Gone are the days of playing with race cars. Now, climb into the cockpit and make each commute your personal Grand Prix. A 2.0L TSI® turbocharged engine from the VW Golf R empowers this through its delivery of 315 horsepower.

Beyond that, two decades of road and track experience has led to enhanced handling with the VW Golf R. Driving Mode Selection lets you customize your driving experience. Choose from a handful of different profiles, including “Race” and “Drift” modes for unparalleled handling and confidence even when conquering tight turns.

While a fierce competitor, the Mazda3 falls short when compared to the VW Golf R. Even when outfitted with an optional 2.5L turbocharged engine, the Mazda3 can’t compete since it only delivers up to 250 horsepower and has no similar race-inspired features.

Driving a vehicle with all-wheel drive (AWD) capabilities gives you the confidence needed to embark on an unforgettable commute regardless of the weather or road type. Fortunately, both the VW Golf R and the Mazda3 come equipped with optional AWD capabilities. However, there are some differences that set apart these systems.

Both i-Activ AWD® (Mazda3) and 4MOTION® (VW Golf R) monitor road and driving conditions. When certain conditions are met, these systems can send up to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels to prevent wheel slip before it occurs.

Taking traction control even further, 4MOTION® can also transfer 100 percent of the power either to the left or right rear wheel to assist on curves and boost your vehicle’s agility. Unfortunately, the Mazda3 can’t perform this extra step for more enhanced handling.

There’s something special about fun houses and planetariums that makes you walk in, look around, and say wow. The same will happen when you enter the VW Golf R and the Mazda3 thanks to the unique designs of these cabins.

The Mazda3 emphasizes sophistication with its optional leather-wrapped steering wheel and upholstery. Themes of Black and Greige are found throughout the area and give a refined look.

The VW Golf R, on the other hand, thrives in its spunky environment that features the following elements:

• Blue accents throughout the cabin
• Leather-trimmed sport seats
• Interior ambient lighting with 30 color options

Genuine carbon fiber materials are also available to help further the aspect of fun inside the VW Golf R.

Whether it’s the middle of summer or the dead of winter, the VW Golf R and the Mazda3 are ready for your next adventure thanks to their various climate-controlled amenities. This is seen with the standard dual-zone automatic climate control system and optional heated front seats with the Mazda3.

The VW Golf R responds by saying, “I’ll see your two and raise you three.” This compact model comes standard with Climatronic® Touch 3-zone automatic climate control, allowing you, your copilot, and rear-seat passengers to independently adjust and set the temperature.

Additionally, the VW Golf R comes standard with heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Is more always better? When it comes to technology, the answer is always yes. Let’s see how the 2023 VW Golf R and the Mazda3 stack up in terms of entertainment specifications.

The larger display screens offered with the VW Golf R allow for easier viewing of infotainment features while behind the wheel. The Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro feature makes viewing real-time driving data fun thanks to its vibrant and customizable digital display.

Plus, a standard 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system immerses you and your passengers in a surround-sound audio experience. A comparable sound system through Bose® is offered with the Mazda3, but this is only available if you equip your model with an optional upgrade.

The addition of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ with both models makes it easy to connect your smartphone to your vehicle with ease. Once it’s connected, the touchscreen transforms into a familiar interface that showcases the compatible apps, songs, podcasts, and audiobooks you’ve saved to your phone.

Simply touch, tap, and swipe your way through the screen to find the playlist that matches your mood.

Want to find your new favorite artist? SiriusXM® with 360L can help with that. Stream thousands of ad-free stations with a simple touch of a button. The 2023 VW Golf R comes standard with a 3-month trial while the more basic SiriusXM® Satellite Radio comes optionally with the Mazda3.