Civic Type-R vs Focus RS - King of the Hot Hatch | Everyday Driver TV Season 3
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- The AWD Focus RS reinvigorated the Hot Hatch segment. But Honda has brought the Civic Type R to the US to challenge for the title. The Veloster N has come out since we shot this comparison - we love great hatches.
00:00 - 1:30 Intro
1:30 - 5:00 Styling
5:00 - 10:04 Performance
10:04 - 16:07 Handling
16:07 - Conclusions
This episode from Season 3 first Premiered on MotorTrend cable channel in July of 2018.
#FocusRS #Civic #TypeR #comparison
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Thanks for watching! - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I just sold my RS 2 weeks ago after almost 4 years of ownership. Your take on the car is by far the most accurate I've seen yet. When you are stuck behind Mildred in her Buick, or in traffic the car is absolutely miserable. Once the road clears and gets curvy however, there's not much that can compete for sheer fun, especially if your driving skills aren't pro level.
PS. I had the headgasket replaced several years ago and never had an issue, and beat the hell out of the car any chance I had
Good to hear your perspective as an owner. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
@@EverydayDriver
The biggest issue is Ford is a STUPID brand
If you have friends in Europe just make sure U take em through the new Ford Focus MK IV and specially the new Focus ST with 2.3l ecoboost and 280 PS
fastestlaps.com/comparisons/vlcdnpjl91us
fastestlaps.com/comparisons/dpact4s3lror
The new Focus ST is almost as fast as the MK III Focus RS, I was lucky enough to drive both and I am totally surprised that Ford took the stupid decision of axing Focus in US, the new Focus is much bigger,luxurious,quality fed and comfortable inside and the new ST is damn impressive even with the Mischellin Pilot 4s tires it came with. I ve heard that the new ST with MPSC2 tires can almost level its lap times with the FK8 Type R and delivers almost same thrills as of the Type R without having huge torque over steer like the MK III ST had. The only thing I didnt like about the new ST is its exterior, it should have had more aggressive looks, as of now the MK IV St looks like a wanna be ST not a true ST. All that said, If I was in market for a hot hatch here in Europe, I wud choose the Focus ST MK IV over Type R because that 2.3l i4 almost felt like a 3.0 i4 NA engine , the Honda felt like it was boosted, the ST had a wide torque band and I often pulled from 20 mph in 4th gear and the ST had no issue doing so with its uber wide torque band, the Honda had some lag and 20-25 mph in 4th gear it wud knock..the ST felt almost like a diesel
@@brandonjames1606 is there nothing to do about heat soak? Just picked one up and I live in FL, get the feeling I will be experiencing that a lot haha
@@AndrewDRoyappa upgrade the front mount intercooler. It's pretty common
That’s why I chose the golf R over the RS or Sti. It’s not quite as raw as either but it’s far better for the 95% of time you’re stuck behind a Prius going 15mph under the limit
I daily a 2017 focus RS and just passed 45k miles on it at the beginning of the month. I beat that thing every day and live in the city. I’ve grown used to the suspension but love how quick and agile it is when you rip around corners, every person that I let drive my car falls in love and says it drives like it’s on rails. Also I have done so much with it from driving 9+ hours straight to hauling a 4.6 4v in the back. The car just never ceases to amaze me and I never plan to give it up. Also I can’t count how many times strangers tell me how much they love the look and the color of it which is nitrous blue.
Type R owner here, I’m looking to get an RS for daily reasons because I live in nyc. So we tend to get snow a lot, plus I wanted an awd fun daily that would allow me to make the type R a weekend/track toy. I’m glad that the car is something people enjoy driving as a daily. My question is, what should I look out for when I go purchase an RS?
@@MarshaunLugo Make sure it has the right head gasket.
I drive a 2021 Type R and I'm a big fan of the RS as well. Hot hatches will always have my heart.
Hey quick question do get annoyed by the type R’s pumped in audio? Are you okay with it or not?
@@gerardoescobar6735 It was annoying but luckily you can unplug it!
@@lynkx5066 you can also get a exhaust system for a better sound. So the noise is not a deal breaker
@@papilocsta5230 I'd still advise unplugging the fake noise as even with an exhaust you'll still hear it.
I was so confused, I just realized this was posted today. I thought I was watching a 2 year old video
It is from 2 years ago.
It is from 2 years ago.
Same. I was like why are they using the older model Type R.
No it recent stop being confused.
@@eriklau9620 They are driving a 2017 or 2018 Civic Type R (had no volume button), so at least 2 years old. And they stopped manufacturing the Focus RS.
The Civic got a volume dial for the 2019 model year across the lineup, including the type R
#KnobGang
They also reviewed that Civic Type R. This was filmed before that update.
yes and new rims, new aero look Civic TypeR Sportline, new brakes, new interieur, new grill, etc...
@Cristopher Reeves RS has just as much plastic tacked onto the front. Fake vents too.
