Even in its last year before a complete redesign, the 2014 Volkswagen Golf holds its own against the sportier competitors within the compact hatchback segment.
It looks like a Golf has looked for almost 40 years, and its handling, premium interior, and choice of engines are almost unparalleled.
But it faces a host of redesigned 2014 competitors, so the 2015 Golf will likely face off more directly against those.
The all-new Mazda 3 for 2014 promises supreme fuel efficiency to add to its hug-the-road handling and distinctive lines, though we haven't driven it yet.
And for 2014, both the Kia Forte compact and its Soul sibling in the tall-wagon category are all-new, stylish, and likely to offer strong value for money and high feature content.
Then there's the Subaru Impreza offers rewarding handling of its own--and standard all-wheel drive--at a far lower price, though that shows up in its interior.
The Ford Focus is stylish, handles well, and has a nice interior as well--but can approach VW Golf prices at the high end.
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 2014 Volkswagen GolfBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford FocusBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Kia SoulBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Kia ForteBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Mazda MAZDA3Browse Used Listings |  2014 Subaru ImprezaBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Volkswagen Golf hatchback offers excellent handling and a good ride, premium interior design and materials, and a range of engines--including the efficient TDI diesel--but at a premium price. |
Even without considering the top-performance ST, the 2014 Ford Focus is one of the best-driving small cars on the market--with the impression of being an accessible premium car, not a spruced-up econobox. |
The 2014 Kia Soul doesn’t stray from its iconic profile, but it dons more sophistication inside and underneath—with fewer compromises and all in the name of city-friendly, tall-wagon goodness. |
The 2014 Kia Forte finds better focus with well-rounded performance and grabby good looks, but its safety scores concern us. |
The 2014 Mazda 3 stands out from the small-car crowd, with its sport-car-influenced proportions and sporty driving experience; but its tight, noisy cabin means that it’s not at all the best pick for pragmatists. |
The 2014 Subaru Impreza remains the only option in its class to come equipped with standard all-wheel-drive, where many don't offer it all. It's tough, practical, and looks good, too. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $19,995 | $16,810 | $14,900 | $15,900 | $16,945 | $17,895 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 21 MPG City / 42 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-5 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 4-Door HB Automatic PZEV | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door Wagon Manual Base | 4-Door Sedan Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan Manual i SV | 4-Door Manual 2.0i |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2014 Ford Focus | 2014 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2014 Kia Soul | 2014 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2014 Kia Forte | 2014 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 | 2014 Volkswagen Golf vs. 2014 Subaru Impreza | |
