Never underestimate the power of youth. This mantra rings through the halls of every auto manufacturer. As this business gets more fiercely competitive than ever, companies understand the need to build loyalty inside their brands. This means building vehicles that are not only practical and efficient, but also stylish and sporty enough to catch the eye of young buyers.
  Top: Volkswagen's GTI. Bottom: Honda's Civic Si. |
The editors of Consumer Guide (r) fired up both the Civic Si and GTI on the street and around the track of Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Brief Histories
Both the Civic Si and GTI
can trace their roots back to the 1980s, with the introduction
of the Rabbit GTI (incidentally, VW has resurrected the Rabbit
name for 2007 instead of the previous Golf moniker) and Civic Si.
Both cars were introduced as performance-oriented models, designed
to up the fun-to-drive quotient of their more mainstream siblings.
Both cars offered excellent performance at affordable price
levels.
While the GTI remained a hatchback design, the Civic Si jumped between coupe and hatchback body styles, with the current model being a coupe. Though the body styles varied, Civic remained consistent in delivering high-output 4-cylinder engines. GTIs, on the other hand, wavered between 4- and 6-cylinder motors. The recently-introduced 2006 GTI goes back to its 4-cylinder roots, but ups the ante by using a turbocharger.
  Top: Volkswagen's GTI. Bottom: Honda's Civic Si. |
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Round One
Advantage: VW GTI |
Both cars' 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines have similar horsepower ratings at 197 in the Civic and 200 in the GTI. But that's where the similarities end.
The Civic achieves its numbers through Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). Designed to balance power and efficiency, VTEC is an integral part of many Honda engines. When the engine reaches a certain speed, the valves open further to unleash more power. The sensation is like a sudden burst of acceleration when the engine is running at high RPM, almost like that of a very small turbocharger.
VTEC is an innovative way to create horsepower without resorting to turbo or supercharging. It does have its drawbacks, though. What these engines make in horsepower is lost in the form of torque. The Civic Si's engine makes 139 lb-ft of torque, compared to the GTI's 207 lb-ft. This means you have to keep the engine speed up and shift gears frequently to keep the car in its peak power band, thus increasing noise and decreasing fuel economy.
Volkswagen added a turbocharger to give the GTI its get-up-and-go. More power and torque at lower RPM makes it feel livelier off the line. While turbo technology has vastly improved over the years, all such engines suffer from lag, or a delay in throttle response. The lag frustrates, as does inconsistent overall power delivery, a problem many Volkswagen and Audi models experience.
In spite of these issues, GTI doesn't require foot-to-the-floor action to keep the engine in its peak power range. This makes it "feel" faster in all conditions, despite similar 0-60 mph acceleration times.
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Round Two
Advantage: VW GTI |
To get that power to the ground, the Civic has a mandatory 6-speed manual transmission. Shift throws and clutch action are both positive, making the car very easy to launch smoothly and take turns at speed. Short gearing means the engine is very busy, even at modest highway speeds. At that time, even while engine speed is up, sometimes a downshift of two gears is required for decent highway passing response.
The GTI gives owners a pair of transmission choices, a traditional 6-speed manual, or Volkswagen's 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). The DSG is a sequential manual transmission (SMT), which is essentially a manual without a clutch pedal. It can be shifted via steering wheel paddles or the floorshifter. It can also be set to shift like an automatic transmission.
The only GTI made available to Consumer Guide (r) for testing had the DSG, but it worked superbly. Manual shifts could be tailored with precision, truly maximizing the turbo engine's power. The ability to set it to shift like an automatic is a boon for urban commuting. The DSG's flexibility gives it the edge here.
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Round Three
Advantage: Tie |
Round Three:
Steering/Handling/Braking/Ride
Antilock 4-wheel disc
brakes are standard on both, as are 17-inch wheels. Civic includes
a limited-slip differential, which is designed to direct more power
to the outside front wheel in a turn to aid handling. What the
Civic doesn't have that the GTI does is traction control and an
antiskid system. GTI also offers optional 18-inch wheels,
unavailable on Civic.