@@goatzee69420 which vents? ive got my two functional ones by my fog lights and thats all i can think of?
Owned my Type R for three years and wish for nothing else, it's just so good!
Sorry guys, that colour grading is ghastly.
"That's a cool look for the intr. . . oh nvm their rolling with it the whole time."
Agree.. it's lame and cheesy and screams look at this cool feature. Great for a short clip but lame for a whole video
Yes, it's terrible
As a marketing professional who hires and deals with creatives and agencies daily, the production of this video is fantastic. The contrast between the car colors is actually interesting and engaging, and against the terrain it does its purpose well: makes the viewer focus on the car. I like and enjoy this trend. One thing they could improve are their overlays.
It's weird because the color of the cars looks good.
Nice video and I appreciate your perspective. For anyone wondering about the RS from an owners perspective. I have a 2017 Focus RS, owned since new. I had the head gasket recall done - no issues prior to that and none since. My car has performed flawlessly for 40k plus miles. I commuted to work in it for about 2 years doing about 80 miles a day with no problems. This car is so much fun that I will never sell it. If you are thinking of getting one and can then 110% do it, you won’t be sorry. It sounds awesome, even better in the inside since they pipe in some of the noise; pops and crackles in sport mode for fun and handles like it’s literally on rails. It’s also a point and shoot type car - extremely nimble. Biggest drawbacks are to people who are passengers and the turning radius. Add in the looks - honestly I think it looks so much better than a Civic (but I understand looks are subjective) and the fact that you can no longer get these - future classic!
I know the Focus RS has it's issues but... I still dearly want one.
Same
Its not as bad as some make it out to be. I have a 2017 and its tons of fun.
I also have a 2017 and it's an amazing car definitely a step up from my G37s
Me 2 lol
I have a 2016, and had to have the head replaced. Other than that known manufacturing issue in a limited few at the beginning they are rock solid.
Definitely made some great points.
It really does depend on the various demographics and their personal preferences.
As a 22 year old, I really couldn't be bothered with how stiff the dampers of my RS are. Really not something I've ever been concerned with. Even in bumper to bumper traffic, I absolutely love the car.
It's enjoyable for me to drive it at any speed.
Wish Ford would have kept the Focus ST and RS in the US market.
Europe niggas have it lucky. That 2020 st is a beauty. Cried when I realized we ain't getting it 😔
For real, the new ST/RS is beautiful
I heard that Ford is not making the RS anymore . For anyone. Is this true??? I think Ford really messed up.
@@patserio6988 it is unfortunately true my friend. Truly a devastating blow to the American sports car community. Now all they have is raptors and mustangs.
In the US wider roads and big hp camaros and mustangs hot hatches are not popular anymore in US
I agree with what others have said. I have used my 2017 RS as my daily since new. It is so much fun to drive. So much so, I sold my 911 because the RS is just more fun on a tight mountain road. Yes, I had the head gasket recall done. No, I’ve hadn’t had a problem since. I’m currently at 28k miles and still loving it.
You guys do great work. The review commentary is spot on. But, fair warning, the whole black and white effect really distracts from... everything.
So fun fact: They didn't use any real filters for this. The roads they were driving on had just been ravaged by wildfire, so that's just how the area looked. It was all burnt. That said, I kinda agree with you, its weird. But it wasn't after effects.
@@mattcampbell5507 they did use something though if you look at the blue sky the color is muted
this is burned earth.
@@mattcampbell5507 lol just look at the faces they didn't turn into vampires overnight
@@mattcampbell5507 Yeah, no. You can see the color was removed in post.
Not that 400k subs is anything to sneeze at but these guys should have over 1M subs easily! They put out dope content!
Thank you. Glad to found us and we appreciate you watching!
I have a 2016 RS. The head gasket was replaced at 19k miles (no engine damage). It is now at 78k miles with zero issues. I found that changing from the factory Cup 2s to Pilot Sport 4s has improved ride quality, but I never really disliked the ride quality. This car is fun every time I drive it. I work from home and still have 78k miles. I know the type R is a great car, but I just can’t get past the front wheel drive and styling. I’ve owned the Focus ST and Fiesta ST and find that I just love AWD!
I have an RS too. The only bad thing about it is that you have to explain that it’s the faster Focus haha
Mine's a 2016 too. I had the gasket changed despite no problems and no problems still. Love driving it every single day.
I have a 18 camaro ss but looking to trade it for a 18 rs. Is it worth it in your guy’s opinion?
Jesus Borjas I haven’t owned a camaro in my life. They are two different classes. Going from v8 to a turbo charged 4 cylinder will be the biggest change for you. If I had the choice of owning a two door v8 or sticking with the awd 4 door RS, I would stick with the RS. There is just so much you can do with it. The resale value will be great not to mention. It’s a rare vehicle in the USA so you know you will be getting something worth it. I mean when you see a camaro on the road you know it’s a camaro and you know what to expect. When you see an RS on the road, it’s like whoa “what is that?!” You don’t see them very often, and when you do it’s like seeing a unicorn in the wild haha. The choice is yours brother. There’s no right or wrong way to go. Just weigh out your options 👊🏽👊🏽
Side note too many people drive Type R’s and Subies. The roads are saturated with them. Be different.
