Honda Civic vs. Volkswagen Golf
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf 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 Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Golf.
When we compare the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf.
Pricing: A used 2021 Honda Civic ranges from $18,496 to $41,507 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $14,517 to $22,997.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Honda Civic loses 28.3 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf loses 41.7 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 13.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 1 out of 29 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 5 out of 29.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.1 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf the reliability rating is 7.9 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Civic’s base engine makes 174 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles.This gives the Honda Civic the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Golf the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the 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, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Golf have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
22200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25347
Price Range:
18496 - 41507
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
950
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
62548
# Good or Great Deals:
160
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
18641
Price Range:
14517 - 22997
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
19
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
71573
# Good or Great Deals:
9
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.299
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.133
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
12.376938869918643
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9188929339555512
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 19Volkswagen Golf Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Honda Civic Trim Levels
EX, EX-L, LX, Sport, Sport Touring, Touring, Type R Limited Edition, Type R Touring
Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels
TSI
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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.060 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 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):
31 / 40 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 496 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):
29 / 39 / 33
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 515 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
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:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
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:
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:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
25.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
122.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
17.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
110.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2906 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
177.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2945 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.2 inches
Length:
167.6 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
205/55R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Gray
Polished Metal Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
White
Pure White
Blue
Silk Blue Metallic
Silver
White Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Beige
Beige
