2015 head-to-head · Compact Car
2015 Chevrolet Sonic vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2015 Chevrolet Sonic is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, it costs about $1,453 a year to fuel (32 MPG), versus $1,586 for the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel (35 MPG). That's roughly $133 a year, or about $663 over five years.
Your numbers
Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.
Fuel cost over 10 years
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
Side by side
| Chevrolet Sonic | Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel | |
|---|---|---|
| $1,453 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,586 |
| 32 MPG | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 28 MPG | City | 31 MPG |
| 38 MPG | Highway | 41 MPG |
| 91 cu ft | Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| 12 cu ft | Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| 276 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 292 g/mi |
| 8/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 8/10 |
| 8/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 8/10 |
| Gas | Powertrain | Diesel |
| Regular gasoline | Fuel | Diesel |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | Engine / motor | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo |
| 6-speed manual | Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch |
| FWD | Drivetrain | FWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Chevrolet Sonic vs Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel across model years
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Per EPA interior volume figures, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel has more cargo space (16 vs. 12 cu ft).
Among 52 2015 compact cars, the Chevrolet Sonic ranks 15th and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 22nd for lowest fuel cost.
The powertrains differ: the Chevrolet Sonic is a conventional gas model, while the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel is a diesel.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic or the 2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel?
Measured by cost to drive, the Chevrolet Sonic. The Chevrolet Sonic is rated 32 MPG combined and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2015 Chevrolet Sonic vs. the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.70/gal diesel fuel, about $1,453 for the Chevrolet Sonic and $1,586 for the Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel.
Which has more cargo space?
The Volkswagen Golf/GTI Diesel, with 16 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).
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