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Subaru Crosstrek vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (136 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (29,800 £ vs 25,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Subaru Crosstrek or VW Golf?

Subaru Crosstrek vs VW Golf: Key differences

Subaru Crosstrek

4.3 (3 Reviews)
rate

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit cheaper
  • significantly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • noticeably lighter
  • slightly more trunk space

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Crosstrek

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

VW Golf is a bit cheaper – starting at 25,200 £ , while the Subaru Crosstrek costs 29,800 £ . That’s a price difference of around 4,625 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf uses 1.1 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Subaru Crosstrek with 7.7 L/100km. The difference is about 6.6 L/100km.

Golf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the VW Golf offers significantly more power – delivering 333 HP compared to 136 HP. That’s roughly 197 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Golf is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.6 s, while the Subaru Crosstrek takes 10.8 s. That’s about 6.2 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the VW Golf is clearly faster – reaching 270 km/h, while the Subaru Crosstrek tops out at 198 km/h. The difference is around 72 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Golf delivers substantially more torque with 420 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 238 Nm more.

Crosstrek

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is noticeably lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,595 kg. The difference is around 288 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers slightly more boot space – 381 L compared to 315 L. That’s a difference of about 66 L.

For maximum load capacity, the Subaru Crosstrek offers only slightly more capacity – up to 1,314 L, about 77 L more than the VW Golf.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries marginally more – 508 kg compared to 505 kg. That’s a difference of about 3 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Golf is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £25,200
Golf

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
Subaru Crosstrek
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

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Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact, go-anywhere crossover that blends rugged good looks with Subaru's familiar all-wheel-drive confidence, so it feels equally at home on backroads and in the supermarket car park. It delivers practical, reliable transport with a comfy ride and sensible features — not the flashiest cabin, but great for buyers who prefer substance over sparkle.

details

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

details
Subaru Crosstrek
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption

Price
29,800 - 34,900 £
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Consumption L/100km
7.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
174 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
48 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,595 - 1,628 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
315 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4,495 mm
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Width
1,800 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
1,600 mm
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,297 - 1,314 L
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Payload
472 - 505 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
136 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
198 km/h
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Torque
182 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
100 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General

Model Year
2,024
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Subaru
Brand
VW
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.