My mom has a 2012 Tucson with over 100k on it (purchased new) and it has been great, other than fluid changes all it has needed is a set of pads/rotors (just to pass an OOP, they were still good for quite a while) and this month it got a new set of tires. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a Hyundai as a long term daily.

Questionable reliability compared to a VW?

As for depreciation, if OP is keeping it for 8-10 years I think it's a pretty moot point. The up front $2k savings over the Civic and $4k over the Golf along with being able to run cheaper fuel is going to make more of a difference overall than resale in 10 year time.

I know this won't be exact, but I went on VMR and ran it for a 2007 Elantra, Civic and Golf GTI. I tried to make them as equal as I could (similar to what OP would buy, all options ticked with 200k km). These are the "retail" prices.

Elantra: $4475
Civic: $5375 ($900 up)
Golf GTI: $6675 ($2200 up)

The odds of getting the cost difference back in 10 years seem slim.

I'm sorry if you thought I was attacking you or if I came across the wrong way. My comment was remarking that no one else had made reference to the importance of the driving characteristics (which are generally more a matter of personal opinion. None of the 3 brands you're considering are at the top of the reliability rankings so other factors play into the decision.

If you want reliability rankings, go to Consumer Reports. Generally what you'll get on a forum is anecdotal feedback "I had one and it was great" or "I had one and it sucked." It's not exactly reflective of the overall quality/reliability of the brand/model. Anecdotal info is more useful for the intangibles of the cars one is considering, reviews as you mention.

Of the three brands you're considering the highest ranked is Honda at #9 with Hyundai at #10 and the Elantra as their most reliable model, so there you have it.

https://www.consumerreports.org/car-...they-stack-up/

2018 RANK
1 ↑1 Toyota
2 ↓1 Lexus
3 ↑2 Kia
4 — Audi
5 ↑4 BMW
6 ↑5 Subaru
7 ↑1 Infiniti
8 ↓5 Buick
9 ↑1 Honda
10 ↓ 3 Hyundai

For the Honda Civic, CR rated it:
- 76/100 on the road test
- For this generation (2016-Current), the only real blemish on the record is in-car electronics for the Honda Civic. Everything else is above average or well above average for reliability feedback.
- Previous generation (2012-2015) was nearly flawless in reliability feedback.
- The Honda Civic ranked 3rd in its class in owner satisfaction (behind the Prius and Elantra)

For the Hyundai Elantra, CR rated it:
- 66/100 on the road test
- For this generation (2017-Current), everything is above average or well-above average for reliability data.
- The previous generation (2011-2016) had issues with the early years (transmission, suspension, brakes, power equipment), but later years had good feedback.
- The Hyundai Elantra ranked 2nd in its class in owner satisfaction (behind the Prius)

For the Volkswagen Golf, CR rated it:
- 82/100 on the road test
- For this generation (2015-Current), the problem areas are the fuel system and in-car electronics (below average). Power equipment, climate system, and fuel system also have average reliability feedback. Almost everything else is well above average.
- The previous generation (2010-2014) had major issues with the fuel system and lesser issues with the climate system and power equipment. Drivetrain has well above average reliability.
- The Volkswagen Golf ranked 9th in its class in owner satisfaction (behind the Prius, Elantra, Civic, C-MAX, Cooper, 3, Soul, and Corolla).

Toyota being at the top of those rankings (and generally considered to be reliable vehicles with good resale value) have you considered a Corolla iM? I just checked and it's 170.4" long, so it would fit, and it's cheaper than the other 3.

I want something with a little more punch than the 137hp. They should make the corolla im with the 86 engine. To compete with the hatches. I would be into that.

My first 3 cars were Japanese because I was worried about reliability. I never kept them long because they bored me. My 4th car was a VW and I got a 7 year warranty with it because I was paranoid. I'm about 2 years into ownership with zero issues.

we have an elantra GT (2015) model. 20k km in and no issue so far.

Performance and quality is sub-par but for the price and reliability we are having so far, it is a good daily driver.

With the three choices given, I would likely go with the Civic based on the reliability and the strong driving performance of the new Civics.

Not to throw a new option into the the mix, but have you looked at the Kia Soul Turbo? 163 inches in length so well below your threshold, 201 hp and 195 torque. Tons of room inside. My mom has a 2014 Soul EX+ and I borrow it all the time to haul stuff. Would be really easy if you have kids, especially with child seats depending how old they are. I haven't driven the Turbo, but it seems to have gotten pretty good reviews. And you can get one for about $26,000 + tax.

