2021 Honda Civic Type R vs. Ford Focus ST | PistonHeads

How do you prefer your front-drive hot hatch? Buttoned-down or collar up? Ford Focus ST against the very latest Honda Civic Type R gives you both. Guess which one comes out on top...
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[@PistonHeadsTV]

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[@bob6168able]

Honda look reminds me of a car that a teenager would love to own.

[@lynx7575]

Ford Fiesta ST and Ford Focus ST amazing car, 1st on podium. Wonderful and great cars

[@ArnoldsKtm]

Honda is a love or hate situation. And I love it.

[@danielleroux6490]

I generally love Honda, especially their manual transmissions. But I don't like the styling of the Type R at all, exterior or interior. And I can't stand the attitude that U.S. dealerships have - they mark them up way above M.S.R.P. It's a major rip-off!

[@TheRickyglenn]

Love them, have an FK2 😉

[@daleeo_3222]

You can tell everyone on this channel In the comments seem to not be in the us to really see how amazing the type r is over in America. The car is fwd, and still competes against competitors like a sti. The car will beat an sti from a dead stop while the sti is awd. It’s hilarious. The car is a damn race car, it went up against a bmw m2 competition and ran a second slower than that. Look past the look of the car because the looks of it has reasons behind it. It’s a beautiful engineered vehicle. Rip focus rs

[@StandingUpForBetter]

I LOVE the Type R so much, looks and all, I bought one! I am a proud owner of a 2019 CTR. To me it is big wing or nothing. If you don't like the big and functional rear wing, don't buy a Type R. The car is a modern day legend and with the rumor Honda will end production after 2021 I believe it will only be more sought after when its production run is over.

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

This comment didn’t age well.

[@StandingUpForBetter]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING I am happy to say, my Honda Civic Type R is worth more now in 2021 than when I bought it and it is a 2019 model. Nothing but smiles from me :)

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

@@StandingUpForBetter The market is crazy right now. But yeah was responding to the “Honda will end production after 2021”

[@lukefriester8869]

I own a 2020 mk4 focus st and i never take it out of sport mode. We have better roads here in Germany also. I also have no problem with the steering. I love it actually. I love how she just sits right with that lovely wide ass. I love everything about my car and none of the negative things you said are true when you daily this beast. Best allrounder for me personally.

[@thebikerepairshopformby]

Love the reviews Dan 👍

[@danielleroux6490]

Really wish Ford USA brings the Focus ST to the states. The minute they are available, I'd buy one!

[@mikerelvas]

Good comparison! Though, the Focus ST has a 2.3 liter engine, not a 2 liter. Cheers.

[@hondatrix]

You would expect them to know this....seems they just don't do great journalism anymore..

[@mikerelvas]

@@hondatrix I've seen other channels make the same mistake and, to be honest, I don't blame them. Pretty much all hot hatchbacks you see nowadays have turbocharged 2.0L 4 cylinder engines. The Focus ST is probably one of the very few outliers.

[@cwhinical]

@@mikerelvas mk3 was a 2l..

[@mikerelvas]

@@cwhinical the car in the video is a Mk4 Focus ST, which has a 2.3L engine. What’s your point?

[@cwhinical]

@@mikerelvas I am saying that the mk 3 and mk 3.5 focus was a 2l 4cyl. :)

[@adriankingdon3055]

What was up with the sound at the beginning? Sounded like white noise and crackle through the microphone.

[@mark-1rc502]

I have just got the Focus ST mk4 . My previous ST mk3.5 was blufin mapped, it felt like it had more low rpm grunt than the newer ST, but the Newer ST puts the power down better. One thing I find odd, I am 6ft 2. I have my seat set so I can barley press the clutch down fully but yet my Accelerator and brake leg , is bent and cramped up under the wheel. Im not likeimg the pedal positions of the new ST.

[@harrisj2278]

Great video as always pistonheads but I believe the. Focus ST is equipped with a 2.3T from the focus RS not a 2.0t non the less great video

[@265justy]

That 2.3 actually has it's origins from Mazda and goes way back to the 2003 Mazda 3 & 6 MPS.

[@jok3r870]

Damn I need one of those special editions😻😻

[@danielgrist5830]

I own a black ctr and it’s as stunning as the missus and rides even better!, very happy chappy 😊

[@AlanBeardEfviUK]

Have owned both the CTR and ST, and both extremely good cars......BUT ultimately for me I get far more pleasure out of my Fiesta ST (Performance Edition), the Fiesta obviously is much cheaper and a little smaller but perfect for my needs, maybe the new Hyundai i20N would also match my requirements for a quick low weight hatch.

