It is GTI versus Type R, both in their most sharpened guises. Can the Clubsport from Germany outshine the Limited Edition hailing from Japan?

The battle for supremacy in the world of hot hatchbacks is unrelenting. It’s a never-ending arms race between manufacturers keen to prove that their humdrum hatches have got legs in their sportiest guises. The Civic Type R versus MK8 Golf GTI squabble was sorted quite decisively in the favour of Honda recently, but we’ve got the cars back, now in their most angry forms, to see if Volkswagen can counter.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition: specification

Don’t go thinking that this Clubsport is a lightly breathed on GTI, because the series of tweaks made here add up to a commendable difference on the road. The shopping list includes; new suspension and dampers that sit the car 10mm lower, tweaked steering, more aggressive camber for the front wheels, reworked differential, shorter gear ratios for the DSG gearbox and larger 357mm brakes. In terms of engine, power has risen to 296bhp, but more importantly, torque has swelled to a Type R-matching 400Nm. A fresh 0-62mph sprint now actually makes it 0.1 seconds faster to the mark than the Honda.

There isn’t quite so much mechanical mischief on the Type R Limited Edition. It has the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that matches the regular output of 316bhp and 400Nm of torque. Instead, engineers focused on suspension, tyres and putting the car on a diet. Forged alloy wheels, stickier Michelin Cup 2 tyres, and its hardier suspension calibration is a good match for the Type R’s already boisterous – but functional – aero package. A total of 47kg has been saved, boding well for a car that’s already commended for its agility.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition: interior and infotainment

There’s a slight mismatch in ethos between the Type R Limited Edition and Golf GTI Clubsport, in that the Golf still aims to be that tool you take for granted, while the Civic is much more a track athlete. This void is best illustrated, not by the Honda’s vivid paint and huge wing, but by its total lack of infotainment and reduced sound deadening. The touchscreen is no loss really as Honda’s system is terrible, but it’s fair to say that Volkswagen’s new 10-inch screen is hardly much better. In this case, the Clubsport wins by default more than merit.

The Honda Civic’s cabin is starting to show its age now, but it is made of strong stuff and feels durable. Surprisingly, the track-focused Limited Edition retains its rear seats, although the bench hosts two as opposed to the GTI’s three. Honda’s redemption is to be found in its huge 420-litre boot that outshines the opposition by some 46-litres.

Stepping into the GTI, you’ll appreciate a much more modern affair lead by glossy surfaces and mood lighting. Bolstered sports seats provide plenty of support and are far less aggressive than the big red monsters in the Type R. That said, the Type R’s Alcantara posts do deliver on a real sense of theatre that the Golf’s interior can’t match. Considering the upmarket nature of the Mk8 Golf, there’s also a fair few low-rent plastics that reduce perceived quality.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition: driving

We’re purposely staying away from a track for this test, something that might seem a little unfair on the Type R Limited Edition, but ultimately both of these cars will live or die based on their performance in the real world. If you really want an on-track winner, it’s the Type R hands down – read our track test here.

The beauty of any Golf GTI is that it largely behaves like any other Golf. It’s quiet and polite, rides well when equipped with Dynamic Chassis Control and its million settings for the dampers, not to mention the right proportions for life in an urban hellscape. In Type R land, just like the regular car, the Limited Edition can take advantage of a series of selectable drive modes. In Comfort, the machine is certainly pliant enough to live with, but the loss of some soundproofing means there is more road noise entering the cabin. You also get the sense that the manual-only Honda is trying to subdue its true nature, while the Volkswagen with its smooth 7-speed DSG slinks along sedately. As a daily driver to sit in traffic jams and cram into the Tesco car park, the Golf wears the most sensible trousers. However, there are two sides to the hot hatch coin.

Show both of these cars a twisting stretch of Tarmac and you’re in for a good time. The GTI Clubsport feels much more eager than the somewhat lacklustre standard car. Its added torque and shorter gear ratios give it a greater sense of urgency, while the chassis retains that wonderfully planted feel. There’s also greater agility than before with the rework differential swiftly working its magic and the car homing in on apexes. Its brakes provide a strong progressive feel and plenty of stopping power with discs now larger than those found on the Type R. The bespoke Nurburgring setting is another highlight as it actually slackens the suspension while retaining other angry settings. Net result? A mode that’s perfect for our choppy roads. It’s hard to convey how much more of a hoot this car is over the regular model, that said, there’s still a sense of detachment due to a lack of feedback to the driver. Shame.

Attacking a challenging B-road in the Type R Limited Edition will be the highlight of any petrolhead’s day. This hot hatch with its delicious manual shift and relentlessly torquey engine is eager to deliver its licence losing pace. Charge through the gears before making good use of its easy to modulate Brembo brakes and slinging it into a corner. The front-end bites, the car pivots beautifully around the corner, and you can get on the power nice and early thanks to torque steer-fighting dual-axis suspension. These new Michelin Cup 2 tyres are far superior to the regular Continentals found on lesser Type Rs, providing excellent grip once up to temperature. That said, you can feel the Type R move and shimmy as weight is transferred through the car – something that can be used as a tool to aggressively rotate through slower corners. The Type R is simply one of the most engaging hot hatchbacks to drive, a machine that relishes you grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and exploiting its virtues. In Limited Edition form, the new tyres and slightly reduced inertia only serves to sharpen what is a class-leading package.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport vs Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition: verdict

Wearing your sensible trousers you’d have the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport without a doubt. It is brilliant fun to drive – much more so than the normal GTI – and makes for a great companion for commuting.

The Type R in its ‘I don’t care what you think’ shade of yellow and BTCC-inspired bodywork is not something your mother would approve of. That said, even in its more ‘hardcore’ Limited Edition trim you’d happily live with it every day and only really resent the lack of infotainment system if you didn’t have a smartphone.

This comparison boiled down to its essence reveals a GTI that’s more fun than before and a Type R that’s maybe a little less friendly day-to-day. A win for the GTI Clubsport then? Well, no. The Type R remains a thrilling drive, and when you consider that your £40k buys you a car of which only 20 will be registered in the UK, you know it’ll serve as a good investment. The GTI Clubsport is an excellent hot hatch, but its princely options list and lack of immersive theatre behind the wheel costs it this twin test. 

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