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Audi RS 3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi RS 3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 RS 3 and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

When comparing the Audi RS 3's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Audi RS 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi RS 3's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a better car than the Audi RS 3.

Pricing: A used 2024 Audi RS 3 ranges from $64,992 to $74,899 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is priced between $29,999 to $40,715. For a new model, the Audi RS 3's price is between $65,355 and $72,025, with the Volkswagen Golf GTI priced between $32,769 and $42,838.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi RS 3 loses 38.8 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 35 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf GTI retains 3.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi RS 3.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi RS 3’s base engine makes 401 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI base engine makes 241 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf GTI, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Audi RS 3, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room. The Audi RS 3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI are comparable in regards to front leg room.

Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf GTI has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.

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Model & Pricing
Audi RS 3
Volkswagen Golf GTI

2024 Audi RS 3
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Audi RS 3 for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
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Volkswagen Golf GTI for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$65,355 - $72,025

Starting MSRP:

$62,300

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

$58,130

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

$38,800 - $98,950

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$32,769 - $42,838

Starting MSRP:

$31,965

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:

$70,269

Price Range:

$64,992 - $74,899

Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

$67,794

Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

$47,250 - $119,964

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

44

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

2,315

# Good or Great Deals:

5

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$34,636

Price Range:

$29,999 - $40,715

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,899

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

547

# Good or Great Deals:

39

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$24,900

Depreciation %:

40%

Resale Value $:

$37,400

Residual Value %:

60%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

42.7%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

40% - 44%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$11,477

Depreciation %:

35.9%

Resale Value $:

$20,488

Residual Value %:

64.1%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Audi RS 3 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.1 / 10

Safety:

Not available

Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi RS 3

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

11.1 - 13

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf GTI

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

11.3

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:

1.5%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

3.2

Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)

2.1 - 10.4

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Audi RS 3 Rankings

Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 36

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

8 / 36

Luxury Small Cars with the Most Legroom

10 / 36

Most Affordable Luxury Small Cars

28 / 31

Most Comfortable Luxury Small Cars

33 / 36

Best Luxury Small Cars for Tall People

35 / 36

Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings

Best Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 3

Best Family Small Cars

7 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

8 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

11 / 21

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

12 / 43

Safest Small Cars

14 / 43

Best Small Cars

17 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

17 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

18 / 24

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

20 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

26 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

32 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

32 / 43

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Audi RS 3 Trim Levels

2.5T quattro

Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels

380 Autobahn, 380 S, 380 SE, Autobahn, S, SE

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:

401 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque:

369 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.110 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

241 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

273 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.076 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

5

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


19 / 29 / 23

Range (city/hwy):

276 / 421 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Premium Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

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

Satellite radio:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Wifi:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

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

Automatic Parking:

Available

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Internet Radio:

N/A

Navigation System:

Available

Wifi:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

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:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

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:

36.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

54.8 inches

Rear Head Room:

36.6 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.2 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53 inches

Cargo Space:

8.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

87.0 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.5 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.9 inches

Cargo Space:

19.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

111.8 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3638 lbs

Width:

78.1 inches

Height:

55.6 inches

Length:

178.8 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3188 lbs

Width:

81.6 inches

Height:

57.6 inches

Length:

168.8 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

19.0 x 9.0 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

265/30R19

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

18.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

polished aluminum alloy with painted accents

Tire Size:

P225/40R18

Exterior Colors

Black

Mythos Black Metallic

Blue

Turbo Blue

Gray

Daytona Gray Pearl Effect / Kemora Gray Metallic

Green

Kyalami Green

Red

Tango Red Metallic

White

Glacier White Metallic

Yellow

Python Yellow Metallic

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic

Blue

Atlantic Blue Metallic

Gray

Moonstone Gray

Green

Not available

Red

Kings Red Metallic

White

Opal White Pearl

Yellow

Not available

Silver

Reflex Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Black w/ Express Red Stitching / Black w/ Micrommata Green Stitching / Black w/ Super Black Stitching

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid

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