Honda Civic Type R FK8 or VW Golf R Mk7? They're rivals, so owners often weigh one against the other. Here's how far each one goes, using the makers' and tuners' own figures from our two guides.
At a glance
| Honda Civic Type R FK8 | VW Golf R Mk7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 2017–2021 | 2014–2020 |
| Engine | 2.0 K20C1 VTEC Turbo four | 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 3 |
| Stock power | 306 hp / 292 lb-ft (US) | 292 hp / 280 lb-ft (US) |
Power by stage
| Honda Civic Type R FK8 | VW Golf R Mk7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 306 hp | 292 hp |
| Stage 1 | 340–365 hp | 355–413 hp |
| Stage 2 | 360–400 whp | 397–461 hp |
| Stage 3 | 450–550 whp | 470–536 hp |
| Stage 4 | 600–650+ whp | 550+ hp |
Careful: one car's figures are at the wheels (whp) and the other's at the engine (hp), so they aren't directly comparable. Convert with the crank to wheel calculator.
Typical parts cost
| Honda Civic Type R FK8 | VW Golf R Mk7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Hondata FlashPro $695 at launch, plus $250 for the computer jailbreak. | software $500–$560 (IE, APR). |
| Stage 2 | — | IE Stage 2 software $625; intake $521 (034), £316 (APR) or €883 (Eventuri); intercooler $540–$1,200 or £899 (Wagner). |
| Stage 3 | turbos $2,200–$4,800 (27WON, PRL, Full-Race); Exedy Stage 2 clutch £638. | IE software for bigger turbos $750; the turbo is extra. |
List prices from the guides, before shipping, import tax and fitting. "—" means that guide has no cost line for the stage.
Where each one ends up
At Stage 4 the Honda Civic Type R FK8 reaches 600–650+ whp and the VW Golf R Mk7 550+ hp.