Volkswagen Golf R vs Subaru WRX STI
Overview | |
MSRP$44,090 | MSRP$37,245 |
Average price$30,798 | Average price$30,460 |
Listings603 | Listings857 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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Reviews SummaryVolkswagen may have discontinued the standard Golf in the United States but the Germans let us keep its performance variants. The rally-inspired Golf R returns for the 2022 model year after a short hiatus, alongside a redesigned Golf GTI. The all-new, eighth-generation Golf R brings high-end performance and premium amenities without being snobby about it. | |
Reviews SummaryA performance sedan is an ideal blend of fun and functionality. It’s similar to hot hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, or Hyundai Veloster N. They offer performance and practicality, and do it at a relatively affordable price. But there’s not just one tier of performance. Like selecting fuel at the pump, there are levels. And for every level you go up in performance, it becomes more of a commitment. Such is the way of the 2021 Subaru WRX STI, a performance sedan that will put a smile on your face, but it’s also a bit of a lifestyle choice. The WRX STI was last redesigned for the 2015 model year, and though it received some infotainment updates for the 2019 model year, it is a somewhat dated car. It's still based on the previous-generation Subaru Impreza platform, in fact. Automakers tend to let their performance offerings linger a bit longer before a redesign, however. And just as the Golf R is to the VW GTI or the Type R is to the Civic Si, the STI is a level up from the Subaru WRX. So does the STI offer enough performance to warranty selecting it over the standard WRX, or other sporty compacts for that matter? Read on to find out. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 315 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 310 hp H4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower315 hp @ 5900 rpm | Horsepower310 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City16 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway22 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 315 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 310 hp H4 |
Torque280 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm | Torque290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower315 hp @ 5900 rpm | Horsepower310 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City16 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway22 |
Interior | |
Leather SeatsOptional | Leather Seats |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemOptional | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofOptional | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space19.9 cu ft | Cargo Space12.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight3481 lbs | Curb Weight3450 lbs |
Height57.7 in | Height58.1 in |
Length168.9 in | Length180.9 in |
Width70.4 in | Width79.5 in |
Wheelbase103.5 in | Wheelbase104.3 in |
Maximum Payload915 lbs | Maximum Payload959 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $44,090 | $37,245 |
Average price | $30,798 | $30,460 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.7 | 4.7 |
Expert reviews | 8.2 out of 10Read full review | 6.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Volkswagen may have discontinued the standard Golf in the United States but the Germans let us keep its performance variants. The rally-inspired Golf R returns for the 2022 model year after a short hiatus, alongside a redesigned Golf GTI. The all-new, eighth-generation Golf R brings high-end performance and premium amenities without being snobby about it. | A performance sedan is an ideal blend of fun and functionality. It’s similar to hot hatchbacks, like the Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf R, or Hyundai Veloster N. They offer performance and practicality, and do it at a relatively affordable price. But there’s not just one tier of performance. Like selecting fuel at the pump, there are levels. And for every level you go up in performance, it becomes more of a commitment. Such is the way of the 2021 Subaru WRX STI, a performance sedan that will put a smile on your face, but it’s also a bit of a lifestyle choice. The WRX STI was last redesigned for the 2015 model year, and though it received some infotainment updates for the 2019 model year, it is a somewhat dated car. It's still based on the previous-generation Subaru Impreza platform, in fact. Automakers tend to let their performance offerings linger a bit longer before a redesign, however. And just as the Golf R is to the VW GTI or the Type R is to the Civic Si, the STI is a level up from the Subaru WRX. So does the STI offer enough performance to warranty selecting it over the standard WRX, or other sporty compacts for that matter? Read on to find out. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 315 hp I4 | 2.5L 310 hp H4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5900 rpm | 310 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 16 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 22 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 315 hp I4 | 2.5L 310 hp H4 |
Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm | 290 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5900 rpm | 310 hp @ 6000 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 16 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 22 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Optional | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Optional | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Optional | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 19.9 cu ft | 12.0 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3481 lbs | 3450 lbs |
Height | 57.7 in | 58.1 in |
Length | 168.9 in | 180.9 in |
Width | 70.4 in | 79.5 in |
Wheelbase | 103.5 in | 104.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 915 lbs | 959 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.