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Hyundai Ioniq vs Volkswagen Golf

What's the difference?

VS
Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai Ioniq

$29,990 - $47,980

2021 price

Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf

$35,898 - $97,990

2023 price

Summary

2021 Hyundai Ioniq
2023 Volkswagen Golf
Safety Rating

Engine Type
0.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Electric

-
Fuel Efficiency
0.0L/100km (combined)

7.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Feels very heavy
  • Design won't be for everyone
  • Still a little too pricey for mass adoption

  • Too much road noise
  • Annoying touchscreen
  • Pricey
2021 Hyundai Ioniq Summary

Hyundai's Ioniq range is nothing if not a flex in the face of Toyota.

Sure, Toyota has a dominating position in the Australian market, with its well-received range of hybrid models, but what happens after hybrid? Hyundai takes on the blocky Prius formula with not only a directly competing hybrid model, but a plug-in and a fully electric version, too.

This expansive range is as though Hyundai is trying to demonstrate it's ready for any future, near or far, and guess what, Toyota? Anything you can do; the Korean juggernaut thinks it can do better.

These cars aren't really designed to sell so much as they are offerings for early adopters, but a few years after its launch, with a host of rivals set to take it on, and an entire sub-brand based on the Ioniq just around the corner, is Hyundai's top-spec Ioniq electric  worth a look? I took one for a week to find out.

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2023 Volkswagen Golf Summary

In a world where hatchbacks are being cancelled left, right and centre, it was super refreshing to get into the Volkswagen Golf GTI hot-hatch recently.

I’d driven other Mk 8 Golf models including the R flagship wagon, but this was my go in the car I’d long considered to be the best Golf for the money.

But with prices continuously cruising north - this car is now a $54,990 prospect before on-road costs - does it still make dollars and sense? And what’s it like to live with in the daily grind?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 2023 Volkswagen Golf

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