Cars.comparison: Small and Fast
Speed and good handling are no longer exclusive to expensive vehicles. But which of these sub-$30,000 cars offers the best performance?
= Category winner| The Contenders | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2006 Honda Civic Si | 2006 Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works package | 2006 Volkswagen GTI |
| Zoom | Zoom | Zoom |
| MSRP (as tested) | ||
| $22,240 | $28,850 | $27,615 |
| Acceleration* (0 - 60 mph) | ||
| 6.6 seconds: Torque is disappointing off the line ... far off the line. | 6.3 seconds: The added power only emphasizes the wanting low-rev torque, and the accelerator lag is inexcusable. | 6.3 seconds: Potent turbocharged power with plenty of torque and negligible lag. Outstanding. |
| Gas mileage (city/highway) | ||
| 23/32 | 20/32 | 23/32 |
| EPA air pollution score (0 - 10, 10 being best) | ||
| 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Dynamics | ||
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Best steering and overall handling, especially at the limit. Excellent balance. |
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The Cooper drives like a go-kart, and the JCW treatment makes it feel like a go-kart on stilts. |
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World's most agile bank vault. Hides its weight in normal driving. |
| Soundtrack | ||
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Music to some ears, but the appeal of the Si's high-revving whine is lost on us. |
We can't get enough of the supercharger moan and burbly exhaust. |
Appropriately sporty without being obnoxious. |
| Styling/street cred | ||
| Unlike the other two boxes, the sleek Civic Si looks fast at rest — styled for all ages and genders. | Compellingly cute, but too cute nonetheless. | The GTI manages to be both too cute and too plain. |
| Comfort | ||
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The seats are high-quality, but they crowd the shoulders too much; the space is workable, but tighter than the GTI. |
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Overstuffed, uncomfortable front seats reduce the Mini's appeal, as does backseat legroom that even kids might balk at. |
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Supportive front sport seats fit just right, and the backseat is big enough for adults. |
| Commuter appeal | ||
| The Si's smooth-shifting six-speed manual becomes less appealing in gridlock. No automatic available. | Bring a poncho if breakfast on the go is your thing — the firm suspension will make quick work of an Egg McMuffin. | Comfortable ride, rich interior and enough room to take co-workers on a lunch run. |
| Cargo room | ||
| 11.5 cubic feet is respectable for a trunk, but it can't match the utility of a hatch. | There's a healthy 23.7 cubic feet when the backseat's folded, but only 5.3 when it's not. | With 15 cubic feet, the GTI has the most cargo room behind the folding backseat. |
| Auxiliary audio inputs | ||
| Standard input jack for MP3 player; optional media card reader; optional iPod adapter. | Optional iPod adapter. | Nothing for 2006, but 2007 GTIs gain an input jack for MP3 player connectivity and an optional iPod adapter. |
| Tuner appeal | ||
| Because the Si lacks a turbo or supercharger, significant power increases are out of most buyers' reach. | John Cooper Works has wrung a lot of power out of it; if you can do better, you're not the average buyer. | Turbo power can be goosed substantially and affordably with an aftermarket chip. |
| Editors' choice | ||
| A turbo might put this affordable, well-executed model over the top. | Possibly the most fun to drive hard, but not well-rounded enough to dominate. | Its many performance attributes and livability outweigh the GTI's mild styling and high price. |
*Road & Track data
Posted on 9/7/06
Next Step?
- 2006 Honda Civic Si
- 2006 Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works package
- 2006 Volkswagen GTI
