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 areas of interior volume 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 fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Subaru WRX's and the Volkswagen GTI's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Subaru WRX ranges from $34,130 to $47,543 while a used 2014 Volkswagen GTI is priced between $6,914 to $16,277.
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 Subaru WRX has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Volkswagen GTI has the advantage in the areas of rear head room cargo space.
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:
37369 - 50192
Starting MSRP:
37750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
28470
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
21590 - 47100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
25095
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40036
Price Range:
34130 - 47543
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
30314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
22070 - 52316
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
11244
Price Range:
6914 - 16277
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
15
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
112862
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Subaru WRX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 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):
11.6
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
12.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
8.8 - 16.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.059
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:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.78046553314381
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.8 - 28.7
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.4931500810999048
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Subaru WRX Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
11 out of / 37Ranking
14 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 22Ranking
22 out of / 37Volkswagen GTI Rankings
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru WRX Trim Levels
GT, Limited, Premium, tS
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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 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
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
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
Parking Sensors:
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
Heated Seats
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
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
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
Parking Sensors:
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
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
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
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
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:
55.6 inches
Cargo Space:
12.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.4 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:
3351 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:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/40R18
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
Purple
Galaxy Purple 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
Purple
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
