MPG (HWY/CITY) |
||
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
37/25
|
2016 AUDI A3
33/23
|
|
CARGO VOLUME (CU. FT.) | ||
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
22.8
|
2016 AUDI A3
12.3
|
|
FRONT HEADROOM (IN.) | ||
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
38.4
|
2016 AUDI A3
36.5
|
|
12V POWER OUTLETS | ||
2016 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Two
|
2016 AUDI A3
One
|
A compact must get excellent gas mileage, provide enough room for at least five adults, and have enough luxury touches to make every ride a pleasure. Two competitors worthy of consideration are the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, available only as a hatchback, and the 2016 Audi A3, offered only as a sedan. Looking at their features side by side helps to define the best car for your needs.
Both vehicles rely on 1.8-liter engines that generate 170 horsepower, which is more than enough to handle urban maneuvers. But when you want to go the distance, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf pushes fuel economy to an EPA-estimated 37 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG in the city, compared to the 33 highway MPG and 23 city MPG of the Audi A3. Available transmissions on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf include a five-speed manual and a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic® and Sport mode.
While the Audi A3 can carry up to 12.3 cu. ft. in its sedan trunk, the 2016 Volkswagen Golf handles more with 22.8 cu. ft. because it's a hatchback. The Golf also grants more passenger space with 38.4 in. of headroom and 55.9 in. of shoulder room in the front, compared to 36.5 in. of headroom and 54.8 in. of shoulder room for the A3. When you need a more flexible interior, you can fold down the 60/40-split rear seat in the Volkswagen Golf, which also has a center armrest and pass-through that integrates cup holders. A storage drawer hides valuables under the driver seat.
In the 2016 Volkswagen Golf, both you and your rear passengers can power up portable devices through two 12V outlets: one in front and one in the rear. The Audi A3 only has one such outlet. Other convenience features in the 2016 Volkswagen Golf include a multi-function trip computer that tracks fuel consumption and trip time, cruise control to ease long journeys, and reading lights: two in front and two in the rear.