Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Honda Civic Type R

The Ford Mustang has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Mustang has standard 911 Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Mustang and the Civic Type R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available rear parking sensors.

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

The Mustang’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang’s optional 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (330 vs. 315) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 135 more horsepower (450 vs. 315) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 155 more horsepower (470 vs. 315) and 100 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Mustang is faster than the Honda Civic Type R (manual transmissions tested):

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (15.5 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang GT/Mach 1’s standard fuel tank has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (16 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Mustang offers an optional automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Type R:

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Civic Type R are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the Civic Type R:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Civic Type R (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 265/30R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Civic Type R’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Mustang has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Civic Type R’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Civic Type R.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the Civic Type R’s (61.4% to 38.6%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the Civic Type R pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (36.5 feet vs. 39.9 feet).

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has 2.8 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more front hip room than the Civic Type R.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the Mustang. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Mustang is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Civic Type R. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Mustang Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Mustang Premium/Mach 1, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and outside mirror angle. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Civic Type R’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Mustang Premium/Mach 1 Deluxe keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Ford Mustang comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Honda Civic Type R isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.