Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf: 8Y against Mk8
Updated Report an error By Oleksandr Hnatiuk
Audi · 2020–present
A3 8Y
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.4 s
- Top speed
- 224 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,355 kg
Volkswagen · 2019–present
Golf Mk8
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.5 s
- Top speed
- 224 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,331 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: A3 8Y 0 Golf Mk8 3
- Family Too close to call Boot: 380 l vs 381 l
- City Golf Mk8 Consumption: 5.5 l/100 km vs 5.8 l/100 km
- Long trips Golf Mk8 Range: 909 km vs 862 km (estimated)
- Performance Too close to call Power per tonne: 81 kW/t vs 83 kW/t
- Running costs Golf Mk8 Fuel per year: €1,440 vs €1,520 (estimated)
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Hatchback vs Front-wheel drive · Hatchback
Verdict Opinion
For most buyers the Golf is the logical choice. It has the same engine and wheelbase as the A3 in the core versions, more power steps, an estate body, a plug-in hybrid with a 19.7 kWh battery and three performance models in the GTI, GTI Clubsport and R. Its 2025 Euro NCAP scores were higher in three of the four areas.
The A3 makes sense for buyers who want what the Golf does not offer: a saloon, the allstreet crossover look, the Audi interior and brand, or the RS 3. With 294 kW and a compact-class Nordschleife record, the RS 3 is in a different league from the Golf R.
— Oleksandr Hnatiuk
The Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf are built from the same parts bin, which makes the comparison a question of what the premium badge buys. Both use the Volkswagen Group's MQB Evo platform, shared with the Škoda Octavia and SEAT Leon. The eighth-generation Golf was revealed in Wolfsburg on 24 October 2019 and updated as the Golf 8.5 in January 2024. The fourth-generation A3 (8Y) followed as a Sportback on 3 March 2020 and as a saloon on 21 April 2020; its facelift was revealed on 12 March 2024. All A3s are built in Ingolstadt and most Golfs in Wolfsburg.
In short: in their core versions the two have the same 1.5-litre engine and the same wheelbase. The A3 adds a saloon, the raised allstreet and the 294 kW RS 3; the Golf offers an estate, a wider engine choice and the GTI. Both are in our catalogue: Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf.
Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Golf: engines, bodies and safety
The same core engines
The A3 35 TFSI and the Golf 1.5 TSI both have 110 kW (150 PS) and 250 Nm. With the seven-speed DSG, the 1.5 becomes a mild hybrid, badged eTSI at Volkswagen. Below it, the Golf offers a 1.0 TSI or eTSI with 81 kW (110 PS) and, since the 8.5 update, a 1.5 TSI with 85 kW (115 PS). The A3 starts with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder of 110 PS. Both offer a 2.0 TDI diesel: the Golf with 85 or 110 kW (115 or 150 PS) and 300 or 360 Nm, the A3 with 116 or 150 PS.
Plug-in hybrids
The Golf eHybrid had 150 kW (204 PS) and the GTE 180 kW (245 PS). With the 8.5 update both moved to a 1.5-litre TSI and a 19.7 kWh battery. Audi sells the A3 as the 40 TFSI e and 45 TFSI e, which reach 100 km/h in 7.4 and 6.3 seconds.
Performance versions
The Golf GTI started with 180 kW (245 PS) and 370 Nm and rose to 195 kW (265 PS) in the 8.5. The GTI Clubsport has 221 kW (300 PS) and 400 Nm, and the Golf R 235 kW (320 PS) with up to 420 Nm. The A3's S3 has a 2.0-litre turbo with 400 Nm and an automatic gearbox only. The RS 3 has 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and, with the RS Dynamic package, 290 km/h. A facelifted RS 3 driven by Frank Stippler lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:33.123, a compact-class record.
- A3 35 TFSI / Golf 1.5 TSI: 110 kW, 250 Nm
- Golf GTI (8.5): 195 kW (265 PS)
- Golf R: 235 kW (320 PS)
- A3 RS 3: 294 kW (400 PS), 500 Nm, 3.8 s
Size, bodies and boot
Both share a 2,636 mm wheelbase. The Golf hatchback is 4,284 mm long, 1,789 mm wide and 1,456 mm tall; the Golf estate is 4,633 mm long. The A3 saloon measures 4,495 mm and the whole 8Y is about 3 cm longer and wider than its predecessor. The A3's boot holds 380 litres with the seats up and 1,200 litres folded, or 320 litres with quattro. Only the A3 is offered as a saloon and as the raised allstreet; only the Golf as an estate.
