Audi S3 vs. Subaru WRX
When comparing the Audi S3's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Audi S3 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Subaru WRX has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi S3's and the Subaru WRX's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX is a better car than the Audi S3.
Audi S3 vs. Subaru WRX Pricing
For a new model, the Audi S3's price is between $53,063 and $62,355, with the Subaru WRX priced between $31,365 and $41,737.
Audi S3 vs. Subaru WRX Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi S3 loses 44.2 percent of its value and the Subaru WRX loses 29.3 percent of its value. This means the Subaru WRX retains 14.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi S3.
Audi S3 vs. Subaru WRX Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi S3 is 8.4 out of 10 while the Subaru WRX's quality rating is 8.8 out of 10. This results in the Audi S3 being ranked 1 out of 6 Best Luxury Subcompact Cars and the Subaru WRX being ranked 11 out of 26 Best Compact Cars.
Audi S3 vs. Subaru WRX Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi S3 is 6.6 out of 10. For the Subaru WRX the reliability rating is 7.0 out of 10. This gives the Subaru WRX a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi S3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the Audi S3’s base engine makes 306 horsepower, and the Subaru WRX base engine makes 271 horsepower. The S3 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. This gives the Audi S3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
The Subaru WRX, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi S3 and the Subaru WRX have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
53063 - 62355
Used Asking Price:
-
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.442254
Pricing
New Asking Price:
31365 - 41737
Used Asking Price:
30345 - 40231
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.292954
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.766666 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Audi S3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 6Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
14 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
33 out of / 36Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 12Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 26Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
14 out of / 18Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
16 out of / 43Ranking
20 out of / 43Ranking
20 out of / 24Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
26 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Audi S3 Trim Levels
2.0T quattro Premium, 2.0T quattro Premium Plus, 2.0T quattro Prestige
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, GT, Limited, Premium
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
306 hp @ 5450 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 3000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.087 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.082 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):
23 / 32 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
334 / 464 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
315 / 432 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
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:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.1 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.9 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3527 lbs
Width:
78.1 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
177.3 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3297 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17