2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was known for its understated appearance, which appealed to those who preferred a stealthy look. Despite its seemingly ordinary 5-door hatchback design, the GTI featured distinctive elements like a honeycomb grille, red accents, and twin exhaust outlets that hinted at its performance capabilities. Available in S, Rabbit Edition, SE, and Autobahn trims, the GTI offered a range of options, with prices starting at $27,595. The Rabbit Edition, a nod to GTI heritage, came with unique gloss black finishes and exclusive colors, although some found the gloss-black trim and bunny badge a bit excessive. Inside, the GTI's straightforward dashboard design and quality materials, including the whimsical Clark Plaid cloth upholstery, added to its appeal.

In contrast, the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was celebrated for its striking design, both as a sedan and a hatchback. The hatchback, in particular, showcased Mazda's design prowess with its clean lines and sports-car-like taillights, making it a head-turner. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was a testament to Mazda's attention to detail, with a dramatic layout and seamless technology integration. The low, sports car-like seating position added to the driving experience, although it might not suit everyone. The Mazda3 came in various trims, with the hatchback offering additional features like 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone climate control. The Premium trims elevated the luxury feel with leather seats and a head-up display, making the Mazda3 a compelling choice for those seeking style and sophistication.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a performance enthusiast's delight, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 228 horsepower at 4,700 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. The GTI's VAQ limited-slip differential enhanced traction and handling, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads. The GTI's acceleration was brisk, reaching 60 mph without needing third gear, and the manual gearbox offered light clutch action and smooth gear changes. The GTI's sport suspension provided a firm ride, and the progressive steering was precise, especially in Sport mode. The GTI's brakes, borrowed from the Golf R, were sensitive and effective. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 25.1 mpg.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3, equipped with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower, offered a balanced blend of performance and efficiency. Available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission, the Mazda3 could be configured with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the latter only with the automatic. The SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration and agile handling, making it a pleasure to drive. The Mazda3's ride was composed, and its steering was precise without being overly heavy. Fuel economy varied by configuration, with the most efficient FWD automatic sedan achieving 30 mpg combined, while the AWD hatchback returned 27 mpg combined. During testing, the Mazda3 achieved 28.2 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was a versatile choice for families and driving enthusiasts alike. It featured height-adjustable front seats with robust bolsters, available in plaid cloth or leather, and a sliding center armrest. The GTI's interior was well-organized, with clear gauges and ample storage, including a large glove box and door-panel bins. The backseat offered decent comfort, though legroom was limited. The GTI's trunk, with a claimed 22.8 cubic feet of space, was practical for everyday use, and folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 52.7 cubic feet.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 47.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not class-leading, it was adequate for most needs. The sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space. The Mazda3's low seating position was reminiscent of a sports car, benefiting front-seat passengers but making rear-seat access and headroom tight. The center console featured a deep tray and a center bin, though the armrest design was less user-friendly. Overall, the Mazda3 was comfortable for daily commuting, but those needing more cargo space might consider alternatives like the Kia Soul.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI's infotainment system varied by trim. The S and Rabbit Edition featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mirror Link. The SE trim offered an upgraded 8-inch display with HD Radio and satellite radio, while the Autobahn trim included a Fender premium sound system and navigation. The Rabbit Edition's system was basic but functional, though pairing issues with Apple CarPlay were noted. The GTI also featured adaptive LED lighting and, on the Autobahn trim, a semi-autonomous parking assistant.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 boasted an 8.8-inch screen running the MazdaConnect infotainment system, with crisp graphics and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, lacking touch functionality, which some users found less intuitive. The Mazda3's head-up display and digital instrument panel added to its tech appeal. Prospective buyers were encouraged to test the system themselves to ensure it met their needs.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rabbit Edition included these as standard, while the Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. All GTIs featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The GTI received a 5-star NHTSA rating, with a 4-star rating for the front passenger in the frontal impact test, and high marks from the IIHS, though some areas were rated Acceptable.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. These features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created blind spots, and the auto-engage parking brake system was noted as unintuitive. The owner's manual provided a workaround, but it was not straightforward.