Audi S3 vs Volkswagen Golf R
Overview | |
Years produced2015-2020 | Years produced2012-2013 |
MSRP$45,800 | MSRP$47,100 |
Listings469 | Listings776 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Reviews SummaryThe all-new 2022 Audi S3 sedan finds a balance between the comparably restrained A3 and over-the-top RS 3, delivering an optimal blend of performance, comfort, luxury, and technology. Despite its entry-level positioning, it exceeds expectations and makes for a smart purchase for spirited drivers, so long as they keep an eye on options. | |
Reviews SummaryThe 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the hotter of VW’s two hot hatchbacks, boasting more power than its Golf GTI platform mate, plus a standard all-wheel-drive system (AWD), known as 4Motion, and a commensurately higher base price that puts it in the same competitive set as the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla. The current-generation Golf R was launched as a 2022 model but gains a handful of small updates for 2025, including a new touchscreen infotainment system and two new styling packages. Verdict: It’s hard to fault the Golf R’s performance capabilities and everyday usability, but the same can be said of its GTI sibling. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 306 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 328 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainAWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower306 hp @ 5400 rpm | Horsepower328 hp @ 5850 rpm |
MPG City23 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway31 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 306 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 328 hp I4 |
Torque295 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm | Torque295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower306 hp @ 5400 rpm | Horsepower328 hp @ 5850 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainAWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City23 | MPG City22 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway31 |
Interior | |
Leather SeatsStandard | Leather SeatsOptional |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation System | Navigation SystemOptional |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/MoonroofOptional |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space8.3 cu ft | Cargo Space19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3538 lbs | Curb Weight3450 lbs |
Height55.7 in | Height57.8 in |
Length177.3 in | Length169.1 in |
Width78.1 in | Width81.6 in |
Wheelbase103.6 in | Wheelbase103.5 in |
Maximum Payload860 lbs | Maximum Payload959 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
Years produced | 2015-2020 | 2012-2013 |
MSRP | $45,800 | $47,100 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | The all-new 2022 Audi S3 sedan finds a balance between the comparably restrained A3 and over-the-top RS 3, delivering an optimal blend of performance, comfort, luxury, and technology. Despite its entry-level positioning, it exceeds expectations and makes for a smart purchase for spirited drivers, so long as they keep an eye on options. | The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the hotter of VW’s two hot hatchbacks, boasting more power than its Golf GTI platform mate, plus a standard all-wheel-drive system (AWD), known as 4Motion, and a commensurately higher base price that puts it in the same competitive set as the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla. The current-generation Golf R was launched as a 2022 model but gains a handful of small updates for 2025, including a new touchscreen infotainment system and two new styling packages. Verdict: It’s hard to fault the Golf R’s performance capabilities and everyday usability, but the same can be said of its GTI sibling. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 306 hp I4 | 2.0L 328 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | AWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 306 hp @ 5400 rpm | 328 hp @ 5850 rpm |
MPG City | 23 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 31 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 306 hp I4 | 2.0L 328 hp I4 |
Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower | 306 hp @ 5400 rpm | 328 hp @ 5850 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 23 | 22 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 31 |
Interior | ||
Leather Seats | Standard | Optional |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Optional | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | Optional |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 8.3 cu ft | 19.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3538 lbs | 3450 lbs |
Height | 55.7 in | 57.8 in |
Length | 177.3 in | 169.1 in |
Width | 78.1 in | 81.6 in |
Wheelbase | 103.6 in | 103.5 in |
Maximum Payload | 860 lbs | 959 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |

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