Introduction
What Car? says...
Question: Is the Volkswagen Golf R a sizzling hot hatch or estate car, or an out-and-out performance car? Well, this variant of the VW Golf happens to be all three.
You see, the 'R' is indecently powerful and savagely quick whether you go for the five-door hatchback or estate version. What it's not, though is inexpensive. Indeed, if you think the best hot hatches are all about cheap thrills, you might be taken aback when you see the price.
FAQs
If your budget can stretch to it, a Golf R is a much more exciting choice than a GTI. The R has more power, plus its clever four-wheel-drive system adds an additional layer of dynamism to the handling that a front-wheel drive GTI can’t match. Read more here
Indeed it is. Our testing suggests that even the already quick 4.6sec 0-62mph time might be a little conservative, and its limited top speed of 155mph is easily believable. The R 20 Years doesn't have a limiter and can hit 166mph. That’s seriously fast for any car, let alone a practical family car. Read more here
If you can afford a Golf R over a regular GTI, we think it's worth the extra. Price-wise, the Golf R sits between the Hyundai i30 N, Ford Focus ST and GTI, and the very quick (and far pricier) Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45. Read more here
It's the most potent of the production Golf range, with a far more powerful engine and a four-wheel-drive system you can't get in the standard car. There are also unique colour and interior trim bits that separate it from an R-Line trim Golf. Read more here
In basic terms, the R-Line is a Golf with sportier looks but not performance benefits. The Golf R has a far more powerful engine, giving far greater performance. It too has more aggressive exterior styling, but that all serves a greater purpose in terms of high-speed handling and better cooling for the engine. Read more here
| RRP price range | £42,850 - £42,850 |
|---|---|
| Number of trims (see all) | 1 |
| Number of engines (see all) | 1 |
| Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | petrol |
| MPG range across all versions | 36.7 - 36.7 |
| Available doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £500 / £3,497 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,000 / £6,993 |
| Available colours |
