSDs, at least in the USA are the Veloster N and the Golf GTI Performance Pack
@@oppos727 It's not electronic, a helical diff is just gears.
Thank you for taking cars to a circuit I mostly see KZheads do comparisons with a drag strip.
Thank you for finally running out 2nd in the civic to hit 60, was getting so frustrated seeing you grab 3rd at 58mph lol
You have no idea how timely this is... These are on a very short short list of poss replacements for my STi RA which is currently awaiting a gearbox upgrade.
I’d rather a car that’s fun than a car that’s is easy and boring , I don’t care for launches and 0-60, I have a golf r and I’ve launched it 2 times because I was asked to but it’s rather boring to drive , I have driven a civic and the gearbox is probably one of the best I’ve ever used
Sell it then and buy Civic if you love it so much.
@@DazDc alot of Golf R owners have come to the same conclusion. Its a great car but not the most involving to drive.
@@DazDc my car is for sale , you sound a little butt hurt 😂
Yeah, Honda manuals can be really really good.
@@Peterhaynes it's good but needs a manual
Waited for this test
We will have to give it to the civic that it held up to a automatic golf, at the 0-60 and quarter mile, despite of those granny shifts
No! He did drove the GTI slow on the racing circuit. Saying that the Civic lost on time because its manual it means you are not capable of driving a manual. it could get 4.9 0-60 and a 13.6 quarter this is just the normal model. If he got a lower time on a limited edition with little weight reduction and better suspension for racing then its not the cars fault its HIS FAULT! GTI is faster on acceleration and circuit only if driven proplery. Volkswagen could do 0-60 in 4.7 and a quarter mile of 13.1 is possible if you launch it more aggressively.
@@awakenedsoul2638 are you really awakened or a lost soul? What am I saying? Read properly. Have already said that his driving caused civic to have a slower time. Golf was a automatic, that to with dual clutches. Even if you may be slow, it should be on par with a manual car granny shifter! Think soul think!
@@mandarkerkar2581 No your comment is way off. If the car is faster manual or automatic does not matter. The problem is the driver being tested by a reviewer instead of a race car driver who competes professionally.
@@awakenedsoul2638 not everyone is a racer, people just wanna have fun on track. But even by normal standards, that shifting was bad! Hope you get it now. Sorry I didn't know you were such a great professional quality driver!
@@mandarkerkar2581 Your point is simple and mine as well. You are praising the Civics performance even if that fool shifted slower than a grand papa. You see this is a little review and a performance test, things should be done properly and by a capable race car driver. This is my simple point, do you get it now? Having a proper test, we will get better results on how really fast these cars are not a result from someone who is not capable to unleash what really the car can do. Have fun on the review not on the performance test. The model years of the Golf 2016 to 2020 is slower than the Type R, acceleration and circuit lap time the Type R can easily destroy the Focus and Golf but it was quickly destroyed after a few months by the Renault Megane RS Trophy by lapping at 7:40. But this 2021 Golf GTI can easily become much faster than the Type R if driven properly. I bet this will have a better version than the one reviewed by this fool. It will be the match of the 7th generation Type R next year. DAMN THE NEW CIVIC ITS UGLY!
Great video... Type R is one of the best FWD sport cars ever made. The track is where it is the best. I'm a VW driver and love my Golf R, but a Civic Type R on a track day wins every time. The GTI CS is no slouch though, both great cars.
When i saw this track, i am really missing old top gear. Thanks Mat 🥺🥺🥺
Really liking mat watson cars format mat 👍🏻👌🏻 track battles was the only thing missing.
Just curious what tires the VW had? The Cup 2 tires on the ctr are amazing tires.
I love your sense of humour mat you're the best
definitely I agree
@@ttvvideos2050 I really hope he sees this lol
@@jasongillblox it would be life-changing if he does
@@ttvvideos2050 lol he never sees comments
@@jasongillblox he reads them but doesn't reply
love that Challenge 210 video sound making it into your intro - what a car that was
thx Mat Watson for this great content
"...this can be a real pig when it's wet, really really can be." Mat Watson, July 2021
I thought his girlfriend came across quite nice.