@@djmix117 keep the Camaro if you want to mod. The RS becomes limited unless you want to build the motor.
Just took my '18 Type R across North America, FL > AK and I had no issue except some overheating with electronics through Nevada (110+ degrees fahrenheit, kinda expected I guess.) I was comfortable the whole way, even after 10+ hrs of driving straight. Fuel economy is also pretty nice as long as the turbo isn't working too much. You would be surprised with how much you can fit with the backseats folded down. I had all my belonging with me, which isn't all that much for a small apartment (no furniture). I 100% agree with everything said about the CTR in the video. If you were to do a trip like this I would suggest getting some beefier tires because the stock slim sidewall will not handle potholes at all (trust me, don't cheap out on this.)
Hope this helps anyone trying to choose between these two beasts.
Your presentation was so great & the car moving view so impressing just like in the movie, bravo.
Plus the review of those car were just top notch.
When the type R first came out I didn't really care for the looks. Thought they were over done. But respected the drivetrain and how they were able to get a fwd car to handle that good. Well over the years the looks started to grow on me. So I ended up trading in my 2014 Evo X for a 2021 Type R. Type R does like they said in the video. Makes a great daily driver. Takes bumps well and still handles great .
How's it to drive in traffic? Never owned or really driven a manual before and really interested in the Type R.
@shoresy6951 it's fine for me. But I'm used to it. Lol I been driving nothing but manuals since 2005. I had an srt4 then an Evo GSR now the Type R. I will say out of those 3 cars . The Type R is probably the easiest manual to drive. The clutch is super light. So it doesn't kill your leg. It has auto Rev matching on down shifts and also hill assist. So of you are on a hill the car won't roll back . My 2 previous cars didn't have those features.
@@MrJjburgess11I appreciate the reply. Planning on getting one if I can find one after graduating college.
Both of these cars are really satisfying to drive and i honestly love the look of them both
Gents,
First off, great video. My wife has daily driven her 2017 RS from new (212 miles on the clock). I had Ford replace the head gasket with the improved version and haven’t missed a lick since. Closing in on 70k. I have rewatched every year to hear your points and see if each year results in a change to my wife's opinion of ownership. I have tempted her with the Type R, the Golf R, 996 911, 997 911, Chevrolet SS, the E39 M5 and the Mustang GT350 (with the bonkers Voodoo V8) and she has answered with a resounding "No" to each offer. We have a house full of three boys. Currently, 13yo @ 5'8" and twin 17 yo's @ 6'1" and 6'3". I mention their heights because we still fit the entire family in the RS albeit for shorter trips these days. The kids have all learned to drive stick on it (even though the 13 yo isn't technically legal) and it is truly a member of the family. The gas tank rarely falls below a half tank because one of the twins is always taking it out to "fill up the tank for mom". There will be a fight one day over who gets to buy it off of mom. Anyhow, I figured I would toss my hat in the ring towards the RS as a daily/family driver. Personally, I think it rides a little rough but what does the Old man know? Everyone else loves the little beast and thinks I'm crazy when I offer up another option. Keep doing what you guys do and we'll keep watching! All the best from Tejas.
Glad to have you with us. Thrilled to hear the RS has been so good for you and your entire family. We have a RS vs GR Corolla comparison coming up soon! Thanks for watching!
Lol, that might be next on the list of offerings. Also agree with your assessment on the GR. Think the Circuit Edition is where it is at. The GR Supra also looks legit. Can't wait to see what y'all present on those two.
Love that contrast with the aftermath of the wildfire. What a crazy look.
I've a 2016 FK2 Type R. The 'test-bed' for the turbo engine. Rarer and more raw than the softer FK8. Fantastic car. Still has edgy styling. One of about 10 (max) in New Zealand. Great car in and around the city as my daily-driver but even better on the open road. Had since new and at 40000km with not one issue.....
As an Aussie with an FK8, I really wish that I could experience the FK2, I love the styling on both cars.
Wow loved the cinematography. Wonderfully planned transitions to the voice overs. Amazing guys.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
I have been waiting for this episode!
I've owned both and landed on the 2018 RS (race red in my case). I agree with your assessment... Except that living in Wisconsin means I have to deal with winters. And the RS takes it here with AWD, heated seats/steering wheel, and a set of winter wheels/tires straight from the factory. Also, the ride in 2018s is slightly less harsh in normal/sport mode than the 2016s and 17s were.
Actually the late 2017 already have the revised softer ride and lowered seats but not many people knew about these due to the short production period of the car.
