Wait just a bit longer and seriously consider looking at the 2020 Kia Forte GT.
As a former VW owner, I won't ever own one again.
As a former VW owner, I won't ever own one again.
ES DCT with Tech vs. VW GLI
I have to admit being interested in changing to a GLI (pre test drive) because of the 2.0 turbo torque, limited slip diff and the main thing being able to choose ride and handling via the GLI DCC (because our roads won't get better). An additional benefit to that with the GLI is the 45 aspect ratio tires, like the Aussies get with our car. In terms of loaded automatic compacts with decent performance and luxury options, that look good at a mainstream car price, these two are the only ones IMHO.
Getting into details, I find the GLI is somewhat 'decontented' making a decision difficult. There is no heated steering wheel, no Homelink, no proximity sensors (that has saved me $$ with the ES..lol) and no 'active' rear backup camera. The GLI has what I call the dreaded Start/Stop that can't be permanently disabled - have to turn it off every time the car is started. The GLI does have lots of sundry stuff like interior ambient lighting and power driver seat with lumbar and memory and ventilation in addition to heat. I think the GLI exterior looks a bit worse than my 2017 ES, but better than the 2019. To me the GLI interior isn't better than our cars. The GLI Beats audio vs. our Infinity system - probably close? Same 8" touchscreen size. And of course the GLI costs more.
What do you think?
Getting into details, I find the GLI is somewhat 'decontented' making a decision difficult. There is no heated steering wheel, no Homelink, no proximity sensors (that has saved me $$ with the ES..lol) and no 'active' rear backup camera. The GLI has what I call the dreaded Start/Stop that can't be permanently disabled - have to turn it off every time the car is started. The GLI does have lots of sundry stuff like interior ambient lighting and power driver seat with lumbar and memory and ventilation in addition to heat. I think the GLI exterior looks a bit worse than my 2017 ES, but better than the 2019. To me the GLI interior isn't better than our cars. The GLI Beats audio vs. our Infinity system - probably close? Same 8" touchscreen size. And of course the GLI costs more.
What do you think?
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Wait just a bit longer and seriously consider looking at the 2020 Kia Forte GT.
As a former VW owner, I won't ever own one again.
I hear you, I'm also a previous owner (2006 Jetta 2.0T). Some good memories, and then there's one word - "Bosch"
Also I agree the 2020 Kia Forte GT got the styling right, but I still like the look of ours a bit better, especially the wheels. Also isn't the Forte GT just a clone of ours, nothing different of consequence?
Updated version of the 1.6 (higher compression, electronic wastegate), quicker steering ratio, re-tuned suspension. And IMO, way better interior.Also isn't the Forte GT just a clone of ours, nothing different of consequence?
Curious, in Canada what is the price difference between a loaded Elantra Sport and the GLI with DCC? Realistic cost for going in and negotiating with a dealer. I'd say a guestimate of course. Not MSRP. Does the Canadian S GLI trim come with DCC?
Curious, in Canada what is the price difference between a loaded Elantra Sport and the GLI with DCC? Realistic cost for going in and negotiating with a dealer. I'd say a guestimate of course. Not MSRP. Does the Canadian S GLI trim come with DCC?
I don't know about the 2018 Sport if any are in dealers' stock, and the 2019 version isn't even available here yet/not on Canadian dealer build and price. Also unlike in the US, the GLI here only comes in 2 versions, 35th Anniversary and normal, both fully loaded. Then there's our weak dollar, it costs us $ 1.345 mid rate to buy a US dollar. Too many variables.
I don't know about the 2018 Sport if any are in dealers' stock, and the 2019 version isn't even available here yet/not on Canadian dealer build and price. Also unlike in the US, the GLI here only comes in 2 versions, 35th Anniversary and normal, both fully loaded. Then there's our weak dollar, it costs us $ 1.345 mid rate to buy a US dollar. Too many variables.
I just noticed the 2019 ES build and price IS now on the Hyundai Canada site. They seem to have deleted the tech option, so the car can't really be compared to the GLI, at least not here in Canada.
