Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen 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 SportWagen.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is a better car than the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Pricing: A used 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI ranges from $19,496 to $28,579 while a used 2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is priced between $13,991 to $24,541.
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 SportWagen loses 35.7 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf GTI retains 0.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s base engine makes 228 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen base engine makes 147 horsepower. The Golf GTI is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The Golf SportWagen is rated to deliver an average of 32 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 488 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Golf GTI and Volkswagen Golf SportWagen are comparable in regards to front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$27,595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$21,895
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$21,340
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$14,795 - $40,395
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$24,417
Price Range:
$19,496 - $28,579
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
66
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
61,628
# Good or Great Deals:
16
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$18,822
Price Range:
$13,991 - $24,541
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$19,292
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$11,224 - $33,439
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
17
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
60,013
# Good or Great Deals:
4
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 SportWagen Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf GTI
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
6.3
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
1.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
9.5
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
6.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.1 - 9.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
40.5%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.5 - 15.5
Volkswagen 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 / 43Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 5Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 5Ranking
5 out of / 5Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Wagon
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels
Autobahn, Rabbit Edition, S, SE
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Trim Levels
1.4T S, 1.4T SE, 1.8T S 4Motion
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
6 years / 72000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 72000 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
228 hp @ 4700 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.074 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.048 hp per pound
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):
24 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
317 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
29 / 37 / 32
Range (city/hwy):
383 / 488 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
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
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
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
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
22.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
52.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
116.3 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
30.4 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
66.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 3rd-row seat folded down:
Not applicable
Overall Interior Volume:
124.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3062 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
168 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3053 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
58.3 inches
Length:
179.8 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 6.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
195/65R15
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Dark Iron Blue Metallic / Night Blue Metallic
Green
Great Falls Green Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Night Blue Metallic / Silk Blue Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Tornado Red
Silver
White Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black/Clark Plaid
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Beige
Beige
