Subaru WRX vs. Volkswagen GTI
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru WRX 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 Subaru WRX and the Volkswagen GTI.
When we compare the Subaru WRX's and the Volkswagen GTI's specifications and ratings, the Subaru WRX has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Volkswagen GTI has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX's and the Volkswagen GTI's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen GTI is a better car than the Subaru WRX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru WRX’s base engine makes 271 horsepower, and the Volkswagen GTI base engine makes 200 horsepower. The WRX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 432 miles. The GTI is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. This gives the Volkswagen GTI the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Subaru WRX. The WRX 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 rear head room and cargo space. The Subaru WRX, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru WRX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$33,493 - $44,163
Starting MSRP:
$32,735
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
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:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3,173
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
109
# Good or Great Deals:
12
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:
23
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
111,567
# Good or Great Deals:
12
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.6 / 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 Subaru WRX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.5
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:
3.3%
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:
6.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.6
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
5 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
8 out of / 43Ranking
11 out of / 43Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
19 out of / 24Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 43Ranking
31 out of / 43Volkswagen GTI Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
Base, GT, Limited, Premium, TR
Volkswagen GTI Trim Levels
Drivers Edition PZEV, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV
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:
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:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
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:
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.081 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:
2.4 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
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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
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:
3329 lbs
Width:
79.3 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
183.8 inches
Wheelbase:
105.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
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:
17.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Sapphire Blue Pearl / WR Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Orange
Solar Orange Pearl
Red
Ignition Red
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Ceramic White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl Metallic
Blue
Not available
Gray
Carbon Steel Gray Metallic
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Not available
White
Candy White
Interior Colors
Black
Black with Red Stitching
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Interlagos