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Toyota Prius vs. Volkswagen Golf

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Toyota Prius and the Volkswagen Golf.

In comparing the Toyota Prius's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Prius has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Toyota Prius's and the Volkswagen Golf's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Prius is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf.

Pricing: A used 2021 Toyota Prius ranges from $19,000 to $29,898 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Golf is priced between $15,188 to $22,985.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Toyota Prius loses 30.7 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf loses 34.5 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Prius retains 3.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Toyota Prius is 9.2 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Toyota Prius being ranked 1 out of 25 Best Hybrid Cars and the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 8 out of 43 Best Small Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Toyota Prius is 8.9 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf the reliability rating is 8.2 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Prius a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Toyota Prius’s base engine makes 121 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Prius is rated to deliver an average of 56 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 599 miles. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles. This gives the Toyota Prius the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Golf. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Toyota Prius, a hybrid compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Toyota Prius and the Volkswagen Golf have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf

2021 Toyota Prius
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Toyota Prius for Sale

2021 Volkswagen Golf
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Volkswagen Golf for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

$24,525

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

$24,151

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

$23,130 - $26,700

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

-

Starting MSRP:

$23,195

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$21,197

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$15,295 - $28,695

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$24,099

Price Range:

$19,000 - $29,898

Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

$22,056

Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

$19,745 - $24,099

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

182

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

54,434

# Good or Great Deals:

71

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$18,473

Price Range:

$15,188 - $22,985

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$21,394

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$13,751 - $30,996

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

31

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

52,459

# Good or Great Deals:

11

Toyota Prius Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.2 / 10

Reliability:

8.9 / 10

Retained Value:

8.6 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

Volkswagen Golf Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.8 / 10

Reliability:

8.2 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Prius

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

9.3

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

9.9

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

9.3 - 10.5

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

33.1%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf

Remaining Life Expectancy (years):

9.1

Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

7.8

Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

7.1 - 10.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

19.8%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

1.6

Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact Cars)

1.5 - 10.2

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.3 - 16.8

Toyota Prius Rankings

Best Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Safest Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Most Reliable Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Best Family Hybrid Cars

1 / 25

Best Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)

1 / 10

Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) with Best Resale Value

1 / 10

Most Reliable Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)

1 / 10

Best Family Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)

1 / 10

Best Hybrid Small Cars

1 / 9

Best Family Hybrid Small Cars

1 / 9

Best Hybrid Cars Under $30k

1 / 9

Best Hybrid Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 4

Most Affordable Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)

1 / 3

Best Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) Under $30k

1 / 2

Best Hybrid Cars for Teens

1 / 1

Best Hybrid Small Cars for Teens

1 / 1

Best Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) for Teens

1 / 1

Hybrid Cars with Best Resale Value

2 / 25

Hybrid Small Cars with Best Resale Value

2 / 9

Hybrid Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 9

Best Hybrid Cars for the Money

2 / 3

Best Gas Mileage Hybrid Cars

3 / 25

Most Affordable Hybrid Cars

3 / 10

Most Affordable Hybrid Small Cars

3 / 4

Most Comfortable Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV)

5 / 10

Most Comfortable Hybrid Small Cars

5 / 9

Hybrid Small Cars with the Most Legroom

5 / 9

Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) with the Most Horsepower

7 / 10

Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) with the Most Legroom

7 / 10

Best Hybrid Small Cars for Tall People

7 / 9

Best Plug-in Hybrid Cars (PHEV) for Tall People

8 / 10

Most Comfortable Hybrid Cars

11 / 25

Hybrid Cars with the Most Horsepower

12 / 25

Hybrid Cars with the Most Legroom

17 / 25

Best Hybrid Cars for Tall People

22 / 25

Volkswagen Golf Rankings

Best Small Cars Under $25k

5 / 13

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

6 / 21

Safest Small Cars

7 / 43

Best Small Cars

8 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

8 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

9 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

14 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

29 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

30 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

32 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

33 / 43

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Hybrid

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Toyota Prius Trim Levels

2020 Edition, L Eco, LE, LE AWD-e, Limited, XLE, XLE AWD-e

Volkswagen Golf Trim Levels

TSI

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

121 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

Not yet available

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.040 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.050 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.8 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


58 / 53 / 56

Range (city/hwy):

655 / 599 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


29 / 39 / 33

Range (city/hwy):

383 / 515 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

N/A

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

N/A

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

N/A

Parking Sensors:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.4 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.4 inches

Rear Leg Room:

33.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53 inches

Cargo Space:

27.4 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

120.5 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.4 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.9 inches

Cargo Space:

17.4 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

110.9 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3010 lbs

Width:

69.3 inches

Height:

57.9 inches

Length:

180 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.1 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2945 lbs

Width:

70.8 inches

Height:

58.2 inches

Length:

167.6 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.4 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P195/65R15

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

205/55R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Midnight Black Metallic

Blue

Electric Storm Blue

Gray

Magnetic Gray Metallic

Green

Sea Glass Pearl

Red

Supersonic Red

Silver

Classic Silver Metallic

White

Super White / Wind Chill Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Deep Black Pearl

Blue

Silk Blue Metallic

Gray

Platinum Gray Metallic

Green

Not available

Red

Not available

Silver

White Silver Metallic

White

Pure White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Moonstone

Beige

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black

Gray

Not available

Beige

Beige

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