As the saying goes, "the night is still young", my friend. My MkIV car has been nearly flawless for the first 3 years, and the MkV car totally flawless for the first 4 years or so. And then then little things start to creep up on you. And then they grow into bigger, more troublesome, and more $$$ things with higher frequency.
EleGiggle

(You'll also learn to curse the German engineerers who designed things that require 2 hours to Re&Re instead of a 5 min quick swap.)
FailFish

Still loved both cars, esp the MkIV, and I was glad to have owned & driven them. But their later years have been troublesome, time consuming, and $$$$, and I know I wouldn't want to go through the same thing again.

That's why Baby Jebus invented Heated and Cooled seats.

I bought my wife a new 2013 Elantra in 2012, no issues at all and she's put over 100K on it. We had to do the front brake pads and tires but that's all regular maintenance. For the price can't really go wrong, I'd buy another Hyundai.

FWIW, Car and Driver has the following ratings:

Golf GTI: 5/5 stars
Elantra Sport (not GT): 3.5/5 stars
Civic HB: 5/5 stars

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...h-model-review

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...h-model-review

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...h-model-review

For me it's the Civic vs GTI. The Elantra is a good deal but I feel like it's not quite there yet. Not all that fun to drive, not much feel, plain interior, etc.

The Civic Touring looks pricey at $30k but it's well equipped. From my personal experience, the cargo room is large and practical, comparable to my RDX. The chassis is well sorted and it's a brand new design from Honda. Car and Driver managed 0.93g in a regular Civic hatchback sport with all season tires. Being a 1.5T that is relatlvely new, its tuning potential is not comparable to the GTI. But if all you need is 180whp stock with the potential of well over 200whp, the Civic HB is more than enough.

The GTI is the default go-to car for enthusiasts looking for an affordable but fun to drive HB. It's well built and perceived quality are high. With the DSG, it's also decently fast. At the price you are looking at, as you already pointed out, you do lose out quite a few features that are standard on the Civic Touring. Are you going to be okay with that for 8-10 years?

I own a 2018 Elantra GT GLS, which is 1 trim level below the sport and I have to say this car is fun to drive. The sport has better rear suspension and more HP and torque, so I can only imagine it'd be even more of a blast to drive on that.

If you do go ahead and purchase an Elantra GT Turbo then I highly suggest you stay the fuck away from OpenRoad Hyundai on Boundary. Their sales manager is a lying sack of shit that made promises to me and then blatantly lied to my face after the fact.

and just to throw in a few minor details;

GTI - Premium Fuel
Civic / Elantra - Regular Unleaded

That's like an additional $10-15 extra per fill up.

I have 2 kids....
and i use a Civic Type R to pick them up... in car seats..

if you go with the civic hb sport and higher... it is premium fuel
https://i.imgur.com/C1Z0LI9.jpg

Fun or Reliability

Choice is yours

I would choose GTI since I would want to mod it to stage 2 later in ownership probably. Plus German to me feels more premium and more stability. Yes it does come as a cost in parts and maintenance versus the Honda but that's something I'm willing to sacrifice for my own satisfaction

I would say go for the GTI but I am a bit biased. I still currently own my MKV GTI which I bought brand new in 2007. No major problems but I have been very good at keeping up with maintenance and other things. Keep in mind as well as my car has been on an APR Stage 2+ tune for nearly 6 years without issue. The one thing that keeps me from replacing it is that even after 10 years of ownership the car is still holding together well and more importantly still very fun to drive .

Both trim in gti and civic sport that I want has “projector halogen” headlights. Are these HIDs. Or just regular amber headlights?

I would assume these are regular halogen bulbs, in a projector headlight. Unless otherwise it states Xenon or HID lights.

My old 2006 Subaru impreza had "Projector Halogen" headlights, and it was merely halogen bulbs in the projector.

I installed aftermarket HID's in my projector halogen headlights but had to adjust the angle to prevent blinding oncoming vehicles.

Check out youtube reviews:

2018 GTI will feature stock LED headlights

Not in the base option that I want. Only in autobahn. Base gti is projector halogen.

I love halogens. All the cars in my family are either xenon/HID/LED except my golf sportwagen. Hell, even the 2016 corolla i traded in for the sportwagen had LED lights.

NOT A BIG FAN of these bright ass lights. The cutoff areas are too apparent and its too easy to blind oncoming traffic. I find on the i5 and other highway driving that the halogens actually project further as it disperses light without the glare or super apparent cutoff areas.

Maybe buy used.
https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/...394644484.html

Bro, didn't you hear their engine breaks apart every 2000 kms? Lol

https://jalopnik.com/why-so-many-for...out-1820280550