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Identifying the First-Gen Ford Mustang2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Honda Civic
This 2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic comparison pits two competent compact cars – that still offer a manual transmission – against one another.
Two Legacy Compact Cars go Head-to-Head
The Compact Car is a dwindling species, fading fast in the face of the mighty Crossover. This is doubly true of small cars that offer a manual transmission and hot rod variants. Fortunately, in a battle of the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic, we can still enjoy the attributes that make this class of vehicle worth considering.
Both the Jetta and Civic have been around since the 1970s as front-wheel-drive compacts with a healthy dose of fun-to-drive characteristics. The current Jetta is part of the 7th-generation series that arrived in 2019 and enjoyed a comprehensive overhaul last year. The 11th-gen Civic landed last year, so in both cases, there are few changes for 2023.
While the Jetta is strictly a four-door sedan, the Civic adds a hatchback variant to the mix along with the track-star Type R, a setup that VW doesn’t have an answer for in Jetta form. However, the Jetta GLI is a good match for the Civic Si, both of which offer a solid dose of performance for those looking to add zest to the daily commute. Let’s see who does it best!
Specs
For 2023, Honda fits LX and Sport model Civics with a 2.0L inline-4 making 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a CVT on the sedan, but a 6-speed stick is available on hatchback models. As with the VW, the Civic is FWD only. With the CVT, the Civic is rated for 35 mpg combined versus 29 for manual models.
Volkswagen fits every 2023 Jetta, aside from the GLI, with a turbocharged 1.5L inline-4 that puts down the same 158 hp as the Civic, but 184 torques – thank you forced induction. A 6-speed manual is standard on S and Sport models, while an 8-speed automatic is fitted to the SE and SEL trims. With the automatic, owners should see 33 mpg combined, while the manual is rated for 34.
The Civic Si features a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder with 200 horses, 192 torques, a standard 6-speed manual, and a 31-mpg combined rating. Jetta GLIs line up with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, 228 hp, 258 torques, the same transmission, and a 30-mpg combined rating. Unlike Honda, VW does offer an automatic transmission with the GLI, which matches the manual on fuel efficiency.
In a league of its own is the fire-breathing Civic Type R that produces 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4. Lashed exclusively to a 6-speed manual transmission, this track machine is rated for 24 mpg combined.
Driving and Performance
Every variant in this Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic comparison rides on fully independent suspension, so drivers can expect competent and planted handling. With its limited torque, base Civics are tuned for efficiency at the expense of excitement. But from there on up, it’s a close match between these two cars in the driving and performance department.
Civics with the boosted 1.5L engine – EX and Touring trim lines – can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 7.5 seconds. The base Jetta manages the same run slightly faster, 7.1 seconds, and the GLI brings that figure down to 6.1 seconds. Jetta GLI models are also upgraded with adaptive dampers, a limited-slip front differential, larger brake rotors, and stiffer springs.
The Civic Si is likewise tuned for street performance and has been clocked at 6.6 seconds in the 0-60 mph sprint. Need more? In Type R trim, the 2023 Civic gets wider fenders, 19-inch summer tires, Brembo brakes, an adaptive suspension, and the sauce required to clear 60 mph in under 5 seconds.
Comfort and Interior
One major aspect in favor of the Civic is its available hatchback body style that affords up to 24 cubic feet of cargo space, which makes it a contender for our list of vehicles with the best cargo capacity. The Jetta’s trunk can handle just 14.2 cubes of cargo, which is slightly less than the 14.2 cubic feet a Civic sedan is rated for.
In all cases, rear legroom measures 37 inches, there are 5 seats, and upholstery ranges from cloth to leather. While the Civic offers heated front seats, it cannot match the VW’s available ventilated front cushions. However, there is no Jetta that can match the excitement of a Civic Type R’s racy red cabin.
It’s a tight matchup on infotainment with Honda fitting base 2023 Civics with a 7-inch touchscreen or a 9-inch display on Touring models. The 2023 Jetta has a 6.5-inch touchscreen interface on entry models or an 8-inch screen on SEL trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board with wireless integration added with the larger display on both the Honda and the VW.
Trims and Features
2023 Honda Civic pricing starts at $24,845 for an LX with 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, automatic climate control, cloth seats, and a 4-speaker stereo. Standard advanced driver aids include forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition.
The $26,445 Sport model adds 18-inch alloy wheels, remote engine start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 4 more stereo speakers. From here on up, the non-Si Civic is also offered as a hatchback for about $1,000 more. At $27,295, Civic EX features a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and blind-spot monitoring.
Touring model Civics run $31,445 and are loaded with LED fog lights, leather, power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, extra USB ports, a wireless charging pad, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors at both ends. The $30,195 sedan-only Si and $44,890 hatch-only Type R are defined by ever-increasing levels of performance.
A 2023 Jetta undercuts a 2023 Civic by a significant amount with a starting price of $21,760 for S models. They come with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, and 4 speakers. But only forward collision mitigation, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert are standard through the lineup. For $22,650, Sport models are upgraded with 17-inch wheels, special front and rear fascia, sporty seats, and contrast white stitching.
SE models, at $25,480, bring adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and travel assist, which is a Level 2 semi-automated driving system. The Jetta SE also has rain-sensing wipers, dual zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. The $29,480 Jetta SEL boasts a panoramic moonroof, climatized front seats, heated back seats, leather upholstery, navigation, a Beats Audio 8-speaker stereo, automatic high beams, a fully digital gauge cluster, and a wireless phone charging pad.
Like the Civic Si, a Jetta GLI, which stickers at $32,680, is most noteworthy for its performance improvements, though the two-tone paint is a nice differentiator. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out our 2023 Honda Civic review and 2023 Volkswagen Jetta review.
The Verdict
So, which car wins in this 2023 Volkswagen Jetta vs. Honda Civic comparison? Both options come with 2 years of complimentary maintenance, fuel economy is similar, both earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, infotainment sizing is quite close, and both cars have similarly sized trunks – in sedan form.
But only the Civic offers a more flexible hatchback body and the available Type R hot rod is something the Jetta cannot match. True, the Jetta costs less – which is one of the reasons it makes our rundown of the best compact cars – but that lower price comes with fewer standard driver aids. Both of these cars are solid options for anyone in the market, but our money would be on the 2023 Honda Civic.
