The Civic has been battling the Jetta for four decades straight, and the rivalry continues to this day. The latest video by YouTuber Sam CarLegion runs a good comparison between the two.
The latest Civic Si is only available as a sedan, but so is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. Both are power-packed, turbo-four, front-wheel drive cars priced around $30,000 USD. Which one has the edge?
The Jetta pulls slightly ahead with its 231 PS (228 hp / 170 kW), as opposed to the 202 PS (200 hp / 150 kW) of the Civic. The gap is even greater if you consider the torque, which peaks at 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) in the German car and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) in the Japanese one. The Jetta GLI makes use of a faster DSG gearbox, while its opponent makes do with six-speed manual. The only advantage of the Civic Si is its lower weight.
Paper specs aside, though, which one would you bet on? Decide for yourself and watch the video.