2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of the iconic hot hatch lineage that began with the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, was a compact hatchback that combined practicality with performance. It featured subtle enhancements over the regular Golf, such as red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and sporty interior elements like red ambient lighting and a race-inspired steering wheel, gave it a distinct and quality feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, following a complete makeover in 2021, maintained its sleek and elegant design. The S-Class, rooted in the 1954 "Ponton" models, represented the pinnacle of Mercedes-Benz's sedan lineup. The seventh-generation S-Class, code-named "W223," featured a long, low profile with a significant distance between the front axle and dashboard, enhancing its elegance. The interior boasted high-quality materials, a waterfall of open-pore wood trim, and a 12.8-inch touchscreen, making it a luxurious and meticulously crafted cabin.

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. It offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The GTI's handling was a highlight, with four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. However, its performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. Fuel economy was respectable, with the manual transmission achieving 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, and the dual-clutch automatic slightly better at 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, particularly the S500 model, featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid engine with EQ Boost, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, supplemented by an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor. The S580 model offered a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. Despite its weight, the S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. Fuel economy for the S500 was 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, and the S580 achieved 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, with its compact hatchback design offering practicality and versatility. It had a 103.6-inch wheelbase, was 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall. The GTI provided 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Its tight turning circle of 35.8 feet and excellent outward visibility made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The cabin featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as an executive sedan, prioritized comfort and luxury. It offered a spacious and serene cabin with features like powered sun blinds, a Panorama Sunroof, and a 13.8-cubic-foot trunk. The cabin included six USB-C ports, a 115-volt power supply, and advanced seating options with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The Executive Line package added rear-seat enhancements, including multicontour seats with heating and entertainment systems. However, the wide-opening doors could be challenging to close from a seated position, though the soft-close feature mitigated this issue.

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 using a 6.5-inch screen and SE and Autobahn models an 8-inch screen with navigation. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Additional features included LED lighting, keyless access, rain-sensing wipers, and heated mirrors. Volkswagen Car-Net offered remote access, safety features, and a mobile app with subscription options.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with cutting-edge technology. The 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen and 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided high-quality visuals and energy efficiency. Optional features included a 3D instrument cluster and augmented reality head-up display. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system could be upgraded to a 4D system with headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured advanced driver assistance systems, including EQ Boost and rear-axle steering, enhancing maneuverability and performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "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 monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and multiple airbags. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and park assist.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Magic Vision Control optimized windshield spray, while driver assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, active brake assist, and active lane-keeping assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the car for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and seat belt bags were available for added safety.