Audi A5 vs. Volkswagen Golf R
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi A5 and Volkswagen Golf R contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi A5 and the Volkswagen Golf R.
When comparing the Audi A5's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Audi A5 has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Audi A5's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R is a better car than the Audi A5.
Pricing: For a new model, the Audi A5's price is between $51,621 and $61,081, with the Volkswagen Golf R priced between $47,191 and $53,276.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi A5 loses 45.3 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf R loses 33.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf R retains 12.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi A5’s base engine makes 261 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf R base engine makes 315 horsepower. The A5 is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 490 miles. The Golf R is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 406 miles. This gives the Audi A5 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Golf R. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Audi A5 has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf R has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$51,621 - $61,081
Starting MSRP:
$48,400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$48,375
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$31,800 - $79,900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$47,191 - $53,276
Starting MSRP:
$45,665
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$52,490
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
$35,163 - $100,522
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
393
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
192
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,673
Price Range:
$44,883 - $51,042
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
476
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
330
# Good or Great Deals:
9
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$22,211
Depreciation %:
45.9%
Resale Value $:
$26,189
Residual Value %:
54.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
48.9%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$15,558
Depreciation %:
34.1%
Resale Value $:
$30,107
Residual Value %:
65.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
Audi A5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
8.1 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
2.1%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.2 - 14.6
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Audi A5 Rankings
Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
26 out of / 36Ranking
27 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 36Volkswagen Golf R Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 24Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
35 out of / 43Ranking
42 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Convertible, Coupe
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi A5 Trim Levels
Not yet available
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
261 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
315 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.093 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
367 / 490 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 406 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
32.7 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
50.7 inches
Cargo Space:
10.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
84.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3682 lbs
Width:
79.9 inches
Height:
54 inches
Length:
184.9 inches
Wheelbase:
108.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3404 lbs
Width:
70.4 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
168.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P235/35R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Red
Progressive Red Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Atlas Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Rock Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Titan Black w/ Blue Accents
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
