2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles created a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to break conventional automotive design rules and give the Elantra a unique character. The car's appearance improved with higher trim levels, and the upcoming high-performance Elantra N promised even more excitement.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly impressive, with light gray seats and trim providing a modern and upscale look. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a hot hatch icon, maintained its sporty and practical design. The GTI shared most of its basics with the regular Golf but added subtle enhancements like red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The car's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents contributed to its performance-oriented look.

Inside, the GTI featured red ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, and a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching. The instrument cluster was unique to the GTI, and the heated front sport seats came in Clark plaid cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. The GTI's interior materials and surfaces were high-quality and well-installed, providing a premium feel.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, from the standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower to the high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower. The Elantra SEL with a 2.0-liter engine and CVT provided adequate power for urban driving but felt underpowered on the highway. The Elantra Limited Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous driving.

The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a fun driving experience with its sport-tuned suspension and performance tires. The high-performance Elantra N, with its powerful engine, electronic limited-slip differential, and advanced suspension, provided an exhilarating driving experience, especially on winding roads.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its performance, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a highlight, with its four-wheel independent suspension, adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering. The GTI's ride could be rough on ordinary roads, but its performance-oriented setup shone on the right road or track.

The GTI's DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was smooth and responsive, though some enthusiasts preferred the standard six-speed manual for a more engaging driving experience. The GTI's fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway and the DSG achieving 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle were less comfortable. The Elantra's trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, and some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its hatchback form, was incredibly practical for carrying passengers and cargo. The GTI's compact dimensions made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and its 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats expanded to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's interior featured clever storage options, though the mechanical handbrake interfered with the driver’s reach to the cupholders.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, along with a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a new Bose premium sound system impressed with its audio quality. Hyundai Digital Key allowed for smartphone-based access and control of the vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster, with the SE and Autobahn trims offering an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. The MIB touchscreens supported tablet-like gesture controls and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Volkswagen Car-Net provided remote access, safe and secure features, and a hotspot portal. The GTI also included LED lighting, keyless access, rain-sensing wipers, and heated exterior mirrors.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims offered cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-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 forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and multiple airbags. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, and high-beam control.