Awesome. I love my style R FK8. Looks are not for everyone but I love them.
Congratulations on your newborn mat. And jo
I just can't understand why anyone still tests the straight line performance figures of the Civic Type R?. It's strength lies in the speed it can achieve and maintain over any road and carry through corners. Anyone else like me and automatically fast forward through any drag races or straight line performance test with this car involved?.
Yes spot on. Don't really care about a few tenths here or there in a sprint off the line. As the track test showed, the CTR is the faster car once moving. If you want to drag race buy something else.
I feel his way about a lot of cars. Drivers don’t care about 0-60 as that’s only the beginning. This current trend of 0-60 and 1/4 times being the measure of a car is saddening. These current trends such as Audis and Tesla’s with launch control that can’t turn properly when it hits a corner at high speeds seem to be winning out in the comment section. It’s a sad time for the “driver” when cars are measured by if you can push the pedal down and go in a straight line for a few seconds.
The CTRs main weapon is high speed cornering which it EXCELS at.
This i like saying we shouldn't judge a jeep wranglers in road manners because it's strength is in off roading. 0-60 is still very relevant. 6 seconds is not slow.. it's just not as fast to 60 as some others. There's nothing wrong with pointing out that the Civic is not the best in all categories. Everyone wants to constantly suggest that the car is flawless. In day-to-day usage The difference in acceleration will mean more than a civic being able to take turns slightly faster at track speeds.
i don't care for straight line performance in videos at all; it's boring and uninteresting information. it's why i really can't stand how carwow is just all drag races now. it's obnoxious, but they get them lots and lots of views so they'll keep making them
Just goes to show the skill it takes to gets those low 5 sec runs on the civic R. Bet even the pros have trouble getting back to back runs real consistent
The LE is an absolute weapon 🙌❤️
YEAH MATT!!!! This is what we need to see more and more!!! Cause sure, traffic light to traffic light some cars are just AMAZING!!! But take those same cars through twisty roads, then they lose their appeal. FANTASTIC video!!
Type r is the best hot hatchback. one of the best manual gearbox, great engine, great aero and it's simply brutal. love it
Almost as brutal as not having AC and only keeping up as a 20-car special edition 😂
Hi Mat, in terns of pure *fun to drive* which's better: the Yaris GRMN or the Civic TypeR?
i’d like to know this too
Hi show your car collection mat. Love to watch it
Definitely like the looks of the VW more
If VW made a Clubsport S for the mk8 which remains to be seen, it seems like it would be a better comparison. Regardless, the Cup 2 tires on the GTI may have changed the outcome. Tire-wise, not really an equal comparison.
Not really. It comes down to engineering. Type r is built to a higher standard
I have been watching videos about the Type R Civic for years--- but your video really made me believe how good it is because I know you test many many cars. Keep up the good work! 👍🏽
One suggestion when doing these track battles - ad a speedo so we can see your speed. It'll make it more interesting to watch
I really enjoy the track test combination. I'd watch this channel over Car wow and I like you guys on car wow. Subscribed
Fit both vehicles with the same tires for track use and see
See the same result?
But hurt VAG-ina fan?
Keep crying the type R will be still faster than a gti even with slicks you will not gain 1.6 seconds
@@honeypeterfreakingbadger3666 Fan boy alert...
