Honda Civic VS Volkswagen Passat
Honda Civic
Likes
- Impressive driving dynamics
- Truly frugal powertrain
- Svelte exterior styling
Dislikes
- Engine sounds harsh under heavy acceleration
- Cabin tech fiddly and hard to quickly understand
- Middle seat in the back mostly ornamental
Volkswagen Passat
Likes
- Roomy interior
- Confident and powerful on road
- Great tech
Dislikes
- Classic Euro seats ... aka hard on the backside
- Missing some charging ports in rear
- Expensive servicing costs
Summary
Honda Civic
I’m just going to cut to the chase here. This Honda Civic hybrid is a good car. A great one, even.
But for some reason, nobody is really buying it. And it’s not just because it’s not an SUV – it has been outsold in its segment this year by the the BMW 1 Series, the Mercedes A-Class, the MG4 EV, and the VW Golf. Premium and non-premium alike, they’ve all got the little Honda licked.
So, what’s going on? A CarsGuide investigation is required. Stick around and we’ll try to figure this out together.
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| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Premium Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.2L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Volkswagen Passat
I'm calling it - the Volkswagen Passat is the forgotten hero of station wagons.
It's surprisingly large while retaining the creature comforts and understated styling of old-world glamour.
Then enters the R-Line. A badge that diehard Volkswagen enthusiasts know is synonymous with sporty performance and handling.
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However, it can be overlooked for its more affordable rivals, the Mazda6 and Skoda Octavia wagons.
But does affordability take it out of the running for the family market? Or is this the answer for the drivers who don't want to compromise on performance but still have a kid (or three) to throw in the back?
I've been hauling my little family of three around town this week to see what the big blue wagon could do.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.1L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Honda Civic7.5/10
Talk about your new-car unsung heroes – I can't believe Honda's not selling more of these. So, if you can get over the price, and you worry it might be too small for you, I encourage you to check the Civic out. The back seat and boot are both bigger than you might expect, and the drive experience leaves most SUVs in the rear view mirror.
Volkswagen Passat8/10
I so enjoyed driving the Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line. It's a roomy wagon that should fit a lot of different types of families. It still has sporty performance that will entice even the most reluctant family car buyer, so don't be turned off by its large proportions! I really like the comfort, convenience and handling of this one, so it gets an easy 8.0/10 from me.
My kid thought the blue colour was cool and loved having so many things to play with in the back seat. His only complaint was about the heavier doors but he still managed. He gives it an 8.0/10, too.
Design
Honda Civic
Beauty. Eye. Beholder. All that. But I reckon this Civic looks fantastic. Low-slung and sporty. The perfect antidote to all those bland, beige SUVs currently doing the rounds.
New as part of the most recent refresh is the front-end treatment, a new front bumper, more body-coloured flourishes and new designs for the 18-inch alloys.Â
I think it looks sleek, premium and purposeful, and not at all boring.
Inside, though, it’s a little less adventurous, though I do adore some of the little design touches, like the perforated metal effect that spans the dash.
The central screen is pretty small by modern standards, and you don't want to push too hard on some of the touch points, like the gloss-black highlights on the doors, which feel flimsy, flexible and pretty cheap.
Now, the screen. Does UX design count in the overall design section? Let's say that it does. I haven’t really experienced less intuitive and user friendly cabin tech lately.
For example, I couldn't figure out (though I must admit I didn't resort to owner's manual) how to get Apple CarPlay to load automatically, if you can.
Instead I had to select my phone, cycle through several screens of approval, and then select my phone again, every single time I got in the car. I had a similar issue using Google maps, which simply wouldn't connect at all for me.
Good tech is easy and intuitive. This wasn't.
Volkswagen Passat
The Passat is a large car and stands at 4708mm long, 1832mm wide and 1504mm high. The boxier rear and long nose make these proportions feel even larger.
The 2023 model doesn't see much change, if any, to the previous iteration. The exterior features the classic VW sharp pleat that runs the length of the body, slim-line LED lights and pronounce grille with lots of chrome accents found throughout.
It looks shiny, new and stylish, but not garish. You'd be proud to be seen in this.
The interior is also classically VW – sharp, a little pared back and hosting easy to see buttons and dials. The adjustable ambient lighting elevates the cabin space, as does the black headliner (R-Line exclusive).
An interesting feature is the directional air vents, the slatted design is carried the entire length of the dash which accentuates the width of the car. It all looks seamless and well thought out.
Practicality
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic measures 4569mm in length, 1802mm in width and 1415mm in height, and as you've no doubt already noticed, it's not an SUV, rather a liftback-style sedan.
But if you feel like you need an SUV to move a family, I beg to differ. While the middle seat in the second row is too tight for adults (owing largely to the intrusive raised tunnel that runs through the middle of the cabin), the two window seats can absolutely fit adult humans. I'm 175cm, and had absolutely no issue sitting behind my own driving position.
