Volkswagen GLI vs. Honda Civic
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen GLI and Honda Civic 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 Volkswagen GLI and the Honda Civic.
When we compare the Volkswagen GLI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen GLI has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen GLI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen GLI is a better car than the Honda Civic.
Pricing: A used 2009 Volkswagen GLI ranges from $2,588 to $8,450 while a used 2009 Honda Civic is priced between $3,999 to $11,554.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen GLI’s base engine makes 200 horsepower, and the Honda Civic base engine makes 140 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen GLI has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front leg room and 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:
-
Starting MSRP:
24590
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
15505
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
16059
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
14120 - 18625
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
6324
Price Range:
2588 - 8450
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
7537
Price Range:
3999 - 11554
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
6281
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
5263 - 8116
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
259
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
144857
# Good or Great Deals:
63
Volkswagen GLI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen GLI
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9724237924300346
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
15.346179346565235
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.0 - 18.5
Volkswagen GLI Rankings
Not yet available
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid, Natural Gas
Volkswagen GLI Trim Levels
Base, Base PZEV
Honda Civic Trim Levels
Not yet available
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque:
207 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
140 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
128 foot-lbs @ 4300 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.053 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
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:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
26 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
343 / 449 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Bench Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.1 inches
Cargo Space:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
91.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.4 inches
Cargo Space:
12 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
90.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3290 lbs
Width:
70.1 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
179.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2630 lbs
Width:
69 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
177.3 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
P195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Metallic
Blue
Laser Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Grey Metallic
Red
Salsa Red
White
Candy White
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Atomic Blue Metallic / Royal Blue Pearl
Gray
Polished Metal Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Taffeta White
Silver
Alabaster Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Gray
Anthracite Interlagos Cloth / Anthracite Leather
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
