2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2024 Honda Civic

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta presented a conservative design that was typical of the brand, aiming for a timeless appeal. However, its current iteration lacked the symmetry and balance of previous models, resulting in a rather bland appearance. The interior of the Jetta Highline trim, though, was a different story. It exuded an upscale feel with features like ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and a large sunroof, all contributing to a sense of luxury at a price point under $32,000. The Jetta's interior was straightforward and functional, with a focus on delivering emotional value through its design and features.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Civic Si maintained a stealthy yet sporty exterior, reminiscent of early performance models. It featured LED lighting, a gloss-black lip spoiler, and distinctive 18-inch wheels, with subtle "Si" badges adding to its understated charm. Inside, the Civic Si was more expressive, with red accents and stitching throughout the cabin, metal pedal covers, and an aluminum shift knob. The interior design was both functional and stylish, with a focus on enhancing the driving experience. The Civic Si's cabin was a blend of practicality and sportiness, offering a high-quality feel with thoughtful details.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This setup provided zippy acceleration and nimble handling, especially in urban settings. The Jetta's eight-speed automatic transmission, however, exhibited a delay in response, which could be mitigated by using the Sport mode, albeit at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Jetta Highline's handling was commendable, with accurate steering and reliable brakes, making it a pleasure to drive on mountain roads. The all-season tires further enhanced its performance, offering excellent grip and communication.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si, on the other hand, featured a high-output version of the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, the Civic Si offered a more engaging driving experience. The drivetrain included a helical limited-slip differential, enhancing cornering performance. The Civic Si's suspension and steering systems were tuned for sportiness, providing a connected and responsive feel. While the Civic Si excelled in performance, it did encounter a braking issue during hot testing conditions, which slightly dented its otherwise impressive capabilities. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with an average of 8.0 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered a spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four adults with ample legroom and a generous trunk capacity of 399 litres. The Jetta Highline featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, ensuring comfort for the driver. However, the lack of a height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents were noted drawbacks. The Jetta's interior storage was plentiful, with various compartments for convenience.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si balanced performance with practicality, featuring sport-bolstered front seats and a manual driver's seat height adjuster. The Civic Si's interior was well-equipped with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a power sunroof. The back seat offered generous legroom, and the trunk provided 408 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. While the Civic Si's storage was adequate, the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta Highline came with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the interface had some usability quirks. The Jetta's Car-Net service offered a range of connected features, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote access functions. The Beats Audio system, however, was not particularly impressive.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Civic Si featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with onboard navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic Si's infotainment was user-friendly, with physical controls for volume and tuning. The Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality, thanks to its integration into the Civic's interior design.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta offered standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with additional features like blind spot monitoring and Travel Assist available on higher trims. The Jetta's safety systems generally performed well, though there were occasional inaccuracies. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had mixed results in IIHS evaluations.

The 2024 Honda Civic Si came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, some of these features were found to be intrusive during testing. The Civic Si earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a minor deduction for front passenger protection.