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A good performance hatchback should focus on the driving experience, with as little nonsense as possible. In that spirit, we’ll skip the usual introductory nonsense too.
Today, we put the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition head-to-head with the 2019 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatchback. Who will come out ahead?
2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit |
vs |
2019 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatch |
|---|---|---|
| $28,895 | MSRP | $28,750 |
| 2.0L turbo 4-cyl | Engine | 1.5L turbo 4-cyl |
| 228 hp / 258 ft-lbs | Horsepower / Torque | 174 hp / 162 ft-lbs |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
| 6-speed manual or 7-speed automated-manual | Transmission | CVT |
| 24 / 32 / 27 | MPG | 30 / 36 / 32 |
The 2019 Civic is no slouch. It’s fun to drive, without a doubt. However, it pales next to the 2019 Golf GTI. One big reason is the Civic CVT. While the Civic CVT is one of the better CVTs out there, it doesn’t feel as good as manually shifting gears, especially when you accelerate and the Civic doesn’t really want to downshift properly. Speaking of which, the GTI clutch pedal is immaculate. It’s just firm enough to give you that tactile feedback you need and crave, but light enough that city driving isn’t a complete chore. Couple that with the excellent feedback while steering (especially with the optional adaptive suspensions dampers), and you have a driver experience that’s leagues better than the Civic.
The Civic has its fair share of features. The problem? Those features clutter up the Civic interior. The controls are numerous, and their functions are not immediately clear. Not to mention that the forward collision system is frustratingly obtrusive, going off when driving situations get more intense than anything other than a Sunday cruise. The GTI controls and features are straightforward and effective, on the other hand. There’s no need to mess around trying to find the proper control knob or menu options. They’re right there and ready to use.
Interested in the 2019 Golf GTI? Schedule a test drive.
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