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Transmissions can be a hot-button subject for true auto enthusiasts. A manual gearbox delivers a more essential driving experience, while an automatic provides faster acceleration and is more practical for commuting. The Golf GTI and Elantra N are available with either type, giving buyers an option. Toyota and Honda buyers have no choice, though, as the GR Corolla and Civic Type R come strictly with manual trannies.
One of the fundamental elements of early hot hatches like the Golf GTI was front-wheel drive (FWD). It’s a no-nonsense drivetrain that efficiently and effectively delivers power to the pavement, and it remains part of the GTI formula today. The Elantra N and Civic Type R follow the same FWD layout, whereas the GR Corolla follows an all-wheel-drive approach. While four-corner traction can help in some situations, this capability comes at the expense of extra weight. The driveshaft, rear axle, and rear differential are the main reasons the GR Corolla weighs almost 100 pounds more than both the GTI and Type R. (Curiously, the FWD Elantra N weighs the same as the AWD GR Corolla.) A lower weight translates into a car that’s more “tossable” and thus more thrilling to drive.
Under the hood, the Golf GTI, Elantra N, and Civic Type R share similar four-cylinder engine architecture, all with turbocharging and 2.0 liters of displacement. The GR Corolla, while it’s also turbocharged, relies on a smaller engine, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder. On paper, the GTI seems to be at a disadvantage with 241 horsepower versus 276 for the Elantra and 300-plus for the GR Corolla and Type R. But horsepower isn’t the only contributor to performance; torque is an equally vital part of the equation, and the GTI’s 273 lb.-ft. is equal to the GR Corolla and just behind the Elantra N’s 289 lb.-ft.
According to Edmunds, this results in a zero-to-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds for an automatic-transmission Golf GTI. Admittedly, this is 0.4 seconds slower than an Elantra N with an automatic, but you’ll discover (see below) that this extra quickness comes at a higher cost. With respective zero-to-60 mph times of 5.4 seconds and 5.5 seconds, the manual-transmission GR Corolla and Civic Type R don’t offer much more performance for the buck either.
As an aside, if straight-line performance is the priority, the GTI’s stablemate, the mighty Golf R, comes into play. This all-wheel-drive monster can reach 60 mph from a standstill in as little as 4.1 seconds, putting many pricier cars to shame.
Helping the environment and keeping costs in check starts at the pump. The Golf GTI outperforms its competitors with an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 24 mpg around town and 33 mpg on the highway. Compare that to the lower fuel economy of the Elantra N at 23 city/20 highway, the GR Corolla at 21 city/28 highway, and the Civic Type R: 22 city/28 highway.
With a $31,965 starting MSRP, the Golf GTI is the least expensive turbocharged hot hatch (or sedan) you can buy. In comparison, the Elantra N begins at $33,700, but you’ll have to add another $1,500 for an automatic transmission (included with the base Golf GTI S). Prices climb significantly with the other competitors mentioned here. The cheapest GR Corolla is $36,500, while Civic Type R shoppers must contend with a base MSRP of $44,795 – that’s 40% more than the GTI.
Besides being cheaper to buy, the Golf GTI is less expensive to drive. Edmunds forecasts that owners of a 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI S trim can expect to pay about $0.54 per mile in overall ownership costs over five years (based on 15,000 miles per year). This contrasts with $0.61 for the Elantra N and $0.73 for the Type R. (The GR Corolla was not evaluated by Edmunds.)
Add up the GTI’s lower depreciation, reduced maintenance costs, and better fuel economy, and this zippy VW is $5,525 less expensive to own over five years than the Elantra N. The $14,283 cost-of-ownership difference between the GTI and Type R is even more eye-opening.
