Compare the2023 Volkswagen GTIVS 2023 Audi S5 Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The GTI has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The GTI has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GTI has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S5 Sportback.

The GTI’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GTI and the S5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the GTI for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S5 Sportback.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GTI’s warranty.

The Volkswagen GTI’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the S5 Sportback’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the GTI has a standard 680-amp battery. The S5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 15 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the GTI gets better mileage than the S5 Sportback:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the GTI’s fuel efficiency. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The GTI offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The GTI offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer an SMG.

The GTI Automatic’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer launch control.

The GTI stops shorter than the S5 Sportback:

The GTI Autobahn handles at .98 G’s, while the S5 Sportback Prestige pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the GTI’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the S5 Sportback’s (35.8 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Volkswagen GTI may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 800 pounds less than the Audi S5 Sportback.

The GTI is 1 foot, 6.4 inches shorter than the S5 Sportback, making the GTI easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the GTI is quieter than the S5 Sportback Prestige (76 vs. 79 dB).

The GTI has .7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the S5 Sportback.

The GTI (except S)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GTI’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The GTI’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GTI has a standard rear wiper. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GTI has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The GTI has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the S5 Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen GTI has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the S5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The GTI was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 16 of the last 16 years. The S5 Sportback has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

Motor Trend selected the GTI as their 2015 Car of the Year. The S5 Sportback has never been chosen.

The GTI was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 5 of the last 15 years. The S5 Sportback has never been an “All Star.”