[@CarFocused]

I was also frustrated by the lack of customisation with the Focus ST’s drive modes, but I actually found it to be very good in the wet, and didn’t feel the issues with the steering you did. However maybe your back to back drive in the CTR just put more emphasis on it.

[@cy9nvs]

I got a 2021 Focus ST Edition, but while I think it looks great overall, the front looks kind of "too happy" if that makes sense. With the big headlights and the grill that's shaped like a smiling mouth and all. Still, there's no BS on that car, no fake vents or ridiculous boy-racer looking spoiler. Looks and interior go to the focus, driving performance probably to the civic.

[@jakob2049]

Agreed, currently trying to convince my parents to get a normal st

[@thaismorais6857]

Good video!!

[@pigeonpoo1823]

We're spoilt for choice with fast and fun. So Dan, imagine you are a 40% crappier driver, would these be too much of a handful in Uk to be fun and therefore opt for something more 4wd and auto, like a golf r/s3?

[@TG-pd3ft]

Love this chaps style of reviewing cars - best on the web IMV. Neither of these muscle mary motors are my cup of tea but I still enjoyed the video

[@andreabonetti3572]

Stunning Type R Period

[@dumkopf]

Civic Type R is probably the best car under $45k-50k. Maybe 40k Your sportline edition defeats the whole purpose of type R. It's supposed to be stupid. Has been since , '96

[@stevewallace1387]

The TYPE R the beauty is in the imperfections best hot hatch for every day i sold my 17 plate last year after 45.000 miles together will end up buying one in the near future

[@laurahunt5146]

the ford has a button on the left stalk to switch the dampers to normal mode while in track or sport mode.

[@sneeks]

No button for this I’ve seen or heard of.

[@johnroskruge2752]

Any issues with the Type R gearbox, mine locks 4th gear out occasionally when changing down from 5th. Wondering if this issue has been sorted out in the facelift model.

[@projectnorahlyne1018]

Hi John, no they haven't sorted it out. Watched another review & he was a bit pissed off they had not sorted the problem.

[@davidkelly2542]

I have the fk2 model and that does the same. Changed the syncros too. I think it's the gear selector which is rubbish

[@johnroskruge2752]

So, they’ve had this issue for over five years and not been able to sort it. I assume production will finish during 2021 when the factory closes. Pot luck with these gearboxes then, unlikely to get sorted now. Would be interesting to send one of these gearboxes to a Transmission Specialist for their views on the design and possibles fixes.

[@projectnorahlyne1018]

@@johnroskruge2752 the review I watched said it was locking out when changing from 3rd too 4th as well. He showed its was even doing it when the car was stationary. Such a shame for a great car.🤔

[@johnroskruge2752]

Which review was this?

[@mad4tar77]

Great review Dan. I own an ST, and agree with your comments after 12 months of ownership

[@leonmason77]

I’ve got the ST too sand despite it being remapped to 330bhp I really wish I had got a Civic tbh.

[@mad4tar77]

@@leonmason77 snap, I've mapped mine also (dreamscience). The Civic is €10k more expensive new in my country, and only has 4 seats. It looks too boy racer for my liking too. The new SportLine version looks so much better IMO, if it was the same price as an ST and had 5 seats, I'd go for one, but not with only 4 seats and 10k more

[@leonmason77]

@diamus100 because it’s built like shit!

[@itsminas25]

I think the CTR is ugly, but at the same time, I think they look great lowered on good 18-inch wheels. I think they're cool while also being objectively ugly.

[@datdudeinred]

Wow man you are awesome reviewer & how many places do you work? Carsguru uk?? Piston heads? And?? 😂

[@boguszn1978]

Steering, seating position, seats, everything about chassis, brakes, gearbox feel. All the best in the segment. But leaving gearbox problem unresolved at FT or earlier is a big shame. More time you have grind the sooner synchros or whole gearbox will have to be replaced. Yes, shame Honda.

[@jaboticaba4005]

Honda forever !

[@nunobandeira1811]

As good as the civic might be I would always rather have a different car. Megane RS, Focus ST, Golf R, i30N, anything else. The civic is fugly!! (and the new subtler version unfortunately has not changed that)

[@mkimask]

Type r has more horsepower but the st has more torque, which I think is better - so performance-wise they are about the same. As for the price - they are both in the category where you can add a bit more and buy an awd.