No one does comparisons like you guys! Two awesome cars!
These are the first two guys that heard say that the front end or the Type R “gives up” under heavy acceleration.
I’ve owned my 17CTR for about 6months now. Got it with 11K miles on it. It always wants to go no matter the speed. I’ve never witnessed a lack of power
@@lafiesta1197 theyre saying the front wheels give up, meaning understeeer. are yall even watching?
Yeah, physics says they must. The same wheels that are turning are also being directly powered. I’m not a fan of FWD sport driving for this reason.
I've seen it in reviews several times.
i love my rs, I had my head gasket replaced and never noticed a difference, besides the dealer breaking my plastic engine cover(they later replaced). i would have liked the civic but unfortunately the styling turns me away, and the all wheel drive in the focus was extremly appealing considering i encounter rain and snow quite often. I've also noticed i enjoy the ride quality in the winter a lot more(in canada the focus RS comes with a second set of Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires mounted on an 18" rims), and the ride quality is considerably better.
Canadian as well. The type r is fantastic to drive, but the RS just felt more exciting and better suited for winter. For summer, I got 18" wheels and 255 width tires. Rides much better and grips even more.
As someone who has owned both cars, this is an excellent take on both, and I agree with your conclusion. The Civic Type R is a better hot hatch in the way that most of us would define the category- a car that can do almost everything. It is bigger, the interior is nicer, the hatch is more usable. But the Focus RS is a better driver's car to thrash around. Oversteer under throttle versus understeer at the limits and torque steer. And the CTR is bad in the rain and worse in snow. Even in dry, warm weather traction is an issue.
Also, since this review was done two years ago, some things have changed. One, the MSRP on the Civic Type R has gone up about $2k. At $37-38k, ignoring the ADMs you still see on the car, it's a bit of a proposition to consider for a FWD car. That takes it into Subaru WRX STI or Golf R territory with pricing, and both of these cars you can run all year round in any weather. Two, the 2018 Focus RS made changes to the suspension which made it less harsh. The Civic still rides better but the gap is not as large.
Interesting. I have the 2015 Evo X FE and the 2019 FK8 Type R. Id like to get a used Focus RS someday or an WRX STI . Btw, I have NO PROBLEM with my Type R on the rain whatsoever though. I drove it through hard pouring rain with a speed between 90 and 130 mph easily and no drama, i was racing a BMW 335 on this empty long road and he was surprised. It was so planted with the stock tires. Did you change your tires ?
I've no torque steer, nor do I have issues in the rain or snow with the Type R even with almost 400whp. Either something was wrong with the one you had, you had terrible tires, or your alignment was way the hell off, which is quite common.
Rs fanboy comment 😂
Tremendous review gentlemen, as always.
Bought a 2018 Focus RS 2 months ago, amazing car to drive! The way to work and back home became a pleasure!
I would love to have an RS (my DD is a '14ST), but the pricing on them in Canada is just nuts, not just when they were available as new cars. Both of these cars have lots of street cred, and are great in their own regard, and I like that you guys highlighted this.
Well done!
Honda for me, hope to order New one 2021. Only one problem with... my whife. This is the biggest problem.
It has a freaking large trunk and 28mpg on freeway. Why not?
If someday you're handed a stack of papers from the divorce lawyer, you go straight for Honda and pick up a college chick to upset her. LOL
The ford's better
@@joelcollins5586 better at breaking down. This TypeR will worth 50% more of it's value in 15 years while the RS will be $2k.
@@joelcollins5586 go find out how much a used Integra TypeR is worth
Big fan of the Honda Civic Type R. If anyone hates the back, I'm pretty sure you can remove that big spoiler (if that's the problem). There's technically 2 spoilers. One big, one small. It looks great with either or both of them tbh.
Always awesome videos!! I own a Sonic Gray Pearl Type R and it’s a blast!! I had owned 4 different Civic Si’s over theee generations since 2009’ I owned a 09’ , 12’ 14’ , and 17’ civic Si sedans!! They were all a lot of fun in their own ways!! My favorite car I have owned is my 19’ Type R! It may look too wild visually but until a person drives one I think they would think it’s a great car!! I look forward to the next video!!
Got the same colour on my 17' type R. It's a rare colour for sure but it really rakes in the looks!
50 launch controls over the years, 420hp with factory warranty. Weekly travels to snow, been deep in sand, I moved desks using the hatch, the cars own front bumper fits inside the car. 60000miles, driven the car to the max not a single soft mile. Done 3hours plus road trips sitting at 140. A lot of late night drift funs, happily sits at 160 tops at 172. A lot of canyon runs.The only problem with this car is gas tank is tiny and everyone makes fun of you from dropping 40K+ on a focus but then you get all your money back since the car is a lemon, every 20k miles the cat and o2 sensor go bad. So here we go Lotus EVORA S and 3 grand Mitsubishi Mirage.
