2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile that could easily be recognized as a quintessential car. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S offered adaptive HID lamps. The wheels ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S, providing a robust and no-nonsense appearance.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 continued to impress with its high-quality materials. The base 300 Touring featured cloth upholstery, while the 300 Touring L and 300S came standard with Nappa leather. The 300S also boasted perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on the top two trims, with heated rear seats available as an option. Overall, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious interior that rivaled more expensive cars.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, although claiming all-new body panels, maintained a familiar look that might not be immediately distinguishable from its predecessor. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a wheelbase of 103.6 inches, promising stability and nimbleness. The front end featured a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake and a signature red accent line running between the LED headlights. Optional light bars added drama to the front end, especially at night. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling.

The GTI's wheels varied by trim, with 18-inch alloys on the S and SE trims and 19-inch wheels on the Autobahn trim. The color palette included staple colors like silver, black, and white, with fun additions like Atlantic Blue Metallic and Kings Red Metallic. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats on the S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on the SE and standard on the Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob remained for manual transmission models, and all trims included stainless steel pedals.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed but still offered respectable performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, while the 300S had 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 in its class. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S.

The 300 provided a quiet and comfortable ride, especially in the AWD Touring L trim, which offered a traditional luxury driving experience. The V8 in the 300S added a fun element, though it didn't match the higher-displacement powertrains of its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This updated EA888 engine reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm and delivered torque at a low 1,750 rpm, making it a joy to drive on curving roads. The GTI offered a standard six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive was the only option.

The GTI's fuel economy was estimated at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined with the manual transmission, slightly better with the automatic. The Mk8 GTI benefited from a retuned suspension, lighter front assembly, and stiffer rear springs. Various drive modes and an electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential improved handling and reduced understeer. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured the DCC adaptive damping system, capable of 200 adjustments per second, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear. Its 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume surpassed competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI balanced performance and practicality. It offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, featuring a "light and sight" panel for easy adjustment of headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making the GTI suitable for a family of four.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge layouts and ambient lighting profiles. The 10.25-inch display was standard, with an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch screen with navigation on the SE and Autobahn trims. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity were included. The SE and Autobahn trims featured a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various features, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, and WiFi capability.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but scored "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with Park Assist available on the Autobahn trim. Neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the 2022 GTI at the time of writing.