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Audi A3: Audi S3 vs Golf R

There is no doubt the Audi S3 and the Golf R are tight competitors, but which one is right for you?

By Jeffrey Bausch - March 23, 2016

This article applies to the Audi S3 and Golf R.

Both the Audi S3 and the Golf R are attractive cars, which makes choosing between them a hard choice.

audi a3 s3 rs3 mkvi mkvii golf r
Figure 1. MKVII Golf R vs. Audi S3.

We gathered all the specs, facts, prices, as well as pros and cons for you in this guide. This article will help you get closer to your decision. Whether you're concerned about money, reliability, options, or long-term value, this article will assist you in making the right decision for you and your needs. Read on for a comparison between the Audi S3 and the Golf R.

Style

Both the Audi S3 and Golf R are available in a range of bold colors, so they’re sure to stand out on the road, no matter the model you go with. Both cars look aggressive, too, what with wider wheel arches than other comparable models and the fact that both models feature four exhaust pipes which, to some, is a bit excessive for 2.0-liter-engined cars.

audi a3 s3 rs3 milano misano red
Figure 2. S3 in Misano Red.

Getting down to brass tacks, the Audi S3 is cited as having a smoother, saloon body styling to it, which, when compared side by side to the Golf R, makes the latter a bit dull looking. This one is a matter of personal preference, do you want the hatchback or the sedan?

Practicality

In terms of interior design, both the S3 and R have first-class cabins, so rather than get into the granular differences between the two, we’ll look at the sport extras featured in both cars.

The S3 has heavily-bolstered front seats that are upholstered in quilted leather. The Golf R, on the other hand, has supportive seats with some new trims, but all in all, they’re not that different from what’s featured in the GTI.

audi a3 a3 rs3 interior cabin
Figure 3. S3 cabin.

Worth pointing out about the R is the amount of room within it, which is to say, the hatchback shape offers much more room than the S3's sedan body. There’s also more creature comforts a standard equipment in the R, with the highlight being an eight-inch, touch-screen sat/nav system. The Audi does require some amount of optioning up to get all of the toys.

Driving

Both cars serve dual purpose—they’re reliable vehicles for every day driving purposes, but they can also serve for some fun when faced with an open road, the driver can really open it up and enjoy the exceptional handling both vehicles have to offer.

The Golf R’s all-wheel drive system provides excellent levels of grip, and can send power to the back wheels if the system detects the front’s losing grip.

golf r vs. audi s3 a3 rs3
Figure 4. Some prefer the Golf R's dynamics to the S3.

The S3 of course, has Audi's signature Quattro all wheel drive, which is almost identical the to Golf R's haldex AWD system. However, the S3 cannot compare to the Golf R in terms of steering feel and response. Yes it does feature the same kind of speed and grip, but vague steering features provide little feedback; as such, the driver loses out on the driving experience overall.

Engines

Both the S3 and Golf R have 2.0-liter turbocharged engines that produce just shy of 300hp. In terms of performance, they provide a nice balance between economy and pure power—you can tear the road up and enjoy almost 30 miles to the gallon.

golf r audi S3 avant 2.0t engine
Figure 5. 2.0t engine.

This is the same 2.0t engine found in the A3 and GTI, but with a larger turbocharger, and a better state of tune. While the standard 2.0t engine in the base models provides excellent intial torque, the top end power falls off considerably as the small turbocharger runs out of the steam. By upgrading to the larger K04 turbocharger, you run the S3/Golf R's engine all the way to the redline and keep making power. This gives you greater flexibility in terms of where the engine is making usable power, and it's more fun running all the way to the redline.

Value

The base Golf R will cost you about $35,000, while the S3 is approximately $40,000, which puts them in the upper tier for this type of vehicle. What’s more, the add-ons for these cars will quickly bump the price of the vehicle north of $50,000, which can be a tough pill to swallow when compared to other brands of similar vehicle. The S3's price premium means that more often than not, an off the lot model will cost more than a comparable Golf R.

golf r audi S3 avant
Figure 6. Golf R, and Euro-only S3 Avant.

The long-term value of these cars is average—how they’re driven during initial ownership will ultimately determine trade-in value of the car itself.

Ultimately, whether the S3 or Golf R is worth the extra money comes down to personal needs and tastes, but at the end of the day, both cars are high-class sports vehicles worth consideration.

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