RUNNING COSTS

Civic’s 31.2mpg fuel economy adds up to an annual petrol bill of £2,256. The Golf’s 31.0mpg total means it’ll cost £2,270 a year to run, but both figures are respectable.

DEPRECIATION The Honda is predicted to lose £20,014 over three years, but the VW will shed only £19,509, thanks to higher anticipated residual values of 47.6 per cent against the Type R’s 40.3 per cent.