The brand new Honda Civic is so fashionable outdoors Europe that we within the Netherlands can nonetheless whistle for the Japanese hybrid automotive. And that additionally applies to the fiery Honda Civic Sort R. Nonetheless, we managed to pay money for the ignition key and instantly introduced in a formidable competitor: the sportiest Ford Focus, particularly the ST.
The availability of the Honda Civic from Japan is sparse. There are so few that the order books within the Netherlands are closed till additional discover. Even in the event you soar excessive or low, sellers are at present not allowed to simply accept orders. Nonetheless, we jumped so excessive that we had been nonetheless allowed to journey a lap. Greater than a spherical even.
The primary a part of this check report focuses on the engine of the Honda Civic Sort R, in addition to that of its American/German competitor, the equally hot-tempered Ford Focus ST. The four-cylinder turbo engine with 329 hp of the Honda gained over the 280 hp engine of the Ford, additionally a four-cylinder turbo.
We check, check and check. You’ll discover every kind of exams in our weekly publication!
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Tow bar underneath your ST? No drawback!
This time we take a look at fully various things, particularly the inside and exterior and luxury. The Ford Focus ST advantages from its main position as a spacious household automotive. This additionally offers him sufficient freedom of motion on the again seat. Its trunk of 392 liters is considerably smaller than that of the Honda Civic (410 liters), but it surely counters that with the multitude of folding and folding choices for the rear seat.
The Focus ST has a most payload of virtually 601 kilos. There are severe station wagons which can be allowed to hold much less freight. We all know tips on how to say it much more strongly: would you like a towbar underneath your ST? No drawback! The towing weight (braked) is 1600 kg. The Civic cannot tow something. That is a very good factor, as a result of there are three massive rear silencers the place the tow bar is situated.
Ford and Honda do not go too far
Then the Honda Civic Sort R. You sit comfortably within the entrance, however within the again there may be solely room for 2 passengers. And so they have a restricted quantity of headroom. You may additionally marvel what use the trunk is in the event you can solely take a complete of 366 kilos with you – together with passengers. Moreover, the Ford Focus has richer security tools.
The truth that each vehicles are designed for sportiness comes on the expense of driving consolation, however happily the Ford and Honda don’t go too far. The chairs are wonderful. Within the Ford they’ve a much less excessive bucket form than their colleagues within the Honda, however they do have an adjustable cushion on your thighs. The crimson seats within the Civic present nice lateral assist.
All the time adaptive shock absorbers
You are feeling just like the Focus ST makes much less driving noise, however after we take the measuring tools, the Civic Sort R seems to be the quietest of the duo. The Honda scores much more factors with its suspension consolation. You’re solely allowed to take 366 kilos of individuals and mass with you, and the chassis will not be impressed by that. The adaptive shock absorbers are sufficiently versatile to supply spring consolation.
With the Observe Pack, the Ford is supplied with shock absorbers that may be mechanically adjusted in hardness utilizing particular instruments. If that is an excessive amount of problem, you can even order the Focus ST with adaptive shock absorbers. Within the Focus ST with Observe Pack we examined, the upper the pace, the higher the shock absorption. A full occupancy additionally ensures extra flexibility all through.
Civic Sort R vs. Focus ST: conclusie
In abstract: the Ford Focus ST wins the ‘inside and exterior’ check part. The Honda Civic Sort R wins the ‘consolation’ chapter due to its higher suspension consolation. Curious which sizzling hatch wins the complete check?
You’ll discover the whole check of the Honda Civic Sort R and the Ford Focus ST in Auto Evaluate 11/2023.