Euro NCAP
Both were retested in 2025 and both have five stars. The A3 35 TFSI scored 86% for adult occupants, 81% for children, 76% for vulnerable road users and 74% for safety assist. The Golf 1.5 scored 80%, 86%, 85% and 79%. In their first tests the Golf (2019) scored 95% for adults and the A3 (2020) 89%.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | A3 8Y | Golf Mk8 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 530 | B · 532 |
| Power | 44 | 44 |
| Grip | 39 | 40 |
| Handling | 71 | 71 |
| Top speed | 48 | 48 |
| Launch | 40 | 40 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time — the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 A3 8YA3 8Y · Sportback 35 TFSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) 16.09 sat 139 km/h
- 2 Golf Mk8Golf Mk8 · 1.5 TSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) 16.12 sat 137 km/h · +0.03 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| A3 8Y | Golf Mk8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,343 mm171.0 in † | 4,284 mm168.7 in −59 mm −2.3 in −1.4% |
| Width | 1,816 mm71.5 in † | 1,789 mm70.4 in −27 mm −1.1 in −1.5% |
| Height | 1,449 mm57.0 in † | 1,456 mm57.3 in +7 mm +0.3 in +0.5% |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm103.8 in | 2,636 mm103.8 in |
| Kerb weight | 1,355 kg2,987 lb | 1,331 kg2,934 lb −24 kg −53 lb −1.8% |
| Boot | 380 l13.4 cu ft | 381 l13.5 cu ft +1 l +0.04 cu ft +0.3% |
| Fuel tank | 50 l13.2 gal US | 50 l13.2 gal US |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Yes |
Difference vs A3 8Y (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Audi A3 | Volkswagen Golf | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | A3 8Y · Sportback 35 TFSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) | Golf Mk8 · 1.5 TSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) |
| Production years | 2020–present | 2019–present |
| Body | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Country | Germany | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp | 110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp |
| Power, all versions | 85–110 kW (116–150 PS) 114–148 hp | 37–235 kW (50–320 PS) 50–315 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 250 Nm 184 lb-ft | 250 Nm 184 lb-ft |
| 0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads. | 8.4 s | 8.5 s |
| Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it. | 224 km/h 139 mph | 224 km/h 139 mph |
| Power per tonne | 81 kW/t 99 hp/ton calculated | 83 kW/t 100 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | No data | 1,500 cc 1.5 l |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,343 mm 171.0 in † | 4,284 mm 168.7 in |
| Width | 1,816 mm 71.5 in † | 1,789 mm 70.4 in |
| Height | 1,449 mm 57.0 in † | 1,456 mm 57.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm 103.8 in | 2,636 mm 103.8 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,355 kg 2,987 lb | 1,331 kg 2,934 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 380 l 13.4 cu ft | 381 l 13.5 cu ft |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 50 l 13.2 gal US | 50 l 13.2 gal US |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.8 l/100 km 40.6 mpg US | 5.5 l/100 km 42.8 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 132 g/km | 125 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,520/year estimated | €1,440/year estimated Better |
| Range on a full tank | 862 km 536 mi estimated | 909 km 565 mi estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2025) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (10): Body, Country, Power, Torque, Top speed, Fuel, Drive, Wheelbase, Fuel tank, Euro NCAP.
Better marks the stronger figure — only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Audi A3 is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 8.4 s against 8.5 s for Volkswagen Golf. Audi A3 is 59 mm longer than Volkswagen Golf (4,343 mm vs 4,284 mm). Volkswagen Golf is lighter by 24 kg (1,331 kg vs 1,355 kg). Volkswagen Golf has the bigger boot: 381 l against 380 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,520 (Audi A3), €1,440 (Volkswagen Golf) (estimated). Volkswagen Golf is the older design (from 1974); Audi A3 arrived in 1996. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Golf is the pick for city, long trips and running costs.
Which one to choose
Choose the Audi A3 if you want a compact premium saloon, the raised allstreet or the RS 3.
Choose the Volkswagen Golf if you want the widest choice of engines, an estate body or a GTI.
The A3 also meets the Mercedes A-Class in Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and the Golf meets its Škoda cousin in Skoda Octavia vs Volkswagen Golf.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Audi A3 and the VW Golf the same car?
They share the MQB Evo platform, the 2,636 mm wheelbase and the core 1.5-litre engine with 110 kW. Bodies, interiors and the performance models differ.
Which has the bigger boot?
The A3 Sportback holds 380 litres with the seats up and 1,200 litres folded, or 320 litres with quattro. The sources used here give no boot figure for the Golf; its estate version is 4,633 mm long.
Is the RS 3 faster than the Golf R?
Yes. The RS 3 has 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The Golf R has 235 kW (320 PS).
Is there a saloon Golf or an estate A3?
No. The A3 comes as a Sportback, a saloon and the allstreet; the Golf as a hatchback and an estate.
Which is safer according to Euro NCAP?
Both have five stars. In the 2025 retests the A3 scored 86% for adult occupants and the Golf 80%, but the Golf scored higher for children, vulnerable road users and safety assist.