2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Subaru Impreza showcased a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had featured bold styling elements like large round headlights and box fender flares. The current generation, while not immediately recognizable as a Subaru, still maintained a handsome appearance. Both the sedan and hatchback versions sported sleek headlights and taillights, giving an impression of added width, and a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides featured some scalloping for visual flair, and the awkward wheel arch sheetmetal from the previous generation was toned down. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels.

The Impreza was built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent. This platform contributed to the overall refinement of the vehicle. Inside, the design was typical of compact cars, with the infotainment touchscreen splitting the dashboard and various forms of plastic throughout. The Impreza Sport featured contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the top-tier Impreza Limited came with standard leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although featuring all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might not be immediately distinguishable from the previous generation for non-enthusiasts. The new GTI was longer and lower, with an unchanged wheelbase of 103.6 inches, contributing to a stable silhouette while maintaining nimbleness. The styling followed the classic GTI form, with a smooth hood and a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake below the VW emblem. The signature red accent line ran the full length between the LED headlights, with an optional light bar adding drama to the front end. LED fog lights were standard.

Volkswagen made extensive aerodynamic improvements, including redesigned side-view mirrors, underbody paneling, and revised wheel-arch linings. The GTI featured red brake calipers, with wheel sizes varying by trim: 18-inch alloys for S and SE trims, and 19-inch wheels for the Autobahn trim. 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, with limited availability.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine design allowed for a lower mounting in the chassis, contributing to a lower center of gravity. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base sedan and hatchback, as well as the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also featured specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring system for the all-wheel-drive setup.

The Impreza was a comfortable daily driver, offering a solid and refined ride, though it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport model's suspension tuning provided a good balance between ride quality and handling, with torque vectoring contributing to a neutral balance. However, the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's power was relatively modest, making the Impreza Sport less of a driver's car compared to the WRX.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, introduced to the U.S. in 1983, had evolved significantly, with the 2022 model boasting 241 horsepower from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This updated EA888 engine featured integrated exhaust headers for better heat management and faster warm-up. The engine delivered 273 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,750 rpm, making the GTI a joy to drive on curving roads. The power was sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (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 improvement to 25/34/28 with the automatic. The Mk8 GTI featured a retuned suspension, with a lighter front assembly and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes allowed for customization, and an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential worked with the electronic stability control to reduce understeer. The top-tier Autobahn trim included the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both the sedan and hatchback, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan had a modest 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchbacks, but less than the Honda Civic hatchback. Higher trim levels included features like roof rails, heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited trim featured a six-way power driver's seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available as an option.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its blend of performance and practicality, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. This was less than the Hyundai Veloster N but sufficient for most daily needs. The GTI's interior was driver-centric, with the center stack angled toward the driver and a unique "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly generous, making the GTI suitable for a family of four.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on the base and Premium trims, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. The top Limited trim offered an option package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it seemed redundant given the small LCD display in the gauge cluster. Overall, the infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display, allowing customization of gauge displays and colors. The 10.25-inch display was standard on all trims, complemented by an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch touchscreen with navigation on the SE and Autobahn trims. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system on higher trims. However, 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, and WiFi capability.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award, with the highest "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, it missed the "Top Safety Pick+" award due to "Marginal" standard headlights, though the Limited trim's headlights received a "Good" rating. The NHTSA awarded the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, including features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. All trims included Park Distance Control, with the Autobahn trim offering Park Assist for automatic parking. As a new model, the GTI had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.