VW Golf GTI Mk8 or Honda Civic Type R FL5? 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
| VW Golf GTI Mk8 | Honda Civic Type R FL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Years | 2020– | 2022– (US model year 2023 on) |
| Engine | 2.0 TSI EA888 Gen 4 | 2.0 turbo four K20C1 |
| Stock power | 241 hp / 273 lb-ft (US) | 315 hp / 310 lb-ft (US) |
Power by stage
| VW Golf GTI Mk8 | Honda Civic Type R FL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stock | 241 hp | 303 whp |
| Stage 1 | 328–375 hp | 320–338 whp |
| Stage 2 | 345–392 hp | 335–361 whp |
| Stage 3 | 410–478 hp | 500–525 whp |
| Stage 4 | 500+ hp | 600–750+ whp |
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
| VW Golf GTI Mk8 | Honda Civic Type R FL5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | APR software $660; APR gearbox (TCU) tune $650 more. Unitronic sells through dealers only. | Cobb Accessport $770 or Hondata FlashPro $795; DTE €799; Mishimoto intercooler $1,300. |
| Stage 2 | the same APR file ($660); APR intake $400. | PRL intake $490 and front pipe $429; TSP tune $295 (needs a FlashPro); Hondata fuel system $2,995. |
| Stage 3 | the same APR file ($660); the turbo is extra. | turbos $2,200–$4,800 (27WON, PRL, Full-Race); PLM's full package $11,995; Exedy clutch £638. |
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 VW Golf GTI Mk8 reaches 500+ hp and the Honda Civic Type R FL5 600–750+ whp.