2020 Honda Civic Type R vs 2002 EP3 Civic Type R // VTEC Wars 

"My hand only has to travel 3 inches. That's a number that Thomas is used to." 😂😂😂 Bravo, boys, bravo.

I love watching you guys review these 2 amazing Honda Type Rs. Awesome review and in 4k? Epic!

Thanks a lot for having my car part of this epic video! It was a blast watching you guys review it!

4:26 I really wanted to hear James shout "MOAR POWA BABEYY!!!" when he was explaining VTEC with the EP3 Type R

Thomas: (takes his hands off of the wheel while driving the EP3) Me, an EP3 owner: (sweats in bumpsteer)

Ep3 for the win. I own one and love it cant get enough of it and it's a blast to drive. 03 to be specific with 192000 miles on it. Even in a new type r love them but it's just that pure raw power from the ep3 that gets me back into it.

Finally someone let James out of that old church attic for some fresh air.

That 2020 blue is simply stunning. The Type R is still one of my favorite cars I've tested. Just an absolute monster.

6:10 “That’s a number Thomas is used to.” I... am... dead

Great to see you guys together and driving again. Welcome back! And what a treat to have an old Type R on the show! I owned a 2005 Civic Si in that hatchback style for a couple years. I absolutely loved that car. It was the first car I owned that was genuinely fun to drive, and is still my 2nd favorite I’ve owned, just behind my ND Miata. I traded that Si for a new CRV in 2007 due to a growing family, and almost immediately regretted it. 13 years later I still search for that Si model online sometimes.

The most fun "slow" car to drive was my 1991 CRX HF that was lighter and revved higher than the SI. Yes it was slower but taking it down a mountain road was unforgettable.

Hey! Someone released James from the church!

Brilliant video chaps. Brings back memories. We ( wife and I ) have owned two EP3s. Loved them both and always will. Great chassis, loved the gearbox (and stick position) however, moving on was the right thing. Over time, I got fed up of having to ring the crap out of the engine to get the most out of it. Must try this new one some day. It does look a very special car.

Man those old type R looked so clean!

I have the pre-facelift EP3 and I love it. Such a driver-focused car. Love to bring it on the track, loads of suspension mods done to it, but keeping it N/A just because of that VTEC. Of course, the FK8 is a much better car, but I would rather take the EP3, and get a standard 2019 Civic as a Daily. Just my opinion.

This just made my day so much better... keep it up Thomas and James!

I have the Boost Blue for about a month and I am really loving it. It's a car that makes me want to go for a drive for no reason at all. The looks can be polarizing to some people, but during a month of ownership, all I got were positive compliments, surprisingly many from older folks. They just love the color! Other than them, it's usually kids, or other car enthusiasts. As for second gear grind, it still exists in 2020, but it rarely occurs and only when my shifting isn't perfect. The fake noise actually sounds great (even a friend who owns a Veloster N agrees). It helps with the gear shift, and allow you to push the car harder without waking up your neighbors. My only complaint about fake sound is it's not configurable and tied to drive modes. Sometimes on rough roads, I want to be in comfort mode and hear the sound at the same time which is not possible.

The intros.. They're pure art!

Great video lads. I ran a JDM FD2 Type R for 4 years and absolutely loved it. You absolutely MUST try and get a drive in one if you can - all the NA power (and more) of the EP3 but with much higher levels of steering precision.

As someone who got into car reviews by watching The Straight Pipes and Doug Demuro, after watching all the channels out there, it’s amazing how vastly superior Throttle House and Savage Geese are. Hard to finish episodes of other car reviewers after watching the way you guys combine humor, amazing camera work, and more technical knowledge.

It saddens me they only have 600k subs. These guys need to go viral! Their content is utter perfection!

You guys are phenomenal, sarcastic/enthusiastic and just all around great. Top Gear Canada should be yours.

Ahhhhh why did you have to post this when I have to work. I hate how much I love you guys!

Cool you guys got out after a while. Judging by the almost over-enthused vibe from the video, it was severely needed 😂😂😂 either that, or the cars were actually THAT GOOD, or a combination of the two... regardless... more of this! Loved it! Makes me want to drive an EP3 as I’ve driven the new one and was blown away just as much as you two! Cheers boys!

So that’s where the boost blue went lol first review channel that got one

I'd like to see the new Civic type R compared to a JDM Integra type R

Nothing will ever be as cool as an EP3-R.

If I had the money I'd snatch a new Type R in a heartbeat. Absolutely love it!

What's wrong with people, this channel should at the very least have 1.5 mil subscribers by now. Their content is pure fun and quite professional at the same time. The puns and the dad jokes never gets old.

Awesome comparison. Love stuff like this.

That is one of the coolest hot hatches ever made I love the VTech sound and the way it revs to 9,000

I well always have a spot in my heart for high revving naturally aspirated honda engines thats why I'm never letting go of my 8th gen Si.

"manual hand break should compliment a manual shifter..." exactly my point!!!

James: "It allows in more air, which allows in more fuel, which means more combustion, but more importantly, more power..." Me: "...Babeh."

I'm having hard time finding car reviewers as good and entertaining and likable as these guys. Chris Harris? Jason Cammisa? Matt Watson? Jeremy Clarkson back in the days? Sure but Thomas and James delivers real accurate reviews while being entertaining like none of them do. Keep it up guys!!!

Best auto reviews on the inter webs. Glad you’re back.

"Or maybe they have eyes that work" lolol savage

Always have and always will have a spot in my heart for the EP3 😘

EP3 has an electric steering rack also. The one thing that really let the car down.

Your videos evoke so much emotion. I had tears of emotion from the A80 Supra vs the A90 and tears of laughter from James’s comment about Thomas being used to having 3 inches. Glad you are here to give us some much needed laughter. Wish I had 220 hp in my Accord Euro manual.

Man! This was awesome. I’d love to see an old escort cosworth RS with the crazy 2 wings, and a 2018 focus rs

I had a 2007 civic si sedan and it had a naturally aspirated 4cyl with vtec, and it was badass from 6-8k rpm... I could only imagine what it would’ve been like with another 100hp (it had 200ish stock)

James: "I'm a happy bunny." So much fun.

Absolutely adore my EP3, mapped to 245bhp, few bolt on mods, its an absolute joy to drive, not the fastest car by a long way, but god damn its fun

First off I love your show, you guys are amazing. Second I suggest having a recap at the end of the video between you both on the vehicles you both drove and decide which ones you would buy with your own money. Third I'm a Honda Fanboy and I'm drooling over the 2020 civic type r in that blue.

Makes me miss my old 04 si cause of course we didn’t get the type r ... the thing I miss the most is the shifter on the dash ... good to see you guys back great video

I made my own Type R out of a ep3 si. Full type r body pieces and wing. upgraded suspension and k20/24 frank build putting 260hp to the wheels. only missing the type r seats and the cup hold sliding cover.

Owned my 03 ep3 since new and still love driving it ..still one if the most fun hatchbacks ever !

Finally ep3 are getting recognition 😭 I own one lmao

After listening to James around 10:45 to 11:15 it really reminded me of how much i miss driving my Integra G-SR. I have a few mods like the giant WPI "Honda guy will get the abbreviation" , headers and Js racing exhaust make the induction noise such a wonderful and involved experience. I now have a G37S Coupe 6MT which is worlds faster in a straight line and has the natural fun factor of rwd, However, i still find myself mid turn saying "dam i could do this in the Integra at 12 mph faster with much more confidence". To wrap it up, Ive owned V8s with massive torque, 4cy go carts and driven v12 supercars, Dont knock the japanese lower powered options till youve experienced them, they are truly magic around the bends. Happy driving guys!

“The type-r, and the Veloster N are the closest you will get to this much chaos” Mazdaspeed3 - hold my torque steer

If only the new Type R wouldn’t be such a boys racer and showy, the driving is insane, those things are rapid around the Nürburgring where I live nearby, but the looks ruin it for me, I’d rather have a Megane RS Trophy

lol "occasionally grinds second gear", just like my 02 RSX-S, even at 20k miles it was a little notchy.. some things never change

I love hatchbacks. Honda Civic Type R, Toyota Corolla Matrix XRS, Honda Civic Si, Subaru Impreza WRX Hatchback.

I loved the 2020 type R when I drove it. It is the best car I've ever driven. However, that styling. It's not a bad looking car but I just couldn't see myself in it. So, instead, I ended up with a 2020 Civic SI coupe. Still a fun car but something I can daily drive and not feel conspicuous in.

If they've dealt with the suspension on the FK fair enough! Most common thing i replaced on an EP3 and currently an FN2 was/is front drop links!

Want a rhd ep3 so bad, especially since it comes with the good k20 (usa comes with k20 a3 instead of a2 -_-)

James... we (europe) did have the EP3, in championship white and lsd and red recaros.... The difference was on the max output of the K20A2... we had 200hp and not the 212hp. Thomas, I believe you'll also have the touring version, with some interior and exterior changes with smaller wheels, 19"s , less the aero in te back. Incredible cars, and as usual a great entertaining video. ;) thx

Love my EP3!

You didn't mention the fact the ep3 has the steering rack mounted on the shocks. That is what appears to give it alot of torque steer and makes it twitch on uneven roads. It adds to the charactor. Give me the ep3 anyday :) all modern turbo charged hot hatches are too similar these days. Late 90s and early 2000's hondas are the best

Wow that intro was on a whole different level fam!

Sadly everyone might forget the DC2 in reports about nower days Type R´s. HE introduced the Type R line in Hondas modelrange in the early 90´s. (I think it was 1993 in Japan whit the the DC2 Type R and the NSX Type R follows) Been driving all following models of the Type R´s (Teggi / Civic / Accord [incl Euro R] ) and whould never give my lil´ rev-queen away vor a newer one. They drive REALLY good no blaming but the ´drivingfeeling´ in a Integra I think is different from Civic´s and others. It´s pretty more raw than an EP3. ITR´s are lovely noisy while driving aspecialy by getting in VTEC plus a marvelous behavior at high speed while going throug the corners. A fact of low weight and high stiffness of the chassie as well. :) But guys never less your report is good and I enjoyed it watching. :P

Loved seeing how responsive they are in the scenes 7:37 and 11:07!!

I love what he said towards the end about the assists and how there's the option for them to be turned off. I have a 2020 Civic Sport as a daily driver but am in Type R Facebook groups and people complain about how the additional features take away from its Type R-ness. At the end of the day MOST FK8 Type Rs will probably never see a track and will also be daily driven. Those features are great to have for a car that's being driven around town with other drivers. Once you hit the backroads and want to rip on it then sure feel free to turn them off. It's not a big deal.

i bought new one from dealer 2019 type r. After 5k miles ive tried on dyno . 330 hp, 420,2 Nm. full Stock . I did top speed 282km/h . Im form Poland , 98 gasoline.

The new type R looks amazing. A welcome change from all the boring same same designs.

Ep3 its all smiles and happyness!! Old Honda's are just the ones to get...

The one thing that I like about the Type-R is that it is one of the last manual transmissions out there. I will buy a 6-speed manual over any automatic transmission made today.

you can understand the difference between the two cars by pay attention to their behaviour when driving each car. Both of them have a huge smile and laugh like kids on the old one, and are more serious one the new one...

Love that Back To The Future reference in the beginning! 0:11

I had a jdm dc2 R b18 for ten years and I’m here after selling it four years ago watching vtec ....Honda is pure racing spirit

“Hello there that’s vtec” yeah that’s it😂

So is no one going to talk about James’ “Respect you elders” t-shirt on old vs new?Cool,cool,cool,cool.

