2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel due to its comfortable seats and soft-touch surfaces. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim offering a surprising array of features such as 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Honda Civic, on the other hand, was known for its segment-defining models released every decade. The 2021 model was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, with the coupe and Civic Si on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with the Touring trim offering a Cosmic Blue Metallic paint option. The Civic's design was polarizing, with styling that some loved and others disliked. Its interior, while not as dramatic as when first released, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The Civic's cabin was roomy, comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago, and offered a comfortable ride with excellent thigh support in the rear seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across a range of speeds, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth and sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine, standard on the Touring trim, provided ample power and was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the CVT contributed to excellent fuel economy, averaging 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres, it was criticized for its droning noise and lack of responsiveness. The Civic's suspension and steering were praised for their ride and handling qualities, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. Its trunk space was 399 litres, which was average for the class. The interior layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, emphasizing functionality and practicality.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan had a low seating position, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. However, once inside, the seats were comfortable, with the driver's seat offering eight-way power adjustment. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support, although the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Civic's centre console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk was spacious, with 428 litres of cargo space, reduced to 416 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a full-colour digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was somewhat dated, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, and an on-board navigation system. The voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was a nice addition, though the eight-speaker setup was adequate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Jetta received a Good rating from the IIHS but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, but lacked a traditional radar-based system. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments.