Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Golf R

2018 Volkswagen Golf R

Pros: Invigorating all-wheel-drive performance with surprisingly comfortable ride; impressively refined, luxury-grade interior trimmings; practicality of four-door hatchback body style

Cons: Steep sticker price puts Golf R in competition with plenty of other compelling performance cars; occasional lag from automated manual transmission

CG Says: The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R has revised styling and steering-linked adaptive LED headlights. The optional 6-speed automated-manual transmission has been replaced by a new 7-speed automated manual. Inside, the there is a new 8-inch control screen. Plus, pedestrian detection is a new standard safety feature. The Golf R is a compact four-door hatchback with all-wheel drive. It is the top performance model in Volkswagen’s compact-car lineup and is more powerful and expensive than Golf GTI—VW’s other hot hatchback. A 292-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine pairs with either 6-speed manual transmission or new optional 7-speed automated manual. Standard features include navigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, lane-departure warning, self-dimming headlights, and driver-selectable DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) adaptive damping suspension. With its standard all-wheel-drive, high-end cabin trim, and impressive acceleration and handling, the Golf R stands far above most compact hatchbacks—even the performance-oriented ones. Trouble is, it also stands far above them in price as well. The Golf R costs around $40K. That’s a lot of money for a VW hatchback, but the Golf R nonetheless offers a compelling mix of performance, luxury, and practicality that’s hard to match elsewhere.

The Facts
Class Sporty/Performance Car
Body Style(s) 4-door hatchback
Passenger Count 5
Drive Wheels all-wheel drive
Manufacturer Volkswagen
Nation of Manufacture Germany
Base Prices Base: $40,670

Base Engine
turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder
Horsepower
292
Std. Transmission
6-speed manual
Avail. Transmission
7-speed automated manual
EPA City Range (mpg)
21-22
EPA Hwy Range (mpg)
29

Volkswagen Golf R
2018 Volkswagen Golf R
NHTSA Ratings
Overall - 5
100%

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Crash - 4
80%
Side Crash - 5
100%
Rollover - 4
80%

For complete ratings click here.

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