2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI carried forward the legacy of the original GTI, which debuted in the U.S. as the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI. This model defined the hot hatch genre with its compact hatchback design, enhanced performance features, and sporty aesthetics. The seventh-generation GTI, which concluded with the 2021 model, shared its basics with the regular Golf but included subtle enhancements like red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip on the grille, and painted brake calipers. The interior featured sporty touches such as red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats, giving it a quality feel inside and out.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata evolved from its early years of mimicking the Honda Accord to developing a unique identity. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. Inside, the Sonata offered a spacious cabin with clearly marked gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim included leather seats, while the N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black side mirrors, and N badging. The N Line's cabin featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, enhancing its personality.

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 standout, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. The Autobahn model included DCC adaptive damping for improved ride quality. The GTI offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG). Fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, and the DSG achieving 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality with its base and N Line trims. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in the SEL Plus and Limited trims made 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The N Line, with its 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension, offered a more aggressive driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride quality was smooth and quiet, making it a comfortable choice for daily driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, offering a compact yet spacious hatchback design. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and dimensions of 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall, the GTI was easy to maneuver in tight spaces. 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 interior featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders. The GTI's tight turning circle of 35.8 feet and excellent outward visibility made parking a breeze.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Sonata's Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster, with the option of the MIB touchscreen infotainment system. The S model had a 6.5-inch screen, while the SE and Autobahn models upgraded to an 8-inch screen with navigation. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink were standard, along with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio. The Car-Net system offered remote access, safe & secure, and hotspot portals, with Alexa integration for added convenience. Standard smart technology included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with additional features on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim. The base SE had an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and smartphone integration. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim also included last year's Tech package, adding Highway Driving Assist, LED interior lights, and a panoramic sunroof.

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 and headlights categories. Standard safety features 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, park assist, and high-beam control.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and a rearview monitor. The SEL trim added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering assistance. The Limited trim featured a blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and surround-view monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave the 2021 model top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention.