2022 Audi A3 or Golf GTI?

[vedant]

Unfortunately have to wait until both cars release here stateside before I can drive and make a decision, but is anyone else considering these 2 cars for their next?

Personally I'm looking for a livable daily driver and I like sedans so I am slightly leaning towards the A3 but VW says they have made the Golf GTI more livable to drive everyday too. If I go with the A3 I am looking to get it with adaptive suspension and the new Cockpit. If that's too expensive I may just go with what VW is offering for the Golf.

[aaronc7]

Hatchback is obviously more practical.....but the AWD would be the deciding factor for me.

[Clod]

The GTI in my opinion is much more fun to drive especially if you get the manual. Your dollar will also go a bit further. The A3 is nice as far as fit and finish and is a bit more refined. Can't go wrong with either one really.

[Spinnetti]

if both are an option and you like them similarly, get whatever is cheaper? AWD was the big factor for me coming out of a Beetle turbo to an S3. I got tired of roasting the front tires when I had it all modded up, but otherwise loved it.

[TheMysticWizard]

Golf R vs S3, imo. Don't go cheap and regret it, like I did.

Though the A3 could easily be modded to get you close to those, I'm not so lucky having FWD and a Torsion Bar rear end.

If you're hard set on A3 vs GTI, I'd say A3 just for the AWD, don't get a FWD car.

[Nillious]

My stock 2018 A3 is faster 0-60 than my 2016 APR stage 2 GLI. Both DSG. The A3 nice for pulling out in front of people (when needed) where the GLI you just looked like a idiot trying to get moving lol

[Spinnetti]

OTOH, if you aren't trying to impress or drag race people, the GTI is a great car. I loved my MKv Fahrenheit GLI until a typical Dallas driver totaled it. Then I got a 13' Bug, modded the tar out of it and loved that too, but since I am the kind of guy that is doing stoplight drags, I got the S3 and modded the heck out of that - all depends on what you want in a car really. Not like any of us are the judge of what's right for you!

[Nillious]

Remeber, With the new traction control from cobb, the fwd cars can be faster than they have ever been before on the street. Was upset cobb payed no attention to the GLI. I would have went cobb over APR but the GLI gets no love

[El-Heffe]

Golf R would get my vote. It's the best of all worlds. AWD and better rear legroom than the S3. If you're going to stay bone stock and don't want to go the Golf R, I'll admit that the GTI would be very tempting. The S3/RS3 rear legroom is simply awful and the utility of the hatch is so nice, that I'd be very temped to go worth the GTI over the S3. I've owned two Mk7 GTI's as well as a 8V RS3, so I know the cars really well. The RS3 is a beast but I still love both GTI's I had.

[TheContrarian]

I'd say GTI with a manual, way more fun.

[Quartz05]

Audi has de-powered the 2022 A3, down to 201 hp.

If I were to pick one or the other, right now, I'd get the GTI.

[hpclayto]

I just traded my S4 for a GTI. Had an S3 before that. S4 was stage 1 and my S3 was stage 2. Love the GTI, great do everything car since I can only have one vehicle. Stage 1 tune and it’s surprisingly quick, really made a huge difference in how the car felt. I just like small cars, that whole slow car fast vs. fast car slow thing I guess. Go drive them and see what works for you.