Compared: 2023 Honda Civic vs. 2023 Volkswagen Jetta
Both compacts offer a bit of everything, but shoppers on a budget may prefer the Jetta.
Honda | Volkswagen
QuickTakes:
Compact cars are among the best bargains in the new car market with an impressive combination of spaciousness, fuel economy, and features. The 2023 Honda Civic has been getting attention for its upscale approach to the segment with more tech and standard features, but shoppers on a budget may want to consider the more affordable 2023 Volkswagen Jetta.
The Jetta Is the Way Forward for the Budget Conscious
The Volkswagen is the clear choice for shoppers on a budget, starting at around $22,000 for the 2023 Jetta S with the manual transmission. An automatic transmission costs around $500 more. The decently equipped Jetta Sport trim is an extra $900, while the automatic-equipped Jetta SE costs about $26,000. A fully loaded Jetta SEL comes in at less than $30,000.
The base 2023 Honda Civic Sport starts at around $26,000. The next step up is the EX model, which includes a more powerful engine and additional equipment for an extra $1,500. The top-trim, fully loaded Honda Civic Touring is about $31,000.
Honda
The Civic Beats the Jetta in Features
If you're a techie who adores screens and information displays, both compacts will satisfy you. The base Jetta has a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system that grows to 8.0 inches on SEL models. The VW also includes an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, while SEL models get an upgrade to a 10.3-inch screen. In comparison, the Civic features a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display and offers a 9.0-inch display with a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster as optional equipment.
Both cars offer a ton of gear, including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, wireless phone chargers, USB ports galore (including USB-C in the VW), and heated and ventilated seats. However, when it comes to standard equipment, the Civic is the one to pick, with more standard driver assists such as adaptive cruise control.
Volkswagen
Fuel Economy Lands in the 30s
The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 158 horsepower in the Jetta puts out 184 pound-feet of torque, leaving manual transmission-equipped models to return 29/42/34 mpg city/highway/combined. Automatic-transmission S models manage 31/41/35 mpg, while the Sport, SE, and SEL models pull in 29/40/33 mpg.
The base Honda Civic Sport uses a 158-hp 2.0-liter engine with 138 lb-ft of torque. This model manages 30/37/33 mpg, while the EX and Touring trims feature a 180-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 177 lb-ft of torque. The EX returns 33/42/36 mpg combined, while the Touring is slightly less efficient with 31/38/34 mpg.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
