This week’s poll pits two unlikely competitors in a knockdown, drag-out battle.
The big question is, which small sedan do YOU prefer, the recently redesigned Honda Civic or Audi’s sophisticated A3? Both models feature sophisticated engineering, refined styling and premium interiors, plus their price tags are not as far off as you might expect.
Starting off with the Civic, Honda totally redesigned this compact four-door for the 2016 model year. Wider and longer than its predecessor, this car rides atop a brand-new architecture that’s more rigid and spacious than before, plus it’s better sealed against the elements.
Under hood, the new Civic offers American customers two engine options. The base unit is a rather forgettable 2.0-liter four-banger. But the one you really want is the upmarket 1.5-liter turbo. It delivers 174 horses and 162 lb-ft of torque that’s available from 1,800 to 5,500 RPM, unheard of twist in a Honda! A continuously variable automatic is the only transmission offered with the turbocharged engine in the Civic sedan.
As for the Audi, it too offers force-fed power. The four-ring four-door’s base engine is a 170-horsepower 1.8-liter unit. Stepping up from there is an even more muscular 2.0-liter four-cylinder. It delivers 220 ponies along with a stout 258 lb-ft of torque. Both are matched to a six-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
In typical Audi fashion, quattro all-wheel drive is standard with the up-level engine. Fancy paint colors are not. If you want anything other than black, white or red you’re going to have to shell out extra cash.
But why compare these two seemingly dissimilar small sedans? Well, surprisingly the Honda’s interior is so well done it actually rivals the Audi A3’s. Also, that new Civic drives really, REALLY well.
So, which of these cars would YOU rather own? For more information, you can compare them directly right here. Oh, and don’t forget to vote in the poll below!
