2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, in its seventh generation since 2021, continued to impress with its luxurious S 500, S 580, Maybach S 580, and Maybach S 680 trims. In 2023, Mercedes introduced the S 580e, a plug-in hybrid with 4Matic all-wheel drive, adding an electrified touch to its luxury sedan lineup. The S-Class maintained its sophisticated aura with clean lines and a sculpted front end, while optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers added a touch of sportiness. Inside, the S-Class offered eight leather upholstery colors and five trim materials, with our tester featuring Sienna Brown and Black leather. The panoramic sunroof and superb fit and finish, including soft headrests, enhanced the luxurious experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a sporty version of the VW Golf, was available only as a five-door hatchback in the U.S. The GTI's styling was more expressive than its predecessor, featuring a wide-mouth grille, LED headlights, and a light strip on SE and Autobahn models. The 380 special edition package, standard on manual models, included gloss black 19-inch wheels and a black roof. The GTI's interior combined classic styling with modern tech, offering a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen. The signature plaid upholstery and golf-ball-like shifter added character, while the steering wheel design was borrowed from the VW Atlas.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 580e combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. Charging at home took about two hours and 20 minutes, costing $8.93 in California. The S 580e also supported 60 kW DC fast charging. The EPA rated it at 51 MPGe combined, but it achieved 53.9 mpg during testing. The powertrain delivered 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided seamless shifts, though a slight jerk was noted when downshifting to first gear. The air suspension and rear-wheel steering enhanced comfort and maneuverability.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It offered a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive. The GTI's electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and optional adaptive damping improved handling. The driving experience was precise and stable, with linear power delivery and minimal turbo lag. The GTI excelled as a daily driver, offering comfort and quietness, especially with adaptive dampers. While not as exciting as some rivals, it balanced performance and usability effectively.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and armrests. Power sunshades and soft-closing doors added to the luxury. Ambient lighting with 64 colors and the Energizing Comfort wellness program enhanced the experience. Storage was ample, but the trunk offered only 8.1 cubic feet of space, less than the standard S-Class and competitors like the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered practicality with its hatchback design, providing 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Passenger space was competitive, though rear-seat passengers might feel slightly cramped. Standard features included heated front seats, automatic climate control, and ambient lighting. SE and Autobahn trims added a sunroof, leather upholstery, and more. However, haptic controls for temperature and audio volume were less user-friendly, prioritizing form over function.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen with the MBUX infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a native navigation system with augmented reality, and a variety of games. The Burmester sound system and wireless charging were standard, though only USB-C ports were available.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the base trim, with SE and Autobahn models featuring a 10-inch screen and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice control, and SiriusXM. The 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro offered various configurations, though the design was somewhat cheesy. The touchscreen was well-executed, but the instrument cluster could have been more informative.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Its hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control and lane centering, with automatic lane changes. Crosswind Assist and Speed Limit Assist added to its safety credentials. However, it hadn't been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI received top "Good" scores in some IIHS tests, though headlights were rated "Acceptable" or "Marginal." NHTSA ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while Intelligent Crash Response and Emergency Assist added safety measures.