For This is the fastest performance Golf you can buy, and standard four-wheel drive gives it superb traction out of bends. It’s comfortable and practical for a hot hatch, too, and the ride is smooth.

Against It doesn’t feel as agile as its GTI brother, so it’s no more enjoyable to drive. It costs way more to buy and run, too. The styling is too understated.

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

The fastest Golf isn’t necessarily the best. We’d save ourselves a few quid and go for the GTI. It does most of what the R does, and it’ll cost you way less.

What Car? readers say

4.135135
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric steering adjust Not Available
Electric Sunroof £630
Manual sunroof Not Available
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control £235
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Not Available
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Standard
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Standard
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats Not Available
Heated Seats £360
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror £135
Engine & Transmission
Auto £1,355
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
Radio/Cassette Not Available
RDS Radio/Cassette Not Available
CD Standard
Multi CD £395
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player Not Available
MP3 CD Player Standard
RDS CD Standard
Hard Drive Pack Only
Exterior
Metallic paint £495
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Not Available
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit Standard
Satellite navigation £1,770
Leather Seats Standard
Split/fold seats Standard
Bluetooth Standard
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Standard
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Isofix Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Standard
Curtain Airbag Standard
Rear Parking Sensor Pack Only
Electronic stability programme Standard
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Driver's knee airbag Standard
Reversing Camera Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available
Lane Departure Warning Not Available
Front Parking Sensor Pack Only
Passenger Knee Airbag Not Available
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Not Available
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Standard
Satellite tracking Not Available
Laminated Glass Not Available
Options calculator Price
Electric Sunroof £630
Cruise control £235
Heated Seats £360
Power Folding Mirror £135
Auto £1,355
Multi CD £395
Metallic paint £495
Satellite navigation £1,770
Total Price: £31,450
Running costs
Town mpg 23.9
Out of town mpg 42.2
Average mpg 33.2
Tank capacity (litres) 55
CO2 Rating (g/km) 199
Carbon offset cost £29
Green rating J
Insurance group 36
Typical insurance £924.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 45%
Typical contract hire £0.00
Pence per mile 0
Servicing costs - 3 years £0.00
Service intervals Variable
Warranty period 3yr/60k + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 1yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£27,010
Company car tax
Percentage charge 30
Benefit in kind £9,280.00
Tax payable 20% £1,856.00
Tax payable 40% £3,712.00

Performance and measurements

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Body type Hatchback
Number of doors 3
Number of seats 5
Engine (cc/type) 1984/4
Number of Valves 16
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 267/6000
Pulling power (lb/ft) 258
Engine position F
Driven wheels Four
Length (mm) 4199
Width (mm) 1786
Height (mm) 1479
Front headroom (mm) 950
Front legroom (mm) 1080
Rear headroom (mm) 950
Rear kneeroom (mm) 690
Boot space (min ltr) 350
Boot space (max ltr) 1305
Turning circle (m) 10.9
Kerb weight (kg) 1521
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 5.7
Max speed (mph) 155
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

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