Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. Honda Civic
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 Golf GTI and the Honda Civic.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Pricing: For a new model, the Volkswagen Golf GTI's price is between $33,305 and $42,915, with the Honda Civic priced between $27,816 and $29,445.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 41.4 percent of its value and the Honda Civic loses 28.3 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 13.1 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI is 8.0 out of 10 while the Honda Civic's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Golf GTI being ranked 11 out of 29 Best Small Cars and the Honda Civic being ranked 1 out of 29.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Golf GTI is 7.6 out of 10. For the Honda Civic the reliability rating is 8.1 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the Honda Civic base engine makes 150 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Honda Civic have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
33305 - 42915
Starting MSRP:
32445
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
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
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
37233
Price Range:
33860 - 41026
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# 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:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
13737
Depreciation %:
0.42338168
Resale Value $:
18708
Residual Value %:
0.57661832
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.3979908
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.31796157 - 0.42854561
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
7949
Depreciation %:
0.28599842
Resale Value $:
19846
Residual Value %:
0.71400158
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
0.30390054
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
0.28391798 - 0.41895823
Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
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 Golf GTI
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.032
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.8108517430028832
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 19Ranking
11 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 19Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 29Honda 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 / 19Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels
Autobahn, S, SE
Honda Civic Trim Levels
LX, Si, Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 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:
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:
241 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 hp per pound
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
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):
24 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
317 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
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
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
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
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3183 lbs
Width:
81.6 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
168.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
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
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Slate Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray
Red
Kings Red Metallic
Silver
Alpine Silver Metallic
White
Opal White Pearl
Beige
Not available
Exterior Colors
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
Beige
Sand Dune Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid
Interior Colors
Black
Black