Love my RS. The engine did blow up. Thank god for the extended warranty.
Just when I've been living with regrets on getting rid of my RS last year. Your guys review is spot on. Maybe I should test drive the Type-R despite it's styling. It's been growing on me for quite some time. I miss having a hatch.
I have RS my brother the type R he would trade his to me anyway any time , it’s no fun just a bit more comfy but I’m young I don’t care about that maybe when I turn 35, just like the ones that review this
The Type R is a blast. Having owned both I’d choose the Type R any day...and I’m a long time Ford fan.
Majority of people who have owned or driven both seems to think the type r is more fun to drive and that it feels more powerful after you get off the line. This review contradicts 99% of the opinions ive read. But then theyre only opinions and not everyone's is the same.
You'd have to pay me to take the rs.Boring and it's an unreliable ford.
I used to work at Honda and Ford dealesrship. I tried both of these cars and to me its no brainer lol. I bought a 2019 Type R . Its much better in so many ways, gas mileage, reliability, faster, etc. Type R lap time in Nurbugring is 7:43 with Top end speed of 169 mph on paper but proven to hit 185 mph on actual, its lighter with Curb weight of only 3100 lbs, the Focus RS lap time is 8:06 with top end speed of 165 to 167 mph with a Curb weight of 3400 lbs. The TYPE R looks great to me, it looks aggressive and unique, it has more room and you got reliability. I now have 9000 miles and have no issues, the 2nd grind issues they talk about i experienced once. I realized IT WAS MY FAULT and not the shifter. I changed the way i shift since and it never happened again. Ive been driving manual for over 40 yrs and I KNOW how to properly shift. This 2nd grind is nothing but a user error issue that got blown out of proportion. I talked to the Honda and Ford mechanics dealerships all the time when I was working there. I KNOW WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT AND SEEN MANY FACTS and that is a factor for my buying decision. So for me, TYPE R ALL THE WAY !!!
Had my RS 5 years now no issues at all
100% agree, love my 17 RS and I live around good curvy roads. However if that wasn't the case I feel the Type R would be a better choice. I just installed new Swift lowering springs and to be honest it didn't help.
The Type R loves curves what do you mean? Why would you prefer fwd on straight roads?
He's quoting Jeremy Clarkson's line from the Evo vs Sti episode, "its muscles have muscles.
tbh I don't think Jezza was the first person to say that. People have been saying that forever
Awesome review!!!!
If anyone's worried about the head gasket, the recall number is 17B32. The 2018s have the correct gasket from the factory. I'd say for anyone interested, make sure you can live with the seats & how heavily bolstered they are, especially if you're going to daily drive it. It's not the fastest thing on the road, but the AWD is fantastic & it handles like a dream.
Interesting assessment of power. Coming from an RS owner, I drove my friend’s type R and it felt equally if not more powerful.
I have. 2016 RS as my daily and drive the hell out of it super fun car but they are right he RS isn’t for everyone
I'm glad I just discovered this channel. ☺️
Happy New Year 🎆🎆🎉🎇 from 🇳🇬
Glad to have you with us, thanks for watching!
As a previous owner of a 2013 ST built block 422whp with upgraded turbo and current owner of a 2017 RS with precision turbo 440whp with no issues to date I would just say its the most fun car to drive I've ever owned....and im comparing it to my previous 2015 WRX and Evo X...I do miss my Evo but the RS for me its a better daily and just fun to drive. If I could go back in time ill Keep the Evo X but still own the RS.
For those who think this isn't after effects, look at Todd's face at 18:57, it's pale as an vampire lol
We color correct everything we release. And on this one we chose to further desaturated the already monochrome surroundings due to the fire. However, it's not a general filter, or done in after effects. Thanks for watching!
Who says he wasn't?
@@EverydayDriver Oh...I didn't know that, thanks for explaining. Great video as always!
@@EverydayDriver Please don't do that in the future. This was headache inducing on a monitor that is (fairly) colour accurate and looked almost like a bad noir film on my chromebook. I navigated away and just listened to it in the end as I just couldn't watch it.
EverydayDriver I think it looks great, and I can see this becoming more of a trend for car videos. I say, keep it up. It does a good job of keeping the focus on the car.
Man I fucking love the RS. I hope one day maybe 5-6 years from now I can pick one up with low miles.
Dude same... I just live it But i think i might go to the air force to get me one🙂
The last ones were produced in 2018, might have a hard time finding low miles
@@Hankblue I just bought a 2016 black rs on 2-23-22 with 23,000 miles on it. It’s an awesome car.
Love the camera work with the background desaturated and the cars with the bright colors!
I love my Type R - track it every year and its a blast as a daily as well
They should have used a 18 RS LE. They have updated shocks that’s are a softer ride, and much more tolerable. I love my mine.
