Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Civic RS
67
out of 100
Executive Summary
Both Civic RS and Civic Type R are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Key Differences At A Glance
Performance
Civic Type R
+6 pts
Efficiency
Civic RS
+3 pts
Safety
Equal
Practicality
Civic RS
+1 pts
Ownership
Equal
Category Score Breakdown
🏆 Overall Winner
Civic Type R
Performance
20/20
Efficiency
9/20
Safety
18/20
Practicality
10/20
Ownership
12/20
Civic RS
Performance
14/20
Efficiency
12/20
Safety
18/20
Practicality
11/20
Ownership
12/20
Pros & Cons
Civic RS
Pros
Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use
Cons
Less powerful engine setup
Best For:Fuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
🏆 Overall Winner
Civic Type R
Pros
More powerful engine output
Cons
Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage
Best For:Highway Driving
Who Should Buy Which?
Civic RS
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Civic Type R
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Full Specification Comparison
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Ground Clearance
134
130
Wheelbase
2735
2735
Length
4678
4595
Width
1802
1890
Height
1415
1405
Kerb Weight
1350
1430
Gross Vehicle Weight
1800
1850
Seating Capacity
5
4
Boot Space
495
410
Towing Capacity
1200
0
Turning Radius
5.5
5.7
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Engine
1.5L Turbo Petrol
2.0L Turbo Petrol
Engine Type
Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged
Inline 4 Cylinder Turbocharged VTEC
Displacement
1498
1996
Cylinders
4
4
Compression Ratio
10.3:1
9.8:1
Power
178
315
Torque
240
420
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Direct Injection
Turbocharger
Single Turbo
High-Performance Single Turbo
Top Speed
210
272
0-100 km/h
8.5
5.4
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Transmission
CVT Automatic
6-Speed Manual
Drive Type
4x2
4x2
Drivetrain Layout
Front Wheel Drive
Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Available
Mechanical LSD
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Claimed Mileage
16
12
City Mileage
12
8
Highway Mileage
16
11
Fuel Tank Capacity
47
47
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 6
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
CO2 Emissions
135
190
Start Stop System
Standard
Standard
Hybrid System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Performance Tuned
Traction Control
Standard
Performance Tuned
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Performance
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Adaptive
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and Rear
Front and Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Standard
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Seat Material
Leather
Alcantara and Fabric
Seat Adjustment
Driver Electric
Manual Sport
Heated Seats
Front
Front
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Type
Electric Power Steering
Electric Power Steering
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
Multi-color
Red Performance Lighting
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Climate Control
Dual Zone Climate Control
Dual Zone Climate Control
Power Windows
All Doors Auto
All Doors Auto
Keyless Entry
Smart Key
Smart Key
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Standard
Sunroof
Electric Sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Infotainment Screen
10.2-inch Touchscreen
9-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless
Wireless
Android Auto
Wireless
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
12 Bose
12 Bose Performance
Navigation System
Built-in
Built-in
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
LED Headlamps
LED Projector
LED Projector
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
LED
LED
Alloy Wheel Design
18-inch Alloy
19-inch Lightweight Alloy
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Tyre Size
235/40 R18
265/30 R19
Wheel Type
Alloy
Lightweight Alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Brembo Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
Adaptive Dual Axis Strut
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multi-Link
Chassis Type
Monocoque
Reinforced Monocoque
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Service Interval
10000 km / 12 months
10000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost
Moderate
High
Battery Warranty
24 Months
24 Months
Specification
Civic RS
Civic Type R
Warranty Years
3
3
Warranty Kilometers
100000
100000
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
3 Years
Final Verdict
🏆Honda Civic Type R
wins this comparison with 69 points
vs 67 points for
Civic RS.
In structured scoring, Civic Type R emerges as the stronger overall package.
However, Civic RS may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Based on structured category scoring, Civic Type R performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.
Civic RS scores 12 while Civic Type R scores 9 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.
In safety scoring, Civic RS scores 18 and Civic Type R scores 18. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.
Civic RS scores 12 versus Civic Type R scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.
Practicality scoring gives Civic RS 11 and Civic Type R 10, reflecting cabin space and usability.
Performance category shows Civic RS scoring 14 compared to Civic Type R scoring 20, indicating stronger overtaking capability.
While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Civic Type R may hold stronger long-term value.
Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.
Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Civic Type R performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.
Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Civic Type R the overall advantage.
Detailed Comparison Analysis
The comparison between Civic RS and Civic Type R in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Civic RS scores 14 vs 20.
Efficiency: Civic RS scores 12 vs 9.
Safety: Civic RS scores 18 vs 18.
Practicality: Civic RS scores 11 vs 10.
Ownership: Civic RS scores 12 vs 12.
Final structured scoring gives Civic Type R
the advantage in this comparison.
