2021 Honda Civic vs. 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Honda Civic and 2021 Volkswagen Jetta contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Honda Civic and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.
When comparing the 2021 Honda Civic's and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Honda Civic's and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Honda Civic is a better car than the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.
Pricing: A used 2021 Honda Civic ranges from $18,584 to $24,999 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $15,750 to $23,477.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta loses 36 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Honda Civic retains 12.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Civic is 9.0 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Jetta's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 5 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Jetta being ranked 13 out of 43.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Jetta the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Jetta.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2021 Honda Civic’s base engine makes 158 horsepower, and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 471 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 554 miles. This gives the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 Honda Civic. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the 2021 Honda Civic has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the area of rear head room. The 2021 Honda Civic and 2021 Volkswagen Jetta are comparable in regards to rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2021 Honda Civic and the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,250
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$18,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$15,295 - $28,695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$21,806
Price Range:
$18,584 - $24,999
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,288
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
42,462
# Good or Great Deals:
340
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$19,148
Price Range:
$15,750 - $23,477
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$21,394
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$13,751 - $30,996
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
831
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
42,746
# Good or Great Deals:
231
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
9.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.8 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Jetta Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Honda Civic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
41.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Volkswagen Jetta
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
7.1 - 10.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
9%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
16.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.3 - 16.8
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 43Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
23 out of / 43Volkswagen Jetta Rankings
Ranking
3 out of / 43Ranking
6 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
30 out of / 43Ranking
34 out of / 43Ranking
37 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2021 Honda Civic Trim Levels
Not yet available
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels
R-Line, S, SE, SEL, SEL Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
138 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 38 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 471 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
30 / 41 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
405 / 554 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
97.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
14.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2771 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2895 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.6 inches
Length:
185.1 inches
Wheelbase:
105.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/60R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Aegean Blue Metallic / Cosmic Blue Metallic
Gray
Modern Steel Metallic
Orange
Molten Lava Pearl
Red
Rallye Red
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Uni / Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Orange
Habanero Orange Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Ivory
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Storm Gray
