2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, a design choice driven by aerodynamics to achieve optimal drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota made subtle changes within this framework to keep the Prius looking contemporary, even adding visual tricks to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic style, especially its unorthodox cabin design with centrally located instrumentation and gauges, has been a defining feature since its inception over two decades ago.

The Prius offered four trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. The base L Eco trim came with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added features such as synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, though the latter lacked Android Auto support.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a descendant of the original 1983 Rabbit GTI, continued to define the hot hatch genre with its performance-oriented enhancements. The GTI shared its basic structure with the regular Golf but included subtle tweaks like red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents further distinguished it from its more pedestrian sibling.

Inside, the GTI built on the Golf's already solid foundation with sporty touches like red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats available in Clark plaid cloth or leather. The GTI's interior materials and build quality were top-notch, providing a premium feel that matched its performance credentials.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD-e) variants, the Prius offered smooth and confident acceleration, particularly at lower speeds. The transition between electric and conventional power was seamless, thanks to Toyota's extensive hybrid experience. The Prius also included three drive modes—EV, Eco, and Power—each catering to different driving needs.

The Prius's unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinctive driving experience. While not a sports car, the Prius's low center of gravity provided sharper handling than expected, making it a competent commuter vehicle with a smooth ride.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, on the other hand, was all about performance. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The GTI's four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes contributed to its excellent handling and braking performance.

However, the GTI's performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads, especially in the S and SE trims without adaptive damping. The GTI's fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, and the dual-clutch automatic slightly better at 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with good headroom and legroom. The rear seats were also roomy, though taller passengers might find entry and exit a bit challenging. The Prius excelled in cargo space, providing 50.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, making it one of the most versatile hybrids on the market.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its compact hatchback form, was equally adept at carrying passengers and cargo. It 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 dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, while its clever storage solutions, like large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders, added to its practicality.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims like the Limited upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto support. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system.

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 additional features like Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, and two USB ports. The GTI also offered Volkswagen Car-Net, a subscription service with remote access, hotspot capabilities, and Amazon Alexa integration.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to "average" scores in some tests.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI also received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with "Acceptable" ratings for small overlap front; passenger side, and headlights. The GTI's standard safety features included 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.