I see that Shelby GLHS at 0:19! Please review it! They are unicorns and fun as hell

Not gonna lie, I would love to have the 2020 Type R in that blue, just wow! However I feel I'd miss my EP3, with it's raw, rough and rugged feel. The refinement of the FK8 is amazing, but the fake engine noise, 3kRPM rev limit when launching the car, and all the other electronics just put me off. However as far as a modern sports car goes, especially a FWD one, you can't deny how much of an engineering feat this is! Great videos guys as always, well done.

As a 2019 Type R owner, i approve of this video:)

I like the old civic’s looks, simple, minimalistic but it works great.

I’d own the 2020 R if there was an option to dial down some of the styling.

ooooh man the old 02 type R the best thing Honda ever did !!! what a monster of car god F damn i love it i love it !!!

Sweet, intro skits are back!

The Civic was the first UK hot hatch to get to 200bhp (well..almost) at a bargain price of £16k (about 27k at today's prices) which meant the average Joe could access the sort of performance previously reserved for much more expensive BMWs and Audis. They do look a little basic today but I remember the first time I pulled up behind one at the lights it looked great- really stood out from everything else at the time. It was another 8 years before I got one myself, definitely one of the more fun cars I've owned, very raw, very simple- best gear shift by a mile but probably the worst ride and the drone on the motorway would do your head in!

The true question: Where the hell did they get that delorean repilca from?

I still to this day want a high-revving Spoon K20A, but ultimately the reliability of a safe, reliable engine that starts & goes every time is more fitting 🏎

GUYS, I freaking love that you got the JDM version!

Great video guys! You are the main reason I bought a 2018 type r last year. Love it

Haha “I feel like I need a smoke” boom smoke free Canada add pops up

first time finding this channel.. its like a cut and paste of old time Top Gear.... and I like it

U guys really need to review a fiesta st

For the next generation Civic, Honda needs to make a nice, much less-ricey body and give it the exact same technology, equipment, and epicness as the current gen.

You guys are so effing cool. I loved that intro. Well done.

Stock, for a turbo car it doesn't take too too long to get to peak boost since it's such a tiny turbo. I upgraded the intercooler and downpipe before I got Hondata so I don't have any data logs of the car being stock. The downpipe especially, plus the intercooler help it get into it's torque much quicker. Now, with PRL HVI, PRL titanium inlet, prl catted downpipe, PRL intercooler with their charge pipes, and a full Invidia exhaust, I was just looking over some data logs and it will go from vaccum to peak boost in 1 second flat. Not too shabby. Once they release their bigger drop in turbo it probably won't be as fast... but it's 1000% worth it since the stock turbo falls on it's face high up in the powerband. Really interesting insight regarding the bushings, i'll have to try to upgrade them. I still need to get an RV6 rear sway bar to stiffen up the back along with springs that have a higher spring rate in the rear. Not that it really understeers, unless you try to do a super hard slow tight turn without braking to throw it's weight around first. larger sidewall tires on 18" wheels make the ride much better, no more worrying about potholes and every bump you see. Not to mention the stock wheels are 30lbs/13.6kg without the tires. cut off half that weight and the car brakes, accelerates, and corners better. Just may lose a little of that sharpness feeling you get from riding on rubber bands.

Up to and including the Ep3 is absolutely stunning and a great car, after that they totally went horrendous looking and ugly. What were they thinking. 😢

I've owned both and about every other rad honda to come out. Had the FK8 for 3ish years, 33k+ miles and many track days and trips to Tail of the Dragon. EP3 (non-type R) I have had for around a year and have yet to track it and I love it more already thant he FK8. If you don't have kids or don't care about modern tech, any 90s/early 2000s Honda will always be more fun every day. The new stuff is fun on the limits but not much soul otherwise.

This video is eternally stuck shifting from 2nd to third gear I love it.

Yes fantastic! Glad you guys are back. Even though it's 6ft apart.

That intro ... so simple, yet gold

Love the jabs at Toyota about bmw

i have an ep1, its pretty fun but i would love to try an ep3

I have an FN2 Type-R and it's a blast! Would love to own a new one someday too.

I'm so glad you're back. I didn't realise how linear you were to crack until the apocalypse. Thomas, what camera and lenses do you use for your detailed shots of the cars?