Compare the2024 Ford MustangVS 2023 Honda Civic Type R

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Mustang have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Honda Civic Type R doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Mustang and Civic Type R have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Mustang has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Civic Type R’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

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 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 Mustang and the Civic Type R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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 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 EcoBoost’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 GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 165 more horsepower (480 vs. 315) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang GT’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 171 more horsepower (486 vs. 315) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Mustang Dark Horse’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 185 more horsepower (500 vs. 315) and 108 lbs.-ft. more torque (418 vs. 310) than the Civic Type R’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang EcoBoost’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Mustang EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (15.9 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Mustang V8’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 Dark Horse’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 shorter than the Civic Type R:

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

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.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Civic Type R’s (61.4% to 38.6%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Dark Horse handles at 1.06 G’s, while the Civic Type R Touring pulls only 1.03 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend 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 Mustang GT/Dark Horse’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Civic Type R’s (37.8 feet vs. 39.9 feet).

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

The Mustang 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 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 Automatic 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, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. 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 Mustang’s optional Easy Entry and Exit 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 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/Dark Horse’s standard 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.