Ask around and people will tell you that the current Honda Civic Type R is the best hot hatch out there, ticking almost every box there is. That’s why this video does a little apples-versus-oranges comparison in trying to see whether the Type R can face the first-generation Honda NSX.

The Civic Type R has been delighting journalists and owners with a 306-horspower turbo’ed four-cylinder engine twinned to a slick-shifting six-speed manual. Everything about this duo implies smooth symbiosis and the stick shift in the Type R is one of the most pleasant you can still get today – not that there are too many around.

Another thing Honda did brilliantly with the Type R is chassis tuning. The level of composure and confidence you get from the suspension complemented by the responsive steering is simply top class. And don’t get us started on the bucketloads of grip available on each of the car’s four corners.

Then again, the Honda NSX is an out-and-out sports car with all the attributes you’d associate with this species. It’s low, sleek, light, agile, and quick.

The 3.2-liter all-aluminum VTEC V-6 is good for 290 horsepower – which is less than what the Type R makes – and with R&D knowledge provided by the great Ayrton Senna himself, you’d think the NSX can destroy its more modern hot hatch peer. Which is wrong. The Type R wins this one, believe it or not.