Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Mazda MAZDA3
Overview | |
Years produced1985-1992 | Years produced2004-Present |
MSRP$31,965 | MSRP$24,170 |
Average price$24,503 | Average price$15,266 |
Listings559 | Listings1427 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
Reviews SummaryThe eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI was introduced for the 2022 model year and enters 2024 essentially unchanged. The main news is that 2024 marks the last year a manual transmission will be available in this classic hot hatchback. Volkswagen is making a 380 special edition package standard on all stick-shift GTIs to commemorate that. A more substantial update is expected for the 2025 model year. Verdict: The GTI is a great all-rounder held back by poor interior design choices and a staid personality. | |
Reviews SummaryAlthough prices can rise sharply, the Mazda3 justifies its price tag with excellent driving dynamics and a design that has aged with grace. Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 191 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower191 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway37 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 241 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 191 hp I4 |
Torque273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | Torque186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower241 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower191 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway37 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space19.9 cu ft | Cargo Space13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight3188 lbs | Curb Weight3124 lbs |
Height57.6 in | Height56.9 in |
Length168.8 in | Length183.5 in |
Width81.6 in | Width70.7 in |
Wheelbase103.6 in | Wheelbase107.3 in |
Maximum Payload904 lbs | Maximum Payload955 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 1985-1992 | 2004-Present |
MSRP | $31,965 | $24,170 |
Average price | $24,503 | $15,266 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.6 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI was introduced for the 2022 model year and enters 2024 essentially unchanged. The main news is that 2024 marks the last year a manual transmission will be available in this classic hot hatchback. Volkswagen is making a 380 special edition package standard on all stick-shift GTIs to commemorate that. A more substantial update is expected for the 2025 model year. Verdict: The GTI is a great all-rounder held back by poor interior design choices and a staid personality. | Although prices can rise sharply, the Mazda3 justifies its price tag with excellent driving dynamics and a design that has aged with grace. Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 2.5L 191 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 37 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 241 hp I4 | 2.5L 191 hp I4 |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm | 186 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 241 hp @ 5000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 37 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 19.9 cu ft | 13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3188 lbs | 3124 lbs |
Height | 57.6 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 168.8 in | 183.5 in |
Width | 81.6 in | 70.7 in |
Wheelbase | 103.6 in | 107.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 904 lbs | 955 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.