2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI had an aesthetic legacy grounded firmly in its performance heritage. It successfully differentiated itself from a standard Golf with various subtle, yet assertive enhancements. The design cues started with its small red GTI badges displayed on the front and rear, signifying a special breed of Volkswagen. A distinguishing red horizontal strip connected the headlights across the grille, adding a flare of sportiness that continued with red-painted brake calipers visible through 18-inch alloy wheels. A mesh grille in the lower front fascia, adorned with standard LED foglamps, contributed to the car's aggressive front-end look. The side mirrors, finished in gloss black, along with a small gloss black lip spoiler at the rear, provided a sleek contrast to the GTI's body colors. The lowering of the GTI by 0.6 inches compared to the regular Golf, paired with stainless-steel exhaust tips, created a performance-oriented stance emblematic of the hot hatch segment.

Inside, the GTI built on the already impressive foundation set by the Golf. Red ambient lighting and illuminated door sills carried the exterior’s theme into the cabin, while the black headliner and trim inserts added a sporty contrast. The GTI-specific instrument cluster, combined with a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in leather and sewn with red stitching, provided a tactile sense of engagement. The foot pedals featured a shiny, aluminum-look finish, and the standard heated front sport seats came in Clark plaid cloth for the S trim, transitioning to leather in the SE and Autobahn trims. The overall quality of materials, from paintwork to interior surfaces, gave the GTI a superior feel that reflected its combination of refinement and performance.

Conversely, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 presented itself with a design that was both mature and artistic, though arguably divisive. Known for its deeply sculpted flanks, which could cast peculiar reflections, and a hatchback body style humorously nicknamed the “hunchback,” the Mazda3 nevertheless exhibited a form of elegance. The model line, available in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback formats, extended from the affordable 2.0 version to the premium 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. Our top-tier test car, dressed in alluring Polymetal Gray Metallic paint, projected a sophisticated air.

Mazda extended its understated yet refined design philosophy to the interior of the Mazda3. The focus was on creating a driver-centric environment, showcased by an arrangement of controls around the driver’s seat. Standard features included an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats, with premium models offering plush leather upholstery. The inside was adorned with polished metallic finishes and high-quality materials, exuding a feeling of luxury. Despite its lower stance, the Mazda3 impressed with its user-friendly layout, even though some functional facets, such as the Mazda Connect infotainment system, lagged in ease of use.

Overall, while the Volkswagen Golf GTI leaned into its performance lineage with an array of sporty design elements, the Mazda MAZDA3 opted for a more refined, artful appearance that resonated with a different kind of driver.

The performance credentials of the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI were a major part of its allure. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, it delivered 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Our test model, an Autobahn variant, boasted a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which, while efficient, made us miss the standard six-speed manual that emphasized the GTI’s engaging driving nature. The GTI excelled with its front-wheel-drive setup, featuring a four-wheel independent suspension (struts in front/multi-link rear with anti-roll bars at both ends) that provided tight, responsive handling. The Autobahn model’s standard DCC adaptive damping and variable-ratio steering enhanced the driving experience, giving crisp turn-in and impressive control. The Golf R front brakes added stopping power, making the GTI not just fast, but agile.

However, this performance-orientation came with sacrifices, particularly in ride comfort. On smooth roads, the GTI was a thrill, but on rougher surfaces, it could be punishing. Despite the mode-selectable suspension in the Autobahn trim, comfort remained secondary to performance. Fuel economy was another area where the GTI shone, achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined with the manual transmission and slightly better with the dual-clutch automatic, though premium fuel was recommended to achieve peak performance.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a more nuanced variety in performance across its model range. Starting with the 2.0 sedan, its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provided 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, prioritizing fuel efficiency over speed with a combined 31 mpg. The majority of buyers gravitated toward the 2.5 S model with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This model provided versatility with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive options and a choice between six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, yielding mpg ratings between 27 and 30 combined, depending on the specific setup.

The highlight of the Mazda3 range was the 2.5 Turbo variant. This turbocharged 2.5-liter engine offered up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel (or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular). Standard all-wheel drive complemented the high output, but despite the powerful drivetrain, the Turbo model demonstrated refined acceleration without aggressive bursts, fostering a smooth and controlled driving experience. Fuel economy for the turbo models was 26 mpg for the hatchback and 27 mpg for the sedan in combined driving. While our driving experience revealed lower actual mpg at 23.1, the ride quality and handling compensated for frequent fuel stops.

Where the Mazda3 separated itself was in its overall driving dynamics. It combined an engaging yet composed ride with nimble handling and flawless steering, making it both entertaining and reliable on challenging roads. However, the brakes—while reliable on level terrain—succumbed to fade under heavy demand on steep descents, suggesting room for improvement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in its form and function with its inherently practical hatchback shape. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and overall compact dimensions (168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall) it was extremely maneuverable in tight urban environments. The short rear overhang paired with a 35.8-foot curb-to-curb turning circle made it adept at navigating through congestion. Inside, the GTI offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 24.8 cubic feet when folded flat. This made it versatile enough for a mix of passenger and cargo needs, accommodating tall drivers comfortably in the front while the rear could fit two average adults or three children adequately.

Storage solutions within the GTI were both practical and ample. The large door pockets accommodated big water bottles and tablets, while grip-friendly center console cup holders were a plus despite the mechanical handbrake slightly impeding access. Overall, the cabin was designed to balance sportiness with everyday usability.

In comparison, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a design that emphasized stylistic flourishes but resulted in some practical drawbacks. Entry and exit were hampered by its low ride height and small door openings. Once inside, however, the vehicle made up for initial inconveniences with a snug, driver-centric cockpit that featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and high-quality leather in premium trims. The Mazda’s attention to detail extended to padded areas where drivers might brace during spirited driving, but the rear seat space was less accommodating—only comfortable if the front seats were not occupied by taller individuals.

Mazda indicated the hatchback could house 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, besting the GTI's capacity with seats up. When folded, the space expanded to a substantial 47.1 cubic feet, making it significantly more spacious for larger loads.

The technology installed in the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was thoughtfully selected. VW opted for a standard analog gauge cluster, resisting the trend towards fully digital displays as seen in models like the Volkswagen Arteon. Nevertheless, the analog set-up was complemented by a configurable driver information screen between the speedometer and tachometer. The GTI featured a mechanical handbrake, which some enthusiasts still appreciate over electronic versions for its tactile feedback.

The GTI’s infotainment system, the VW MIB, came standard across all trims. The entry-level S model had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen while the SE and Autobahn models benefited from the advanced MIB3 system with an 8-inch screen and navigation. Both systems offered user-friendly controls like pinch-zooming and swiping and included standard smartphone integrations—Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. VW incorporated Bluetooth hands-free, streaming audio, and two USB ports in all models, with SiriusXM with 360L available on SE trims and above. The VW Car-Net system provided further tech enhancements, with features such as Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and a Wi-Fi Hotspot, integrated through a mobile app that linked seamlessly with popular services like Amazon Alexa.

Conversely, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 used a different approach with Mazda Connect, its standard infotainment system. A non-touchscreen 8.8-inch display, organically integrated into the dashboard, was controlled via a set of primary buttons on the center console. This approach minimized driver distraction but faced criticism for lacking a physical tuning function and an overly prescriptive voice recognition system that demanded specific commands viewed on the screen—ironical for a system trying to reduce distraction. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, offering workarounds for these limitations.

Mazda Connected Services, complimentary for three years, allowed remote vehicle access via a smartphone app and optional Wi-Fi hotspot subscriptions. The car’s audio options ranged from an eight-speaker system to a premium 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint setup, specifically tuned for the MAZDA3’s interior acoustics. Additional tech options included a head-up display projecting data onto the windshield for increased driver convenience.

Safety was a strong area for both cars, though with distinguishing features. The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI achieved an impressive overall five-star rating from the NHTSA, although it received an "Acceptable" rating in the small overlap front passenger side category from the IIHS. Its LED headlights were rated “Acceptable,” while the base Halogen headlights received a "Poor" rating. The GTI was equipped with a robust set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and several airbags. The top-tier Autobahn trim extended this with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled with perfect safety scores and extensive standard safety equipment. Adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights were standard. The 2.5 S Select trim and higher added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Turbo variants came with adaptive front headlights, Traffic Jam Assist, reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The Mazda3's performance in safety tests was impeccable, earning five-star ratings across all NHTSA categories and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.