Subaru BRZ vs. Volkswagen Golf R
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru BRZ 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 Subaru BRZ and the Volkswagen Golf R.
In comparing the Subaru BRZ's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Subaru BRZ has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and resale value. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru BRZ's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R is a better car than the Subaru BRZ.
Pricing: For a new model, the Subaru BRZ's price is between $31,307 and $37,886, 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 Subaru BRZ loses 24.3 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf R loses 33.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru BRZ retains 8.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf R.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru BRZ’s base engine makes 228 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf R base engine makes 315 horsepower. The BRZ is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 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 Volkswagen Golf R the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru BRZ. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf R, 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, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Subaru BRZ, a sports car, 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:
$31,307 - $37,886
Starting MSRP:
$30,195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Sports Cars)
$34,022
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Sports Cars)
$28,985 - $42,970
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:
(Sports Cars)
$50,979
Category Avg Price Range:
(Sports Cars)
$35,475 - $58,789
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,109
# Good or Great Deals:
1
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:
53
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
5,415
# Good or Great Deals:
4
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$7,614
Depreciation %:
25.2%
Resale Value $:
$22,581
Residual Value %:
74.8%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Sports Cars)
29.8%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Sports Cars)
23.9% - 44.3%
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%
Subaru BRZ Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
9.0 / 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 Subaru BRZ
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Sports Cars)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Sports Cars)
8.9 - 15.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.4%
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:
6.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Sports Cars)
1.6 - 6.6
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
Subaru BRZ Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Ranking
13 out of / 15Volkswagen 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
Coupe
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru BRZ Trim Levels
Limited, Premium, tS
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 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:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
264 / 356 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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
33.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
29.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
51.7 inches
Cargo Space:
6.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
83.5 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:
2820 lbs
Width:
69.9 inches
Height:
51.6 inches
Length:
167.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
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:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/45R17
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
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black w/ Blue Accents