Each display razor-sharp reflexes, both on the track and on the road. GTI's taller hatchback design makes it feel ever-so-slightly less stable in turns than the Civic. But that's really splitting hairs, and the difference is only apparent in high-speed cornering.
Steering response on both cars is immediate. Turn the wheel, and the cars happily oblige, providing excellent feedback to the driver. Same goes for braking power. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard on both. Stops are straight and true, with solid pedal modulation.
On the road, their sporty natures result in rides that are quite firm. Bumps and ruts pound through the body structures, but neither car loses its composure. Each test model was equipped with optional summer performance tires. Keeping the standard, all-season treads likely would soften the ride without much of a handling penalty.
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Round Four
Advantage: Tie |
Not only do the Civic Si and GTI have the goods on the outside, they also deliver on the inside. Passengers are treated to accommodating interiors in both vehicles. Seats are comfortable and supportive. Prominent side bolsters keep occupants snug during spirited driving.
The Civic Si has a uniquely styled dashboard. The digital speedometer, fuel, and temperature gauges sit far away from the driver. The tachometer is in a binnacle visible through the steering wheel. A navigation system is optional, and buyers would be wise to skip it. It integrates all audio functions, and small buttons complicate operation. But overall, materials are assembled with the care one expects of a Honda--no squeaks, no rattles.
GTI owners are treated to a similarly appointed cabin. Like the Civic, the available navigation system also incorporates audio controls, but the buttons are larger and the display is easier to read. Instruments are traditional, large, and easy to read. Materials here have a quality feel and also show solid assembly.
Head and leg room are fine in both cars, but tall drivers will likely prefer the GTI's raised hatchback profile. Standard tilt/telescope steering wheels and height-adjustable driver seats make it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The sloped rear roofline of the Civic makes aft visibility a bit more of a challenge than in the GTI. Again, there is no clear-cut winner in this department.
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Round 5
Advantage: Civic Si |
This is where the comparison gets tricky. Both cars are extremely capable in their own rights. In the broad spectrum of sporty cars, both the Civic Si and GTI are among the most fun to drive for the money. Indeed, the Civic can be had for just over $22,000, including the navigation system and performance tires. Plus you get Honda's enviable reputation for quality, reliability, and resale value.
A comparably-equipped GTI stickers for well over $25,000. While compact VWs typically hold their values well, many recent models have suffered from quality problems. To compensate, Volkswagen has a basic warranty of 4 years/50,000 miles vs. Honda's 3/36,000. Also, VW provides 4/50,000 roadside assistance while Honda doesn't offer this protection. Still, the cloud over VW's reputation may be enough to drive some customers to their local Honda dealer.
There's little doubt that the Civic Si and GTI will be extremely popular with their respective fanbases. But for those who may be looking at both, which should you choose? The answer isn't completely cut and dry; neither of these vehicles is vastly superior to the other in any category. Nor do they have any severe detriments that could sway you one way or the other.
My Pick: Volkswagen GTI
This is a very tough choice. But thanks to its always-willing
power, outstanding transmission performance, and added safety
features like traction/antiskid control, the Volkswagen GTI gets
the nod here.
| What the Editors are Saying | |
Kirk Bell |
Damon Bell |
| To me, the GTI felt more athletic with more willing power. The 2.0T is well-matched to this car, making it the best GTI there's ever been. It supplies ready power at any speed, and is especially impressive at highway speeds. The SMT works quite well for aggressive driving, especially in the Sport mode. The Civic Si, on the other hand, is a little softer. It exhibits more tire scrub and body roll in aggressive cornering. However, probably thanks to these traits, it provides more feedback as you approach the ragged edge. The body roll and tire squeal tell you you're about to lose it, letting you know when to back off. Both cars are impressively neutral in cornering, without too much understeer or oversteer. I could happily live with either one as my daily driver. | The DSG GTI was remarkable on the track... lightning-quick shifts and rev-optimizing downshifts made it easy to feel like a pro driver. I also preferred the GTI's traditional instrumentation to the Civic's "Star Wars" dash design. I give the edge to the GTI, but the Si's cheaper sticker price makes it a tough choice. |