Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2023 Honda Civic Type R

The Chevrolet Camaro 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 Camaro has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen 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 Camaro and the Civic Type R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Honda Civic Type R:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Camaro is safer than the Honda Civic Type R:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Camaro is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the Civic Type R.

The Camaro’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Civic Type R’s (6 vs. 5 years).

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Camaro has a standard 700-amp battery. The Civic Type R’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Camaro is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camaro’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Civic Type R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 16th, below the industry 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 Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

The Camaro’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 20 more horsepower (335 vs. 315) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camaro LT1/SS’ standard 6.2 V8 produces 140 more horsepower (455 vs. 315) and 145 lbs.-ft. more torque (455 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Camaro ZL1’s standard 6.2 supercharged V8 produces 335 more horsepower (650 vs. 315) and 340 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Camaro has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (19 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro 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 Camaro ZL1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Type R:

The Camaro SS’ 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 Camaro stops much shorter than the Civic Type R:

For better traction, the Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Civic Type R (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. 265/30R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The Civic Type R’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the Civic Type R (110.7 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

The Camaro’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51.9% to 48.1%) than the Civic Type R’s (61.4% to 38.6%). This gives the Camaro more stable handling and braking.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 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 Camaro’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.9 feet). The Camaro ZL1’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.9 feet).

The Camaro Coupe has 1.6 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more front hip room than the Civic Type R.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Camaro. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Camaro uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Civic Type R uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Camaro 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 Camaro 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 two different drivers share the Camaro (except LS/LT1), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Camaro (except LS/LT1)’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 Camaro (except LS/LT1) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, turn signal and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

When the Camaro with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Civic Type R’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Camaro’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Civic Type R offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Camaro (except LS/LT1) 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 Camaro’s optional (except LS/LT1) 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 Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Honda Civic Type R isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Civic Type R has never been chosen.