2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Subaru WRX vs 2020 Volkswagen Golf

2020 Honda Civic

2020 Subaru WRX

#11 in Compact Cars

2020 Volkswagen Golf

#3 in Compact Cars

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EX CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Civic Coupe EX CVT	N/A	N/A	$21,923	$23,600
Civic Coupe LX CVT	N/A	N/A	$19,563	$21,050
Civic Coupe Sport CVT	N/A	N/A	$21,044	$22,650
Civic Coupe Sport Manual	N/A	N/A	$20,303	$21,850
Civic Coupe Touring CVT	N/A	N/A	$25,303	$27,250
Civic Hatchback EX CVT	31	40	$22,525	$24,250
Civic Hatchback EX-L CVT	31	40	$23,636	$25,450
Civic Hatchback LX CVT	31	40	$20,211	$21,750
Civic Hatchback Sport CVT	29	35	$21,970	$23,650
Civic Hatchback Sport Manual	29	37	$21,229	$22,850
Civic Hatchback Sport Touring CVT	29	35	$26,876	$28,950
Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Manual	29	37	$26,136	$28,150
Civic Sedan EX CVT	N/A	N/A	$22,247	$23,950
Civic Sedan EX-L CVT	N/A	N/A	$23,358	$25,150
Civic Sedan LX CVT	N/A	N/A	$19,331	$20,800
Civic Sedan LX Manual	25	36	$18,591	$20,000
Civic Sedan Sport CVT	N/A	N/A	$20,998	$22,600
Civic Sedan Sport Manual	N/A	N/A	$20,257	$21,800
Civic Sedan Touring CVT	30	38	$25,858	$27,850
Civic Si Coupe Manual	26	36	$23,405	$25,200
Civic Si Coupe Manual w/Summer Tires	26	36	$23,590	$25,400
Civic Si Sedan Manual	N/A	N/A	$23,405	$25,200
Civic Si Sedan Manual w/Summer Tires	N/A	N/A	$23,590	$25,400
Civic Type R Touring Manual	22	28	$34,324	$36,995

Select style

Limited CVT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
WRX Limited CVT	18	24	$31,916	$33,995
WRX Limited Manual	21	27	$30,170	$32,095
WRX Manual	21	27	$25,925	$27,495
WRX Premium CVT	18	24	$29,794	$31,695
WRX Premium Manual	21	27	$28,048	$29,795
WRX Premium Series.White Manual	21	27	$28,048	$29,795
WRX STI Limited Manual w/Lip Spoiler	16	22	$39,331	$41,695
WRX STI Limited Manual w/Wing Spoiler	16	22	$39,331	$41,695
WRX STI Manual	16	22	$34,960	$36,995
WRX STI Series.White Manual	16	22	$34,960	$36,995

Select style

1.4T TSI Automatic

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Golf 1.4T TSI Automatic	29	35	$23,035	$23,995
Golf 1.4T TSI Manual	28	36	$22,267	$23,195
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn DSG	24	32	$35,802	$37,295
Golf GTI 2.0T Automaticbahn Manual	24	32	$35,034	$36,495
Golf GTI 2.0T S DSG	24	32	$28,219	$29,395
Golf GTI 2.0T S Manual	24	32	$27,452	$28,595
Golf GTI 2.0T SE DSG	24	32	$31,675	$32,995
Golf GTI 2.0T SE Manual	24	32	$30,907	$32,195

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$21,923

$31,916

$23,035

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$23,600

$33,995

$23,995

Monthly Payment Estimate

$393 / month

$567 / month

$400 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.7

Read Our Full Review

6.3

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2020 Honda Civic sets the pace among affordable compact cars.

The 2020 Subaru WRX and WRX STI are willing companions that prioritize accessible performance over edgy good looks and high-tech cabins.

Even with a pared lineup for a short model year, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf is a solid, if stoic, choice among compact hatchbacks

TCC Likes

Great interior space
Good value
Stellar fuel economy

Traction for days
Good power
Great steering

Refined ride
Comfortable interior
GTI’s still a performance bargain

TCC Dislikes

Base infotainment isn’t great
Poorly performing headlights
Hatch is a little too over the top

Pretty it is not
Hatchback would be better
Interior is dated

Wagons ho? No mo’
Golf R gone, for now
Redesign due soon

Fuel Economy

City

18 mpg

29 mpg

Highway

24 mpg

35 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

35.9

35.4

35.6

Front Head Room (in)

36.5

37.2

38.4

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

48.1

53.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.9

55.6

55.9

Second Head Room (in)

34.5

37.1

38.1

Second Shoulder Room (in)

52.6

54.2

53.9

Front Leg Room (in)

42.3

43.3

41.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

88.6

93.1

93.5

Front Hip Room (in)

54.1

52.1

Exterior Dimensions

Track Width, Front (in)

60.9

60.2

Length, Overall (in)

177.3

180.9

167.6

Height, Overall (in)

54.9

58.1

58.2

Track Width, Rear (in)

61.5

60.6

59.8

Wheelbase (in)

106.3

104.3

103.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.9

70.7

70.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

4.9

5.4

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

11.9

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Down (ft³)

53.7

Cargo Volume with Rear Seat Up (ft³)

17.4

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.1

12.4

11.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

10.2

11.3

10.7

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

12.4

15.9

13.2

Steering

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

35.8

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Tires

Front Tire Size

P215/50HR17

P245/40WR18

P205/55HR16

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/50HR17

P245/40WR18

P205/55HR16

Rear Tire Order Code

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

2897

3371

3023

Wheels

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

18 X 8.5

16 X 6.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 X 7

18 X 8.5

16 X 6.5

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

174 @ 6000

268 @ 5600

147 @ 5000

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded H-4

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

162 @ 1700

258 @ 2000

184 @ 1400

Engine Order Code

Displacement

1.5 L/91

2.0 L/122

1.4 L/85

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

1.86

2.35

4.00

Trans Order Code

Trans Description Cont.

CVT w/OD

Automatic w/OD

First Gear Ratio (:1)

2.65 - 0.41

3.50 - 1.03

5.07

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.24

3.90

3.87

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

All Wheel

Front Wheel Drive

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.72

0.67

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.86

0.81

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.23

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

2.97

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.47

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.95

Summary

Body Style

Coupe

Sedan

Hatchback

Vehicle Name

Honda Civic Coupe

Subaru WRX

Volkswagen Golf

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Double Wishbone

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.1

8.4

5.5

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

480

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

140

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2020 Honda Civic

2021 Civic Hatchback arriving
Rebate: No cash incentives
Lease: From $250/mo. (2020, Sign & Drive)
Finance: From 1.9% APR (2020)

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2020 Subaru WRX

2020 WRX very hard to find
Sells at or near MSRP
Lease from $309 for 36 months
Get 0.9% APR for 48 months

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2020 Volkswagen Golf

2020 Golf is nearly sold out; 2021s expected soon
Rebates: Unadvertised discounts + $500 credit for select customers
Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months
Lease: No special offers again this month, which is unusual

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