Same, that LSD is the shit. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just my opinion tho
Same here! I thought maybe I was wrong because the shock is different than the 17 RS [had the 17 and sold it for the 18LE] Seems like the shock is changed! :)
I have an 18.. never thought the ride was that bad! I did not know that.
They went through 3 shock revisions. Some 17s are a little softer than 16s, then the 18s are even softer ride than the 17. Plus you can always go to a 18” wheel which makes it perfect imo.
@@jim6807 17 is not that bad to be honest, Its a high performance car not a Double R haha :D
Focus RS 👍🏻 ... I’m a BMW fan, but I’ll go Ford on these two choices.
ShitMW
I now have over 6000 trouble free miles on my RS but the head gasket was replaced prior to the sale of the car new. Never could understand why the UK version of this car has the same Recaro seats the Civic Type R has and we in the US got a different Recaro. Being 60 and having owned all kinds of performance cars I wanted one more and wanted one that an enthusiast would appreciate was a blast to drive and do some track days with. I'm glad I choose the RS and now that Ford has officially killed this car for now the value keeps going up. Spot on review both are great cars.
There's nothing like an active differential in the rear. I'm rocking an 2017 RS in Shadow Black. Sleek, subtle, and amazing. I will say I'm 5'8" and that car fits me perfectly. I daily my car and drive it hard. Granted my drive to work is only 20 minutes but I love love love the ride. It's an acquired taste born from the sheer performance of the car
Pro-tip for the Focus RS as a daily driver - ditch the stupid summer tires - they're far too solid for the car. They're great tires if you're a track-rat, but but for daily driving they're super uncomfortable, as you discovered, and they're pretty scary in even the slightest damp conditions. Instead get the "winter" tires on the smaller wheels - the Michelin Alpines. They're AMAZING - they're really "all weather" tires - I've driven them in the heat of the midsummer desert, and in actual snow, and they're great in both, and they're significantly more comfortable. I'm really impressed with how versatile they are. They turn the car into a really acceptable long-distance cruiser. I'm not going to say it's luxuriously comfortable, but it's totally acceptable to do 5 hours of driving with them. They do only last about 6 laps of a track before overheating though - but for street use I have never run out of grip.
Really only two downsides to the RS. The fuel tank is the standard Focus one, but that engine is thirsty, so you barely get 200 miles from a tank, which is annoying. And the turning radius is HUGE - the standard Focus turning radius is not impressive, and then they stuck wider wheels on, and now it's sort of astonishingly bad - can be really quite annoying when parking. Otherwise, I agree it's the perfect pinnacle of fun performance and daily practicality - especially if you need the 4WD. So of course they stopped making it :-(
Doesn't it destroy the winter tire if you drive them in summer then agian in winter?
@@Rasheed86 Nope. They're not really "winter" tires, they're all-seasons, but with tread blocks that work well in the snow. Been running the same set of these tires on the Focus for a few years now and no odd wear or anything. They've been so good I also put them on my Nissan GT-R (different sizes, but same Alpine PA4s), and not noticed any loss of grip. Pretty damn fantastic tires - really impressive.
I just bought a type r and I flipping love it!!! Best car I’ve ever driven, and it gets a lot of attention.
I regret not dropping a couple more grand down for one when I had the chance. I just liked the style of the accord more at the time, but honestly The whole design of the type R has really grown on me and I’m sure it’s 10x more fun to drive lol... Enjoy mate!
Sorry to hear that.
Haven't watched an Everyday Driver video in some time after they starting adding extra reviewers to the rotation (nothing against them.) Watching a hot hatch comparison with the OG presenters is like sitting in that old comfy recliner and just chillin
We’ve only ever had a handful of pieces hosted by anyone but Paul and Todd. We’re not sure how much you missed but thanks for watching this and glad you enjoyed!
I learned to drive stick on a civic 2 years ago and it is still the best 6-Speed I’ve driven
I’ve followed this segment for years and you’re spot on about the recipe: needs to be the only car. Let’s see. Evo X - nothing handles and feels like it (two things every review measures) but it’s a hard to live with especially on highway. STI is so dated it’s criminal. CTR has amazing 6spd and practicality but misses its mark as performance car as its limited due to FWD - which puts it in the same category as…. Fiesta ST. RS is a good mix of Evo and CTR and head gasket issue was sorted.
For daily car, I do think Evo X and RS with AWD work well in all weather as daily and performance car.
CTR should only be put against Veloster or Fiesta - in which case it’s too much money and Fiesta St is a sinful bargain.
fiesta st over focus rs ??
@@Theedd9991 the price difference is so massive between the 2. You're talking almost 15-20k. I'd take the fiesta also buy an R1 and still have money in my pocket.
Just got back last week from NC and the ST Octane academy for my FIST. Getting to try the FOST was cool, but it wouldn't have persuaded me to upgrade. The lighter, more nimble chassis has some nice bonuses to it. The RS and Ford's... strange block design decisions make it cool, but less attractive than it should be. I had a built 2g Talon TSI (which I loved) but having to be constantly concerned about potential crankwalk was NOT awesome. The FIST really is Ford's 🌩 in a bottle.
