I drove them both the CTS AND CTR back to back, I've driven a fair few T-Sports as I used to work for Toyota and I've owned a fair few Hondas I used to be a proper Honda nut. I expected to dislike the CTS and want the CTR but I thought I should try the CTS as you can get a newer and more looked after example for the money so I tried both back to back, this is what I thought CTR I love the look of the CTR I think they look great but the first thing that struck me was the interior was pretty damn terrible, extremely plasticy and hollow feeling, pant peeling off parts of the interior and the seats were flimsy and bobbling. Driving it was a better experiance but I didnt really understand what all the fuss was about, it was quick but I found it a bit dull compared to previous Hondas I've owned, the change over was smoothed out the car was almost silent and it felt a little disapointing, the main thing I liked about the CTR was the typical Honda gear box and the brakes were superior to the CTS CTS First of all you cant compare the pre facelift, the handling of the pre facelift really lets it down so this is facelift only. The facelift is a rare car so I love the fact that no one knows what it is. The first thing that struck me about the CTS and what I had forgot about as it was five years since I worked for Toyota was the interior build quality, it is miles ahead of the CTR, hard plastic and firm seats with no wear. The car also sounds so much nicer, it has a throaty tone to it and upon putting my foot down I was really surprised at how quick it felt, the changeover was more aggresive and the sound was awesome. The kit level is what won it for me, all the toys and trim level you get in the CTS over the CTR. The CTR does have much better gear box and brakes though but thats it, other than that the handling etc all seemed very similar Basically you should try test driving both, you might not be bothered about kit level and prefer to have a more well known car, personally I wanted the extra toys but with a high revving engine and better interior and I like the fact its the underdog so the CTS won it for me