2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Toyota Prius

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat awkward layout, with instrumentation located in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design wrapped dramatically into the door panels, and the narrow center console was prone to collecting dust and fingerprints.

Toyota offered the 2021 Prius in several trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, with different styling, was also available. As a five-door hatchback, the Prius provided utility similar to a crossover SUV but lacked the rugged looks and ground clearance. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, with the 2020 Edition test vehicle priced at $31,295, including destination charges.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a descendant of the original 1983 Rabbit GTI, continued to define the hot hatch genre. The GTI shared its basics with the regular Golf but included subtle enhancements like red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the GTI featured red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats with either Clark plaid cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim level.

The GTI's interior quality was top-notch, with high-quality materials and well-installed surfaces. The car's sporty enhancements, combined with its practical hatchback form, made it a versatile and attractive option for those seeking both performance and utility.

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. While not powerful, the electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided a lively feel during acceleration.

The Prius offered various driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph, and Eco, Normal, and Power modes to balance efficiency and responsiveness. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform contributed to the Prius's handling, providing a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Prius could handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm, though hard acceleration resulted in powertrain noise and the tires prioritized fuel economy over grip.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in performance, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a standout feature, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension, DCC adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering. The Golf R front brakes provided excellent stopping power. The GTI's performance-oriented setup, however, resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads.

The GTI's engine was paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. The manual transmission offered a more engaging driving experience. The GTI achieved fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined with the DSG. Despite its performance focus, the GTI only required regular unleaded fuel, though premium fuel was recommended for optimal performance.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery could be sticky. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate space for adults, but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI's hatchback form made it highly practical for carrying passengers and cargo. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase, the GTI measured 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall. It offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The front seats were comfortable for taller drivers, while the rear seats were suitable for two average-sized adults or three juveniles. The GTI's compact dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and the cabin featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The sound quality of the standard stereo system was poor, and road noise often overwhelmed it. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen that lacked Android Auto.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system. The S trim featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch screen, while SE and Autobahn trims had the MIB3 system with an 8-inch screen and navigation. The MIB touchscreens supported tablet-like gesture controls and capacitive-touch sensors. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. SE models added a three-month trial to SiriusXM with 360L. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity options, including Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals, with Amazon Alexa integration.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked a crashworthiness rating from the NHTSA.

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" rating in the small overlap front passenger side test and for LED headlights, while Halogen headlights were rated "Poor." Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, multiple airbags, tire-pressure monitoring, rearview camera, automatic post-collision braking, and intelligent crash-response system. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control.