[@samanson2001]

While the AWD would give you the better launch and better traction on rainy days, the extra weight often cancels out their headstarts

[@mkimask]

@@samanson2001 it does indeed add some extra weight, but I am not sure if we can find an example where fwd car would perform better than a similar power awd car. I own 3rd gen st - and as much as I love it, I have to admit - it would be much better performer with awd. Replacing rear motor mount did help a lot, but still you can't argue with physics. So for the next car I am buying something that has all wheel drive, too bad the rs is no more.

[@samanson2001]

@@mkimask both the Ford Focus RS and the MK7 Golf R get beaten by a Type R once the Type R has enough room to speed up. Making a car AWD doesn't mean its better in all scenarios, the only scenarios it will excel at is launches and wet tracks.

[@mkimask]

@@samanson2001found some info about different speeds and seen few videos - it seems that at some point the type r indeed catches up, but when looking at lap times score is more or less even (checked the times for focus and type r) - credit where credit due - in that regard the type r seems impressive, yet I still think that awd is superior - not only off the line, but also in bad weather conditions, and I think it really outweighs the fact that type r will be faster in ideal conditions, on straight road when reaching 200kph. I really do hate the wheel hop =)

[@samanson2001]

@@mkimask I agree completely, the wheel hop is very annoying and AWD definitely has its advantages. I just think its amazing how much some FWD cars can achieve compared to their AWD counterparts. Majority of reviews I have seen also say that the Type R is considerably more fun and engaging to drive compared to the Focus RS. The Type R also managed to achieve quite a significantly faster time on the Nurburgring compares to the Focus RS and the Golf R

[@leoedward7363]

Do people realise you can clean Alcantara, and freshen it right up? Toothbrush and some soapy water and it feels lovely again - no excuse for grubby steering wheels!

[@ALMX5DP]

You can to a degree, but it’s still susceptible to stains and wear that more resilient leather doesn’t really have to contend with.

[@tomraymond9795]

Really they're designed to use in race cars therefore used with gloves but somehow this has been glossed over in the transition to road cars. Probs feel a bit silly donning driving gloves in a hot hatch!

[@alterglobo]

WHY DOESN'T HONDA MAKE A TYPE-R COUPÉ? - The coupé exists, it's called Si Coupé. - It looks much better than the 4-door hatch. - TBH I haven't confirmed the wheelbase is the same but it looks as it is. - It is only sold in the US... WHY? - And why even in the US the Type-R is four-door-only? (Much like the Lancer Evo VI was never built on the Lancer Coupé) I hate car execs who only decide on marketing and marginal gains.

[@frankly5171]

The Honda is a wonderful girl who deserves the looks to match.

[@shaheenevans]

Agree team - Not a looker camp too, and exhaust is average but still a great drive

[@jamesbuckingham77]

Ffs have they still not added an 'individual' drive mode? Why is this so difficult to do Honda?! We just want soft suspension, but sporty throttle and steering. Why can't that be possible!!!

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

It is on the Veloster N (or i30N)

[@JPWest020]

@@geraldgoodiii6993 Get a GTI or R and you’ll have your individual mode;-) Between these two I’ll probably have the Honda (in black, to play down the looks of the thing).

[@sallyt6216]

Is the ST's engine as unreliable as the mk3 FRS?

[@danielleroux6490]

No, the head gasket and other engine issues are exclusively an RS problem, not for the new 2.3 ST

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

How is the ST as much as the Type R?!!

[@thatfocusguy]

It isn’t, to get the same spec as the ST you have to get the Type R GT which is over a grand more expensive.

[@zackhutchins2753]

Civic for me! HONDA OWNZ! Honda is LIGHT YEARS AHEAD of ford on quality, reliability, and resale. And dont even get me started with an acura and Lincoln comparison.

[@simonm6499]

The ST is a 2.3 ltr not 2.0 ltr.

[@scottsheppard3375]

I love the looks of the type r but own the st as I need a car for everything and it does everything brilliantly not the best review but only because u seemed not to no the basic facts of the st

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

Where is the Veloster N in this vid? It’ll fix your chassis setting vs throttle response woes

[@rulfryder17290]

i had the Fiesta ST it was more fun in cornering than the focus st i have now. But the Focus is more pam pam pamm pam parampampam

[@ittzgameover2035]

That Honda is Max power days

[@pikijuiyii777]

The Ford Fuckus is looking more and more to a Mustang.

[@lukefriester8869]

2.3 l not 2l

[@ALMX5DP]

As a Mk3 ST and prior Mk1 owner, I love the Focus but I agree that I'd be hard pressed to turn down the keys to a Type R given the choice. Does it look a bit boy racer'ish? Sure, but that doesnt matter when you're sitting behind the wheel enjoying the driving dynamics.

[@amyjeffs3269]

spot on pal.Honda have defiantly shot themselves in the foot with the styling.Madness really,as if it had been even average looking,they would have shifted so many more.They seem to have forgotten,the people that can afford such cars,do not want it looking like its crashed into halfords..

[@darkblueturbo]

Drive modes linked together like that annoy me. I want a loud exhaust and soft dampers please!

[@chrisreadman4282]

I actually prefer the look of the Honda to the ford. The front design on the ford looks abit off for me. I think a Honda in black would look decent all the little aero bits wouldn’t be as much in your face. However I think it’s image appeals to a younger audience which most don’t seem to be spending 30+k on a hot hatch like that

[@adminbooble]

You forgot to mention the better brakes in the new Type R as well

[@rich8561]

Honda still a very high reving engine with poor fuel efficiency… I have the mk3 st yes it’s mapped but I get loads more torque and better fuel economy…

[@sergeantsqueaker]

Dan's definitely a Type R fan boy at heart. I'm with you Dan!

[@ricardini9560]

Focus is 2.3L not 2.0L!

[@V_Dubya]

Just like most old girls from Swindon. They don’t look nice but ride hard and will do anything dirty you ask of them

[@FeeeshEP3]

I’m pretty sure at some point the drive modes can be coded. There must be some aftermarket solution.

[@mhhemlock822]

the first person who says Type R sounds good! the first person who says honda is a better car on slippery roads than Type R although it's AWD! and also for your info: there's no Focus RS model because of European emission regulations not because the model is good enough! by the way, 'm a huge fan of type R :)

[@scanspeak00]

The Focus is a good looking vehicle, styling done right unlike the hideous Honda.

[@daleeo_3222]

You’re hideous mate

[@daleeo_3222]

@diamus100 I have a lot of respect for the st I really do but it isn’t a Ford rs the type r beats it in a drag race and around the track at the end of the day the type r wins. It also wins for being in the United States of America that’s coming from someone that lives in the us and loves a Japanese car. Give respect when respect is due. It’s cool you like the st more and the looks because it’s more subtle, but for me I looked past the looks, and quite frankly fell in love with it. Personal taste. So no it doesn’t beat it in every department lol

[@-DC-]

Honda all day long .

[@b3rs]

1:00 Wrong.

[@JoeA7992]

I dont mind the look of the type r tbh, it's a Japanese sporty look

[@H8XME]

2.3!!!!!

[@Razmatazuk]

Come on the Type Rs natural rival is the Focus RS, this ST comes nowhere close.

[@Android-vk8yh]

Good honest review you everyone staying the looks on the Honda most of it is functional and it's Japanese saying we don't care what it looks like, you've got to clap HONDA for being brave. I can't come out much on the new St I've driven the old one and the torque Steer was terrible, I drove the new type R and and everyone before it liked all of them. I also can't stand the Ford Interiors still remind me of the Escort vans I drove back in the 90s, can't help thinking bits in the Ford will fall off long before any other Hondas would, I had an S-Max one's nice car to drive but everything just broke, my Honda is never had the same issues. If were lucky to have a next generation of Civic Type R they will improve as theyalways do because their engineers are fantastic.

[@PKP1]

This guy. Presenting dreary a.f.

[@MrNickelbrille]

Na,I never ever get a Civic. The front is nice, yes I know. But this ugly 3 pipe rearender is just too much for someone with taste. But why should I care. I have been drivin' motorcycles. Pretty ones;-) With no unnecessary plastic on them.I only made one mistake. Listening to my dealer who sayed for a grand more I het the big bandit. I bought it, fool that I am. I should have bought a second hand first model Triumph Speed Triple. This was pure beauty *and fun* I sold the big bandit after a year.

[@chrisjones4863]

Focus does nothing for me at all, boring car. I like a car that is an all rounder which the Golf R does perfectly or S3. Some folk settle with cheap plastic interiors which I don’t get personally.

[@stevemk4st649]

Enjoy your Golf.

[@chrisjones4863]

@@stevemk4st649 I do

[@davidramirez9414]

Wow

[@daleeo_3222]

This is a 2020 type r not a 2021

[@hondatrix]

Honda all day every day

[@Gogeta307]

I’m a Ford man day in and day out but if I had the option to take one of these cars home it be the Type R all day long. Type r is in your face, aggressive and raw. ST in my opinion is tamed and looks very identical to the regular ST line which is a shame cause it takes away that special factor. You can say on a positive the ST may appeal to a wider audience, who knows.

