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Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. Volkswagen Golf R

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Volkswagen Golf R.

When we compare the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf R.

Pricing: A used 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI ranges from $29,999 to $40,715 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is priced between $44,883 to $51,042. For a new model, the Volkswagen Golf GTI's price is between $32,769 and $42,838, 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 35 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Golf R loses 33.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf R retains 1.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf R base engine makes 315 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the area of rear head room. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf R are comparable in regards to front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Volkswagen Golf R have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen Golf R

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI
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Volkswagen Golf GTI for Sale

2024 Volkswagen Golf R
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Volkswagen Golf R for Sale

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

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:

$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:

1,785

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

365

# Good or Great Deals:

9

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:

422

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

211

# Good or Great Deals:

10

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%

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%

Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.5 / 10

Reliability:

7.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.3 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

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 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%

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:

2.1

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.3

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings

Best Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $35k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $25k

1 / 3

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $30k

1 / 3

Best Family Small Cars

7 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

8 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

11 / 21

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

12 / 43

Safest Small Cars

14 / 43

Best Small Cars

17 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

17 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

18 / 24

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

20 / 43

Most Reliable Small Cars

26 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

32 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

32 / 43

Volkswagen Golf R Rankings

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

2 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Cargo Space

13 / 43

Safest Small Cars

17 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

18 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

21 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

24 / 24

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

26 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

35 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

42 / 43

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels

380 Autobahn, 380 S, 380 SE, Autobahn, S, SE

Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels

4Motion

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

4 years / 50000 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:

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):

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:

241 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

273 foot-lbs @ 1750 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.076 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 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

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

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wifi:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

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

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Heated Seats

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

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

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

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

Overall Interior Volume:

111.8 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:

3188 lbs

Width:

81.6 inches

Height:

57.6 inches

Length:

168.8 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

4.7 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:

18.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

polished aluminum alloy with painted accents

Tire Size:

P225/40R18

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

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

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

Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid

Interior Colors

Black

Titan Black w/ Blue Accents

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