2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Honda Civic continued the tradition of being a segment-defining vehicle, with its history of bold redesigns every decade. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, was no exception, offering a polarizing design that captured attention. By 2021, the Civic was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, though the coupe and Civic Si were on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in various trims, with the Touring trim featuring a striking Cosmic Blue Metallic paint. Despite its compact classification, the Civic offered interior and trunk space comparable to midsize cars from a decade ago. Its design, while daring in 2016, had aged, particularly in terms of its infotainment screen size. However, the cabin still boasted quality materials and thoughtful detailing, maintaining its role as a trend-setter.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, though claiming all-new body panels, retained a familiar look to its predecessor. The Mk8 GTI was longer and lower, with unchanged wheelbase dimensions, contributing to a stable silhouette. The styling adhered to the classic GTI form, with a smooth hood and subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake. The signature red accent line extended between the LED headlights, with an optional light bar adding drama. Aerodynamic enhancements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling. The GTI's trims featured different wheel sizes, with the Autobahn trim offering 19-inch wheels. The GTI's color palette included traditional and vibrant options, with Pomelo Yellow Metallic available for the Autobahn trim. Inside, the GTI offered plaid cloth seats as standard, with leather upholstery available on higher trims. The classic golf-ball shifter knob remained for manual transmission models, and all trims featured stainless steel pedals.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. However, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, standard on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, was the preferred choice. It delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for the Civic. The turbo engine, combined with a sophisticated suspension and precise steering, made the Civic enjoyable to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. Despite the CVT's drawbacks, such as a droning sound and ineffective paddle shifters, the Civic achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA estimate.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, produced 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, an updated version of the EA888 engine, featured integrated exhaust headers for improved heat management. The GTI's torque, peaking at 1,750 rpm, made it a joy to drive on winding roads. Power was sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) with paddle shifters. The GTI's retuned suspension, with weight reductions and stiffer rear springs, enhanced handling. Various drive modes allowed customization for different driving conditions, and the electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential improved cornering. The Autobahn trim's DCC adaptive damping system further enhanced performance, making the GTI a formidable contender in the hot hatch segment.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, though low to the ground, offered a comfortable interior once inside. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard on EX-L trim and above. The Civic's interior was spacious, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with ample rear seat space and excellent thigh support. However, the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The center console provided exceptional storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep center bin. The Civic sedan's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality, with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The 60/40 split-folding rear seat expanded cargo capacity to 34.5 cubic feet. The GTI's driver-centric design included a center stack angled toward the driver and a "light and sight" panel for easy headlight and defogging adjustments. Rear legroom was generous, providing comfort for passengers. The GTI's maneuverability and rear-seat comfort made it suitable for family use, despite its sporty nature.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology offerings varied by trim. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring's voice recognition system was basic, requiring specific prompts. While the premium sound system was impressive, the eight-speaker setup sufficed for most needs.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display, customizable with three primary gauge displays. The 10.25-inch display was standard across all trims, complemented by an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in SE and Autobahn trims. The GTI featured Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system in SE and Autobahn trims delivered excellent audio quality. However, the touch-capacitive volume and climate controls were frustrating to use. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, and online radio.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera. LaneWatch, available on EX trim and above, used a camera to monitor the right lane, but it had limitations. The Civic lacked a traditional blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. Despite these shortcomings, the 2021 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.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, a suite of ADAS, including Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with Park Assist available on the Autobahn trim. As a newly redesigned vehicle, the 2022 GTI had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.