Two of the original tuner favorites have grown up -- or have they? We snagged keys to the hot factory versions of the Volkswagen Jetta and Honda Civic to find the better street fighter right out of the box.
Revamped for 2006, Volkswagen’s Jetta has come a long way since its 1980 introduction, when it was essentially a Rabbit with a tacked-on trunk. The early cars spelled redemption for budget-minded sedan buyers who still appreciated a European look and feel over a Corolla or a K-car. Today’s car, especially in base form, really gives drivers a low-dough taste of the good life at $16,490. For a more sporting experience to follow our theme, the test car is the GLI, complete with a noticeably swollen $24,110 base price.
The Civic name has been seen on U.S.-market Hondas even longer, since 1973. With a few exceptions, gas mileage and build quality weren’t many cars’ strong points in the '70s, so the Civic stood out from day one. A few decades on, it still stands out for its original virtues and appeals to kids, their parents and even their grandparents. There are models to please them all, starting at $14,810. Despite the hatchback not surviving the 2006 redesign (an Si vs. GTI showdown would have been sweet), 2007 does mark the debut of the Si sedan, offered at $21,290.
Time to decide which compact sports sedan has more street cred straight off the showroom floor. We’ll rank each based on several fixed criteria, each carrying its own relative weight based on its class. In a perfect world, the winner could score a perfect 100. Can it happen? Will it happen? There’s but a single way to find out…
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
MSRP (Base): $24,110Engine: 2.0-liter, DOHC turbocharged inline-4
Horsepower: 200 bhp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
MPG: City: 23; Highway: 32
Performance - 14/20
There just aren’t many cars in this class that we can drive comfortably doing 128 mph. At the GLI’s terminal velocity, however, it feels far better composed than other cars twice the price. From city corners to chicanes, the Jetta handles quite well for a front-driver and delivers reasonable feedback from its standard 17-inch tires (18-inch tires are optional). This substantial feel could be what works against the Jetta off the line. It’s substantial on the scales, too. Despite 200 turbo-powered horses, it still takes 7.9 seconds of rowing the six-speed manual (or optional six-speed DSG automatic) to nudge the 3,290-pound car to 60 mph from nada. Bottom line: The Jetta’s performance is best appreciated on the open road, not between stoplights.
Exterior design - 17/20
Some critics cut on the latest Jetta for its concession to Japanese design. We don’t see it enough to grumble; it still looks mainstream European to us. Whichever continent you feel dominates the lines, this Jetta is blessed with good looks. Family resemblance to Audi does no disservice here. And the GLI trim is either underachieving or understated, depending on your point of view.
Interior design - 8/10
You’ll have to squint a little harder to see Audi resemblance inside the cabin. It’s more of a shared philosophy to outfit the interior with material that looks and feels like it came out of a less modest car. Fit and finish uphold VW’s reputation, and the ergonomics invite you to play all day. Unlike the gauges, which are easily read day or night, the optional navigational screen is easily washed out when the sunlight is strong. Finally, we greatly appreciate the trunk’s 16-cubic-foot capacity -- admirable for this class.
Sound system/goodies - 6/10
Yes, the GLI package is almost $8,000 above the base price. But in addition to the turbo under the hood, the interior features are plentiful. This is highlighted by the 10-speaker/six-disc sound system with Sirius satellite radio capability, 60/40 rear seats with pass-through, eight-way adjustable front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio, phone and cruise control functions (plus DSG shifting paddles if so equipped).
Bang for the buck - 16/20
On paper, the GLI seems to have good value, but when you actually hop in, you'll realize it's an even better buy . There really aren’t many standout upgrades in the GLI, just a lot of little ones everywhere you look and touch. The extra power and responsiveness from the 2.0-liter turbo is appreciated, as well.
Driving experience - 17/20
The Jetta GLI delivers the character and feel of a more expensive European sports sedan for a fraction of the price. OK, it doesn’t exactly mirror the experience, but for that many thousands less, so what?
