Compare 2016 Volkswagen Golf vs Subaru Impreza
2016 Volkswagen Golf
Fuel Economy: |
25 city /37 hwy mpg* |
|
Standard Engine: |
1.8L Inline 4 |
Horsepower: |
170 hp @ 4500 rpm |
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Torque: |
200 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm |
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Transmission: |
6-speed manual |
2016 Impreza Hatchback
Fuel Economy: |
25 city /34 hwy mpg* |
|
Standard Engine: |
2.0L 4 cylinder |
Horsepower: |
148 hp @ 6200 rpm |
|
Torque: |
145 ft-lbs. @ 4200 rpm |
|
Transmission: |
5-speed manual |
2016 Volkswagen Golf vs 2016 Impreza Hatchback
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The hatchback design has been popular in Europe for decades and has recently caught on in North America as well. That is no surprise: a rear lift door rather than a conventional trunk allows for more storage space and easier loading and unloading of cargo even in a small compact car. As the competition in the segment has heated up, new compact hatchbacks are bringing better performance, more luxury features and better safety to a class that once was relegated to budget car status. We’ve taken a look at two leading hatchbacks – the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the 2016 Subaru Impreza Hatchback – to see which of them offers a better value.
Performance
While drag racing is probably not the first thing on the mind of most new hatchback owners, performance remains an important part of any car’s driving experience. All Impreza Hatchbacks are adequately powered by Subaru’s 148 horsepower 2-liter Boxer engine. The Golf, meanwhile, offers a wide range of engine options, ranging from a 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 170 horsepower to a 2-liter turbocharged diesel engine putting out 150 horsepower and an impressive 236 pound-feet of torque – almost 100 more than the Subaru’s engine. A 5- speed manual transmission is available for both cars, but the Golf’s dual-clutch 6-speed automatic is much more responsive than the Impreza’s continuously variable automatic transmission.
Utility
The hatchback’s strong suit is its utility and cargo space, and both the Impreza and the Golf have plenty of that available. With the rear seats up, the Golf has a narrow edge over the Impreza in cargo volume, offering 22.8 cubic feet to the Subaru’s 22.4 cubic feet. This narrow lead remains even with the rear seats put down, with the Golf’s 52.7 cubic feet edging out the Impreza Hatchback’s 52.4. In terms of the interior fit and finish, the Golf is the clear choice of the two however. The dashboard is neatly arranged and the interior is nicely accented, compared to the Impreza’s rather utilitarian design.
Safety
No matter the car, safety is always a top priority. Both the Impreza Hatchback and the Volkswagen Golf have a range of excellent safety credentials. Both cars earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, though both cars earned only four out of five stars for their frontal impact tests. Likewise, the Impreza and the Golf have both been named Top Safety Pick Plus by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on the grounds of their impressive active driving assistance systems. Both vehicles can be equipped with a rear view camera, adaptive cruise control with autonomous braking and lane departure warning systems. The Golf then goes the extra mile, offering a blind spot monitoring system and automated parking assist as well, reducing the chance of accidents both on the highway and in the parking lot.
Hatchbacks have come a long way since their early days, and both the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the 2016 Subaru Impreza Hatchback are a testament to the quality of that new generation of cars. While both cars are very well engineered, the Volkswagen Golf manages to include just a little bit of extra that makes for a more comfortable, more enjoyable and safer driving experience. So come visit us at Capital Volkswagen and hop into the driver’s seat. You will love it.
*Based on 2016 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.