But the biggest surprise is the boot, which opens to reveal a flat and wide storage space that can swallow 409 litres (VDA) of luggage. In real terms, that's more than enough for our pram and the assorted knick-knacks that go with it on a baby day out.
Unfortunately, though, there’s no spare. Instead you’ll find yourself wrestling with a hateful repair kit should you get a puncture, and you don't want to wait for roadside assist.
There's also twin USB ports in the back, as well as air vents, along with twin cupholders in the pulldown divider.
Volkswagen Passat
A very practical family wagon with all passengers enjoying ample head and legroom.
The amenities in both rows are very good. The seats are fairly comfortable but the lumbar support isn't awesome. The massage function on the driver's side is a nice novelty but not strong enough to be called a massage. Think of it as gently stretching.
For storage, you get a decently sized middle console, dedicated phone tray, cooled glove box, drink bottle holders in each door and two cupholders.
There are plenty of charging options available for the front with two USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket. Bonus having the wireless Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto), as it's one less cable you have to worry about.
In general, I like how easy the tech is to use. The 9.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great and is responsive.
It's easy to get all the connections going and you can pull the built-in satellite navigation directions through to the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. I did miss having a head-up display this week but the info on the instrument panel is displayed clearly.
The back seat gets a couple of cupholders in the fold-down armrest and drink bottle holders in each door. It also has directional air vents with climate control, reading lights and one USB-C port for charging. However, I would have liked to have seen another charging port, to limit sibling squabbles.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats plus three top tether anchor points.
The backseat is wide enough to fit three child seats side by side if needed, and there's plenty of room for front passengers when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
The windows are wide and offer good visibility but I really like the 142mm ground clearance. It was super easy for my six-year old to climb in and out.
The only thing he mentioned he didn't like was how heavy the doors were to operate. I don't mind this because they feel solid but they do swing wide, so be wary of letting any wild kids just hop out themselves in a crowded car park. You may get (or inflict) some dings.
The boot is a great size at 650L, with all seats in use, but if you pop down the backseats, that jumps up to 1780L.
The back seat also split-folds 40/20/40, which opens up your storage options. I enjoyed using the powered tailgate with kick function, it's handy on the grocery run.
Price and features
Honda Civic
Ah, so we may have hit the first Honda hurdle. Ours is the entry-level e:HEV L, and it’s a cool $49,900, drive-away. The top-spec LX is $55,900, on the road.Â
To put that into perspective, Toyota's two Corolla sedan hybrid grades are about $36K and $39K, drive-away, at the moment. The admittedly non-hybrid Golf starts at $39,990, on the road.
The German premium brands are still more expensive, but I think that might be at least part of the Honda’s problem. It now occupies a space between mainstream and premium, which might also be something of a no-man’s land.
Still, the entry-level L is decently equipped, with 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in quality Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, all-LED lighting all around and key-less entry.
Inside, there’s synthetic leather and fabric seats, dual-zone climate, a 9.0-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but also with Google built-in that provides mapping and updates and a 12-speaker Bose stereo.
Both Civic variants also arrive with a three-year subscription to 'Honda Connect', which gives you remote access to your car to lock or unlock it, pre-heat or cool the cabin, or set a geofence alert if your teenagers are borrowing it, that sort of stuff.
But… there are no full-leather seats, there's no sunroof, no wireless charging and you have to open the boot yourself.
The lack of all that doesn’t feel overly premium.
Volkswagen Passat
The 206 TSI R-Line is top of a (small) two-model line-up. Our example has been finished in 'Lapiz Blue', a colour exclusive to the R-Line. Otherwise, expect a sea of monochromatic colour options.
We say top model but it's not necessarily a massive jump up in specifications from the 162 TSI Elegance, you're paying for the engine performance on this one.
This R-Line will cost you $67,790, before on-road costs. That's a $4K price hike from the 2022 model with no discernible upgrades.
And that price tag still puts it well above its closest rivals, with the Octavia RS 180 TSI being $53,090 and the Mazda6 Atenza at $52,140 (all before on-road costs).
However, you won't be disappointed with the features list with Nappa leather-appointed seat trim, R-Line stitched detailing on the floor mats and seats, electric and heated front seats, massage function on the driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all coming as standard.
The R-Line also enjoys 19-inch alloy wheels, a full-sized spare, heat insulating tinted glass, 65 per cent light reducing rear privacy glass and 30-way adjustable ambient lighting in the cabin.
Under the bonnet
Honda Civic
The Civic range is an all-hybrid affair, which in this case is what Honda calls its 'two-motor hybrid', which pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors, one being an electric generator, and the other being the actual propulsion motor which sends power to the wheels. Expect a total 135kW and 315Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via a CVT auto.
Volkswagen Passat
The R-Line has a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol powertrain with a maximum output of 206kW/350Nm.
That puts its engine specs 44kW up on the Elegance model and you feel that difference when you put your foot down.
The six-speed auto transmission provides surprisingly smooth shifting in most settings. The grunty engine combined with the all-wheel drive creates a sporty and purposeful driving experience.
Efficiency
Honda Civic
Honda says you can expect 4.2L/100km on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle, but we found the fuel use was a still impressive 5.5L or so, admittedly mostly in the city.
The 40-litre tank drinks 91 RON 'standard' fuel, meaning its cheapish to fill up, and — using Honda’s numbers at least — should deliver a 950km driving range.
Yesterday, 91 RON was about $1.80 per litre meaning you can theoretically get from Melbourne to Sydney for around $75.
Volkswagen Passat
That powerful engine does cost you a little bit with efficiency. The official combined fuel figure is 8.1L/100km and real-world testing saw my figure at 8.6L.
Not too bad for the type of driving I did this week, which was a combo of open-road and urban. I wasn't scared of putting my foot down but I would expect to see a double-digit figure in an urban setting.
This has a 66L fuel tank and based on the official combined figure, you should be able to get around 815km driving range, which is great.
Driving
Honda Civic
First things first – I really, really like the way this Honda drives. There's a finesse, a confidence, in the drive experience that's sometimes missing from the new brands when they first arrive in Australia.
In short, it feels like it was engineered by people who really know what they're doing. That's the easiest way to describe it.
If you're used to driving older-fashioned hybrid systems you might be used to a bit of shuddering harshness when the engine kicks in, but that's simply not the case here.
Instead, the transition is seamless, with the Honda Civic making the choice for you and largely leaving you out of the process entirely.
Where the powertrain does let itself be more known is under heavier acceleration, with engine thrum seriously invading the cabin, without much in the way of flat-footed performance to accompany it.
But the magic of the Civic drive experience is in its balance. It's not a performance car, but there's real driver engagement to be found in the way it rides and handles. Equally, though, it's never uncomfortable, striking the balance between road-holding confidence and comfort really well.
Happy in the city, happy on a twisting road - this is not one of those smaller cars that leaves the drive experience as a secondary factor. It feels like it really has the driver at heart.
Volkswagen Passat
The performance of this is to be commended. Powerful but poised, there's a sense of performance in reserve when you put your foot down and while still fun, it's not unbridled power.
It inspires confidence, the lower centre of gravity and firm steering meaning you tackle corners with minimum roll. You can accelerate out of a corner a little earlier than you might normally in this.
The cabin is nice and quiet with some road noise at higher speeds but not enough to intrude on chatting.
Despite suspension that feels sporty, aka stiff, the ride comfort is very good, with back seat passengers also feeling the comfort. There's not a lot of jostling in this.
Let's talk parking. It is a large car but you don't feel those dimensions when you park it.
It's very forgiving to manoeuvre with the front and rear parking sensors, crisp 360-degree view camera and tight 11.7m turning circle!
And if you're not confident it has a self-parking feature.
Safety
Honda Civic
The big safety news surrounding the Civic is that its eight airbags are joined by 'Honda Sensing', which packages up every safety system you can possibly imagine — forward collision warning, lane keeping, adaptive cruise, AEB – and delivers them as standard across the range.
But the bigger news is that, refreshingly, none of it is overly intrusive. Even the speed limit warning, which – as in most cars – always gets the speed wrong, just flashes gently on the driver display, rather than binging and bonging through the cabin.
The Civic Hybrid scored a full five-star ANCAP safety rating, with the score based on crash testing in Europe through Euro NCAP.Â
Volkswagen Passat
This has a good list of safety features with the following being standard: LED daytime running lights, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree view reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, front and rear parking sensors, driver fatigue alert, and adaptive cruise control (with stop/go function).
I like the Emergency Assist feature which will provide multiple visual and sound alerts if there's no steering wheel activity detected. If there's still no driver input, the car will slow down and ultimately come to a complete stop.
The Passat's maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating has just expired and at the time of writing was yet to be retested.
The 2023 Passat has nine airbags, including side airbags for the rear outboard seats, as well as curtain airbags covering both rows.
There are three top tethers across the rear row and ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard positions.
Ownership
Honda Civic
The Honda is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, and servicing is every 12 months or 10,000km.
There is a capped-price servicing program, called 'Low Price Servicing', which means your first five services are $199, but don't cover things like brake pads and tyres.
Volkswagen Passat
The Passat comes with a market standard five-year/unlimited km warranty, and roadside assistance is included for one year (through Allianz Insurance) if you get your car serviced at a VW centre.
There is a three- or five-year capped price servicing plan that can be pre-purchased and will save you money compared to the pay-as-you go option. Servicing averages $620 though, which is expensive for the class.
Servicing intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 16,500km – whichever occurs first.