Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Subaru WRX

2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Subaru WRX
2023 Subaru WRX
$30,605MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Subaru WRX
$30,605MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$29,880

MSRP

$30,605

Average price

$18,942

Average price

$24,218

Listings

3580

Listings

5229
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
  • Great handling
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Prices rise quickly
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great handling
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Poor value for money
  • Less cargo space than rivals

Reviews Summary

With its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired.

Reviews Summary

Subaru's image is centered around rugged station wagons, outdoor activities, and cute dogs, but the automaker also has a sporty side—exemplified by the 2023 Subaru WRX.

The WRX first appeared in the 1990s as a homologation special for the World Rally Championship (WRC), which at the time required cars to be closely related to production models. Subaru viewed rallying as the perfect way to show off its all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles so, after a trial with the Legacy midsize sedan, it launched the Impreza-based WRX with the goal of becoming more competitive. It worked: Subaru has won multiple rally championships and the WRX has endeared it to car enthusiasts.

Subaru didn't begin selling the WRX in the United States until the 2002 model year, but it's remained a fixture of the automaker's U.S. lineup every since, competing against other sporty compact cars like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, and other derivatives of those models.

The current, fourth-generation WRX was introduced for the 2022 model year, so there are no changes to report for 2023. The lineup includes base, Premium, Limited, and GT trim levels. For this review, we drove the WRX GT, which sits at the top of the range.

No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 241 hp I4

Engine

2.4L 271 hp H4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

241 hp @ 5000 rpm

Horsepower

271 hp @ 5600 rpm

MPG City

25

MPG City

19

MPG Highway

34

MPG Highway

26
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Subaru WRX
2023 Subaru WRX
$30,605MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI
$29,880MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Subaru WRX
$30,605MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$29,880
$30,605
Average price
$18,942
$24,218
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.6
4.8
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Powerful engine
  • Manual transmission available
  • Great handling
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Prices rise quickly
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Great handling
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Unintuitive technology
  • Poor value for money
  • Less cargo space than rivals
Summary
With its updated engine, revised suspension, and tech-forward interior, the latest iteration of Volkswagen’s legendary GTI looks ready to do battle with the Hyundai Veloster N as well as the upcoming Honda Civic Si and Subaru WRX. With regards to performance, the new GTI leaves almost nothing to be desired.

Subaru's image is centered around rugged station wagons, outdoor activities, and cute dogs, but the automaker also has a sporty side—exemplified by the 2023 Subaru WRX.

The WRX first appeared in the 1990s as a homologation special for the World Rally Championship (WRC), which at the time required cars to be closely related to production models. Subaru viewed rallying as the perfect way to show off its all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles so, after a trial with the Legacy midsize sedan, it launched the Impreza-based WRX with the goal of becoming more competitive. It worked: Subaru has won multiple rally championships and the WRX has endeared it to car enthusiasts.

Subaru didn't begin selling the WRX in the United States until the 2002 model year, but it's remained a fixture of the automaker's U.S. lineup every since, competing against other sporty compact cars like the Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, Volkswagen Golf GTI and Jetta GLI, and other derivatives of those models.

The current, fourth-generation WRX was introduced for the 2022 model year, so there are no changes to report for 2023. The lineup includes base, Premium, Limited, and GT trim levels. For this review, we drove the WRX GT, which sits at the top of the range.

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.0L 241 hp I4
2.4L 271 hp H4
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
241 hp @ 5000 rpm
271 hp @ 5600 rpm
MPG City
25
19
MPG Highway
34
26
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By: CarGurus + AI

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