2020 Subaru Legacy vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a master of understatement, presenting itself as a modest 5-door hatchback that belied its true performance potential. Its design was subtle, with a 2-box structure, honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets hinting at the power within. The GTI was available in S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn trims, with prices ranging from $27,595 to $37,095. The Rabbit Edition, a nod to GTI heritage, featured gloss black 18-inch wheels and unique colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue. Inside, the GTI maintained a straightforward and quality-focused design, with whimsical Clark Plaid cloth upholstery adding a touch of character.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru Legacy struggled to stand out with its pragmatic styling, which, while handsome, lacked the boldness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Legacy's design felt smaller, almost reminiscent of a compact Subaru Impreza. However, the Legacy aimed for mainstream appeal, featuring a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen that unfortunately buried many controls within its digital interface. The Legacy was offered in six trims, with the Premium trim providing a well-rounded package of features, including a power moonroof and heated seats. Despite its understated exterior, the Legacy surprised with generous backseat space and thoughtful interior touches.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a thrill to drive, thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which delivered 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The VAQ limited-slip differential was standard, enhancing traction and handling. The GTI's acceleration was brisk, reaching 60 mph without needing third gear, and its clutch and gear shifts were smooth and effortless. The ride was stiff due to the sport suspension, but the steering was precise and responsive, especially in Sport mode. The GTI's brakes, borrowed from the Golf R, were sensitive and effective. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 25.1 mpg.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy offered a 2.5-liter boxer 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. While the Legacy was quick off the line, it struggled to maintain power at highway speeds, making a lot of noise in the process. A more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine was available in the Limited XT and Touring XT trims, producing 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Legacy's chassis was commendable, providing precise cornering and a refined ride. The auto stop-start system aimed to conserve fuel, contributing to an impressive 30 mpg combined fuel economy with the base engine.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a versatile choice for families and driving enthusiasts alike. It featured height-adjustable front seats with robust bolsters, ample storage options, and a spacious cabin with excellent visibility. The backseat offered decent comfort, though legroom was limited. The GTI's trunk claimed 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, but practical use suggested less. Maximum cargo space was 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and a pass-through allowed for long items without sacrificing passenger seating.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy, while not matching crossovers in cargo space, offered a respectable 15.1 cubic feet in the trunk. The backseat was surprisingly spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The front seats were supportive, with ample storage in the doors. However, the center stack's tray was small, making it difficult to access USB ports. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Legacy provided a comfortable and practical interior for passengers.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system, standard on S and Rabbit Edition trims, included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration. An upgraded system with an 8-inch display and Fender premium sound was available on higher trims. The Rabbit Edition's system was basic but functional, though pairing issues with Apple CarPlay were noted. The GTI also featured adaptive LED lighting and optional semi-autonomous parking assistance.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy's Starlink infotainment system, with its 11.6-inch screen, was less user-friendly. Basic functions like heated seats and climate controls required multiple steps to adjust. The portrait-oriented screen compressed Apple CarPlay, detracting from its usability. While the system was responsive and free of lag, its complexity was a drawback. The base trim offered a dual-screen setup with similar issues, leaving no escape from the Legacy's tech challenges.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The GTI SE added Car-Net Safety & Security services, while the Autobahn trim included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The GTI received a 5-star NHTSA rating, with a 4-star rating for the front passenger in frontal impacts. The IIHS rated it highly, though front passenger protection was deemed Acceptable.

The 2020 Subaru Legacy came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, featuring forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. EyeSight's intuitive alerts and a helpful feature for stop-and-go traffic were highlights. The Legacy also included airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and TPMS, ensuring comprehensive safety coverage.