Compare the2024 Honda Civic SiVS 2024 Volkswagen GTI

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Civic Si are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The GTI doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Honda Civic Si has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The GTI doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Si deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Si’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The GTI’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Civic Si and the GTI have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Civic Si 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the GTI. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GTI ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Civic Si’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the GTI’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 65 percent more Honda dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Si’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Civic Si’s reliability 39 points higher than the GTI.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 59 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 22 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Si gets better mileage than the GTI:

The Civic Si has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GTI doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system or a tether to prevent losing the cap.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Civic Si higher (6 out of 10) than the Volkswagen GTI (5). This means the Civic Si produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GTI every 15,000 miles.

The Honda Civic Si has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The GTI doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

The Civic Si stops much shorter than the GTI:

For better traction, the Civic Si has larger tires than the GTI (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Civic Si’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the GTI (107.7 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Civic Si is 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GTI.

The Civic Si handles at .93 G’s, while the GTI Autobahn pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Civic Si has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The GTI uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Si a Mid-size car, while the GTI is rated a Compact.

The Civic Si has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GTI (96.6 vs. 91.9).

The Civic Si has 1.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.6 inches more rear hip room and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the GTI.

On a hot day the Civic Si’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the GTI can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Civic Si’s standard Smart Entry allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push-button Start standard on the GTI only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car. Push-button Start is not available on the GTI SE/Autobahn.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Civic Si’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GTI’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The Civic Si will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Civic Si will retain 60.14% of its original price after five years, while the GTI only retains 52.82% to 55.47%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Civic Si will be $1925 to $9513 less than for the Volkswagen GTI.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda Civic Si, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen GTI isn't recommended.

Consumer Reports performed a comparison test in its May 2022 issue and the Honda Civic Si won out over the Volkswagen GTI SE.

The Civic was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 9 more times in the last 40 years. The GTI hasn’t been picked since 2022.

The Honda Civic outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by almost 19 to one during 2023.