The Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 might wear different badges on the bonnet, but they're more or less the same car underneath.
They use the same chassis and engines, and most oily or electrical bits behind the scenes are identical, too. This makes choosing between them a bit of a challenge because the differences can be quite tight.
We'll compare them here to help you pick the right posh hatchback for your parking spot. Whichever you choose, find out how much you could save by shopping used Volkswagen Golf or used Audi A3 cars from Motorpoint. Or read our full Volkswagen Golf review and Audi A3 review to find out what they're like to live with.
Volkswagen Golf vs Audi A3 compared
| Volkswagen Golf | Audi A3 |
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Cons:
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Sizes and dimensions
| Volkswagen Golf | Audi A3 Sportback | |
| Length | 4,284mm | 4,352mm |
| Width (inc. mirrors) | 1,789mm (2,073mm) | 1,816mm (1,984mm) |
| Height | 1,456mm | 1,441mm |
| Boot space | 381 litres | 380 litres |
Styling and design
Considering the similarities underneath, the Golf and A3 have gone in obviously separate styling directions. The Volkswagen hatch is simpler and more understated – most of the design lines that define its body shape are straight, compared to the more faceted Audi. Like most of the VW range, the front end has beady headlights that flow into lines either side of the Volkswagen badge. You can add a little more visual impact to your Golf by choosing either an R-Line version, or any sporty variant like the GTI or Golf R.
Of course, it's up to you to decide which car's style is nicer, but the A3 certainly has more of it going on. There are deep slashes, dramatic angles and crisp creases all over its bodywork, plus the familiar Audi 'face' with a gaping hexagonal grille and sharp, boomerang-shaped headlights. Many A3s come in S Line trim, which adds a sporty body kit and big alloy wheels, giving the car some extra stance. Entry-level Technik cars can look a little plain by comparison, especially in an understated colour.
Interior and practicality
Just like the outside, the Golf's interior is understated – it isn't chintzy like a Mercedes A-Class but neither is there much to get excited about. The dashboard is a fairly plain bar accompanied by a small panel of shortcut buttons. Above that is a large touchscreen infotainment system that controls most of the car's functions, with a separate screen behind the wheel for the driver. The A3 isn't exactly flashy but it feels more high-tech, with a glossy infotainment screen integrated into the dash and high-mounted cockpit-like vents flanking its driver's screen. Audi's also kept physical climate control buttons which are easier to use than the Golf's screen-based setup. Material quality is marginally better in the A3, but both use a little more piano black plastic than we'd like.
After delving into the infotainment systems on both cars, we've found the Audi's setup to be easier to use. Permanent shortcut buttons make swapping between functions simple, while the Golf sometimes needs you to go back to the home screen and then tap into the function you want. There's also less visual clutter in the Audi's menus, while the mess of different fonts and icons on the VW's system makes it harder to pick out relevant info. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both cars, however, so you can skip the built-in software and use your preferred entertainment and sat nav apps.
There's very little to split the two cars for practicality. Both will just about seat four tall adults, although rear passengers won't have much leftover space to stretch out like they would in a Volkswagen Passat or Audi A4. The Golf's 381-litre boot is just one litre up on the A3's – both are large enough for most jobs, but might be a little tight for bulky pushchairs. Evidently, the contest is down to the wire, but the Golf is around 7cm shorter than the A3, so it's making marginally better use of the space it takes up.
Engines and performance
Many engine choices are shared between these two cars so, once again, the differences are marginal. We quite like the entry-level 1.0-litre petrol unit – badged 30 TFSI in the Audi – as it feels stronger than its 110hp output suggests and is responsive around town. The 1.5-litre petrol – 35 TFSI in the A3 – comes with either 130 or 150hp but you'll only notice the extra power if you really mash the throttle. Diesel buyers will find the popular 2.0-litre TDI offered with a range of outputs – both cars get reasonably grunty 115hp and 150hp versions, while the Golf GTD gets a punchier 200hp unit.
You'll find a six-speed manual gearbox across most of the Golf and A3 range and it's an excellent transmission – light and direct with a satisfying mechanical action, plus an easy-to-use clutch. However, as good as the manual is, we'd still suggest choosing either car with the optional DSG automatic – called S Tronic in the A3 – because it's well tuned and shifts lightning fast, giving both cars quick responses when driving in stop-start traffic.
If you want to go fast in your family hatchback, these two have you covered, too. The Golf comes in many sporty flavours including the petrol-powered GTI, diesel GTD, plug-in-hybrid GTE and the four-wheel-drive Golf R – the top dog. Each blends impressive performance with everyday usability, which is why the Golf is one of the original hot hatches. As for sporty A3s, the S3 uses mostly the same setup as the Golf R with similar performance or there's the ultra-rare RS3, which gets a 2.5-litre turbo engine with 400hp and supercar-baiting acceleration.
Driving
From behind the wheel, these cars feel very similar. They've both gone for a setup that prioritises composure and stability over out-and-out sportiness which, in the real world, makes them easy and relaxing to drive. Driven back-to-back, the Golf is a fraction softer – aided by the fact most models across the range have smaller alloy wheels than their A3 counterparts. The VW's agility is still impressive, even if the car doesn't have an overly sporty setup – your passengers will complain about hard cornering long before the chassis does.
Most of the adjectives that describe the Golf's driving experience also apply to the A3 – it, too, is composed, stable and generally easy to drive. Its controls are light and accurate, making them intuitive for everyday use, although keen drivers may find the overall sensation a little numb – cars like the BMW 1 Series feel more obviously sporty. Driven directly after the Golf, you'll spot the Audi is just a touch firmer and sends a few more high-frequency vibrations into the cabin over rough surfaces, although it is a fraction more keen to turn in.
Value and reliability
Traditional thinking suggests Audi is the more premium brand, so you can expect to pay more for an A3 than a like-for-like Golf. While this is broadly true, the price difference between the two cars might be less than you'd expect.
As brand-new cars, you can expect to pay somewhere between £1,000-£3,000 more for an A3 than a comparable Golf. However, as these cars move onto the used market, that price difference starts to shrink, with the gap being particularly narrow in the one-to-four-year range. Savvy shoppers might even find they can score an A3 for less than a comparable Golf – especially on PCP finance where the Audi's strong residuals mean monthly costs may be the same or less than the VW's.
Neither VW or Audi tend to top reliability surveys but, by the same token, they don't usually come bottom-table either. This position is often a reflection of the many extra features premium cars have, which mean more potential failure points. Keeping up with scheduled maintenance is the easiest way to ensure a long service life, and you can always add an extended warranty to protect you from the cost of unexpected mechanical or electrical failures.
Volkswagen Golf vs Audi A3 video review
Which is best?
These are two of the most accomplished family hatches on the market, with neither emerging as a clear front runner in this comparison. The Golf is a fraction softer, a hair shorter and a touch more affordable as a brand-new car, but all these differences are so close that swapping over to the more premium-feeling A3 is hardly an extravagance. If you're buying on the used market, the price gap is even tighter, so it's definitely worth keeping both cars on your shortlist.
Buyers looking for a hot hatch will find a little more choice in the Golf's lineup. There are traditional front-wheel-drive hot hatches like the GTI and GTD, plus the sporty plug-in-hybrid GTE. However, fast-Audi fans are already well served by the S3 and can claim the ultimate bragging rights with the blisteringly quick RS3, although it's much rarer and more expensive than anything other model in either car's lineup.
Shop a huge selection of used cars from Motorpoint. For more tempting options, check out the best hot hatches on sale.