[@iainrae]

Can I ask why you are comparing Honda top of the range model, to ford's 2nd top model, to have any comparison is should have been the type r v rs, yes I know ford are stopping rs, but they are still widely available and are ford focus top model. Poor review, and just to say I have 2020 focus st.

[@doricdonut6794]

I'm glad someone sees it

[@JosephiGoebbeli]

Focus RS is AWD, Type R is FWD, much less comparable to the RS. also RS is discontinued in Europe so very soon you will not be able to buy them, whereas Type Rs will be widely available. Focus ST now has the RS’s 2.3L Turbo, which it did not have before, and is FWD. a fair comparison in my opinion.

[@ThomMurphy]

@@JosephiGoebbeli if the reviewer got their facts right, maybe. As is, it comes off as a Honda fan boy production. They got so much wrong about the Ford its hard to believe they were truly objective in their assessment.

[@Lecksfitness]

That’s why you don’t buy either! Save a few grand and get a I30N or Veloster N (here in the USA). Just as much fun, sublime build quality, and designed by the man who gave us the most incredible M cars from BMW over the last two decades, Albert Biermann! Oh did I mention you can customize your driving modes too!! No brainer really....

[@thatfocusguy]

My ST was cheaper than an I30N.

[@summitdetailing6697]

If only the Honda's drivetrain was suspended under the Ford body... Nice review. Cheers.

[@fuzzy5987]

As much as I'm a fast Ford lover, I would take the Type R all day long

[@Peter-Oxley-Modelling-Lab]

"It's not a looker." 😆 Classic understated English humour...looks like a really excellent car...that's been in an accident! 🤣

[@blacky0121]

Just to clarify its 2.3 not a 2.0

[@sparkplug964]

Would rather have the Fiesta ST, down on power but lighter, way more fun to drive.

[@robinmarples5198]

The st is a 2.3 not a 2.0

[@mathieucossette9019]

I really Do not like when all youtube car channels are on a rampage against Type R design! I think a lot of Type R owners would tell you otherwise!

[@limpunsing224]

Type R I'd prefer a better performing car than a better looking one Hotshot comparison review

[@extremegleamdetailing9680]

The Focus has a 2.3l engine and I'm sorry but the interior of the Civic is bloody dreadful. Ive driven a Focus ST in the wet and your comments regarding the steering are complete nonsense.

[@stonermountain9147]

The Focus ST looks like heavy solid car.

[@Harpreet06]

Honda have no excuse about the drive modes. Chris Harris mentioned it in his review of the pfl too.

[@martinhankin422]

Focus is a 2.3!

[@chawenhalo0089]

Looks like one of Dan's eye stays on the road whilst the other eye looks at the camera! Weird!

[@shaunsimpson9902]

There nothing wrong with sport mode in the civic, its still comfortable compared to any other hot hatch.

[@richiebtime489]

In my opinion the type r isn't ugly, it's very distinctive and got tremendous road presence

[@cib2413]

Wait, nearly £35k for a Focus ST or for a little more £42k for a Mustang GT. Both on 0% finance and with some discounts available. I mean, I know it's a different segment but 5.0L V8 sways you that way.

[@thatfocusguy]

I’m 40 years old, I wouldn’t be seen dead in the Type R, it’s a Max Power 90’s wannabe.

[@luigipetillo555]

not sure what is the compariso as the type R is better than RS and here you compare to ST by the way it is anice video to watch

[@ThomMurphy]

🙄

[@anonlincracing2484]

The reason why they discontinued the RS because it cost Ford too much on recalls because they suffered with alot of problems brilliant car but they just didn't last as long as a Honda or golf

[@Jtbg80]

I think it’s funny how all the journalists call it ugly but in the real world the car breaks necks and people saying how much they love the look of it.

[@RaGeAlucard]

CTR all day

[@Omega5O]

The type r is one of the most beautiful designs of all times. Sorry fellas if you don’t like it, you just don’t. You should settle for a boring GTI/Volvo/Toyota or whatever bleak car you prefer and enjoy your usual mid-day cup of tea along with your cookies :)

[@nurnberg1561]

GT has 2 zone climate,wau

[@delcarmenjesus481]

JESÚS GOD IS COMING SAVE FOOD APOCALYPSIS IS HERE,*JESÚS DIOS* BENDIGA ALMACENEN ALIMENTOS VIENE HAMBRUNA ES BIBLICA

[@PistonHeadsTV]

Like the t-shirt than Dan is wearing in this video? You can grab your own here: pistonheads.shop/collections/t-shirts/products/pistonheads-speed-matters-iconic-t-shirt

[@mrchristie4133]

I would still take a mk7.5 golf r over these two.