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Volkswagen Jetta GLI vs. Honda Civic

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

When comparing the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the advantage in the area of base engine power. 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, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Pricing: A used 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI ranges from $27,200 to $34,269 while a used 2024 Honda Civic is priced between $24,951 to $32,094. For a new model, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's price is between $29,456 and $35,411, with the Honda Civic priced between $25,044 and $32,100.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI loses 36.2 percent of its value and the Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 12.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI’s base engine makes 228 horsepower, and the Honda Civic base engine makes 158 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, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI has the advantage in the area of rear head room. The Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Honda Civic are comparable in regards to rear leg room.

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

2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
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Volkswagen Jetta GLI for Sale

2024 Honda Civic Sedan
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Honda Civic for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$29,456 - $35,411

Starting MSRP:

$28,085

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

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

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$30,280

Price Range:

$27,200 - $34,269

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

215

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

957

# Good or Great Deals:

3

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:

2,526

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

3,239

# Good or Great Deals:

148

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$10,429

Depreciation %:

37.1%

Resale Value $:

$17,656

Residual Value %:

62.9%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

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%

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

Honda Civic Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.0 / 10

Reliability:

8.8 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

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:

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%



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

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

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

7 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

9 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

16 / 24

Safest Small Cars

18 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

19 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

31 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

36 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

38 / 43

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

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Volkswagen Jetta GLI Trim Levels

40th Anniversary Edition, Autobahn

Honda Civic Trim Levels

Not yet available

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

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 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:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

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

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm

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

0.070 hp per pound

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

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:

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

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

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

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Available

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

Standard

Massage Seats:

N/A

Navigation System:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

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:

Available

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.1 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

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

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3274 lbs

Width:

80.2 inches

Height:

57.3 inches

Length:

186.9 inches

Wheelbase:

105.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.2 inches

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

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P225/45R18

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

215/55R16

Exterior Colors

Blue

Rising Blue Metallic

Gray

Pure Gray

White

Pure White

Black

Not available

Red

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Blue

Aegean Blue Metallic

Gray

Meteorite Gray Metallic

White

Platinum White Pearl

Black

Crystal Black Pearl

Red

Rallye Red

Silver

Lunar Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black

Gray

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Gray

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