Elantra GT vs. VW Golf

May 27th, 2019 11:40 am

#1

KennethToronto [OP]: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2003; 1113 posts; 253 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 11:40 am

Looking for some RFD advice. Looking to buy a new hatch, and deciding between the VW Golf and Hyundai Elantra GT.

There’s quite a price difference between the two...I havent talked prices yet, but the Hyundai MSRP is 27k while the Highline spec’d Golf is looking like $32-34k depending on whether I pay cash or finance. Personally liked the Golf drive and interior more, but I don’t think it’s $5k more! Interested in hearin people’s thoughts.

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May 27th, 2019 11:48 am

#2

Kingsmen17: Sr. Member; Aug 6, 2017; 598 posts; 915 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 11:48 am

Which trim for the Elantra? ? Hyundai's have terrible resale value but if you're keeping the car for a long time, it's fine.

+2

May 27th, 2019 11:52 am

#3

Nev0513: Member; Nov 7, 2017; 235 posts; 188 upvotes; Toronto, ON

May 27th, 2019 11:52 am

Not sure how it is now, but in a reliability aspect, VW > Hyundai

+1

May 27th, 2019 11:56 am

#4

KennethToronto [OP]: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2003; 1113 posts; 253 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 11:56 am

Not planning on resell - will drive it for at least 5-7yrs.
Surprisingly, I found the regular Elantra GT already offers most of the features as standard. I had to upgrade the Golf to the middle highline in order to match most of the Elantra GT features.

May 27th, 2019 11:58 am

#5

koffey: Deal Guru; Oct 6, 2010; 14434 posts; 8821 upvotes; Toronto

May 27th, 2019 11:58 am

That's hyundai's go to, more features/creatures per dollar, but frown if you drive for pleasure. I would suggest if you love to drive, the get golf and if not and like bells, get the hyundai.

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+7

May 27th, 2019 12:07 pm

#6

Hindenburg1: Deal Addict; Mar 17, 2016; 1428 posts; 1250 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 12:07 pm

You might as well get a GTI then if you're in the low 30k territory with the loaded Golf.

+2

May 27th, 2019 12:11 pm

#7

Triple3BBB: Newbie; Apr 27, 2019; 16 posts; 19 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 12:11 pm

Get the VW golf if you want a car that is fun to drive with a better quality interior. Get the Hyundai if you just want a car and don’t care how it “feels”.

If you want to make your Golf even more fun to drive get the APR Stage I tune (once the engine/drivetrain comes off warranty, of course). It is mind blowing what the Golf becomes after you spend $1k for the engine tune. The Hyundai is not even close.

+2

May 27th, 2019 12:16 pm

#8

aznblade: Sr. Member; Mar 1, 2008; 866 posts; 125 upvotes; Toronto

May 27th, 2019 12:16 pm

i would grab the golf but did you test drive the elantra gt? i would test drive both and see how you like the ride and feel.

+1

May 27th, 2019 12:29 pm

#9

georgecantstandya: Deal Addict; Dec 21, 2013; 1587 posts; 1788 upvotes; GTA

May 27th, 2019 12:29 pm

Being purely objective here:

Elantra
Pros: lots of usable tech crammed into it, great fuel mileage.
Cons: purely a commuter car.. i.e. boring boring boring., questionable quality, terrible resale value.

Golf
Pros: nice driver's car. Better reliability. good resale value.
Cons: not as much tech but can be had for $$, slightly less fuel mileage.

If you want usable tech and don't care about the drive, go for the Elantra. If you want to enjoy your drive and can live without all the tech, go Golf. Or if you want both, pony up for a higher level trim on the Golf.

+2

May 27th, 2019 12:38 pm

#10

EP32k2: Deal Expert; Jan 15, 2006; 15666 posts; 13360 upvotes; Richmond Hill

May 27th, 2019 12:38 pm

koffey wrote: ↑ That's hyundai's go to, more features/creatures per dollar, but frown if you drive for pleasure. I would suggest if you love to drive, the get golf and if not and like bells, get the hyundai.

Not just Hyundai. But the Korean mentality when it comes to selling their products. They try to offer best bang for the buck and quality is secondary lol

+1

May 27th, 2019 12:59 pm

#11

KennethToronto [OP]: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2003; 1113 posts; 253 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 12:59 pm

aznblade wrote: ↑ i would grab the golf but did you test drive the elantra gt? i would test drive both and see how you like the ride and feel.