Overall score - 78/100
There’s an old marketing caveat that warns against branding a product as everything to everyone (it’s also a Barenaked Ladies album, but we digress). Volkswagen seems mindful of that and doesn’t skew the Jetta too far in any direction. It’s comfortable, but not luxurious; small, but not confined; economical, but gutsy in GLI trim. And, most relevant to this comparison, it's sporting, but not a street fighter.
Honda Civic Si Sedan
MSRP (Base): $21,290Engine: 2.0-liter, DOHC inline-4
Horsepower: 197 bhp @ 7,800 rpm
Torque: 139 lb-ft @ 6,100 rpm
MPG: City: 23; Highway: 32
Performance - 17/20
Weighing a leaner 2,945 pounds, the Civic Si is noticeably quicker off the line to 60 mph at an admirable, torque-steer free 6.7 seconds -- though you have to wind the snot out of it to make the most of its powerband. A lot of Si buyers feel right at home tickling the redline, so they won’t feel alienated by this ride. In the city and on the track, the Si’s a joy to thrash, feeling light and communicative through its 17-inch rubber. Off the track and beyond the city limits, the Civic isn’t as much fun without an audience or challengers. We hate to say it, but on extended upper-end cruising it feels like the tweaked economy car it is. The only reason to scoot in the boonies is to get the Civic back to its element.
Exterior design - 16/20
Small-car redesigns aren’t usually front-page news. One exception was the 2006 Civic redo. What’s most interesting is the Civic’s ability to look equally sharp as a humble little hybrid or as an aggressive street fighter, without drastic modifications. In the latter instance, Honda wisely avoided tacking on a sky-high wing like Mitsubishi and Subaru have done. Overall, the Si’s youthful look isn’t for everyone, but at least it stops short of being obnoxious.
Interior design - 6/10
Take a look inside the Si. There’s more plastic in here than in a trophy wife’s purse. At least it doesn’t look or feel overly cheap. It also doesn’t feel particularly comfortable on long freeway jaunts. As mentioned previously, the Si is best enjoyed in cities, not between them. Wherever you are, you’ll have a dual-hooded dash facing you. The tachometer is Porsche-like for its front and center residence. Then above it, a smaller shielded area digitally displays your speed -- unconventional, but easy to get used to, for us, anyhow. More than anything, this feature is probably the best litmus test of whether you’re too old (or too old at heart) to enjoy the Si.
Sound system/goodies - 6/10
What you get standard in the Si isn’t bad, especially since Honda usually withholds some of the best goodies as extra-cost options (the navigational package is a $1,750 leap in the Si, for example). Extra body cladding is optional, and we see this option as literally separating the men from the boys. However, we’re universally pleased and a bit deafened to report that the seven-speaker (with subwoofer), 350-watt sound system with CD player is a standard feature and doesn’t sound half bad.
Bang for the buck - 17/20
Honda breaks from tradition somewhat by packing the Si full of options right away. Honestly, you could skip every last option and still have a blast in this car. An added bonus is that the vitamin boosts were designed into the Si, not bolted on in violation of the warranty. Not that you’re likely to need the warranty often. This is still a Honda, after all.
Driving experience - 17/20
Some will see the Si as a bit of a scrapper, driven by the short guy who always tries to get tall dudes to fight him. The Si has high hopes, too, as a sprinter that’s always ready to play. It concedes a little refinement in the name of fun without going all Jekyll and Hyde on us.
Overall score - 79/100
Sooner or later, most guys in rice rockets will get sick of their piecemeal, glued-together street fighters. There’s an acute difference between growing up and growing old, and Honda demonstrates their awareness with the Civic Si.
and the winner is…
The VW Jetta GLI and Honda Civic Si Sedan look very much alike on paper, but that’s where the similarities end. In reality, these cars exhibit totally different characters and driving feel. Truly, both rides are fun. The right car for you largely depends on your needs and expectations: Do you want a little swiftness with your comfort, or a bit of comfort in a swift package? Since we set out to find the better street fighter, free of any mods, we vote si for the Si.Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://automobiles.honda.com/
http://www.vw.com/
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