2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2020 BMW 3 Series

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked memories of majestic marine life with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversize grille, giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the car's driving experience was deemed glorious, especially in the M340i trim. The interior offered a variety of colors and materials, with the test car featuring off-white Ivory leather contrasting with a black cabin and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The interior quality seemed to have improved, making the high sticker prices more palatable.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the hot hatch legacy, featured subtle enhancements that elevated it from a regular Golf. Red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip connecting the headlights, and painted brake calipers were some of the distinguishing features. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents added to its sporty look. Inside, the GTI maintained the Golf's quality feel with red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats. The interior materials and surfaces were high-quality and well-installed, maintaining the GTI's reputation for quality.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series addressed previous criticisms of its driving dynamics with significant structural and suspension changes, including greater component rigidity and reduced unsprung mass. The M340i trim featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car's handling was enhanced by BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a rear M Sport differential, and massive M Sport brakes. The M340i xDrive could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, making it a thrilling drive despite the absence of a manual transmission.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI's performance was defined by its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a highlight, with four-wheel independent suspension, DCC adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering. The test model featured a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual was also available. The GTI's ride could be rough on ordinary roads, but its performance-oriented setup made it a joy to drive on the right road or track. The GTI's fuel economy was commendable, with 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined for the dual-clutch transmission.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple and supportive front seats, equipped with high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were awkward, but once inside, the seats provided terrific support. The car's controls were sometimes hard to find, but the widescreen infotainment system and natural voice recognition system were highlights. Storage space was generous, with a covered bin forward of the shifter and a trunk space of 17 cubic feet, though the trunk was narrow.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI's hatchback form made it incredibly useful for carrying passengers and cargo. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and dimensions of 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall, the GTI offered 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's compact dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Inside, the GTI featured clever storage options, including big front door pockets and center console cupholders. The mechanical handbrake was a bit of a throwback but added to the car's charm.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was easy to use, with intuitive menu pathways and a clean, minimalistic design. The “Hey, BMW” voice recognition system was excellent, responding to natural commands related to navigation, climate control, and more. The test car also had a head-up display that was visible while wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system, with S models using the MIB2 system and SE and Autobahn models using the MIB3 system. The MIB touchscreens supported tablet-like gesture controls and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional features, including Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals. The GTI also came with standard LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with SE and Autobahn models featuring LED headlights with adaptive front lighting.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages to equip it with the latest ADAS. While the systems were accurate, they sometimes lacked smoothness. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt but appropriate for a car that encouraged active driving. The 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top “Good” scores from the IIHS in most crash-test categories. The GTI came with a good array of standard safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and park assist. The GTI's sharp handling could help avoid collisions, adding to its safety credentials.