2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor, drawing inspiration from the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic was available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices in Canada starting at $24,465 and reaching up to $30,265 for the Touring model, excluding destination charges. The Civic Touring, tested in Morning Mist Blue, offered a sophisticated interior with minimalistic controls and improved materials, reflecting a grown-up aesthetic. The dashboard featured a metal honeycomb mesh that elegantly concealed the air vents, enhancing the interior's refined look.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta maintained a conservative appearance, typical of the brand, but lacked the symmetry and balance of previous models. Available in Trendline, Comfortline, Highline, and GLI trims, the Jetta's prices ranged from $23,295 to $34,495, excluding destination charges. The Highline trim, tested in Platinum Grey Metallic, offered an upscale interior with ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and a large sunroof. Despite its bland exterior, the Jetta's interior channeled a sense of luxury, reminiscent of the VW Group's Audi brand, providing a visually inoffensive yet upscale experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Touring trim boasted a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, providing a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. The Civic's improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and enhanced steering feel contributed to its enjoyable ride and handling characteristics. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, averaging 7.7 L/100 km compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, generating 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Trendline and Comfortline trims came with a standard six-speed manual transmission, while the Highline offered an eight-speed automatic. The Jetta's driving experience was characterized by zippy acceleration, light steering, and a compliant suspension, making it nimble in urban environments. However, the automatic transmission exhibited a noticeable delay in response, affecting the driving experience. The Jetta Highline averaged 7.8 L/100 km on a mountainous testing loop, slightly above the official rating of 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured a power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats, though ventilation was absent. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging, but the rear seat provided ample legroom and heated cushions. The redesigned interior included a new centre console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders. The trunk offered 419 litres of volume, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, straddling the compact and midsize segments, comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option for a fifth passenger on short trips. The Highline trim included an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Jetta's interior offered generous storage space, including a large centre bin and glove compartment. The trunk provided 399 litres of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for added utility.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel. The Vehicle Activity display provided crucial information about the car's lighting status, enhancing safety. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system's voice recognition technology was notably improved, offering a seamless user experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Highline boasted a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with proximity-sensing and shortcut tiles. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the native voice recognition required Car-Net service upgrades for advanced functionality. Car-Net offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and four years of complimentary access to remote and safety features. The Highline trim included a Beats Audio system, though it lacked the rewarding experience of previous Fender collaborations.

The 2022 Honda Civic's Honda Sensing suite included advanced driver assistance features such as Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring technology. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The car's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Comfortline trim added blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Travel Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid. Emergency Assist, a rare feature in this segment, could identify an unresponsive driver and safely stop the car. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had mixed results in IIHS tests.