2021 Toyota Corolla vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sporty design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a subtle body kit, twin-outlet exhaust, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Celestite Gray metallic paint with a blue undertone made the Corolla genuinely appealing. However, some design aspects, such as the hood shut line and the over-styled rear bumper, detracted from its overall look. The Apex Edition amplified these stranger design elements. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE trims offered a more anonymous look, while the Corolla Hybrid provided an affordable path to 50+ mpg.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite having all-new body panels, retained a familiar look that might not be immediately distinguishable from its predecessor. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a stable silhouette and a short wheelbase that promised 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 and standard LED fog lights added drama to the front end. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling. The GTI came with red brake calipers and varying wheel sizes depending on the trim. The color palette included staple colors and some fun options like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine paired with a Dynamic Shift CVT, paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. A six-speed manual gearbox was available for an extra $200. The CVT used a mechanical first gear to eliminate drivetrain slip, and its ten programmed ratios helped hide typical CVT traits. The Corolla sat on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which provided a low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics. The SE and XSE trims featured 18-inch aluminum wheels and 225/40 all-season tires. The Corolla XSE demonstrated predictable handling characteristics and was engaging enough for a compact car. The EPA estimated the Corolla XSE's fuel economy at 34 mpg combined, and it averaged 31.1 mpg in real-world driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm. This engine was an updated version of the EA888 engine from the Mk7 GTI, with integrated exhaust headers for better heat management. The GTI offered a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive was the only option. The EPA estimated the GTI's fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, and slightly better with the DSG. The GTI's retuned suspension, electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential, and various drive modes contributed to its excellent handling. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured DCC adaptive damping for even better performance.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered numerous upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment. This feature provided added comfort and a commanding driving position. The rear seats offered good support but had tight headroom and legroom, with no air conditioning vents. The Corolla sedan's trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 17.8 cubic feet. However, the sedan's trunk lacked an inside handle for easy closing.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality with 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, featuring a "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly good, making the GTI suitable for a family of four. The GTI's interior was driver-centric, with thoughtful design elements enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Every Corolla also included a free year of Safety Connect services and a three-month Wi-Fi hotspot trial. The SE and XSE trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with the XSE offering Service Connect and Remote Connect. The SE and XSE also had a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, dynamic voice recognition, and dynamic navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons. However, the radio knobs could be hard to grasp, and the JBL sound system lacked clarity.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays and 30 ambient lighting profiles. The display spanned 10.25 inches and was standard on all trims. The infotainment system featured an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the S trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in the SE and Autobahn trims. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard. The SE and Autobahn trims included a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. However, the touch-capacitive volume and climate controls were frustrating to use. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at extra cost, including Remote Access, Safe and Secure, and Hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Corolla also added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance had some quirks, but overall, the safety features performed well. The 2020 Corolla earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The 2021 model awaited re-testing due to the new airbags.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, which included 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. All GTI trims came with Park Distance Control, and the Autobahn trim added Park Assist for automatic parking. As a new model, the 2022 GTI had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.