Poll: Volkswagen Jetta or Honda Civic?
Which small sedan would YOU rather own, the Volkswagen Jetta or Honda Civic? Each one states its case in this week’s latest poll.
Starting with the Jetta, it offers a roomy interior and refined drivetrain. Its back seat offers more than 38 inches of legroom, a hair more than the Civic can muster. Likewise, its trunk is slightly larger, maxing out at 15.7 cubic feet compared to the Honda’s 15.1.
When it comes to propulsion, the Volkswagen’s base engine displaces 1.4-liters, but the more muscular (and likely popular) option is a 1.8-liter turbo. With class-leading refinement, this unit delivers 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual or six-gear automatic are your transmission choices.
As for the Civic, it offers a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, but the one you really want is the brand-new 1.5-liter turbo. It’s rated at 174 horsepower and up to 167 lb-ft of torque when matched to a six-speed manual transmission. When paired with the optional CVT that figure drops slightly to 162.
The Honda in this comparison is a fresher product than Volkswagen’s offering. Accordingly, it’s significantly more efficient. When equipped with the continuously variable transmission and turbocharged engine it should average 36 miles per gallon. A similarly equipped Jetta (1.8-liter engine and automatic transmission) musters just 29 MPG.
So, which of these practical, small family sedans do YOU prefer? Please, compare them right here to get more information and make sure to exercise your civic (no pun intended) duty by voting in our poll!
Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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My 2017 Honda Civic get's terrible gas mileage, the A/C is not good, and the touchscreen interface is annoying. I am thinking about purchasing a Jetta.
I really love the both of them.