2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

2021 Chrysler 300
2021 Chrysler 300
$31,875MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chrysler 300
$31,875MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Chrysler 300 is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the better choice, offering a more engaging driving experience, advanced technology, and practical features.

Overview

MSRP

$31,875

MSRP

$29,880

Average price

$23,695

Average price

$27,927

Listings

339

Listings

90
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Quiet cabin
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Poor value for money
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
  • Great handling
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Prices rise quickly

2021 Chrysler 300 Reviews Summary

You might think the 2021 Chrysler 300 is getting long in the tooth. And you’d be right. This car is so old that it's been through three different car companies (if you count the first generation). But like an aging starting catcher who has watched three different managers come and go, the Chrysler 300 still delivers on a daily basis.

It provides North American consumers with a proper front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) luxury sedan at a reasonable price. No other American manufacturer offers that, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that competes with it from Europe, Japan or Korea.

Starting at just $31,000 MSRP, and offering options for all-wheel drive (AWD) or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, it’s no wonder that an average of 43,000 new car buyers a year have found the 300 so appealing since the second generation arrived for the 2011 model year.

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI Reviews Summary

With its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired.
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.6L 292 hp V6

Engine

2.0L 241 hp I4

Drive Train

RWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

Horsepower

241 hp @ 5000 rpm

MPG City

19

MPG City

25

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

34
2021 Chrysler 300
2021 Chrysler 300
$31,875MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chrysler 300
$31,875MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Chrysler 300 is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI scores 8.0 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the better choice, offering a more engaging driving experience, advanced technology, and practical features.

Overview
MSRP
$31,875
$29,880
Average price
$23,695
$27,927
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.8
Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Comfortable
  • Quiet cabin
  • Easy-to-use technology
Cons
  • Poor value for money
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
  • Great handling
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Prices rise quickly
Summary

You might think the 2021 Chrysler 300 is getting long in the tooth. And you’d be right. This car is so old that it's been through three different car companies (if you count the first generation). But like an aging starting catcher who has watched three different managers come and go, the Chrysler 300 still delivers on a daily basis.

It provides North American consumers with a proper front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) luxury sedan at a reasonable price. No other American manufacturer offers that, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that competes with it from Europe, Japan or Korea.

Starting at just $31,000 MSRP, and offering options for all-wheel drive (AWD) or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, it’s no wonder that an average of 43,000 new car buyers a year have found the 300 so appealing since the second generation arrived for the 2011 model year.

With its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired.
Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.6L 292 hp V6
2.0L 241 hp I4
Drive Train
RWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
292 hp @ 6350 rpm
241 hp @ 5000 rpm
MPG City
19
25
MPG Highway
30
34
Look and feel
2021 Chrysler 300
8/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
7/10

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile that could easily be recognized as a quintessential car. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S offered adaptive HID lamps. The wheels ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S, providing a robust and no-nonsense appearance.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 continued to impress with its high-quality materials. The base 300 Touring featured cloth upholstery, while the 300 Touring L and 300S came standard with Nappa leather. The 300S also boasted perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on the top two trims, with heated rear seats available as an option. Overall, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious interior that rivaled more expensive cars.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although claiming all-new body panels, maintained a familiar look that might not be immediately distinguishable from its predecessor. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a wheelbase of 103.6 inches, promising stability and nimbleness. The front end featured a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake and a signature red accent line running between the LED headlights. Optional light bars added drama to the front end, especially at night. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling.

The GTI's wheels varied by trim, with 18-inch alloys on the S and SE trims and 19-inch wheels on the Autobahn trim. The color palette included staple colors like silver, black, and white, with fun additions like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats on the S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob remained for manual transmission models, and all trims included stainless steel pedals.

Performance
2021 Chrysler 300
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
10/10

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed but still offered respectable performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, while the 300S had 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 in its class. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S.

The 300 provided a quiet and comfortable ride, especially in the AWD Touring L trim, which offered a traditional luxury driving experience. The V8 in the 300S added a fun element, though it didn't match the higher-displacement powertrains of its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This updated EA888 engine reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm and delivered torque at a low 1,750 rpm, making it a joy to drive on curving roads. The GTI offered a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive was the only option.

The GTI's fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, slightly better with the automatic. The Mk8 GTI benefited from a retuned suspension, lighter front assembly, and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes and an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential improved handling and reduced understeer. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, enhancing the driving experience.

Form and function
2021 Chrysler 300
8/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
9/10

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear. Its 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume surpassed competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality. It offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, featuring a "light and sight" panel for easy adjustment of headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making the GTI suitable for a family of four.

Technology
2021 Chrysler 300
9/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
7/10

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge layouts and ambient lighting profiles. The 10.25-inch display was standard, with an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch screen with navigation on the SE and Autobahn trims. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity were included. The SE and Autobahn trims featured a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, and WiFi capability.

Safety
2021 Chrysler 300
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
7/10

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with Park Assist available on the Autobahn trim. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the 2022 GTI at the time of writing.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 Chrysler 300
7/10
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
8/10
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