Drove both. Have to agree with everyone here that the Golf is a lot nicer to drive and the interior is a bit more slick. Can’t imagine what a GTI would be like! Really the biggest draw for going for the ElantraGT is because it’s a more financially prudent choice !

May 27th, 2019 1:04 pm

#12

ignites: Sr. Member; Nov 24, 2015; 516 posts; 158 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 1:04 pm

what features on the GT do you need on the Golf?

Base Golf can be had for < 27k OTR (depending on time/deals/negotiation, sometimes much less)

May 27th, 2019 1:11 pm

#13

newsletter: Newbie; Oct 18, 2009; 88 posts; 78 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 1:11 pm

I think reliability of the elantra gt is better than people think it is. Golf definitely provides a better driving experience.

+1

May 27th, 2019 1:38 pm

#14

koffey: Deal Guru; Oct 6, 2010; 14434 posts; 8821 upvotes; Toronto

May 27th, 2019 1:38 pm

KennethToronto wrote: ↑ Drove both. Have to agree with everyone here that the Golf is a lot nicer to drive and the interior is a bit more slick. Can’t imagine what a GTI would be like! Really the biggest draw for going for the ElantraGT is because it’s a more financially prudent choice !

If it's about money and you want the golf, than buy used 2-3 years and get an extended warranty on the GTI. The only thing that I like about any Golf are the cool plaid/checkered seats.

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May 27th, 2019 1:50 pm

#15

KennethToronto [OP]: Deal Addict; Apr 6, 2003; 1113 posts; 253 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 1:50 pm

ignites wrote: ↑ what features on the GT do you need on the Golf?

Base Golf can be had for < 27k OTR (depending on time/deals/negotiation, sometimes much less)

Superficial I know, but the base VW only has a dinky 6.5” screen, and missing so many of those little bells and whistles on the base GT (LED lights, driver assistance features etc)

May 27th, 2019 1:58 pm

#16

Hindenburg1: Deal Addict; Mar 17, 2016; 1428 posts; 1250 upvotes

May 27th, 2019 1:58 pm

Btw if you're willing to pass on the hatchback, then you could save quite a bit more with Elantra Sport. It's pretty much the same car as GT but is like $3k cheaper and has a better rate too. They have some really good deals on it now.

+1

May 27th, 2019 2:18 pm

#17

Ecsta: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2009; 2949 posts; 2839 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

May 27th, 2019 2:18 pm

If you're looking at a loaded Golf might as well check out the GTI which can be negotiated down and sells more (so dealers have more sitting on the lots), people on the forums get 4-5k off MSRP pretty easily, which negates the cost savings of the Elantra and gets you in a much nicer car. Not sure if the loaded Golf has the same amount of wiggle rooms at the dealerships but doesn't hurt to ask.

Other thing is call your insurance company with sample VINs and get a quote on both cars. If one car is way more expensive to insure it'll make your decision easier.

May 27th, 2019 3:59 pm

#18

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 11125 posts; 2887 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

May 27th, 2019 3:59 pm

Being a VW guy I would go with the Golf but as you have seen its just a better ride and interior and if you plan on keeping the car for so long and driving a lot you will want a more comfortable ride. I would also inquire about the GTI you never know you may find a deal on one.

On the other hand if you are interested in a VW PM me I know a sales manager and he has given great deals to many RFD people on here & he will beat prices also.

0_o
<_<
>_>

+6

May 27th, 2019 4:14 pm

#19

Anikiri: Deal Fanatic; May 1, 2012; 9665 posts; 9119 upvotes; Markham

May 27th, 2019 4:14 pm

Hand down, Golf is possibly the best hatch out there. No one's ever bought a Golf, GTI, or R and went "gee I shoulda gotten that other hatch."

What people say is "damn man, I shoulda gotten the GTI." or "Damn I shoulda gotten that R."

Get the Golf, if you get the Elantra you'll just regret falling for shiny pennies that don't matter. A GTI will set you back a little more than a highline Golf, but if you don't mind spending the extra couple Gs, you will not regret the GTI. It'll make you feel 23 again, but this time you've got a nice car, nice girl, nice bank, and nice drive.

+7

May 27th, 2019 8:56 pm

#20

luigino30: Jr. Member; Oct 30, 2007; 106 posts; 65 upvotes; Toronto

May 27th, 2019 8:56 pm

Anikiri wrote: ↑ Hand down, Golf is possibly the best hatch out there. No one's ever bought a Golf, GTI, or R and went "gee I shoulda gotten that other hatch."

What people say is "damn man, I shoulda gotten the GTI." o