Compare the2023 Chevrolet CamaroVS 2023 Volkswagen Golf R

The Chevrolet Camaro has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Golf R doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Camaro and the Golf R have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Camaro 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Golf R. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Golf R ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Camaro’s warranty.

The battery on the Camaro is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Camaro’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Golf R’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 83 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 7 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Camaro has more powerful engines than the Golf R:

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Camaro is faster than the Golf R Manual (manual transmissions tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the Camaro ZL1 6.2 supercharged V8 is faster than the Golf R DSG (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Camaro V6/V8 Auto’s fuel efficiency. The Golf R doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Camaro has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Golf R (19 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Camaro has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Golf R doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Chevrolet Camaro, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Golf R.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the Camaro offers an optional up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Golf R doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Chevrolet Camaro V8 manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the car from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The Golf R doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

For better stopping power the Camaro ZL1’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Golf R:

The Camaro stops much shorter than the Golf R:

For better traction, the Camaro has larger standard tires than the Golf R (245/50R18 vs. 235/35R19). The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Golf R (F:305/30R19 & R:325/30R19 vs. 235/35R19).

The Camaro SS 1LE/ZL1’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Golf R’s 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Camaro SS has standard 20-inch wheels. The Golf R’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Camaro has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Golf R doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Camaro can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Golf R doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Camaro’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the Golf R (110.7 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Camaro is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Golf R.

The Camaro ZL1 1LE Coupe handles at 1.18 G’s, while the Golf R pulls only .99 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Camaro SS Convertible handles at .98 G’s, while the Golf R pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Camaro’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The Camaro ZL1’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Golf R’s (38.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Camaro Coupe has 2.7 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more front hip room than the Golf R.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Camaro. The Golf R doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Camaro is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Golf R. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Camaro Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Golf R doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Chevrolet Camaro comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Volkswagen Golf R isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

Motor Trend selected the Camaro as their 2016 Car of the Year. The Golf R was Car of the Year in 2015.

The Chevrolet Camaro outsold the Volkswagen Golf/GTI by 71% during the 2021 model year.