2020 Toyota Camry vs 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a masterclass in understated design. It appeared as an ordinary 5-door hatchback, but its subtle red accents, honeycomb grille, and twin exhaust outlets hinted at its sporty nature. The Rabbit Edition trim, with its gloss black 18-inch wheels and unique colors like Urano Gray and Cornflower Blue, paid homage to GTI heritage. Inside, the GTI featured a straightforward dashboard, clear instrumentation, and quality materials, with the Clark Plaid cloth upholstery adding a touch of whimsy.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Camry aimed to shed its staid image with expressive styling. The bold front fascia and taut lines gave it a sporty look, while the TRD model's aerodynamic body kit and large wing added flair. Inside, the Camry used high-quality materials and a driver-focused dashboard design. The TRD model featured red trim accents, including bright red seatbelts, enhancing its sporty appeal. Higher trims offered leather and wood, making the Camry feel almost like an entry-level Lexus.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a thrill to drive, thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The VAQ limited-slip differential, standard on all trims, maximized traction and reduced understeer. The GTI's handling was impressive, with its Bridgestone Potenza RE97AS P225/40R18 tires and progressive, variable-ratio steering. The car's ride was stiff, but the optional adaptive damping suspension improved comfort. The GTI's brakes, borrowed from the Golf R, were highly effective, and the car achieved an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four powertrains, including a 3.5-liter V6 with 301 horsepower and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim). The V6 provided smooth and powerful performance, while the four-cylinder was lighter and more agile. The TRD model featured a specially tuned suspension and beefed-up brakes, but its ride was firmer than other Camry trims. The AWD system, available with the 2.5-liter engine, improved traction without significantly impacting fuel economy. The front-drive Camry achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 28 mpg.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a versatile vehicle, ideal for families and driving enthusiasts alike. The front seats were height-adjustable and offered excellent support, while the dashboard and controls were user-friendly. Storage was plentiful, with a large glove box, deep door-panel bins, and a smartphone tray. The backseat provided decent comfort, though legroom was tight. The trunk offered 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was easy to drive and featured a well-organized interior. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room, while the center console housed a shifter, cupholders, and a storage bin. The rear seat, however, had reduced legroom compared to competitors, and the trunk's 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space was smaller than some rivals. The addition of AWD did not compromise interior space, as Toyota modified the floor structure and fuel tank to maintain the same rear seat and trunk dimensions.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE trim offered an upgraded 8-inch display, HD Radio, and a Fender premium sound system. The GTI Autobahn added a navigation system and a semi-autonomous parking assistant. The adaptive LED front lighting system was standard on all trims except the S.

The 2020 Toyota Camry featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard 7-inch touchscreen was functional but felt dated, with an optional 8-inch upgrade available. The Camry also offered a three-month trial of WiFi Connect and a one-year trial of Remote Connect for remote vehicle access. Higher trims included a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert as standard on the Rabbit Edition. The GTI SE added Car-Net Safety & Security services, while the Autobahn trim included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The GTI received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though it had an Acceptable rating for front passenger protection in the small overlap frontal impact test.

The 2020 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense, including emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was standard, and blind-spot monitoring was optional. The Camry earned a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. There was one NHTSA recall for leaking engine coolant, affecting some 2.5-liter four-cylinder models.