Compare the2022 Volkswagen Golf RVS 2021 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Golf R have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Subaru WRX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Golf R has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The WRX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Golf R has a standard blind spot warning system, which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the WRX’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Golf R has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the WRX Limited offers a rear cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

Both the Golf R and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Golf R its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The WRX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

Warranty

The Golf R comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Golf R’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the WRX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Golf R for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Golf R’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the WRX’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Golf R’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the WRX’s camshafts. If the WRX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Subaru.

Engine

The Golf R Manual’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (315 vs. 268) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the WRX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Golf R Manual’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (315 vs. 310) than the WRX STI’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Golf R DSG’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (315 vs. 310) and 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 290) than the WRX STI’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Golf R DSG is faster than the Subaru WRX 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Golf R	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	3.9 sec	5.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10 sec	14.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.2 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.5 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	111 MPH	99 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Golf R gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
Golf R
AWD	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/28 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
WRX
AWD	Manual	2.0 turbo flat-4	20 city/27 hwy
		2.5 turbo flat-4	16 city/22 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo flat-4	18 city/24 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Golf R Automatic’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The WRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Golf R uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The WRX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Golf R higher (5 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (1). This means the Golf R produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Golf R offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The WRX doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Golf R Automatic’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Golf R’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	Golf R	WRX	WRX STI
Front Rotors	14.1 inches	12.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11.3 inches	12.8 inches

The Golf R’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the WRX are solid, not vented.

The Golf R stops shorter than the WRX:

	Golf R	WRX
70 to 0 MPH	151 feet	160 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	107 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Golf R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Golf R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX.

Suspension and Handling

The Golf R has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The WRX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Golf R handles at .99 G’s, while the WRX STI Limited pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Golf R executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the WRX (24.9 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s).

Chassis

The Golf R is 12 inches shorter than the WRX, making the Golf R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Golf R is quieter than the WRX STI:

	Golf R	WRX
At idle	45 dB	54 dB
Full-Throttle	76 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	72 dB	75 dB

Passenger Space

The Golf R has 1.3 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear headroom than the WRX.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Golf R, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Golf R’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The WRX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Golf R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Golf R has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Golf R’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Golf R and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Golf R is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Golf R’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The WRX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Golf R’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The WRX’s power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Golf R’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The WRX’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Golf R to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The WRX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Golf R has a standard rear wiper. The WRX doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Golf R has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The WRX has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Premium/STI/Limited.

When the Golf R is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The WRX’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Golf R’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The WRX offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Golf R has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/STI. The Golf R also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the WRX.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Golf R keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The WRX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Golf R’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Golf R has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the WRX STI.

Both the Golf R and the WRX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Golf R has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The WRX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Golf R has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Golf R’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The WRX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Golf R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 15 of the last 16 years. The WRX hasn’t been picked since 2003.

Motor Trend selected the Golf R as their 2015 Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Subaru WRX by 22% during 2020.