2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it represented a $460 savings. The Accord Hybrid was never available in Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its excellent proportions, stance, style, and detailing, making it one of the best-looking cars in Honda's lineup. Minor front styling changes for 2021 included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new paint color, Sonic Gray Pearl.

The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, featured a dark undertone that avoided the typical drab brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked great but were difficult to clean due to the gloss black inserts. The Lunar Silver model came with a Black interior, while other colors offered a high-contrast Ivory-over-Black two-tone appearance. The Accord's cabin was upscale, with plastic lower panels that didn't feel cheap, simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with excellent outward visibility and a sculpted hood that made parking and maneuvering easier.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although claiming all-new body panels, retained a similar look to its predecessor. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a wheelbase of 103.6 inches, maintaining its nimble and quick nature. The styling followed the typical GTI form, with a smooth hood, subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and a signature red accent line running between the LED headlights. An optional light bar added drama to the front end, especially at night. LED fog lights were standard, and aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings.

The GTI featured red brake calipers, with wheel size depending on the trim. S and SE trims had 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero all-season tires, while the Autobahn trim had 19-inch wheels with summer tires. The GTI was available in staple colors like silver, black, and white, with additional options like Atlantic Blue Metallic, Kings Red Metallic, and Moonstone Gray. The Autobahn trim offered Pomelo Yellow Metallic as a launch option. Inside, plaid cloth seats were standard on S and SE trims, with Vienna leather upholstery available on SE and standard on Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob was retained for manual transmission models, and all trims featured stainless steel pedals.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This system acted as an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The torque was available immediately and remained constant up to 2,000 rpm, making the Accord Hybrid feel quick from a standstill. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, with most trims achieving 48 mpg in combined driving, while the Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its larger wheels and tires.

The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor the drivetrain characteristics. Honda refined the two-motor hybrid powertrain for 2021, improving throttle response and providing a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's rating. The car's suspension was tuned for athletic handling and a compliant ride, with excellent brake-by-wire regenerative braking. The Accord Hybrid was fun to drive, except when navigating speed humps.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque at 1,750 rpm. The engine, an updated version of the EA888, had integrated exhaust headers for better heat management. The GTI's torque peak was held longer than the previous engine, making it enjoyable to drive on curving roads. Power was sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG) with paddle shifters. The GTI's fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, with a slight uptick for the automatic.

The Mk8 GTI had a retuned suspension, with a lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes allowed for Eco, Comfort, or Sport settings. A standard electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential and electronic stability control helped decrease understeer. The GTI handled corners smoothly and accelerated through them with limited traction loss. The Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, allowing for even more aggressive driving.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan roominess. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat provided excellent leg support. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with an available wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk measured 16.7 cubic feet, larger than any competitor in the segment, and featured 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, as the original hot hatch, balanced performance and practicality. It offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back 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, with a "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making the GTI suitable for a family of four.

For 2021, the Honda Accord Hybrid's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system became standard, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX trim added wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on EX trim and higher. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The voice command system required specific prompts and pathways, which could be frustrating.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays and ambient lighting profiles. The display spanned 10.25 inches and was standard on all trims. The infotainment system featured an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation on SE and Autobahn trims. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity were included, with a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system on SE and Autobahn trims. The touch-capacitive volume and climate controls were less user-friendly. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, WiFi capability, map updates, natural language controls, and online radio.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard on all trims, aiming for the Top Safety Pick+ rating. The Accord Hybrid included a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder, and low-speed braking control on the Touring model. The Honda Sensing suite of ADAS was refined for smoother operation, but some features, like lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking, needed further improvement.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, a suite of ADAS, including Travel 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 the Autobahn trim adding Park Assist for automatic parking. The GTI had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.