2020 Honda Civic vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a masterclass in subtlety. Its unassuming exterior belied the performance potential hidden beneath its conservative 2-box design, honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets. Available in S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn trims, the GTI started at $27,595 and could reach $37,095 with the optional 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. The Rabbit Edition, priced at $28,895, featured gloss black 18-inch wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and side mirror caps, along with unique colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue. Inside, the GTI's straightforward dashboard design, quality materials, and whimsical Clark Plaid cloth upholstery in the S and Rabbit Edition trims added a touch of character.

The 2020 Honda Civic, on the other hand, was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback body styles. The sedan featured a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The 2019 model year brought upgrades to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels, which carried over to 2020. The Civic Si sedan and coupe received new matte-black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an updated grille. Inside, the Civic's simple interior boasted soft-touch materials, high-quality switchgear, and pleasing design elements like gloss-black trim and a pulsing red start button. The 2020 model year introduced new dash accents and revised sport seats with red bands for the Si trim.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a thrill to drive, thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which saw a power bump to 228 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. The VAQ limited-slip differential, standard on all trims, maximized traction and reduced understeer. The GTI's handling was impressive, with its Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS P225/40R18 tires contributing to its agility. Acceleration was brisk, reaching 60 mph without needing third gear. The GTI's ride was stiff, and the cabin could get noisy on the highway, but the progressive, variable-ratio steering and adaptive damping suspension (optional on SE and standard on Autobahn) made for an engaging driving experience. The GTI's brakes, borrowed from the Golf R, were sensitive and effective. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 25.1 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions across its lineup. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or a CVT. The EX and higher trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4, producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchback versions making 180 hp. The Civic Si, with its 1.5-liter engine boosted to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R, with 306 hp and 295 lb-ft, were the performance stars. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, while the Type R was remarkably composed despite its power. The Si's fuel economy was rated at 30 mpg combined, slightly lower than previous models due to a shorter final-drive ratio.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a versatile vehicle, perfect for a family man with a penchant for driving excitement. The front seats were height-adjustable and offered robust bolsters, available in plaid cloth or leather. The dashboard was user-friendly, with clear gauges and sensible controls. Storage was ample, with a cavernous glove box, deep door-panel bins, and a smartphone tray. The backseat provided acceptable comfort, though leg space was tight. The trunk offered 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which seemed optimistic, but maximum cargo space with the seats folded was 52.7 cubic feet.

The 2020 Honda Civic excelled in interior space and functionality. The hatchback featured more sound insulation and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat on EX models. The steering wheel controls were intuitive, and the center console offered configurable storage. Rear passengers enjoyed considerable room, though the lack of rear air vents was a drawback. The sedan's trunk provided 15 cubic feet of cargo space, while the coupe offered 12 cubic feet. The hatchback was the most spacious, with 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with them folded down.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Car-Net App Connect with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link on S and Rabbit Edition trims. The SE trim offered an upgraded system with an 8-inch display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a Fender premium sound system. The Autobahn trim added a navigation system and a semi-autonomous parking assistant. The adaptive LED front lighting system was standard on all but the S trim. The Rabbit Edition's infotainment system was basic but functional, though pairing issues with Apple CarPlay and subpar sound quality were noted.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while outdated, featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models except the base LX. The top-end trims had Garmin-based navigation with accurate voice recognition. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and came with a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Standard features included push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch, a camera system for blind-spot monitoring, was highly effective. Automatic climate control and Honda Sensing, with active lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams, were standard across the lineup.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot-monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert as a $450 option on the S trim. The Rabbit Edition included these features as standard. The SE trim added the Car-Net Safety & Security plan with a 6-month trial. The Autobahn trim featured adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. All GTIs had an automatic post-collision braking system. The GTI received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though front passenger protection was rated Acceptable in the small overlap frontal impact test.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. It received the top "Good" rating in all six crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.