In Canada the Civic Sport Touring 6MT is $35,000. The GTI Autobahn is $35,000. Same price, same equipment, the GTI destroys the Civic from a performance stand point.
I understand the Civic Sport Touring isn’t built to be a performance car. That said it’s priced like competitors that offer...
The price is similar hence why it’s a comparison. They are both hatchbacks with manual transmissions. The Standard Golf would come in even cheaper than the Civic.
I prefer Honda over VW as well but the GTI literally has 60 more hp and almost 100 more lb/tq. From a performance stand point it’s outclassed, and this is undeniable.
It wasn’t built to compete against the GTI but it’s priced like one. The comparison is valid and reliability aside the Civic loses at the same price point.
The 7 inch screen is very basic, Honda likely had no choice but to use the 9 inch because it has more customization availabe needed for the Si.
Also, Si has always had the high trim line stereo.