Audi S3 vs. Volkswagen GTI
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi S3 and Volkswagen 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 S3 and the Volkswagen GTI.
When we compare the Audi S3's and the Volkswagen GTI's specifications and ratings, the Audi S3 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Volkswagen GTI has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Audi S3's and the Volkswagen GTI's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2024 Audi S3 ranges from $46,971 to $58,315 while a used 2014 Volkswagen GTI is priced between $8,992 to $16,995.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi S3’s base engine makes 306 horsepower, and the Volkswagen GTI base engine makes 200 horsepower. The S3 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 464 miles. The GTI is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. This gives the Audi S3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen GTI. The S3 uses premium unleaded, and the GTI uses gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen GTI has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Audi S3, a subcompact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear shoulder room. The Audi S3 and Volkswagen GTI are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Audi S3 has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$53,402 - $62,353
Starting MSRP:
$47,400
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:
-
Starting MSRP:
$25,095
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$53,116
Price Range:
$46,971 - $58,315
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$67,794
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Subcompact Cars)
$47,250 - $119,964
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
87
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
712
# Good or Great Deals:
0
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$13,136
Price Range:
$8,992 - $16,995
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
22
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
110,592
# Good or Great Deals:
11
Audi S3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.1 / 10
Reliability:
6.6 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi S3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
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:
1.8%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen GTI
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
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:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Audi S3 Rankings
Ranking
8 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 36Ranking
23 out of / 36Ranking
32 out of / 36Ranking
34 out of / 36Volkswagen GTI Rankings
Available 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 GTI Trim Levels
Drivers Edition PZEV, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV
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
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):
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
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 Specs
Horsepower:
200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque:
207 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 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:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
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
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
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 Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
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:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
52.8 inches
Cargo Space:
15.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
108.1 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:
3113 lbs
Width:
70 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
165.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Navarra Blue Metallic / Turbo Blue
Gray
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Red
Tango Red Metallic
White
Glacier White Metallic / Ibis White
Yellow
Python Yellow Metallic
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Not available
Gray
Carbon Steel Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Candy White
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Rock Gray Stitching
Gray
Steel Gray w/ Anthracite Stitching
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Interlagos
