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Honda Civic vs. Volkswagen Jetta

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

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

Pricing: A used 2024 Honda Civic ranges from $24,951 to $32,094 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Jetta is priced between $21,495 to $29,945. For a new model, the Honda Civic's price is between $25,044 and $32,100, with the Volkswagen Jetta priced between $23,088 and $30,451.

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 Jetta loses 36 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 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 base engine of both the Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Jetta makes 158 horsepower. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. The Jetta is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 554 miles.This gives the Honda Civic the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Jetta 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, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage in the area of rear head room. The Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta are comparable in regards to rear leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Honda Civic and the Volkswagen Jetta 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 Jetta

2024 Honda Civic Sedan
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Honda Civic for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Jetta
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Volkswagen Jetta for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$25,044 - $32,100

Starting MSRP:

$23,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$23,088 - $30,451

Starting MSRP:

$21,435

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:

$27,777

Price Range:

$24,951 - $32,094

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

2,030

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

17,015

# Good or Great Deals:

333

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$25,029

Price Range:

$21,495 - $29,945

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

852

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

15,227

# Good or Great Deals:

127

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$5,875

Depreciation %:

24.5%

Resale Value $:

$18,075

Residual Value %:

75.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$7,817

Depreciation %:

36.5%

Resale Value $:

$13,618

Residual Value %:

63.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

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 Honda Civic

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13

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:

41.9%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.3

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:

9%



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

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Honda Civic Rankings

Most Reliable Small Cars

2 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

3 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $25k

3 / 13

Best Small Cars for Teens

3 / 5

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

4 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars

5 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 43

Best Family Small Cars

6 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

7 / 43

Best Small Cars for the Money

7 / 13

Best Small Cars for Tall People

12 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

14 / 24

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

17 / 43

Safest Small Cars

23 / 43

Volkswagen Jetta Rankings

Best Family Small Cars

3 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

6 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

8 / 24

Best Small Cars Under $25k

8 / 13

Best Small Cars for the Money

9 / 13

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

10 / 43

Safest Small Cars

11 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

11 / 43

Best Small Cars

13 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

24 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

30 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

34 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

37 / 43

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Honda Civic Trim Levels

Not yet available

Volkswagen Jetta Trim Levels

SEL, Sport, 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

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 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

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 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):

0.055 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

158 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm

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

0.055 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):


31 / 40 / 35

Range (city/hwy):

384 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

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


29 / 42 / 34

Range (city/hwy):

383 / 554 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

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

Alloy wheels:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

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

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

N/A

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

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

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

Standard

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:

14.8 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

99.0 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:

2877 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

184 inches

Wheelbase:

107.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2895 lbs

Width:

80.2 inches

Height:

57.7 inches

Length:

186.5 inches

Wheelbase:

105.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.5 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 with painted accents

Tire Size:

P205/60R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Crystal Black Pearl

Blue

Aegean Blue Metallic

Gray

Meteorite Gray Metallic

Red

Rallye Red

Silver

Lunar Silver Metallic

White

Platinum White Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Deep Black Pearl

Blue

Rising Blue Metallic

Gray

Platinum Gray Metallic

Red

Not available

Silver

Pyrite Silver Metallic

White

Pure White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black

Gray

Storm Gray

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