Head-to-head: Honda Civic Type R Vs Mercedes-AMG A35

Petrol-powered hot hatches might be on the road to extinction, but these five-door firecrackers prove the segment’s not dead yet…

At a glance, Honda’s hardcore Civic Type R and Mercedes’ warmed-up A35 AMG might seem like an unlikely pairing. Honda’s offering was honed with racetracks and lap times in mind — and represents the ultimate expression of what a Civic can be. The Mercedes, on the other hand, acts as a halfway house between the biblically quick and capable A45 and a regular run-of-the-mill A Class.  

However, discounting their positions in the model hierarchy, these spicy ICE hatches are more closely matched than you’d think. Keep reading to find out which gets our vote based on styling, performance, practicality, and value.

Styling

Despite the 100 bhp gulf which stands between the A35 and the range-topping A45, there’s little to separate them on looks alone. Indeed, aside from the inclusion of dual rather than quad-tailpipes, you’d struggle to tell the two apart. We think that’s a good thing though, as the A35’s big brother seems to strike the right balance between aggression and subtlety. Granted, those front canards and that enormous rear wing tell a different story, but it’s a relatively refined effort as far as hot hatches go.  

Similarly, Honda’s Type R isn’t as garish as predecessors. Compared to the last two generations of hot Civic — which turned heads and churned stomachs in equal measure — the new one is sensible and restrained. Of course, the contrasting wheels, bonnet vent, red Recaro buckets, and huge spoiler, all point towards the vast performance potential, but most bystanders won’t give it a second glance.

Which is better looking? That’s in the eyes of the beholder, but ours prefer the Mercedes. The Civic does win the award for most improved styling, though.

Performance

When it comes to performance, any rumours of the A35 not being a “true” AMG are quickly dispelled by the 302 bhp and 4.7 second 0-62 mph sprint. Despite trailing the Type R by 25 bhp, the Mercedes manages to best its acceleration figure by 0.6 seconds — likely on account of a snappy 8-speed dual clutch gearbox and standard four-wheel drive.

Straightline speed has never been the hot Civic’s main remit; it’s in the bends where the Type R excels. Although both cars offer ferocious grip and surefooted roadholding, the Civic’s lower weight, bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres, wider track, and stiff chassis, culminate in a more responsive driving experience. Throw in a perfectly weighted manual gearbox and the Type R becomes one of the most engaging hot hatches ever.

Practicality

A good hot hatch has to do it all — you’d buy a sports car if practicality didn’t matter. So, what are these two like as grocery getters? Relatively admirable, as it happens. Both machines are as spacious as their common-or-garden equivalents. That means decent legroom and boot space across the board, although the Civic is slightly more accommodating in both areas.

Value

There’s no easy way of saying this: both cars cost around £50,000. That’s probably a tough pill to swallow — especially considering the Civic is slightly pricier than the more premium A35, but it smarts less when compared to the EV competition. For example, you’d need to part with another £10,000 for Hyundai’s critically acclaimed Ioniq 5N, and we’d argue both the Civic and the A35 are more thrilling steers.

Our Pick

Despite offering two very different approaches to the age-old hot hatch formula, the Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-AMG A35 should appeal to petrolheads far and wide. However, while the Mercedes wins on paper, the Honda gets our vote for its raw and unfiltered feel. Afterall, if you’re going to buy a combustion-powered performance car, you want one which celebrates the intricacies of the genre — warts and all.  

Which sub-£50,000 hot hatchbacks make your shortlist? 

Hero image credit: Honda/ Mercedes