How much more expensive is it to do maintenance on a Volkswagen TDI or GTI vs a Scion Tc, or honda civic si?

I would really like to get a Volkswagen but I Keep hearing that the maintenance is much more complicated and costly than most brands?

Its not the maintenance, but the repairs and specialty tools! And believe me, there will be plenty of repairs in your future

What you hear is true. They're horrendously expensive.

It's no different. An engine is an engine, a car is a car. There's nothing special about them that is so radically different. If you go to a dealer, yes, it's drastically more expensive. Otherwise, a clutch, or timing belt, or any normal service costs just as much for a GTI as it does for a Scion or Honda.