2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was known for its understated appearance, which belied its performance capabilities. Its design was subtle, with a 2-box shape, honeycomb grille, and red accents, making it look like an ordinary hatchback to the untrained eye. However, enthusiasts appreciated its sporty elements, such as the twin exhaust outlets and the limited-production Rabbit Edition trim, which featured gloss black finishes and unique colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue. Inside, the GTI maintained a straightforward and quality-focused design, with a dashboard and controls that were both functional and stylish. The Clark Plaid cloth upholstery added a touch of whimsy to the otherwise conservative interior.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Prius had a more polarizing design, with its boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass. While the styling was intended to make a statement, it was not universally praised. The fourth-generation Prius, introduced in 2016, continued this trend with an even more extroverted design. Despite its unconventional looks, the Prius offered practicality and efficiency, appealing to those seeking a reliable daily driver. The interior featured a centralized control layout, with a digital instrumentation strip and a center-console stack housing the infotainment system and climate controls. The Prius's design was functional, though the gloss black interior trim attracted dust, which could be a concern for meticulous owners.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a performance-oriented vehicle, boasting a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produced 228 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. This powertrain, combined with a torque-sensing limited-slip differential, provided impressive handling and traction. The GTI's acceleration was brisk, reaching 60 mph without needing to shift into third gear. The car's sport suspension contributed to a firm ride, while the progressive steering offered precise control. The GTI's braking system, shared with the Golf R, featured sensitive brakes that required a gentle touch in traffic. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded slightly lower results.

The 2019 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, focused on efficiency rather than performance. It combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a rear electric motor, enhancing traction at low speeds. The Prius excelled in fuel economy, with the standard FWD model achieving 52 mpg combined, while the AWD-e variant managed 50 mpg. The Prius's CVT provided smooth power delivery, and the car offered a comfortable ride with decent handling. The EV mode allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds, and the regenerative braking system helped recharge the battery. Overall, the Prius prioritized efficiency and practicality over sporty performance.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a versatile vehicle, accommodating both family needs and driving enthusiasts. The front seats were height-adjustable and offered robust bolsters, with a choice of plaid cloth or leather upholstery. The interior featured ample storage, including a large glove box and door-panel bins. The backseat provided acceptable comfort, though legroom was limited. The GTI's trunk offered 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The car's practicality was enhanced by a pass-through for long items, allowing for four-passenger seating.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered a surprisingly spacious interior, with comfortable seating for four adults. The driver's seat had manual height adjustment, while the front passenger seat sat high off the floor. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support and legroom, though air conditioning vents were absent in the second row. The Prius's trunk was generous, providing up to 27.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, expandable to 65.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made the Prius a practical choice for those needing ample cargo space, comparable to many small crossover SUVs.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system varied by trim level. The S and Rabbit Edition featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and smartphone integration, while the SE trim offered an upgraded system with an 8-inch display, HD Radio, and satellite radio. The GTI Autobahn included a Fender premium sound system and navigation. The Rabbit Edition's infotainment was basic but functional, though pairing issues with Apple CarPlay were noted. The GTI also featured adaptive LED front lighting and, in the Autobahn trim, a semi-autonomous parking assistant.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's technology offerings were less impressive. The Limited trim boasted an 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation and a JBL sound system, but the XLE AWD-e test car had a basic 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a CD player. The Prius's instrumentation was housed in a strip below the windshield, with a mix of modern and outdated displays. The Advanced Technology Package added a head-up display and adaptive headlights. Notably, the Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it did offer wireless smartphone charging.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered a range of safety features, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring available on the S trim as an option. The Rabbit Edition included these features as standard, while the GTI SE added Car-Net Safety & Security services. The GTI Autobahn featured adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and an active blind-spot-monitoring system. All GTIs came with an automatic post-collision braking system. The GTI received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for front passenger protection, and high marks from the IIHS.

The 2019 Toyota Prius included Toyota Safety Sense as standard, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prius's safety systems were effective, and the car received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for front passenger protection. The IIHS awarded the Prius a Top Safety Pick rating, with an Acceptable rating for small overlap front passenger protection.