@@PugGTi-vo2lg more crying gti fans
With that weight difference the Honda is bound to feel better to drive. In general too much emphasis is being placed on draggy times not on feel. Both of these two have much improved feel over the rest of the range and probably over the vast majority of road cars. It can home to me trying a Tesla Model 3 Performance. The straight line was literally breath taking, 0 to 60 in half the time of both of these. But outside of showing how superior you car is at accelerating it was not engaging at all. Too much weight and too much inertia On that basis i’d go for the Honda if it wasn’t for the fact that it permanently looks like it’s been in an RTA. 😀
30 kilos difference
well I was about to ask you questions about your personal channel Mr. Mat, but you finally posted a video :D please keep uploading more oftenly, we love your reviews dear sir : )
Title should be: “Mat Watson proves why 0-60 is a shit measurement of a car’s performance and has become nothing more than an advertising tool”.
Please do a Cupra Leon 300 vs Civic Type R on the track, Steve Sutcliffe got almost the same time with the Cupra as the civic type R
The Clubsport is faster than the Leon Cupra
No he didn’t hahaha. That things a bag of shit under steering Spanish wank box
Nice driving, we thought you only knew how to race in straight line :-)
It isn't him getting these timed laps..
@@BlackFlag94 wdym
@@BlackFlag94 the whole video was them timing his laps.
@@NvSrAgE679 no. The video is him driving and talking. The lap time is from someone else doing the timed lap but they make it look like him. He isn't good enough to get consistent times. He can review cars and do donuts but that's about it
@@BlackFlag94 well the man literally said “lets find out what I did” so you can understand why I would think that.
Wow really good comparison bro.nice
You should do a track battle between the Audi S3 and the Mercedes A35
Imagine Matthew Watson is taking his baby with one of those cars 🙂🤩 Which one would you choose sir?
Type R can get around a track a bit quicker, apparently. But the VW is just soooo much better to actually live with and drive on the street which is what is actually the task at hand for most of us. And certainly no slouch when it comes to lively driving through the twisties. As a daily driver... a much better all-rounder in just about every situation.
Trying to think of when I would remove the A/C and stereo from my Civic to my lap time a fraction of a second. Maybe when race for money and I am not the weak link holding the car back.
matt, can you do a drag race between the cupra leon 300, type R and GR yaris?
Adding lightness is always a winning recipe, where cars are concerned.
And having a car not shaped like a box with short wheel base helps too. Incase you didn’t know that lol
Can't wait to see if the Toyota GR Corolla can hang with these cars.
Finally Mat uploads a video on his own channel.
Excellent video 2 similar car with totally different goals The Golf is the still the one you want for everyday use and occasional track or auto x it still retains the creature comforts and is a leaps and bounds better looking car. The civic is still hideous but it’s good around the track which is great but most people only have one car for day to day use the Golf just trumps the civic in every way other than around the track which I would wager is not a deal breaker for most. Just my .02
This Type-R limited version should be the basis of the next dualclutch 400hp hybrid generation😉
it should be illegal to have this opinion
Not only did the Honda beat the VW, but it beat it with a manual gearbox. Respect.
Beat it with sticky tires , and no ac 😂.
@@Emilthehun Stickier tyres*. Yeah its just a faster car round the track the Civic 🙂.
Well, Civic is powerful than GTI Clubsport. But i go with the GTI everytime. Civic is a track monster.
@@Brineselbo agreed as a daily I’d go VW
@@M135iboost same here. Even though I can't believe I'm saying this 😂. Not a German car fan
Blyton Park 😍 lovely little track! I got a go in a supercharged Ariel atom a few weeks ago and it was mega!!!
I don't watch car reviews... I watch Mat Watson!! What a lad!
Figure AC would be something useful so I’d go with the Golf.
It's for the track so you don't really need a/c. You won't be running it anyway if you're doing track. Day to day, of course, but this is specifically for the track
@@fraka899 AC is especially helpful on the racetrack. Seems you never drive on Track.
I would get the GTi all day everyday
Same, because it's good at everything. The Honda's only good on track. lm sure the Honda fan boys will come at you with "reliability".
