Honda Civic RS v Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo 2017 Comparison

Affordable and practical small cars that turn in their best work with the wick lit are almost universally 'hot hatches'.

But there are a couple of sedans we could name that deliver the same sort of sporty performance, combined with the advantages (and concessions) that go with the traditional three-box body style.

Current front runners are the Honda Civic RS and the Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo – both relatively new to market.

While the Hyundai is the flagship of the Elantra range, the sporty Civic RS is one rung down from the luxe VTi-LX.

Why are we comparing them?
Not only are these two cars very close in specification, they're a few hundred dollars apart in price, making them a natural choice for comparison.

Both cars are front-wheel drive, powered by small-capacity turbocharged four-cylinder engines and each car comes with a variation on the automatic transmission theme – a continuously variable unit for the Civic, a dual-clutch for the Elantra.

They both ride on 17-inch alloy wheels.

In terms of engine output these two bookend the Nissan Pulsar SSS, which is already beginning to show its age. The Nissan is cheaper, but lacks refinement.

Who will they appeal to?
The Civic RS and Elantra SR Turbo are aimed at enthusiast drivers with a need for some passenger-carrying practicality as well. Easily the roomier of the two, the Civic also boasted the larger boot (517 v 458 litres for the Elantra).

Both cars were fitted with sunroofs, but the rear-seat headroom was slightly better in the Civic, and legroom was streets ahead of the Hyundai's. So the Civic is the car for families with growing teenagers.

The Civic is also rated at up to 800kg for towing capacity – but Hyundai doesn't recommend the Elantra SR Turbo for towing.

How much do they cost?
At $31,790 (plus on-road costs), the Civic is $190 less than the Elantra SR Turbo ($31,980 plus ORCs). But the Honda's metallic paint added $575 to the price.

With a red colour option costing $295 for the leather upholstery the Elantra drew close again on price. Finished in Polar White, a solid colour, the Elantra didn't incur the extra $495 for premium paint.

There's little to pick between the two for equipment, but the Hyundai is well ahead of the Honda where warranty is concerned. The Civic is covered for three years or 100,000km but the Elantra is covered for five years and unlimited kilometres.

What do they do well?
Ride comfort in the Civic is outstanding, and the Honda copes with everything from potholes to speed humps with equal aplomb. There's no serious detriment to body control or roadholding either.

The Civic is a roomy car inside, as already noted, and it's comfortable in other ways, offering light steering and being well insulated from noise, until the engine is working harder.

An altogether different animal, the Elantra SR is fun with a capital F. There's exploitable torque right through the rev range, and a well sorted chassis to exploit that engine output. Yet it remains frugal to run.

What could they do better?
The Civic's high-revving engine and the dozy CVT seriously detract from its standing as a driver's car. It's by no means dynamically inept, but the Honda's chassis is never challenged by what the drivetrain has to offer.

Brake pedal feel is tepid, and the steering lacks feedback. By comparison, the Elantra's excellent chassis is almost overwhelmed by the Hyundai's performance. It almost calls for a limited-slip different for best results.

Brake pedal feel was firm but wooden, and the ride is arguably too firm for some prospective buyers. The Elantra's packaging isn't in the same ballpark as the Civic's.

Which wins, and why?
If you're in the market for a car with 'R' (for race) or 'S' (for sport) in the trim-level designation, you're likely someone who enjoys driving.

Ultimately then, the Elantra SR Turbo is the car for you. The Civic had real trouble keeping up with the low-flying Elantra and it was hard work (in an unsatisfying way) wringing the most out of the Honda. The Civic, despite the RS appellation, veers more towards comfort.

2017 Honda Civic RS pricing and specifications:
Price: $31,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 127kW/220Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 6.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 140g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

2017 Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo pricing and specifications:
Price: $31,980 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 150kW/265Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (2016)