Audi S5 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 S5 SportbackPremium | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Premium | Golf R Hatchback |
| Body style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 7-speed automated manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Audi S5 SportbackPremium | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $57,900 | $49,455 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $24,423 (best) | $32,999 |
| Median listing price | $44,969 | $42,595 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $54,423 | $47,995 (best) |
| For sale now | 4 | 7 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Audi S5 SportbackPremium | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG | 25 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 22 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG | 31 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.3 gal (best) | 14.5 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Audi S5 SportbackPremium | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 349 hp (best) | 328 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft (best) | 295 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 3 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Audi S5 SportbackPremium | 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 | 3,924 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 S5 SportbackPremium | Volkswagen Golf RGolf R Hatchback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | — | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | Not Rated |
| Side pole | — | 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 S5 Sportback | Volkswagen Golf R |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premium $57,900 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Golf R Hatchback $49,455 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $62,700 MSRP | — |
| 3 | Premium Plus $61,800 MSRP | — |
| 4 | Premium Plus $66,500 MSRP | — |
| 5 | Prestige $64,500 MSRP | — |
| 6 | Prestige $70,250 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Audi S5 Sportback4 for sale
See all
Used2023 Audi S5 Sportback
Premium Plus
Audi Exclusive Nardo Gray•Rotor Gray22,072 mi$54,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2019 Audi S5 Sportback
Premium Plus
Glacier White•Magma Red32,665 mi$36,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2018 Audi S5 Sportback
Premium Plus
Ibis White•Magma Red79,309 mi$24,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Audi S5 Sportback
Premium Plus
Gray•black5,799 mi$53,515BMW of Tampa
Tampa, FL
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 S5 Sportback vs Volkswagen Golf R FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Audi S5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Audi S5 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 S5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R starts lower at $49,455. Live Audi S5 Sportback listings start at $24,423. Live Volkswagen Golf R listings start at $32,999.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Audi S5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Golf R leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (49,455).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Audi S5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Golf R leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (25).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Audi S5 Sportback or 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback leads on horsepower in this comparison (362).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Audi S5 Sportback vs 2026 Volkswagen Golf R?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Golf R (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).