Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Audi S3

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI’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 GTI 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, 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.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the GTI 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 GTI’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the GTI has a standard 680-amp battery. The S3’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 9 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.

On the EPA test cycle the GTI 7-speed SMG gets better fuel mileage than the S3 (24 city/34 hwy vs. 23 city/32 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The S3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The GTI 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.

For better maneuverability, the GTI’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the S3’s (35.8 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

The Volkswagen GTI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Audi S3.

The GTI is 8.5 inches shorter than the S3, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

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

The GTI 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.

The GTI (except S)’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 GTI’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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The S3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The GTI’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 GTI and the S3 have standard heated front seats. The GTI Autobahn also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the S3.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the GTI (except S) 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 GTI’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 GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the S3.

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

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

The GTI 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 358 units during the 2022 model year.