@@kirksmith347 and its better looking... The civic is something I would love if I was in primary school
@@kirksmith347 Is reliability not important though if you spend this money on a car? I have an A4, so I guess the Golf would be more my type of car, but I wouldn't have gotten it if I didn't lease it. Also, the criticism on the Honda was that it wasn't dedicated enough for the track vs the previous version. It's a fine car for your daily commute. The problem is the look.
@@kirksmith347 The regular Type R is perfectly good on the road, you don't need the limited edition: kzhead.info/sun/oKqzdcNrqYJ7d6c/bejne.html "This is really quite civilised and usable." The only drawback is the styling if you don't like it, but the new generation conservative looking Civic will be along with a milder looking Type R model soon. :) [Plus the 11th-gen Civic has a volume knob and temperature knob instead of the Mk8 Golf's touch sliders. ;)]
Id have the Civic anyday, it may look a bit crazy but it's definitely not boring. Even the sound they both make launching, the civic is trying to kill it's tyres and the golf is just quick but no personality and a bit dull, lovely cars both of them but one strikes me as an awful lot more fun.
Good Video and very fair 👍
Hi Mat, love your channel, really, any chance you can get the DLS Singer Porsche and Aston Martin valkerie? Extremely impressive cars. 😎😜👍 Good luck.
Mercedes A45s vs Audi S3 vs Honda Civic Type-R Limited Edition
I wonder what would happen on a longer track. A bigger difference? Or could the acceleration of the Golf help it on the straights?
No, longer straights on track wouldn’t help the golf because the type R is just as quick if not quicker once rolling.
@@tim-typeR the Golf is faster as speeds increase.
@@mrnicktoyou The Honda has more horsepower so I doubt that
@@juliusnrfelt652 did you watch the drag race? The answer is right there in front of your eyes.
@@mrnicktoyou It's 250 vs 270 kph. Question is, who's getting at the bigger speeds faster. I wouldn't be surprised of non of the two will get to their top speed on the average straight.
YES HOT HATCH TRACK BATTLES
Awesome!! Finally a track 🙌👏. Now more of these! 😁
Should have tested with the megane rs trophy 300 aswell
it would edge out the civic
A manual beat an automatic on track... 🥰
beware of the dsg crowd: "iTs NOt aN AUtoMaIc!!"
Well yeah that's where they shine ? You might not have noticed it was more than half a second slower 0 -100 though
@@smiddysmidton8313 so now DSG guys are making minute excuses as to why they got beat by a manual? 🤣🤣
@@smiddysmidton8313 a manual shines on a track? You trolling or actually this hilarious?
I think it’s more like: the Cup 2s beat a set of street tires around the track
thanks mat
Lap times are academic because if ambient temp is 24C or more, the Civic will overheat and its ECU will limit power to c.260bhp. (Which is why the Mugen version’s bonnet has huge extra vents.) Meanwhile, whatever the temp, the Golf will deliver its c.300bhp all day long. Sometimes the dull kid is the quick kid, too.
In 10,000 miles with temps above 100* my Type R has never overheated when pushed to 140+mph The engine will also hold over 600whp whereas the Golfs engine will snap rods around 450whp VW engines are nowhere near Honda.
We need old clubsport s vs the new clubsport That was the real clubsport
We need a track battle with supercars
Like in a Best Motoring car show!!!
Agreee
With profi drivers!
@Mat Watson Cars, suggestion for the next match: *Lexus IS F VS. Mercedes A45 S*. Big V8 versus a small 4 cylinder but curiously very similar specs.
The A45 would destroy it in just about every metric.
Accuity short throw gear linkage with weighted gear knob, hondata with phearable stage 2 map by John Vegas and that golf is toast
Waiting for the drag race between Mat and Yanni😂
When Matt calls himself "Mathew"
Track battles are the best
Is it me or isnt Matt builing any boost by releasing the brake with the launch control so fast?
Your gear shift wasn't so great on the CTR. You didn't get the best out of it in my opinion.
My Nan can change quicker
@@robc8593 most people can only drive autos nowadays its a shame man.
