2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite boasting all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might not be immediately distinguishable from its predecessor unless you were a dedicated fan. The new model was longer and lower, maintaining a 103.6-inch wheelbase, which contributed to a stable silhouette while preserving the nimbleness of earlier models. The front end featured a smooth hood, a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and the signature red accent line running between the LED headlights. Aerodynamic enhancements included redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings. The GTI came with red brake calipers, with wheel sizes varying by trim. Color options ranged from staple shades like silver, black, and white to more vibrant hues like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic.

Inside, the GTI offered plaid cloth seats as standard on the S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob was retained for manual transmission models, and all trims featured stainless steel pedals. The interior was driver-centric, with a center stack angled towards the driver and a unique “light and sight” panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly ample, making the GTI a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, with production taking place in Indiana. The new model shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured a unique grille pattern and wheel designs. From the rear-quarter view, the Civic hatch appeared well-balanced, though it still suffered from a somewhat stubby rear profile. The interior mirrored the Civic sedan, with Sport Touring trim adding sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The dashboard featured metal honeycomb detailing that concealed the air vents, and the controls were high-quality, though the CVT shifter operation felt slightly janky.

The Civic hatchback was available in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, with prices ranging from $22,900 to $29,400. The Sport Touring trim offered a choice between a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission, with no price premium for the transmission choice. The interior was comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat featured eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated. The car came with black fabric seats in lower trims and black leather upholstery in higher trims. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, introduced in 1983 as a performance variant of the VW Rabbit, had evolved significantly. The 2022 model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, a substantial increase from the original 90 horsepower. The engine reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with torque available from a low 1,750 rpm, making it a joy to drive on curving roads. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters, both sending power to the front wheels. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined for the manual, with a slight uptick for the automatic.

The GTI's suspension was retuned, with a lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes allowed for customization, and a standard electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential worked with the electronic stability control to reduce understeer. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, enhancing the car's handling and ride comfort.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Sport Touring trim offered both transmission types, with the CVT working well with the turbo engine and paddle shifters providing a more engaging experience.

The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a suspension setup featuring MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent design in the rear. The Sport and Sport Touring trims rode on 18-inch wheels with 235/40 Continental all-season tires, while the LX and EX-L had smaller wheels. The manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The turbo engine provided quick and effortless acceleration, and the suspension offered a balance between firmness and comfort. However, the brakes were not up to repeated hard use, and the all-season tires lacked grip during spirited driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down. The interior was driver-centric, with a center stack angled towards the driver and a unique “light and sight” panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly ample, making the GTI a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback provided 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a two-piece cargo shade that didn’t need to be removed for loading. The rear seats were 60/40 split-folding, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat featured eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated. The interior materials and design were high-quality, with black fabric seats in lower trims and black leather upholstery in higher trims. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a fully digital driver information display with three primary gauge displays and customizable options. The display spanned 10.25 inches and was standard on all trims. The infotainment system included an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in the SE and Autobahn trims. The system supported Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SE and Autobahn trims featured a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen’s Car-Net system offered various features, some of which required additional subscriptions.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs for power/volume and tuning, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system included a power/volume knob and tuning buttons. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 7-inch screen in lower trims and a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, 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 the Autobahn trim adding Park Assist for automatic parking.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available on the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS.