Car comparison

Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6vsVolkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

Volkswagen Golf IV

2.8 VR6

204 hp2792 ccGasolineAWDManualNaturally aspiratedHatchback1999-2003
VS

Volkswagen Golf III Variant

2.9 VR6 Syncro

190 hp2861 ccGasolineAWDManualNaturally aspiratedWagon / estate1994-1999

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    7.1 s
  • Fastest top speed
    235 km/h
    146 mph
  • Most powerful
    204 hp
    152 kW
  • Highest torque
    270 Nm
    199 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    146 hp/t
    109 kW/t
    6.9 kg/hp
  • Lowest city consumption
    15.3 L/100 km
    15.4 mpg US
    18.5 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.1 L/100 km
    29.0 mpg US
    34.9 mpg UK
  • Best performance score
    53/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelVolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
Power
204hp152kW
190hp142kW
Torque
270Nm199lb-ft
245Nm181lb-ft
Curb weight
1,400kg3,086lb
1,380kg3,042lb
Gross weight
1,910kg4,211lb
1,860kg4,101lb
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
To 99% top speed
76.2s99% target: 233 km/h / 145 mph
Calculated
71.8s99% target: 220 km/h / 137 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
7.1s
8.1s
0-200 km/h
28.3s
Calculated
34.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.7s
Calculated
7.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption-
10.6L/100 km22.2mpg US26.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
15.3L/100 km15.4mpg US18.5mpg UK
16.1L/100 km14.6mpg US17.5mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.1L/100 km29mpg US34.9mpg UK
8.2L/100 km28.7mpg US34.4mpg UK
Quarter mile
15.1s
Calculated
15.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
146hp/t109kW/t66hp/1000 lb
Calculated
138hp/t103kW/t62hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
193Nm/t129lb-ft/ton
Calculated
178Nm/t119lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range-
613km381mi
Calculated
Displacement
2,792cc170cu in
2,861cc175cu in
Length
4,149mm163in
4,340mm171in
Width
1,735mm68in
1,695mm67in
Height
1,439mm57in
1,430mm56in
Wheelbase
2,518mm99in
2,475mm97in
Front track
1,513mm60in
1,478mm58in
Rear track
1,487mm59in
1,465mm58in
Trunk volume
245L
466L
Max trunk volume
1,185L
1,425L
Doors
3
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
62L
65L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 SyncroPowerTorque
  • Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6: Power / Torque
  • Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR66,200 rpm3,200 rpm6,450 rpm
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro5,800 rpm4,200 rpm6,050 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricVolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.7 s
7.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
7.1 s
8.1 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
28.3 s
34.4 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
7.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.9 s
10.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.7 s
13.4 s
1/4 mile
402 m
15.1 s
15.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
156 km/h
97 mph
150 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
204 hp
152 kW
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
190 hp
142 kW

Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6 has 14 hp more than Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro.

The biggest power difference is between Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro and Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6: 14 hp (10 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
270 Nm
199 lb-ft
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
245 Nm
181 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
1,400 kg
3,086 lb
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
1,380 kg
3,042 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
235 km/h
146 mph
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
222 km/h
138 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR67.1 s
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro8.1 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6 and Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro: 1.0 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
146 hp/t
109 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
204 hp
152 kW
7.1 s
235 km/h
146 mph
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
190 hp
142 kW
8.1 s
222 km/h
138 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6
Power
204 hp
152 kW
0-100 km/h7.1 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
Doors/seats
3 doors
5 seats
Trunk
245 L
8.7 cu ft
Length
4,149 mm
163.3 in
Height
1,439 mm
56.7 in
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
Power
190 hp
142 kW
0-100 km/h8.1 s
Top speed
222 km/h
138 mph
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
466 L
16.5 cu ft
Length
4,340 mm
170.9 in
Height
1,430 mm
56.3 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleVolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 Syncro
Power
204 hp
152 kW
190 hp
142 kW
Torque
270 Nm
199 lb-ft
245 Nm
181 lb-ft
Acceleration
7.1 s
8.1 s
Top speed
235 km/h
146 mph
222 km/h
138 mph
Lightness
1,400 kg
3,086 lb
1,380 kg
3,042 lb
Fuel consumption
-
10.6 L/100 km
22.2 mpg US
26.6 mpg UK
Practicality
Doors/seats
3 doors
5 seats
Trunk
245 L
8.7 cu ft
Length
4,149 mm
163.3 in
Height
1,439 mm
56.7 in
Doors/seats
5 doors
5 seats
Trunk
466 L
16.5 cu ft
Length
4,340 mm
170.9 in
Height
1,430 mm
56.3 in
Range score
-
613 km
381 mi
Trunk score
245 L
8.7 cu ft
466 L
16.5 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
146 hp/t
109 kW/t
6.9 kg/hp
138 hp/t
103 kW/t
7.3 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleVolkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro
Consumption10.6 L/100 km22.2 mpg US26.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km18.55 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi29.85 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,590 L420 US gal350 UK gal
Annual fuel cost2,783 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6

  • Has 14 hp more
  • Has 25 Nm more
  • Is 1.0 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 13 km/h (8 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 8 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Heaviest
  • Smallest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6
Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro
Compare selected cars
2 vehicles selected

Popular comparisons

2.8 VR6
GTI 2.0 TFSI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf V (5-DOOR)GTI 2.0 TFSI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
2.9 VR6 Syncro
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf III2.9 VR6 Syncro
2.8 VR6
GTI 2.0 TFSI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf V (3-DOOR)GTI 2.0 TFSI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
GTD 2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf VII VariantGTD 2.0 TDI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
GTD 2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf VII VariantFacelift 2017GTD 2.0 TDI
2.8 VR6
GTD 2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf VIIIGTD 2.0 TDI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf VII AlltrackFacelift 20172.0 TDI
2.8 VR6
2.0 TSI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf VIIIFacelift 20242.0 TSI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
1.4 TSI
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf V Variant1.4 TSI
2.8 VR6
GTD 2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf VII (3-DOOR)GTD 2.0 TDI
2.9 VR6 Syncro
2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf III Variant2.9 VR6 SyncrovsVolkswagenGolf VII Alltrack2.0 TDI
2.8 VR6
GTD 2.0 TDI
VS
VolkswagenGolf IV2.8 VR6vsVolkswagenGolf VII (5-DOOR)Facelift 2017GTD 2.0 TDI
Volkswagen Golf IV 2.8 VR6 vs Volkswagen Golf III Variant 2.9 VR6 Syncro - car comparison - FastVsFaster