Missing:
- Infinity audio system, just 6 speakers and a basic AM/FM/MP3
- The screen is only 7"
- Navigation
- Auto dimming mirror with Homelink and compass
- Rear park assist
- Dual zone automatic climate control
- Drive select with the DCT
In Canada the GLI is cheaper than the VW GTI Rabbit, which is cheaper than the GTI Autobahn, which is cheaper than the Golf R. If any of that can give you an idea what the US comparison might be to the pricing of the ES?
You're also forgetting reliability! Hands down the ES!
You're also forgetting reliability! Hands down the ES!
I'm not, see post 3. My ES has been (mostly) faultless.
For me the window to look at other things is open because of what was designed into our cars and what wasn't, and its been this way since buying the car - mainly 1.6T instead of 2.0T, no limited slip diff, road and wind noise. But everyone has different priorities. The GLI is more expensive regardless of which country and versions.
I will turn over 50k miles sometime this week (maybe tonight if I go to Tuscon for some touge action) and the car has only been to the dealer once for warranty work. And it was to replace a cooling fan that would squeak when it spun to a stop after shutting the car off. Still worked fine, just noisy.You're also forgetting reliability! Hands down the ES!
I have to think the higher trim will be available in Canada at some point. It would be crazy to offer just the base trim.I'm not, see post 3. My ES has been (mostly) faultless.
For me the window to look at other things is open because of what was designed into our cars and what wasn't, and its been this way since buying the car - mainly 1.6T instead of 2.0T, no limited slip diff, road and wind noise. But everyone has different priorities. The GLI is more expensive regardless of which country and versions.
I disagree about VW reliability. It's gotten a lot better over the last several years and VW now offers a great warranty. Better than Hyundai I might add for the New Vehicle warranty. I owned a 17 GTI for 12k miles and had ZERO issues. Not that it's a lot of miles, but it's the first car that never went to the dealer for even little things from day 1.
The GLI is very nice. It also has a lot of options that you seek. I think you're already sold haha! It will be quite a bit more money though. Are those options you desire worth the extra coin?
Can't lose with either vehicle in my mind.
i personally think the GLI is ugly, and that is saying alot because i bought a '19 ES! It was on my radar before getting the ES but it was $7k more than the ES (manual, only base trim available, Canada) and IMO not worth it. If you break it down on paper the VW is a better car but also IMO it doesn't compare to the ES even with the tech package. I would buy a GTI hands down over the bloated looking GLI.
I can't imagine the VW being cheaper to maintain either, especially if you used the dealer. An oil change/ basic service on a 17 Jetta 1.4tsi that a friend owns is $120.....my 3.3 Santa Fe is $80 and the ES will be less. At the end of the day my needs were an affordable and reliable commuter that can also provide some fun at a given moment. Looking at Manual vehicles there weren't a ton of options and my ES ended up being the cheapest and what i would consider the "best value" because any cons about it or any "missing" features weren't outweighed by the pros and extra features of anything more expensive. I have no regrets so far!
I can't imagine the VW being cheaper to maintain either, especially if you used the dealer. An oil change/ basic service on a 17 Jetta 1.4tsi that a friend owns is $120.....my 3.3 Santa Fe is $80 and the ES will be less. At the end of the day my needs were an affordable and reliable commuter that can also provide some fun at a given moment. Looking at Manual vehicles there weren't a ton of options and my ES ended up being the cheapest and what i would consider the "best value" because any cons about it or any "missing" features weren't outweighed by the pros and extra features of anything more expensive. I have no regrets so far!
i personally think the GLI is ugly, and that is saying alot because i bought a '19 ES! It was on my radar before getting the ES but it was $7k more than the ES (manual, only base trim available, Canada) and IMO not worth it. If you break it down on paper the VW is a better car but also IMO it doesn't compare to the ES even with the tech package. I would buy a GTI hands down over the bloated looking GLI.
