Volkswagen Golf 3 Doors (1997 – 2003) vs Audi A3 (1996 – 2003): specs compared
The Volkswagen Golf 3 Doors is the more powerful of the two, with up to 204 hp against 180 hp. The Audi A3 is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 7.5 s against 7.9 s. The Volkswagen Golf 3 Doors has the higher top speed: 235 km/h against 229 km/h. It uses less fuel, from 4.0 L/100 km against 5.0 L/100 km. It is the lighter car, from 1,049 kg against 1,090 kg.
| Specification |
Volkswagen
Golf 3 Doors
1997 – 2003
|
Audi
A3
1996 – 2003
|
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Origin | Germany | Germany |
| Documented years | 1997 – 2003 | 1996 – 2003 |
| Body style | 3 Doors · Hatchback | — |
| Variants | 17 | 18 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Petrol | Diesel, Petrol |
| Drive | FWD · AWD | FWD · AWD |
| Gearbox | Manual | Automatic · Manual |
| Performance | ||
| Power | 68 – 204 hp | 90 – 180 hp |
| Torque | 128 – 320 Nm | 145 – 310 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 1.0 – 17.2 s | 7.5 – 13.7 s |
| Top speed | 124 – 235 km/h | 177 – 229 km/h |
| Economy | ||
| Fuel economy | 4.0 – 10.8 L/100 km | 5.0 – 8.9 L/100 km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,150 mm | 4,153 mm |
| Width | 1,740 mm | 1,735 mm |
| Height | 1,440 mm | 1,427 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,510 mm | 2,510 mm |
| Curb weight | 1,049 – 1,382 kg | 1,090 – 1,300 kg |
Ranges cover all variants of each car. The highlight marks the best version per row.