...was.
The FiST doesn’t even come close to being as good of a regular car as the type R. The performance and build quality are totally different classes as well. If you can comfortably afford a type R then there is zero reason to consider the fiesta.
Bro the rs really isn’t that bad to drive every day😂
I decree we should have an all weather tournament!
Both awesome cars!
At no point did they mention the focus rs in snow...lol it is so much fun on winter tires.
Its interior looks like every other Focus. Ummm, well the Focus RS a modified focus? I do not think the Civic Type R's interior is superior to the RS's interior. Give me the RS.
As a Focus RS owner, I'm very very thankful it has regular Focus parts, its so much easier to look for replacement parts.
Omg that type R on that red color looks amazing, but I prefer the front end of the type R and the rear end of the RS
great video. it came down to Focus RS vs Civic Type R for me. my previous gt350 experience made another ford ownership a bit less palatable. the Type R gear box is sublime, a step behind what i consider the benchmark, Porsche manual in the GT4; still high praise. you touched on it, but the driving position is perfect. low slung, but comfortable and still with good visibility. besides the daily driver chops regard ride quality and cargo/passenger room, it is surprisingly fuel efficient, even with the amount of hooning done. the only downside? surprised you did not mention, but on track the Type R has cooling issues. even weekend warrior/occasional track guys will need some mods to keep those temps in check.
AWD is a huge advantage for some areas, like canada
With good tyres the FWD will get you pretty much anywhere even in snow. If it gets deep up to an SUV level even the AWD sedan will beach itself anyways.
It's really not a 'must' by any stretch
Give me that Focus any day of the WEEK, I'll even go to church!
Can I get an amen!
We've actually had the Civic Type R here in the US since the 4th generation. Our Si for the longest time was the European Type R
Marketed as the equivalent of the Euro-Spec Type R but in reality even the European Type R was a very different beast. 40hp more for a kick-off, and it revs to 8250 (redline 7900) compared to 6800 in the Si. 6-speed vs a 5-speed in early Si models.
This is all for the seventh generation (EP3) by the way, since previous generation Si models were at even more of a disadvantage. And that was the generation that they genuinely tried to market it as a Type R for the US.
The editing is driving me crazy. My brain wants to see color. Everything in color!
I think I would prefer the RS, but it's a close decision. Haven't driven either, so that would have to come first. That said, ride comfort has always been a low priority if the tradeoff yields handling.
If you ever get an RS, swap the wheels for 18s and get 245/40 section PS4S tires, it makes it handle better and also makes it ride better
nope. carbon buildup.
I test drove both and got the Type R.
From day one, I've loved how ridiculous the Type R looks
Its definitely over the top, but that spaceship look and japanese craftsmanship is so awesome
Same for me. Love how it looks so anime
Except for that, god awful, buck-tooth looking, front grill. It looks stupid & I sure hope the aftermarket can build a smoother looking piece to replace the stock abomination.
type r with refined gearbox and cooling system all day every day
The type R gives me mecha vibes from anime for some reason. The look grew on me once I made that realization.
I was just at my track for an event and the winner of every. single. event. was a souped up RS. He was smoking $150,000 AMGs in drag races with a 40,000 car or even less. Had to do some research but it just goes to show you any car can be fast if you want it to be.
I love how bigger people COMPLAIN about the Recaro.
Im 6'2 200.
I fit beautifully in the bucket seat.
An RS is built to drive, and for the driver.
Comfortable or not being a passenger is a privilege in this scenario
Put new dampers on the Focus and it's easily the best.
after all as per performance honda proved to do better laptimes on a race track
Only on the prototype car that was fitted with a rollcage and other non-factory add ons at the Nurburgring. Simply, they cheated there and the RS is quicker on several other tracks.
It was a floating roll cage, they gained no rigidity from it. What was removed from the car was to offset the weight of the cage.
Nurburg is the current gold standard for lap times, so that's the one that matters , but we get it, anyone who sets a fast lap is going to get hate.
The Renault also removed "production" components when it set it's record. I didn't see nearly as much complaining.
The short answer is that if the RS could set a faster lap time, anyway possible, it would, but it can't.
@@joshuacartermusic they removed HVAC and the radio/infotainment too. Everyone loves mentioning the roll cage and removing backseats in the Civic, but the Megane Trophy R removed much more, installed an actual cage, and people pretend it was a stock car.
At less Honda engine doesn’t blow up at 15,000. Miles hahaha
Great video as usual. Like others have mentioned... the color correction on this one is a bit too much. Great for an intro segment, but overkill for the entire video.
Very accurate description of the RS I currently own an 17 SB RS and am using it as a daily driver. Going in normal streets this car is sluggish, rough, and lots of back pain esp in the lower lumbar regions. Now in twisties or track, this car is a blast to drive. Gotta push it hard to enjoy.
