2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the smooth, rounded body style of earlier generations. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the E-Class maintained a recognizable and respectable family resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, looked especially rich with its traditional hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, though most models featured a sportier grille with a large Mercedes emblem. The LED lighting, from the twin running lamps to the grainy film effect on the tail, added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions always hit a visual sweet spot, whether on 17-inch wheels or 20s with ground effects and quad exhausts.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top that revealed a sumptuous interior. When specified correctly, the E-Class delighted with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and a row of knurled silver toggles for climate control. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors with various animations, added to the luxurious feel. Features like heated armrests, massaging seats, and striking colors made the E-Class a place for solitude, even in its base form with leatherette and standard seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the hot hatch legacy that began with the 1983 Rabbit GTI, brought subtle enhancements to the regular Golf to elevate it to performance status. Small red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip connecting the headlights, and painted brake calipers were the first clues to its special nature. The GTI featured standard 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lamps, gloss black side mirrors, and a small gloss black lip spoiler. Lowered by 0.6 inches compared to the regular Golf, the GTI had a stance emphasized by subtle side skirts and stainless-steel exhaust tips.

Inside, the GTI built on the already-good Golf with sporty enhancements. Red ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, a black headliner, and trim inserts lent a sporty appearance. The instrument cluster was unique to the GTI, and the race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather with red stitching added to the sporty feel. The foot pedals had a shiny, aluminum-look surface, and the heated front sport seats came in Clark plaid cloth for the S trim and leather for the SE and Autobahn trims. Overall, the GTI exuded quality inside and out, with first-rate paintwork and high-quality interior materials.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines, starting with the E350's turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, provided quicker response thanks to a revised twin-scroll turbo design. While the E350 was quick off the line, its performance above 40 mph left something to be desired, making passing maneuvers challenging. The E450, with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, delivered 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offering a more balanced and effortless driving experience. The AMG models, including the E53 with 429 horsepower and the E63 S with 603 horsepower, provided extreme performance, with the latter featuring a drift mode for stunt-like driving. Fuel economy varied from 19 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its performance, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a standout feature, with four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. The Autobahn model came with DCC adaptive damping, enhancing its performance on the right roads. However, the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with the latter providing paddle shifters for manual control. Fuel economy was 23/30/26 mpg for the manual and 24/32/27 mpg for the automatic, with premium unleaded fuel recommended for optimal performance.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system, which, while powerful, was not user-friendly. The lack of touchscreens made it challenging to navigate through the multi-step processes required for various functions. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality with features like seat and seat climate controls on the door panels, ample space in every dimension, and great sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The interior was well-designed, with high-res digital screens, clear gauges, and thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its compact hatchback form, offered impressive utility 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 provided 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The front row accommodated taller drivers comfortably, while the second row was adequate for two average-sized adults or three juveniles. The GTI's dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and the cabin featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and grippy cupholders. The mechanical handbrake, while a bit of a throwback, added to the GTI's charm.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system capable of steering, lane changes, and obstacle avoidance. The Driver Assistance Package added features like V2X communication, multi-contour seats, and a Burmester stereo with surround-sound modes. The E-Class also included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, added a touch of novelty, while the Track Pace app catered to performance enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system, with the S trim using a 6.5-inch screen and the SE and Autobahn trims getting an 8-inch screen with navigation. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio standard. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity options, including Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals. The GTI also included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with adaptive front lighting and dynamic cornering lights on higher trims. Keyless access, pushbutton start, and rain-sensing windshield wipers were standard.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models, while not tested, were expected to perform similarly. The E-Class included innovative safety features like Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during side collisions, and crosswind stabilization. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI also received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap front passenger side test and a "Poor" rating for the base Halogen headlights. The GTI included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, 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 an extra layer of safety.