Subaru Impreza vs Volkswagen Golf
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Subaru Impreza: we're still completing kerb weight, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$36,490RRP
- no option data for this car
$38,690RRP
- cannot be matched: Rear Cross Traffic Alert not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Subaru Impreza & Volkswagen Golf
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Price Breakdown
The Subaru Impreza starts from $36,490 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Golf opens at $38,690. That makes the Subaru Impreza the more affordable entry point by $2,200.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $40,139 and $42,559 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Golf by roughly $1,710 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Subaru Impreza at 5 stars (2024) and the Volkswagen Golf at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Subaru Impreza and 88% for the Volkswagen Golf, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Subaru Impreza, against 5 on the Volkswagen Golf.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 9 in the Subaru Impreza and 9 in the Volkswagen Golf.
Recalls on our record
Subaru Impreza
- REC-001603 · published 2 Jun 2021Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit which may blow the ignition coil fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2020
- REC-001222 · published 4 Nov 2019Over time the aluminium positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may fracture, allowing the engine to draw an increased amount of engine oil.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- REC-001223 · published 1 Nov 2019Due to improper Engine Control Module (ECM) programming, the ignition coil may overheat, creating a short circuit and blowing the fuse.Year range on the notice: 2016 - 2019
- 6 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Golf
- REC-006602 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions the power steering motor system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006592 · published 23 Apr 2026Due to a software issue, the electric power steering system under certain driving conditions may become temporarily inoperable.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-005873 · published 24 Jan 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the heat shield between the brake master cylinder and the exhaust may have been incorrectly fitted.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- 16 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Subaru Impreza features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Golf gets a 10.3-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Golf counters with ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru Impreza uses a Petrol I4 Boxer producing 115kW and 196Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a AWD layout.
The Volkswagen Golf responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9 seconds.
The Subaru Impreza has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru Impreza measures 4,490mm long on a 2,670mm wheelbase, 208mm longer than the Volkswagen Golf at 4,282mm (2,631mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Subaru Impreza generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 291L in the Subaru Impreza and 374L in the Volkswagen Golf, giving the Volkswagen Golf a 83L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 883L vs 1230L.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.6m to 11.1m
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,138/year for the Subaru Impreza and $1,796/year for the Volkswagen Golf. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Golf.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru Impreza) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Golf). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 5yr (Subaru Impreza)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru Impreza if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Golf if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Volkswagen Golf: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 74, but the Subaru Impreza is $2,200 cheaper
The Volkswagen Golf comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 74), taking 2 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Volkswagen Golf ahead by 11), technology (Subaru Impreza ahead by 8), performance (Volkswagen Golf ahead by 8). The Volkswagen Golf will save you roughly $342 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Golf has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Golf?
The Subaru Impreza is the cheapest at $36,490 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Golf by $2,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Golf uses the least fuel at 6.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Subaru Impreza holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024) and Volkswagen Golf holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Golf has the largest boot at 374L with the seats up (1,230L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Golf has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru Impreza makes the most power at 115kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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