Volkswagen GTI vs. Volkswagen Golf R
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen 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 GTI and the Volkswagen Golf R.
When comparing the Volkswagen GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, 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. The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen GTI's and the Volkswagen Golf R's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2013 Volkswagen GTI ranges from $6,635 to $15,193 while a used 2013 Volkswagen Golf R is priced between $10,745 to $22,979.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen GTI’s base engine makes 200 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Golf R base engine makes 256 horsepower. The GTI is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 450 miles. The Golf R is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 392 miles. This gives the Volkswagen GTI the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Golf R. Both models use gasoline.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more rear shoulder room and cargo space. The Volkswagen GTI has the advantage in the area of front shoulder room. The Volkswagen GTI and Volkswagen Golf R are comparable in regards to front head room, front leg room, rear head room and rear leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
23995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
34195
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
18260
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15400 - 34195
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
10273
Price Range:
6635 - 15193
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
40
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
111922
# Good or Great Deals:
17
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
17361
Price Range:
10745 - 22979
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
8943
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
6481 - 17361
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
13
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
98438
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Volkswagen GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
Not available
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
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:
2.108236656737135
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.0761545307317228
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
4.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
0.9 - 10.4
Volkswagen GTI Rankings
Not yet available
Volkswagen Golf R Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
16 out of / 37Ranking
19 out of / 37Ranking
22 out of / 22Ranking
28 out of / 37Ranking
28 out of / 37Ranking
37 out of / 37Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen GTI Trim Levels
Autobahn, Autobahn PZEV, Base, Base PZEV, Drivers Edition, Drivers Edition PZEV, Wolfsburg Edition, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
200 hp @ 5100 rpm
Torque:
207 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.066 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
256 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
243 foot-lbs @ 2400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 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):
21 / 31 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
305 / 450 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
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):
19 / 27 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
276 / 392 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
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
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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 Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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 Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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:
108.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Cargo Space:
15.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
108.8 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3034 lbs
Width:
70 inches
Height:
57.8 inches
Length:
165.9 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3325 lbs
Width:
70.3 inches
Height:
57.5 inches
Length:
165.8 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/40R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Metallic
Blue
Shadow Blue Metallic
Gray
Carbon Steel Gray Metallic / United Gray Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Candy White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Metallic
Blue
Rising Blue Metallic
Gray
Carbon Steel Gray Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
White
Candy White
Interior Colors
Gray
Interlagos
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Black
Titan Black
