2017 Honda Civic vs Volkswagen Golf

What's the difference?

If you know your performance machinery, you know that Honda’s Type R badge is deservedly held in high esteem. Sure, the NSX is the pinnacle of Honda, but the Type R has long shown the company can also bring performance to the people.

After a prolonged gestation period, the Type R badge has resurfaced in Australia, affixed to the rear end of the 10th-generation Civic. Does it hold true to the values of the Type R philosophy of a ‘well engineered but exciting driving experience’, or has it morphed into something different?

While Australia’s passionate SUV love affair continues unabated, Europeans maintain a more stable and mature relationship with the wagon. And who can blame them?

With a lower centre of gravity for more nimble dynamics, a good wagon combines the practicality of an SUV with the driving pleasure of a conventional hatch or sedan.

In fact, the compact performance wagon is something Euro carmakers do extremely well. And happily, the Volkswagen Golf R, is returning to Australia in wagon form from January next year.

The Golf R wagon was sold in Australia in limited numbers in 2015, but this time around it will sit alongside its hatch sibling as a permanent addition to the local VW line-up.

Volkswagen Australia invited us to a preview drive of the latest ‘Mk7.5’ version of the car, in its home environment.