Audi A5 Sportback vs Volkswagen Golf R
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Golf R
Overview
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Premium S line | Golf R Hatchback |
| Body style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 7-speed automated manual |
| Engine type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $48,400 (best) | $49,455 |
| Lowest listing price | $21,194 (best) | $32,999 |
| Median listing price | $27,999 (best) | $42,595 |
| Highest listing price | $37,423 (best) | $47,995 |
| For sale now | 11 (best) | 7 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 26 MPG (best) | 25 MPG |
| City MPG | 23 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 32 MPG (best) | 31 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 15.3 gal (best) | 14.5 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 261 hp | 328 hp (best) |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 21.8 cu ft | 34.5 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | 1,058 lbs (best) | 948 lbs |
| Curb weight | 3,770 lbs | 3,461 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 4.8 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 111.2 in (best) | 103.5 in |
| Length | 187.2 in (best) | 169.1 in |
| Width | 72.6 in (best) | 70.4 in |
| Height | 54.6 in | 57.8 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Audi A5 SportbackPremium S line | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Audi A5 Sportback | Volkswagen Golf R |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premium S line $48,400 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Golf R Hatchback $49,455 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $49,700 MSRP | — |
| 3 | Premium Plus $53,300 MSRP | — |
| 4 | Premium Plus S line $54,200 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Audi A5 Sportback11 for sale
See all
Used2021 Audi A5 Sportback
S line Premium Plus
Black Metallic•Black91,027 mi$23,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2023 Audi A5 Sportback
S line Premium Plus
Gray Metallic•Black32,643 mi$37,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2021 Audi A5 Sportback
45 S line Premium
White•Black85,604 mi$21,194Land Rover Reno
Reno, NV
Used2023 Audi A5 Sportback
45 S line Premium Plus
Black Metallic•black53,450 mi$27,999Porsche Conshohocken
Conshohocken, PA
Used2024 Audi A5 Sportback
45 S line Premium Plus
White•Black54,959 mi$26,315Wischnewsky CDJR of Baytown
Baytown, TX
Used2023 Audi A5 Sportback
45 S line Premium Plus
Gray Metallic•Black59,346 mi$30,386Ben Mynatt Chevrolet
Concord, NC
Volkswagen Golf R7 for sale
See all
Used2023 Volkswagen Golf R
20th Anniversary Edition
Pure White•Titan Blk w/Blue Accents17 mi$47,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Certified2026 Volkswagen Golf R
None
White•Blu &Soul Blk W/Diamond P8,638 mi$47,995Volkswagen of Gainesville
Gainesville, FL
Used2022 Volkswagen Golf R
2.0T
Blue•Titan Black51,264 mi$32,999J&S AutoHaus Mt Holly
Mt Holly, NJ
Used2023 Volkswagen Golf R
20th Anniversary Edition
Black•Titan Blk w/Blue Accents37,680 mi$38,528Honda of Sarasota
Sarasota, FL
Used2024 Volkswagen Golf R
2.0T
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black71,226 mi$35,843Crown Motors - MI
Holland, MI
Used2024 Volkswagen Golf R
SUN
Lapiz Blue Metallic•Titan Black w/Blue Accents19,530 mi$42,798INFINITI Charlotte
Matthews, NC
Audi A5 Sportback vs Volkswagen Golf R FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Audi A5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Audi A5 Sportback vs 2026 Volkswagen Golf R on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Audi A5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2025 Audi A5 Sportback starts lower at $48,400. Live Audi A5 Sportback listings start at $21,194. Live Volkswagen Golf R listings start at $32,999.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Audi A5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2025 Audi A5 Sportback leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (48,400).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Audi A5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2025 Audi A5 Sportback leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (26).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Audi A5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Golf R leads on horsepower in this comparison (328).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Audi A5 Sportback vs 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Audi A5 Sportback (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Golf R (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).