On paper, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra and 2023 Honda Civic Type R may not seem comparable. One is a sleek two-seat, rear-drive coupe with BMW roots, while the other is a quick front-drive hatchback that’s easy to confuse with other Honda cars. But there’s one feature they both have that’s the focus of a new YouTube video from TheSmokingTire; a manual transmission.
While the three-pedal setup is tradition for the Type R, a stick is new for the Supra. This significantly dials up the enthusiast factor, according to presenters Matt Farah and Zack Klapman. The duo spends time behind the wheel to determine which JDM car is worth their hard-earned cash.
Toyota GR Supra Wins In The Numbers Department
A review of the specifications puts the Toyota Supra at the top of the hill. To begin with, the 382 hp from the BMW-sourced 3.0-liter six-cylinder easily beat the 315 horsepower of the turbo 2.0-liter four-banger under the Type R’s hood. Farah comments that the Supra feels far faster than its hp numbers imply.
The Civic Type R offers good results when it comes to braking, coming to a stop from 70 mph in 153 feet. Yet the Toyota ekes out a win here by delivering the same results in 150 feet. There’s talk of a hypothetical tie if both cars hit the Nürburgring, but this is speculation, as neither the stick-based Supra nor the new Type R has spent time on the legendary Germany track.
Honda Civic Type R Scores As Well
While less defined, the Civic Type R wins praise for how the driver interacts with vehicle controls, what Farah and Klapman call “input.” Its shifter and pedals help maximize the behind-the-wheel experience, although the Supra’s ZF six-speed gets a thumbs up.
Both reviewers agree that the Type R deserves special attention for its “character,” thanks to a unique engine that doesn’t appear elsewhere in the Honda lineup. This starkly contrasts with the GR Supra’s powerplant, which appears in numerous BMWs, including crossovers.
Practicality Of The Civic Type R Rules All
Despite Farah’s joy driving the Supra, he remarks that he can’t get past that this sports car isn’t “special enough to have as a second car and not quite practical enough for me to want as an only car.” It’s a feeling echoed by Klapman, citing the Type R as “more usable.”
Ultimately, both agree that while the Supra clearly wins in some areas, the Type R makes more sense for everyday driving.
Source: YouTube/TheSmokingTire