Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI
When comparing the Audi S3's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Audi S3 has the advantage in the areas of overall quality score and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi S3's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a better car than the Audi S3.
Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI Pricing
For a new model, the Audi S3's price is between $53,063 and $62,355, with the Volkswagen Golf GTI priced between $33,331 and $42,776.
Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 39.8 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf GTI retains 4.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi S3.
Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi S3 is 8.4 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf GTI's quality rating is 8.1 out of 10. This results in the Audi S3 being ranked 1 out of 6 Best Luxury Subcompact Cars and the Volkswagen Golf GTI being ranked 6 out of 28 Best Hatchbacks.
Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi S3 is 6.6 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf GTI the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 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 S3, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room. The Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings Comparison
When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Audi S3 and the Volkswagen Golf GTI 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:
33331 - 42776
Used Asking Price:
-
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.39811
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 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 / 36Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
15 out of / 18Ranking
18 out of / 26Ranking
19 out of / 26Ranking
20 out of / 43Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 24Ranking
22 out of / 43Ranking
22 out of / 28Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
33 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
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
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):
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:
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 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 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
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
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
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:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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:
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:
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:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P225/40R18