I can't imagine the VW being cheaper to maintain either, especially if you used the dealer. An oil change/ basic service on a 17 Jetta 1.4tsi that a friend owns is $120.....my 3.3 Santa Fe is $80 and the ES will be less. At the end of the day my needs were an affordable and reliable commuter that can also provide some fun at a given moment. Looking at Manual vehicles there weren't a ton of options and my ES ended up being the cheapest and what i would consider the "best value" because any cons about it or any "missing" features weren't outweighed by the pros and extra features of anything more expensive. I have no regrets so far!
Thanks!
Re: the oil change, yes to be specific about cost, I just paid $ 81.71 including tax at a dealer for Hyundai's synthetic oil and filter change.
True about VW costs. Many years ago I was paying $ 115- at a dealer for them to plug in the VAG and see what the error code on the dash meant regarding an electrical fault. I'll always remember that this fee wasn't waived or used to reduce the cost when they fixed the problem found. I don't know what Hyundai dealers in Canada would charge for the same kind of thing.
Mind you, my wife paid an excessive amount for rear brake pads and rotors changes on her Elantra GT along with caliper service front and rear - $ 624-, after the price was reduced $ 100- because I complained..... It was due to corrosion, not wear. There is "no free lunch" at Hyundai.
Why is this such a common misconception? You didnt pay for someone to read a code. You paid labor for someone to diagnose an issue your car had. The code scan is only the first step. Why would that be waived? Did suddenly that time and knowledge spent disappear just because you approved a repair?True about VW costs. Many years ago I was paying $ 115- at a dealer for them to plug in the VAG and see what the error code on the dash meant regarding an electrical fault. I'll always remember that this fee wasn't waived or used to reduce the cost when they fixed the problem found. I don't know what Hyundai dealers in Canada would charge for the same kind of thing.
I agree! People don't understand that technicians get paid by the work not by hour!Why is this such a common misconception? You didnt pay for someone to read a code. You paid labor for someone to diagnose an issue your car had. The code scan is only the first step. Why would that be waived? Did suddenly that time and knowledge spent disappear just because you approved a repair?True about VW costs. Many years ago I was paying $ 115- at a dealer for them to plug in the VAG and see what the error code on the dash meant regarding an electrical fault. I'll always remember that this fee wasn't waived or used to reduce the cost when they fixed the problem found. I don't know what Hyundai dealers in Canada would charge for the same kind of thing.
The ES is the bang for your buck version of the GLI. If you're on a budget, it's a great car. If the budget allows more, the GLI is a ridiculous amount of car for the money as well. It has all the good bits of a GTI (and the brakes from a Golf R) at a price cheaper than a GTI. The room inside makes it a more family friendly car than the GTI as well.
You can't go wrong with either car. Both are fantastic.
You can't go wrong with either car. Both are fantastic.
Thanks for the info. I am indeed leaning towards the GT. Any idea if the 2020 ES gets these updates? And whether the aftermarket upgrades (tune, intake, etc.) apply to this version of the 1.6?Updated version of the 1.6 (higher compression, electronic wastegate), quicker steering ratio, re-tuned suspension. And IMO, way better interior.
'20 ES does not get those upgrades. Most non-body related parts from 17-18 ES will fit 19-20 (axleback exhaust an exception due to tip placement). Intake and suspension parts should fit the GT but don't quote me on that.Thanks for the info. I am indeed leaning towards the GT. Any idea if the 2020 ES gets these updates? And whether the aftermarket upgrades (tune, intake, etc.) apply to this version of the 1.6?
Thank you, sir. That's very encouraging, and another check mark in the GT column.'20 ES does not get those upgrades. Most non-body related parts from 17-18 ES will fit 19-20 (axleback exhaust an exception due to tip placement). Intake and suspension parts should fit the GT but don't quote me on that.
Getting into details, I find the GLI is somewhat 'decontented' making a decision difficult. There is no heated steering wheel, no Homelink, no proximity sensors (that has saved me $$ with the ES..lol) and no 'active' rear backup camera.
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