Subaru WRX vs Volkswagen Golf R
Verdict
The Golf R is 18% more powerful, the WRX has a 17% bigger boot, while the WRX is about 16% cheaper. Weigh that against the equipment each side gives you in the table below.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 286,245✓ | RM 338,812 |
| Body type | Sedan | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,387 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 271 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 375 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Flat 4 | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 94 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed manual | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Subaru | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 4.6 seconds |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,669 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,826 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,468 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,672 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Weight | 1,510 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 63 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 4 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 411 litres✓ | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/40R18 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600A | Continental MaxContact MC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloys | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated and Cross Drilled Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Disc | Ventilated Discs |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | 4Motion AWD with Torque Vectoring |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Front, side, curtain, driver's knee airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 split folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 3 Front USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 11.6" HD Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Entry | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | — | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Handbrake | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 767 | RM 372✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.