2020 Honda Civic vs 2019 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence with its slightly longer and wider dimensions compared to its predecessor. The new design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, giving it a more dramatic look than the previous generation's staid appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued the angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to soft-touch surfaces and comfortable seating. The Jetta offered a range of trims, from the well-equipped base S to the luxurious SEL Premium, each adding various features and driver-assistance technologies.

The 2020 Honda Civic, known as the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offered a sharp design across its three body styles: sedan, coupe, and hatchback. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with a svelte roofline, wide stance, and sweeping LED taillights. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and a well-organized layout. The Civic provided a roomy experience for rear passengers, although it lacked rear air vents. The trunk space was generous, especially in the hatchback model, which offered up to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a single 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled well at both low and high speeds, with smooth and sporty steering reminiscent of an entry-level BMW 3 Series. The ride was surprisingly soft over rough roads, and both manual and automatic transmissions offered impressive fuel efficiency, with 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a variety of engines and transmissions across its lineup. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, while the EX and higher trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing 174 horsepower. The Civic Si and Type R models offered even more power, with 205 and 306 horsepower, respectively. The Civic's engines were smooth and responsive, with the CVT providing seamless power delivery. The Si model featured adaptive dampers and a torque-rich engine, making it a thrilling yet balanced drive. The Civic's fuel economy was commendable, with most models achieving at least 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's interior was designed for comfort and practicality. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, and despite a slight reduction in legroom, the cabin felt spacious. The trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of space, which was average for the class. VW made clever changes to the cabin layout, such as moving the touchscreen above the climate vents and repositioning the shifter, enhancing usability. The Jetta's controls were a blend of touchscreen functions and physical buttons, prioritizing practicality.

The 2020 Honda Civic's interior was roomy, especially for rear passengers, although it lacked rear air vents. The trunk space was generous, with 15 cubic feet in sedan trims and up to 46 cubic feet in the hatchback. The Civic's interior featured a conventional PRNDL shifter and a configurable center console with deep storage. The steering wheel housed controls for the central display and instrument panel, providing easy access to various functions. The Civic's interior was practical and customizable, catering to different storage needs.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel. This feature allowed drivers to project navigation and other information onto a 10.25-inch screen, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that was slower and more complex than newer systems. However, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control and a 450-watt stereo, while LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot. Honda Sensing, standard on all trims, included advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on most trims, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist available on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, and received five stars from the NHTSA in most categories.