Honda Civic vs. Volkswagen Golf R
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Golf R 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 R.
When we compare the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of resale value and interior volume. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Civic's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf R.
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 R loses 40.8 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 12.5 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf R.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Civic’s base engine makes 150 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf R base engine makes 328 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 R has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: The Honda Civic has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
27816 - 29445
Starting MSRP:
27795
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
25166
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
22725 - 27795
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
25166
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
22725 - 27795
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
27845
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
27845 - 27845
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
27845
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
27845 - 27845
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
15.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
11.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.299
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
15.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
11.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
3 out of / 37Ranking
3 out of / 37Ranking
3 out of / 37Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 22Volkswagen Golf R Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 22Ranking
28 out of / 37Ranking
28 out of / 37Ranking
37 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Honda Civic Trim Levels
LX, Si, Sport
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
150 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
133 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
328 hp @ 5850 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.095 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not yet available
Engine Configuration:
Not yet available
Number of Cylinders:
Not yet available
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
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
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Roof Rack:
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 Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Roof Rack:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2976 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:
3450 lbs
Width:
81.6 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
169.1 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P235/35R19
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sand Dune Pearl
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Boost Blue Pearl
Gray
Meteorite Gray Metallic / Urban Gray Pearl
Red
Rallye Red
Silver
Solar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black w/ Blue Accents
Blue
Blue/Soul Black w/ Diamond Pattern Inserts
