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Civic Si vs. GTI: Who wins? Depends on Who You Ask


It was inevitable, the comparison had to be made Civic Si vs. GTI. But, who would win the coveted prize? Turns out it really depends on who you ask. Autoweek pronounced Civic the winner and The Car Connection called the GTI the winner. What's the dealio? Well there's a lot in favor of the GTI. Firstly, you've got hatchback versatility: personally a deal sealer for me. Even more important, you've got 207 lb-ft of torque that comes on at just 1800 rpm . Now we're talkin. The Civic Si max torque is far less impressive: 139 lb-ft at 6200 rpm. Not only is 139 lb-ft less than impressive, you've got to wind that motor out to get at it.

What saves the Civic? For one the Si weighs 431 pounds less. Also, Honda's legendary VTEC mills love to be wound out and there are lots of drivers who don't mind the task. Personally, I'm a low down torque kind of guy. I don't want to strangle an engine within an inch of its life. I want to stomp the throttle, drop the clutch and get to where I'm going. The Civic has standard front limited-slip differential and that makes it easier to launch smoothly. I learned the smoky way what it means to not have limited-slip differential at a performance driving school. Let's just say that I'm glad they weren't my tires. Autoweek also found that in the slalom while the Si stays flat the GTI leans. In general Autoweek the found the Civic took less concentration and work to turn in winning numbers. Keep in mind that Autoweek’s GTI had all seasons and the Si had summer Continentals. A pretty big consideration if you ask me. Autoweek also considered the $2,000 to $3,000 price advantage that the Civic enjoyed over the GTI.

Now, let’s consider TCC opinion. The reviewer found the “GTI's interior better in just about every respect.” Also counting against the Si the review said “you just know it (Civic) will never be able match the GTI's real-world performance because it simply doesn't have the torque to pull it up hills and squeeze it around corners on a half-open throttle.” That would be my opinion as well. Autoweek would counter, “Sure, you need to shift more, but that’s not a bad thing when the shifter is this good.” In direct opposition to Autoweek the TCC reviewer felt that the Si’s “longer wheelbase and soggier suspension take all the eagerness from the chassis.” Hmm. Also in conflict, TCC review said that the Si “rolls quite a bit” whereas Autoweek thought it stayed flat. Summing it up the TCC reviewer said the Si took “a lot of work to drive fast without being very satisfying or rewarding.”

Wow. Those are pretty much opposing reviews. What gives? Autoweek had summer tires on their Civic, did TCC’s test Si not have this option? Different test conditions? Different driver skill levels? I really don’t know, but I think this shows how subjective car comparos are. My recommendation? Never buy a car based on magazine reviews. Make up your own mind. Drive all the cars, think about it, drive them again and then make your move. In the end you’ll be the winner.