Civic Superiority: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan EX vs. 2011 VW
Jetta SE
Superior Handling
Civic has motion-adaptive electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering
(EPS) to vary steering assist according to vehicle speed and to improve fuel
economy. Jetta has hydraulic power-assisted steering that places a constant draw
on engine power. Variable-assisted steering is not available on Jetta.
Civic has ventilated disc brakes in front and solid disc brakes in the rear.
Jetta SE has less efficient drum brakes in the rear.
Civic has an independent multi-link rear suspension. Jetta has a less
sophisticated semi-independent twist beam rear suspension.
Civic has a turning diameter of 35.4 feet. Jetta has a turning diameter of
36.4 feet.
Superior Resale
Value
Civic Sedan EX with automatic transmission maintains a 63% ALG residual
value after 36 months and 48% after 60 months. Jetta SE's ALG residual values
are 55% and 39% respectively.
Superior Reliability
According to Edmunds.com, the 2012 Civic Sedan EX with automatic
transmission has a J.D. Power Overall Initial Quality rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Jetta SE has an Overall Initial Quality rating of 2.0 out of 5.
Superior Front Seat Roominess
When Jetta SE is equipped with the optional power moonroof, Civic Sedan EX
has superior front seat headroom (37.7 inches vs. 37.0 inches), legroom (42.2
inches vs. 41.2 inches), and shoulder room (56.6 inches vs. 55.2 inches).
Domestic Duels: 2012 Honda Civic vs. 2012 Ford Focus and 2011 Chevrolet
Cruze
Here are the
top reasons for your customers to buy the 2012 Civic instead of the 2012 Ford
Focus or the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. (Use the Competitive Comparisons function on
the Honda Sales Portal for a complete comparison of specifications and
features.)
2012 Civic vs. 2012 Ford Focus
More model/drivetrain choices: There is a Civic for (almost)
everyone! Civic offers both Sedan and Coupe models, the performance-oriented Si
Coupe and Sedan, Civic Hybrid Sedan, and Civic GX natural gas sedan. No coupe,
no hybrid, and no natural-gas-powered 2012 Focus models are expected to be
offered in the U.S. initially. The sporty Focus ST will not be available until
spring of 2012.
Sophisticated safety systems: All Civic trim levels come with
standard Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Advanced
Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, and Occupant Position
Detection System (OPDS). Focus doesn't offer comparable features.
More front and rear seat legroom: The 2012 Civic offers 42.2 inches
of front seat legroom and 36.2 inches of rear seat legroom. Focus has 41.9
inches in front and 33.2 inches in the rear. Civic has three inches more rear
seat legroom!
Lower ownership costs: The 2012 Civic Sedan with either manual or
automatic transmission has a fuel economy advantage over the 2012 Focus sedan
(see chart). In addition, Civic has much higher 36-month and 60-month Automotive
Lease Guide (ALG) residual values (see chart). The Civic HF, with Excellent mpg's on the highway1, will be available this summer. The
Focus SFE (Super Fuel Economy ? factory estimated 40 mpg highway) model will not
available until spring of 2012.
2012 Civic vs. 2011 Chevrolet Cruze
More model/drivetrain choices: Civic offers a wide range of model and
drivetrain choices. Chevrolet does not offer a coupe, a hybrid, a
natural-gas-powered model, or anything comparable to the Civic Si in the Cruze
model line. In addition, Civic offers a lower-priced sedan choice: 2012 Civic DX
Sedan 5-Speed Manual ($15,805 MSRP) vs. Cruze Sedan LS ($16,275 MSRP).
Sophisticated safety systems: All Civic trim levels come with
standard Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Advanced
Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, and Occupant Position Detection
System (OPDS). Cruze doesn't offer comparable features.
More sophisticated suspension: Civic has a sophisticated,
fully-independent multi-link rear suspension and front and rear stabilizer bars
on all trim levels for superior handling. Cruze comes with a less sophisticated
semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension on all trim levels. A rear
stabilizer bar is not available on Cruze.
Lower ownership costs: The 2012 Civic Sedan with either manual or
automatic transmission has a fuel economy advantage over the 2011 Chevrolet
Cruze (see chart). In addition, Civic has significantly higher 36-month and
60-month Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) residual values (see chart).
