Honda Civic Type R vs. Toyota GR Yaris Is a Drag Race of Driven Wheels

The Honda Civic Type R and the Toyota GR Yaris are close competitors in Europe, which means one thing for certain: We want to know which is quickest.

Both cars are hot hatchbacks with backseats and manual transmissions. Both are turbocharged, but while the Civic sports a 2.0-liter inline-four, the Yaris has to make do with a smaller 1.6-liter inline-three. Output is far apart, though, with the Honda rated at 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque and the Toyota at 257 hp and 265 lb-ft.

So the Type R should walk away from the GR, right? Wrong. The lighter curb weight and all-wheel-drive mean it's the Yaris that's able to win out in Carwow's quarter-mile showdown, just barely. Despite the Civic's excellent launch and superior power, it can't catch up in time.

Things go down differently once Carwow performs a few roll races. With the launch removed from the equation, it's the Civic, with its torquier engine and bigger punch, that gaps the Yaris. In a braking test the cars are dead even, which says a lot about the Civic's Brembos, seeing as how it's heavier.

You Might Also Like

• You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox

• Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners

• The Man Who Signs Every Car