@@drestah917 he did ok. But the tires in the Clubsport are grippier.
@@dragospahontu the type r has michelin cup 2's. What tires did the gti have?
@@killerkhalsa27 look it up. It has autocross tires
Civic type R ❤️❤️❤️
Can you do a video on the veloster n and acura integra type s on the track
Need more track battles
Do a review about the new mini cooper jcw
why compare DSG vs manual?
Because both models are aimed at similar customers.
@@gavinwyllie7855 beyond the point. The Golf comes in manual.
Hey Mat did u receive this car as not seen a vid on it since this vid if not can u do an update video as to what happened did u change ur mine and cancel the order x
Hello! You can make a video, golf 8 GTI Vs golf GTI 7.5, it would be very interesting! You make great videos keep it up!
Car manufacturers seriously need to stop putting soft limiters in their cars
What is soft limiter?!
@@KristianKG It just means you can't rev the shit out of it whilst stationary. Why some people get so upset about them is beyond me. You don't need to sit there revving the conkers off a car just drive the bloody thing!
@@skylined5534 They're the enemies of tire companies 😂😂🤡 (senseless sry 😀)
Love how the guessing section about that was full of person saying that the golf would beat the type R easily ah ah It's a good car don't get me wrong, probably better all around than the civic, but that civic is a track weapon for sure
If the Clubsport spec was as ruthless about weight loss and also things like lighter wheels for unsprung mass the Golf would have killed the Civic. It lost out by less than a second and a half on track and beat the Civic everywhere else.
@@skylined5534 as I said, the civic as no compromise 🤷♂️ Châssis vs châssis the golf is under when we give also the fact that the auto gearbox is and advantage for it to 1,6sec is a lot on such a little track
@@blumafuji2753 And just changing the tyres alone would likely at least equalise that. The size of the track is irrelevant 1 second is one second from a go kart track to Laguna Seca.
@@skylined5534 1 second on Tsukuba and one second on the nurburgring isn't the same though don't exaggerate ah ah But yeah if you basically change the golf in the civic it would be as fast but it wouldn't be the same car ah ah Even with standard Tyre every one said that the stearing feel and precision as the diff efficiency and overall chassis was better in the civic 🤷♂️ I'm not a Japanese fanboy, it's just what everybody in the car automotive world is saying... And yes the dsg is also a big advantage everywhere, the civic would be faster with that too, but it wouldn't be a civic anymore 🤷♂️
@@blumafuji2753 Who's exaggerating? Tell me why one second track to track is different. It isn't. 'Ah ha'.
There's no way on this earth I'd do that to my gti holy shit it would absolutely trash it. They may be sporty cars but I seriously doubt the build quality would put up with that
the goft look good but i like the civic more. can you do a track circuit compare the toyota supra with a BMW z4
Anyone else loves Matt?
If we are all here, this means we all love him, aren't we?
Someday I’m sure you’re going to be a great actor in top gear in the next few years
Nice but he already works for a better company.
Actor? You mean presenter right?
@@sHapina21 might wanna look at what the dictionary says about actors
@@sHapina21 they are not actors. That's kinda disrespectful to James, Jeremy, and Richard. They are presenters and they have said so themselves
The real test is to do laps in each one over and over and see which can hold up to more seat time
How can someone talk while trying to get the best out of the car? Mat you are tooo talent and fast
Where's the model s plaid?
Not available in the UK yet.
Type R is 1.6 seconds faster around the track? That's an eternity. Matt's smiles and laughs tells you which one is the better car to drive. Type R king of hot hatches. They are both ugly though lol.
Both awesome car's type R Civic LE mad track weapon corners like its on rails, clubsport GTi awesome Morden hot hatch to rival the Type R, CS GTi crazy launching for FWD dct transmission. Would choose the type R overall.
I couldn’t do without the a/c and dont like the look of the civic but I’ll bet it’s a blast to drive.