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Honda Civic vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 GTI.

In comparing the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Pricing: A used 2024 Honda Civic ranges from $24,895 to $46,766 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is priced between $29,999 to $40,715. For a new model, the Honda Civic's price is between $26,044 and $46,341, with the Volkswagen Golf GTI priced between $32,769 and $42,838.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 35 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 11.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf GTI's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 12 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Golf GTI being ranked 17 out of 43.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.4 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf GTI the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic an advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Civic’s base engine makes 158 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI base engine makes 241 horsepower.

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 GTI 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 GTI have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Honda Civic has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
Honda Civic
Volkswagen Golf GTI

2024 Honda Civic Hatchback
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Honda Civic for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
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Volkswagen Golf GTI for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$26,044 - $46,341

Starting MSRP:

$24,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$32,769 - $42,838

Starting MSRP:

$31,965

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$29,507

Price Range:

$24,895 - $46,766

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

3,464

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

1,896

# Good or Great Deals:

110

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$34,636

Price Range:

$29,999 - $40,715

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,785

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

365

# Good or Great Deals:

9

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$6,083

Depreciation %:

24.4%

Resale Value $:

$18,867

Residual Value %:

75.6%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$11,477

Depreciation %:

35.9%

Resale Value $:

$20,488

Residual Value %:

64.1%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Honda Civic Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.4 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10

Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13.6

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

26.8%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf GTI

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

11.3

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

1.5%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

14.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Honda Civic Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

1 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

4 / 43

Best Small Cars for Teens

4 / 5

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

5 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

6 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

7 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

8 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

9 / 21

Best Small Cars

12 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

13 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

23 / 24

Safest Small Cars

24 / 43

Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings

Best Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 3

Best Family Small Cars

7 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

8 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

11 / 21

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

12 / 43

Safest Small Cars

14 / 43

Best Small Cars

17 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

17 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

18 / 24

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

20 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

26 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

32 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

32 / 43

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Honda Civic Trim Levels

EX-L, LX, Sport, Sport Touring, Type R, EX, Si, Touring

Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels

380 Autobahn, 380 S, 380 SE, Autobahn, S, SE

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:

4 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:

TOP SAFETY PICK

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

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):

0.054 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

241 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

273 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.076 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:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Roof Rack:

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

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

N/A

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Roof Rack:

N/A

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

Available

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

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:

56 inches

Cargo Space:

24.5 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

123.5 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.9 inches

Cargo Space:

19.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

111.8 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2928 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

179 inches

Wheelbase:

107.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3188 lbs

Width:

81.6 inches

Height:

57.6 inches

Length:

168.8 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy with painted accents

Tire Size:

215/55R16

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

polished aluminum alloy with painted accents

Tire Size:

P225/40R18

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Pearl

Gray

Meteorite Gray Metallic

Silver

Lunar Silver Metallic

White

Platinum White Pearl

Blue

Not available

Red

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic

Gray

Moonstone Gray

Silver

Reflex Silver Metallic

White

Opal White Pearl

Blue

Atlantic Blue Metallic

Red

Kings Red Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid

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