Mazda 6 Grand Touring vs Volkswagen Golf GTI
Verdict
Here the shapes tell the story. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the bigger wagon: 4,800 mm long, 2,750 mm between the axles and 522 litres in the boot, so it suits buyers carrying luggage more often than chasing numbers. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is shorter at 4,289 mm with a 350-litre boot, but its 261 hp and 370 Nm cut 0-100 km/h to 5.9 seconds against the Mazda’s 8.2. At RM230,848 versus RM244,012, the RM13,164 gap buys pace, not space.
Pick the Mazda 6 Grand Touring if you want the larger D-segment wagon, a 522-litre boot and a five-year warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf GTI if you want the quicker car, with 261 hp, 370 Nm and a 5.9-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda RM230,848; Volkswagen RM244,012
- Body and segment: Mazda D-segment wagon; Volkswagen C-segment hatchback
- Output: Mazda 185 hp/250 Nm; Volkswagen 261 hp/370 Nm
- Performance: Mazda 0-100 km/h in 8.2 s and 218 km/h; Volkswagen 5.9 s and 250 km/h
- Length and boot: Mazda 4,800 mm/522 L; Volkswagen 4,289 mm/350 L
- Warranty and road tax: Mazda 5 years/RM868 yearly; Volkswagen 2 years/RM372 yearly
6 Grand Touring
- Bigger 522-litre boot
- Longer 2,750 mm wheelbase
- Five-year warranty
- Slower 8.2-second 0-100 km/h time
- Lower 185 hp and 250 Nm outputs
- Higher RM868 annual road tax
Golf GTI
- Much stronger 261 hp and 370 Nm
- Quicker 5.9-second 0-100 km/h sprint
- Lower RM372 annual road tax
- Smaller 350-litre boot
- Shorter two-year warranty
- Costs RM13,164 more
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 230,848✓ | RM 244,012 |
| Body type | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,488 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 185 hp | 261 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 370 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 89 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 13 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | SkyActiv-Drive | 7-Speed DSG |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mazda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 8.2 seconds | 5.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 218 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,800 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,840 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,480 mm | 1,437 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Weight | 1,506 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 62 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 522 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/45R19 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Bridgestone Potenza S001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 18" Richmond Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Solid Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | G-Vectoring Control | Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), Electronic Differential Lock (XDS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable 8-way Driver's Seat with Memory, Power Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, tilt and slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 2 rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | Touch-screen with radio, CD, MP3, AUX, USB and Bluetooth, 11 speakers | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 868 | RM 372✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
6 Grand Touring vs Golf GTI FAQ
Is the Mazda 6 Grand Touring or Volkswagen Golf GTI better?
Neither is flatly better. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is better for space, boot capacity and warranty cover. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is better for acceleration, power and lower annual road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI costs RM13,164 more than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring, at RM244,012 versus RM230,848.
Which car is more practical for luggage?
The Mazda 6 Grand Touring is the luggage pick. Its wagon body gives 522 litres of boot space, while the Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback has 350 litres.