Either way I still like my RS. Has had multiple engine issues but with a new 2018 motor inside, there has been no issues. 6k in motor, 14k in chassis. Here's hoping it continues to perform well.
I've owned a Type R for a year and a half and after swapping the stock Continentals for Pilot Sport 4s or Cup2s, I havent lost grip or had my front wheels "give up" once.
@@relate5903 yeah, he's meaning understeer. The funny thing is the civic type-R has a faster lap time then the focus RS 🤔 you can have speed but no aero, what's the point. And that's what the type-R has and it sets records unlike the RS
@@relate5903 more like they give up trying to steer the car. Its takes the easier of the 2 between steering the car and pulling it forward, which is the latter
Yes I have PS4s on my CTR also and the grip is incredible. Amazingly, it puts its power down in the wet better than most cars in the dry.
Great video, great points, just wish more reviewers would include other-than-perfect weather driving into their verdicts. The RS would probably pull ahead for that.
The RS would destroy the R through wet corners.
Ha ha keep on dreaming and worrying about that head gasket.
Great take guys. Use my 16' RS daily since new. Just had the motor replaced after the headgasket finally gave up the ghost - ruined the engine (Ford covered everything). Ride is firm - but better than an STI, not as good as the Type R. Don't mind it in traffic. Have driven it across country a few times - and they were some of the most enjoyable miles I've ever done. I still smile every time I drive it.
How many miles did you have until you replaced the the head gasket?
Tbh should've been done asap
I have had my 2017 RS since 2019 and I love it. I’d take it over the Civic any day of the week.
That must be an older type R model. The newer ones all have a volume nob
I dont understand the hate about not having a volume nob???? Theres a damn button on the steering wheel! Literally right next to your thumb! Dont even have to get your hand off the wheel ffs.. people just complain about the dumbest things these days
@@MrrNacho yeah that makes no sense if it’s on the steering wheel... 😂
I wish Honda would make the Type R Sport Line available in the States. That styling is a bit more subtle and still contains all the fun. Try as I might, still not getting used to that ironing board spoiler in the back.
They should make a Type S too IMO, particularly with optional 10-speed auto (gasp, lol) to reel in some of those Golf R buyers. Give Golf R buyers what they want: conservative black leather interior, no Brembos, sunroof, conservative looks etc. :)
@@TassieLorenzo yes I agree. Maybe they should reserve the less boy racer styling for their Acura line. The Honda group already has a DCT (with torque converter for smooth launch) in the ILX and TLX. They should try to apply that tech elsewhere too.
Pull up beside one of them type r today and trust me they stand out alot sexy car
I have a 2014 ford focus titanium, what a little monster it is, I don't need the RS version, but I can only imagine it's scary as hell too, good job Ford keep them coming.
focus rs has oil squirters as does the focus st
I've owned my 2016 RS for 6 months and I love spirited drives, but I was horrified by the race suspension mode... Until I had my first track day at Thunderhill then everything snapped into Focus, I need to every day drive on a track! Cheers.
I love the look of both of these cars. But if I’m gonna choose one, it would probably be the RS. Its steering is very engaging, and it feels like there’s no limit to how hard you can throw it into a corner. Also I say that it is important to remember that the Focus Hatch is 7 inches shorter than the Sedan, which limits its cargo space. Although the Focus does make up for it with clever cargo solutions, and you’d be surprised how comfortable the middle seat actually is in the back. Don’t put an adult on that seat for long though, their leg position is not ideal, it’s mainly just for children. And also for some reason Ford loves to make their rear seats feel like a recliner, and this applies to the focus as well. So while your rear passengers enjoy the speed with comfort, you’ll be getting jarred.
The type r is the best.Drove both in the UK and prefer the ride and space and most of all reliability of honda.The rs sounds better but the Honda ticks all the boxes especially that gearbox.
oil pistons squirters have been around since the 80's, look at the Toyota 3SGTE and Nissan SR20DET. That's not trickle down F1 tech.
Yeah I was gonna say, my 89 Gti 16v had piston oil squirters
F1 been around way before than your 80s and 90s sampled cars. Thats trickle down F1 tech.
Even non sports cars have them
I love the way the fk8 looks
Especially in black 😍
any video on Veloster N?
The 6 speed manual would be fun. I had a 5 speed? manual 88 Honda prelude and that car was way ahead of it's time and fun to drive, the bucket seats where on the ground, 120 mph easy, felt good.
6:12 That illegal pass tho...
that has to be the most stressful background music for a car review...I love everyday driver but I feel overly hyped as if I am watching Mission Impossible
I believe u guys have the best car enthusiasts channel on u tube😊
Personal opinion: I like the attempted affect of black and white backround. It’s like the cars are the focus and that draws my eye to it. Yeah we see some mess up but nobody els has tried this and I love what they did.