2012 Volkswagen Golf vs. Its Competition

2012 Volkswagen Golf 4-door HB Auto Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 7.8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Feb 19, 2012

Fuel economy and VW's reputation for driving feel keep bringing buyers back to the Golf, but the latest crop of compact cars could give those shoppers pause.

The Mazda3 now gets 40-mpg highway gas mileage ratings, and it's kept its pert, friendly handling even through its weight-cutting crash diet.

The Kia Forte and Soul share underpinnings, and whether it's the five-door hatchback or tall wagon, either have as much interior space as the Golf, with marked improvement in quality from last-gen Kias.

The Ford Focus is TCC's Best Car To Buy for 2012; its crisp handling treads on VW territory, and its MyFord Touch controls set the pace for the class, though they're complex to use.

Last up, the Subaru Impreza gets good gas mileage even though all-wheel drive is standard equipment.

2012 Volkswagen Golf Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford Focus Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Kia Soul Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Kia Forte Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Mazda MAZDA3 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Subaru Impreza Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7.8 The 2012 Volkswagen Golf feels like a premium vehicle, and it's priced like one too, especially its fuel-efficient TDI edition.	8.8 With the 2012 Focus, Ford shows that small cars don't have to feel so banal, with charismatic compacts that are more satisfying to drive, more luxurious, and better-equipped.	8.2 The name rings true: this Kia has a Soul, with fun road manners and tall-wagon practicality baked into its kicky shape.	7.4 The 2012 Kia Forte family of vehicles manages to feel more eager, comfortable, and sophisticated than its sticker price might suggest.	8.2 With its new Skyactive powertrains, the 2012 Mazda3 is the eco-conscious choice that sure doesn't drive like one.	7.8 Crisply restyled, with higher gas mileage, more space inside, a nicer interior, and all-wheel drive standard, the 2012 Subaru Impreza is a newly compelling compact alternative.
MSRP From
$17,995	$16,500	$13,900	$15,200	$15,200	$17,495
Gas Mileage
23 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy	26 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy	23 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy	25 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I5	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas Flat 4
EPA Class
Compact	Compact	Small Station Wagon	Compact Cars	Compact	Compact Cars
Style Name
2dr HB Man	4dr Sedan S	5dr Wagon Man Base	4dr Sedan Man LX	4dr Sedan Man i SV	4dr Man 2.0i
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	All Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
2 Door HB	4 Door Sedan	5 Door Wagon	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual	Manual