Compare the2022 Volkswagen Golf RVS 2022 Audi S3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Golf R has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 S3’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. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S3.

The Golf R’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Golf R and the S3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems 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 S3 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S3.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Golf R’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

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 Audi With 15 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

Engine

The Golf R Manual’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (315 vs. 306) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Golf R DSG’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (315 vs. 306) than the S3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Golf R has larger tires than the S3 (235/35R19 vs. 225/40R18).

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 S3’s standard 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Golf R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S3.

The Golf R has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the S3; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Chassis

The Golf R is 8.4 inches shorter than the S3, making the Golf R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Golf R a Compact car, while the S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The Golf R has 5.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (91.9 vs. 86).

The Golf R has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the S3.

Ergonomics

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 S3 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 S3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 S3 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 S3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Golf R has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S3 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Golf R also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Golf R’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The S3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Both the Golf R and the S3 have standard heated front seats. 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 S3.

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 S3 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 S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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. Only the S3 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

Recommendations

The Golf R was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 15 of the last 16 years. The S3 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Golf R as their 2015 Car of the Year. The S3 has never been chosen.

The Golf R was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The S3 has never been an “All Star.”

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.