Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The 2026 Audi RS3 and 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 share the same MQB platform, similar drivetrains, and many of the same core ingredients, yet the RS3 costs roughly $20,000 more. After driving them back-to-back, I found the differences both smaller and more significant than expected. The RS3 delivers a more special engine, sharper inputs, and a more premium experience, but the Golf R makes a compelling case for saving the money and having a more buttoned down and sporty chassis calibration. Is the RS3 worth the premium?
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π See this car ranked on the Jubbal & Cars Driving Index: jubbalandcars.com/jcdi
π My filming gear: jubbalandcars.com/gear
π Vehicles in This Video:
2026 Audi RS3
2.5L I5 turbo: 394hp 369lb-ft with 7-speed DCT
3600 lbs
No Mods
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5
2.0L I4 turbo: 328hp 295lb-ft with 7-speed DCT
3400 lbs
Mods (street + track car):
- Eurosport camber strut mount kit: allows 0.8 degrees additional front camber
- H&R rear sway bar with Moog endlinks
- Alignment F/R: -2.7 camber + 0 toe/ -2.0 camber 0.06 toe in
- Castrol SRF brake fluid
- GLOC GS-1 pads front & rear
- Audi 8V RS3 brake ducts
- 245/40/18 Continental DWS06+ / 18x9 ET42 Apex ML-10RT
- Neuspeed power module (disabled for this video)
- Racingline R600 intake + turbo inlet (additional induction noise with no performance benefits)
- Dipstick + gas hood strut (because VW decided not to include these things from factory)
- 11Mode Exhaust Controller
- Racingline Billet Paddle Shifters
- Flow Designs Splitter Kit
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
Overcompensating Sports Sedan | 2024 Audi RS3: youtu.be/xXdWUHN3dJw
Crowning the Best German Super Wagon | 2025 Audi RS6 Avant GT vs 2025 BMW M5 Touring: youtu.be/uey27V7FEYQ
My Other YouTube Channels
π©Ί Med School Insiders: youtube.com/medschoolinsiders
π¨ββοΈ Kevin Jubbal, M.D.: youtube.com/kevinjubbalmd
Follow Jubbal & Cars
πΈ Instagram - instagram.com/jubbalandcars
π΅ TikTok - tiktok.com/@jubbalandcars
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
03:02 RS3: Interior & Tech
04:14 RS3: Driving Impressions
07:21 RS3: Suspension & Handling
09:47 RS3: Driver Confidence
10:51 Golf R: Interior & Updates
13:32 Golf R: Driving Impressions
17:03 Golf R: Suspension & Handling
19:14 Golf R: Value Proposition
21:56 Final Thoughts
#povcarreview #drivingreview #carreview #carcomparison #audirs3 #volkswagengolfr
The 2026 Audi RS3 and 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 share the same MQB platform, similar drivetrains, and many of the same core ingredients, yet the RS3 costs roughly $20,000 more. After driving them back-to-back, I found the differences both smaller and more significant than expected. The RS3 delivers a more special engine, sharper inputs, and a more premium experience, but the Golf R makes a compelling case for saving the money and having a more buttoned down and sporty chassis calibration. Is the RS3 worth the premium?
π₯ Get your car reviewed: jubbalandcars.com
π See this car ranked on the Jubbal & Cars Driving Index: jubbalandcars.com/jcdi
π My filming gear: jubbalandcars.com/gear
π Vehicles in This Video:
2026 Audi RS3
2.5L I5 turbo: 394hp 369lb-ft with 7-speed DCT
3600 lbs
No Mods
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5
2.0L I4 turbo: 328hp 295lb-ft with 7-speed DCT
3400 lbs
Mods (street + track car):
- Eurosport camber strut mount kit: allows 0.8 degrees additional front camber
- H&R rear sway bar with Moog endlinks
- Alignment F/R: -2.7 camber + 0 toe/ -2.0 camber 0.06 toe in
- Castrol SRF brake fluid
- GLOC GS-1 pads front & rear
- Audi 8V RS3 brake ducts
- 245/40/18 Continental DWS06+ / 18x9 ET42 Apex ML-10RT
- Neuspeed power module (disabled for this video)
- Racingline R600 intake + turbo inlet (additional induction noise with no performance benefits)
- Dipstick + gas hood strut (because VW decided not to include these things from factory)
- 11Mode Exhaust Controller
- Racingline Billet Paddle Shifters
- Flow Designs Splitter Kit
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
Overcompensating Sports Sedan | 2024 Audi RS3: youtu.be/xXdWUHN3dJw
Crowning the Best German Super Wagon | 2025 Audi RS6 Avant GT vs 2025 BMW M5 Touring: youtu.be/uey27V7FEYQ
My Other YouTube Channels
π©Ί Med School Insiders: youtube.com/medschoolinsiders
π¨ββοΈ Kevin Jubbal, M.D.: youtube.com/kevinjubbalmd
Follow Jubbal & Cars
πΈ Instagram - instagram.com/jubbalandcars
π΅ TikTok - tiktok.com/@jubbalandcars
π X - https://x.com/jubbalandcars
π£οΈ Facebook - facebook.com/jubbalandcars
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
03:02 RS3: Interior & Tech
04:14 RS3: Driving Impressions
07:21 RS3: Suspension & Handling
09:47 RS3: Driver Confidence
10:51 Golf R: Interior & Updates
13:32 Golf R: Driving Impressions
17:03 Golf R: Suspension & Handling
19:14 Golf R: Value Proposition
21:56 Final Thoughts
#povcarreview #drivingreview #carreview #carcomparison #audirs3 #volkswagengolfr
