Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Chevrolet Cruze
Overview | |
Years produced1985-1992 | Years produced2011-2019 |
MSRP$32,445 | MSRP$16,975 |
Average price$18,973 | Average price$8,675 |
Listings3750 | Listings5021 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| |
Reviews SummaryRent a car while abroad, and there’s a decent chance the agent at the counter will ask if you’d like to upgrade to one equipped with an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions are just more common overseas, particularly in Europe. So, it’s interesting to learn that VW’s decision to drop the manual transmission from the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI was driven by a lack of demand in Germany, and despite increased demand in the United States. The loss of the stick shift is a big deal–this is one of the first ever hot hatchbacks, after all–but it’s only the headline among a short list of notable changes the car receives for this model year. Verdict: The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI is still one of the best hatchbacks you can buy today. With a terrific powertrain and everyday practicality, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for a useful car that’s also extremely fun to drive. | |
Reviews SummaryAs the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway40 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine Name1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway40 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall4 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space19.9 cu ft | Cargo Space14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight3183 lbs | Curb Weight2835 lbs |
Height57.7 in | Height57.4 in |
Length168.9 in | Length183.7 in |
Width81.6 in | Width70.5 in |
Wheelbase103.6 in | Wheelbase106.3 in |
Maximum Payload926 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1985-1992 | 2011-2019 |
MSRP | $32,445 | $16,975 |
Average price | $18,973 | $8,675 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 6.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
Summary | Rent a car while abroad, and there’s a decent chance the agent at the counter will ask if you’d like to upgrade to one equipped with an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions are just more common overseas, particularly in Europe. So, it’s interesting to learn that VW’s decision to drop the manual transmission from the 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI was driven by a lack of demand in Germany, and despite increased demand in the United States. The loss of the stick shift is a big deal–this is one of the first ever hot hatchbacks, after all–but it’s only the headline among a short list of notable changes the car receives for this model year. Verdict: The 2025 Volkswagen Golf GTI is still one of the best hatchbacks you can buy today. With a terrific powertrain and everyday practicality, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking for a useful car that’s also extremely fun to drive. | As the dissonant chords of Dieselgate still resonate throughout the industry, most car companies have abandoned efforts toward any future diesel-powered cars. A $15 billion fine will have that sort of chilling effect. But Chevrolet has taken a different approach, instead seeing the mass retreat from diesel as an opportunity to fill a void. As the driver Jean-Pierre Sarti said in Frankenheimer’s 1966 epic “Grand Prix”: “When I see something really horrible, I put my foot down. Hard! Because I know that everyone else is lifting his.” |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 40 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 1.4L 153 hp I4 |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 153 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 40 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 4 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 19.9 cu ft | 14.8 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3183 lbs | 2835 lbs |
Height | 57.7 in | 57.4 in |
Length | 168.9 in | 183.7 in |
Width | 81.6 in | 70.5 in |
Wheelbase | 103.6 in | 106.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 926 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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