Compare the2025 Ford MustangVS 2025 Honda Civic Type R

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Mustang are reminded to check the back seat. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 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, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 driver alert monitors.

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

	Mustang	Civic Type R
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	127	325
Neck Injury Risk	22.1%	30%
Neck Stress	211 lbs.	241 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	103/454 lbs.	189/372 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	161	444
Neck Stress	185 lbs.	189 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	149/123 lbs.	275/164 lbs.

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 Ford Mustang is safer than the Honda Civic Type R:

	Mustang	Civic Type R
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	154 lbs.	286 lbs.
Hip Force	180 lbs.	286 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	515 lbs.	805 lbs.

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 Mustang is 1.6% less likely to roll over than the Civic Type R.

Warranty

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.

Reliability

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’ 2024 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 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

Engine

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.

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

	Mustang GT	Mustang Dark Horse	Civic Type R
Zero to 60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.1 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	12.6 sec	13.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	114.7 MPH	113.5 MPH	104.2 MPH

In an extreme test of performance conducted by Car & Driver magazine, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse demonstrated the extrodinary ability to accelerate to 150 MPH and then stop completely in only 29.7 seconds. It took the Honda Civic Type R Touring 52.7 seconds.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Mustang (except Dark Horse)’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 has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Civic Type R (16 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Civic Type R doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

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

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Mustang Dark Horse’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic Type R:

	Mustang Dark Horse	Civic Type R
Front Rotors	15.4 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14 inches	12 inches

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:

	Mustang	Civic Type R
150 to 0 MPH	569 feet	674 feet	Car and Driver
100 to 0 MPH	178 feet	308 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	141 feet	153 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	87 feet	104 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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).

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.

Suspension and Handling

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 1.07 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 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).

Chassis

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.

Passenger Space

The Mustang Fastback has 2.2 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more front hip room than the Civic Type R.

Cargo Capacity

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.

Towing

The Mustang has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Civic Type R has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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/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/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.

Compared to the Honda Civic Type R, the Ford Mustang eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the driver’s visor.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Mustang, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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