One of our favorite types of car to drive is the hot hatch. This segment brings a huge dose of cruising excitement in addition to the body type’s natural practicality. Though Americans still seem to hold a strange prejudice against the hatchback, these performance loaded incarnations are doing a lot to change preconceptions. Slowly but surely, the segment is bringing European styling to American city streets.
Two forerunners of this esteemed class are the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI and 2019 MINI Cooper S. Each of these vehicles have their own unique character, and both are a blast to drive. So what sets them apart? Read on to determine the difference between the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI and 2019 MINI Cooper S, and determine which ride is right for you.
2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI |
Vs. |
2019 MINI Cooper S |
---|---|---|
$27,595 | Starting MSRP | $25,900 |
228 hp | Horsepower | 189 hp |
258 lb-ft | Torque | 207 lb-ft |
6-year/72,000-mile basic warranty | Warranty Coverage | 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty |
17.4 cubic feet, 53.7 with seat area | Cargo Volume | 5.7 to 13.1 cubic feet, 7.6 to 40.7 with seat area |
#1 in Compact Cars | U.S. News Class Rating* | #2 in Subcompact Cars |
6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic | Transmission Options | 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic |
While the 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI has a slightly higher starting price, it pays off in the form of a larger vehicle with resultant higher capabilities. This applies to performance, the superiority of which can be seen through higher horsepower and torque ratings, and also capability, via the more voluminous cargo capacity. To get specific, the 2019 VW Golf GTI is 10 inches longer, three inches wider and two inches taller than the 2019 MINI Cooper S. The latter, it seems, lives up to its “miniature” moniker.
The 2019 MINI Cooper S should also be noted as coming in two- and four-door configurations. The two-door version can only seat four people, while the four-door can seat five. Every iteration of the 2019 VW Golf GTI can seat five people. Finally, the 2019 VW Golf GTI provides one additional speed over the Cooper on its automatic transmission option.