2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 was a striking vehicle with its rakish headlights and large, menacing grille. Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the sedan had conventional proportions, while the hatchback boasted a daring and futuristic design. The clean lines and curves around the rear window and doors gave it a forward-thinking appearance, though this design had its drawbacks. Inside, the cabin continued the theme of clean futurism, with a simple yet elegant layout. The infotainment system rose organically from the dash, and the conventional shifter design was a welcome touch. Despite the modern aesthetic, the climate controls were straightforward and easy to use, and the steering wheel, though cluttered with controls, had an elegant design.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI had a more expressive styling than its predecessor, though not necessarily more handsome. The wide-mouth grille and standard LED headlights added creative touches, but the low placement of these elements gave the car odd proportions. The 380 special edition package, standard on all manual-transmission models, included gloss black 19-inch wheels and a black roof, marking the end of the manual GTI. The interior blended classic GTI styling with modern tech features, including a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen. The front seats, with their signature plaid upholstery, were heavily bolstered yet comfortable, and the steering wheel design was reminiscent of the VW Atlas.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 featured a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine, producing 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. A manual transmission was available on front-wheel drive Premium models. The test model came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, delivering 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on regular fuel, or 250 hp and 320 lb-ft with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided a fantastic sound and engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and a performance-oriented brake feel. The Mazda3 excelled in handling, offering a perfect blend of precision and refinement, with agile cornering and a smooth ride.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It offered a six-speed manual transmission and a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The GTI featured an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and optional adaptive damping, providing a precise and stable driving experience. While the GTI was smooth and mature, it lacked the excitement of a typical hot hatch. The powertrain response was linear, with no turbo lag, making it an excellent daily driver. The GTI was quiet and comfortable, especially with the optional adaptive dampers, offering a great balance between performance and everyday usability.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was small compared to other compact sedans. The hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was usable but not as spacious as many small SUVs. The rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom, making it suitable for occasional use only. The front seating area had a decently sized center console compartment, though the lid was frustrating to use. The ergonomics were helpful, with sizable cupholders.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its hatchback body style, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more practical than rival sedans. The GTI had slightly more second-row headroom than competitors but less first-row headroom. Front-seat legroom was comparable, but rear-seat passengers might feel squeezed. The GTI was well-equipped, with heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ambient lighting standard on all trims. SE and Autobahn models added features like a sunroof and leather upholstery. However, the haptic controls for temperature and audio volume were difficult to use while driving, prioritizing form over function.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came with an 8.8-inch infotainment display operated via a dial in the center console, which was a weak point. The menu navigation was clumsy, and the lack of a touchscreen made it confusing to use. The system had a steep learning curve, especially when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The Mazda3 included two USB ports, HD radio, Bluetooth, and voice control, with optional upgrades like navigation and a 12-speaker Bose stereo system.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the base S trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a six-speaker audio system. SE and Autobahn models had a 10-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was generally user-friendly, though there was a delay in displaying satellite radio information. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster offered four configurations, but the design was somewhat cheesy, and the fuel gauge was difficult to read. The GTI's focus on screens seemed more about following trends than enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with numerous safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive headlights, and lane-departure warning. The Select trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Turbo Premium Plus included traffic-sign recognition and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the massive C-pillar created a significant blind spot, and the infotainment system's confusing layout posed a safety issue.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI had not been fully tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at press time, but it received top "Good" scores in some tests. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The GTI also had Intelligent Crash Response and, in DSG models, Emergency Assist. Additional features like park distance control and traffic sign recognition were available.