The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a Hatchback That Competitors Can't Match

With a sporty feel and space to match, hatchbacks hit the sweet spot between sedans and larger SUVs, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the best in the class at combining these characteristics. It has a style that is sure to capture attention on roads and streets from Holland to Grand Rapids and features that make it incredibly practical as an everyday driver, so check out our Volkswagen Golf inventory!

That being said, there are several worthy hatchback competitors, like the Kia Soul, Mazda3, and Subaru Impreza, which we have compared with the Volkswagen Golf GTI to show just what makes it different from those other models. See the highlights of our findings below.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. The Kia Soul

• The lighter build and massive advantages in horsepower, 220, and torque, 258 pound-feet, make the Volkswagen Golf GTI a hatchback that is much more fun to drive around Wyoming, MI than the Kia Soul, which can feel sluggish with its 130-horsepower standard engine.
• The Volkswagen Golf GTI refuses to waste space, which is why it has a higher max cargo carrying capacity and more first-row legroom than the Kia Soul.
• The interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI is of higher quality than the Kia Soul's thanks to the materials used, like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob in each trim, and features, like standard heated seats that are perfect for cold mornings in Kentwood.
• Each model has three trim options, and blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, and autonomous emergency braking come standard on two of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's trims while these features aren't standard on any Kia Soul trims.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. The Mazda3

• The Mazda3 offers two engines, but neither can match the power of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Mazda3 also doesn't offer a transmission that is at all comparable in terms of responsiveness or smoothness to the dual-clutch automatic transmission of the Golf GTI.
• If you're regularly carrying passengers or larger items, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is the clear choice as it has more cubic feet of cargo room and more headroom for the rear than the Mazda3.
• The Volkswagen Golf GTI doesn't make you pay extra for convenience as it comes standard with heated seats, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, which are features that aren't offered or cost extra in the Mazda3.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. The Subaru Impreza

• Drivers are meant to enjoy the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the flawless engineering of its powertrains prove that. It has much more horsepower and torque than the Subaru Impreza, a manual transmission with more speeds than the Impreza's, and an automatic transmission that is more enjoyable than the continuously variable transmission of the Impreza.
• The highest trim of a car should provide everything a driver needs, and while that's true of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's Autobahn trim, which comes standard with adaptive cruise control, a premium audio system, and an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, it is not true of the Subaru Impreza, which makes Allendale car shoppers pay more for those features.
• There are several features the Volkswagen Golf GTI offers that the Subaru Impreza does not, including dual-zone climate control, drive mode select, a 12-way adjustable driver's seat, and pedestrian monitoring.

Feel Free to Test These Advantages of the Volkswagen Golf GTI at Our Dealership in Grand Rapids!

While we hope that this comparison helped you narrow down your search, we know that car shoppers like to do more research before making such a big decision, so give us a call today to set up a test drive!

We also know that hatchbacks aren't for everybody, but check out our new inventory and new vehicle specials to see the other deals we offer. Settled on a model? Use our free finance application to start searching the automotive loan and lease options available to you!