Subaru Impreza vs. Volkswagen Golf GTI
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Impreza 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 Subaru Impreza and the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
In comparing the Subaru Impreza's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Impreza has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Impreza's and the Volkswagen Golf GTI's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Impreza is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Pricing: A used 2024 Subaru Impreza ranges from $22,913 to $30,187 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI is priced between $29,999 to $40,715. For a new model, the Subaru Impreza's price is between $24,001 and $32,203, 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 Subaru Impreza loses 28.4 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 35 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Impreza retains 6.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Impreza is 8.6 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Golf GTI's quality rating is 8.5 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Impreza being ranked 1 out of 5 Best Wagons and the Volkswagen Golf GTI being ranked 17 out of 43 Best Small Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Impreza is 8.1 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Golf GTI the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Impreza a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Impreza’s base engine makes 152 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf GTI base engine makes 241 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Subaru Impreza has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the area of rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Impreza and the Volkswagen Golf GTI have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Subaru Impreza has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$24,001 - $32,203
Starting MSRP:
$22,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
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:
$26,272
Price Range:
$22,913 - $30,187
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,133
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
518
# Good or Great Deals:
20
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:
1,755
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
358
# Good or Great Deals:
5
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$6,779
Depreciation %:
29.5%
Resale Value $:
$16,216
Residual Value %:
70.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)
31.6%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)
24.4% - 40.1%
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%
Subaru Impreza Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
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 Subaru Impreza
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11
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:
3%
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:
18.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
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
Subaru Impreza Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
7 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 21Ranking
12 out of / 43Ranking
14 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 24Ranking
20 out of / 43Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Ranking
32 out of / 43Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Impreza Trim Levels
Base, RS, Sport
Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels
380 Autobahn, 380 S, 380 SE, Autobahn, S, SE
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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
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:
152 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
145 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 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 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 34 / 30
Range (city/hwy):
448 / 564 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
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
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.3 inches
Cargo Space:
20.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
56 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
120.9 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
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
34.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
111.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3171 lbs
Width:
79.4 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
176.2 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
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:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
205/55R16
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
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Pure Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Atlantic Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray
Red
Kings Red Metallic
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Opal White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid
