2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the iconic hot hatch lineage, shared its basics with the regular Golf but included subtle enhancements that elevated it to a performance category. Red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip connecting the headlights, and painted brake calipers were some of the visual cues that set it apart. The GTI featured standard 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lamps, and a lowered stance, giving it a sporty look. Inside, the GTI built on the already-good Golf with sporty touches like red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats. The quality of materials and the overall fit and finish were top-notch, making the GTI feel premium inside and out.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign for the 2021 model year, transforming it from a bland, rental-car look to a striking, four-door-coupe silhouette. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, giving it a unique personality. The exterior styling included various creases and folds on the doors, creating a distinctive "Z" shape. Inside, the Elantra's material quality and design were much improved, with a focus on advanced tech and comfort. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a major attraction, with four-wheel independent suspension and variable-ratio steering delivering crisp turn-in and great feel. The top-of-the-line Autobahn model came with DCC adaptive damping, enhancing its handling capabilities. However, the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with the latter being an $800 option. Fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, and the dual-clutch automatic getting 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine on SE, SEL, and Limited trims produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine combined with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N Line trim catered to driving enthusiasts with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and larger front brake rotors enhanced its driving dynamics, making it a compelling package for those seeking a sporty drive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, with its hatchback design offering practicality and versatility. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase, the GTI measured 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall. It provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's compact dimensions and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, while clever storage options in the cabin added to its practicality. The mechanical handbrake, though a bit of a throwback, was a notable feature.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use and practicality. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and the interior offered excellent outward visibility. The Elantra's rear seat could comfortably accommodate three children, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to the sloped roofline. Cargo space was adequate at 14.2 cubic feet, though the trunk's narrow opening could be a challenge. The Elantra's interior featured plenty of storage options, but the lack of USB ports and air conditioning vents in the rear were minor drawbacks. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, which was a bit disappointing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a mix of traditional and modern technology. It retained analog gauges with a configurable driver information screen, and a mechanical hand brake. The VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system was standard, with S models getting a 6.5-inch screen and SE and Autobahn models getting an 8-inch screen with navigation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink were standard, along with Bluetooth and two USB ports. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity features, including Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals. Standard smart technology included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with higher trims getting LED headlights with adaptive front lighting.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai Digital Key was available on higher trims, allowing keyless access via an Android-compatible smartphone. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system was only adequate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash-test categories. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and multiple airbags. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control. The GTI's sharp handling also contributed to its safety by potentially helping drivers avoid collisions.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of driver-assist tech, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, though lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating.