Class: Sporty/Performance Car
Miles Driven: 230
Fuel Used: 11.4 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
Real-world fuel economy: 20.2 mpg
Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 23/30/25 (city/highway/combined)
Base price: $36,750 (not including $820 destination charge)
Options on test car: None
Price as tested: $37,570
Quick Hits
The great: Performance, cabin fit and finish
The good: Ride quality, mechanical refinement
The not so good: Hefty base price
More Golf R price and availability information
Damon Bell
There is a high-end chocolatier in Chicago named Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Vosges has a line of exotic chocolate bars that sell for $8 each. The idea of an $8 candy bar seemed ridiculous to me, until I tried one (OK, maybe I tried a few). After tasting them and realizing just how delicious they are, I thought, “OK, touché. If there are any candy bars worth $8 a pop, these are it.”
I basically feel the same way about the top performance model in Volkswagen’s North American compact-car lineup—the Golf R. Here is a 4-door hatchback that starts at more than $36,000 and can be optioned up beyond the $40K mark quite easily. Forty thousand dollars for a compact 4-door hatchback? Ouch.
Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE
But this is no ordinary 4-door hatchback. The Golf R is powered by a 292-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder—an 82-hp jump over the base Volkswagen GTI—and comes standard with all-wheel drive, a very rare feature among non-luxury-brand compact cars and sporty/performance cars. Also standard are upscale features such as supple leather upholstery, heated front sport seats, adaptive xenon headlights, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and starting, touchscreen infotainment system, and an 8-speaker stereo.
Essentially, the Golf R takes the strong points of the beloved GTI—the robust acceleration, the agile handling, the upscale interior feel—and amplifies them. The R’s turbo 2.0 is smooth and docile in everyday driving, but it really comes alive when you want to play. Turbo lag is almost nonexistent, and the engine pulls smoothly and strongly all the way to redline, emitting a satisfying snarl the whole time. The 6-speed DSG automated-manual transmission isn’t as clunky in around-town driving as some we’ve tested, and its shifts are lightning-fast—yet smooth—when you’re driving aggressively. The responsive steering-wheel shift paddles provide an extra degree of control as well.
The all-wheel-drive system delivers tenacious grip that’s beneficial in both inclement-weather conditions and high-performance driving. The suspension is quite stiff compared to other Golfs, but is still perfectly livable considering the Golf R’s handling capabilities—and it’s still a notch above the R’s competitors in terms of comfort and bump absorption.
All VW Golfs have interiors that are among the nicest in the mainstream compact-car category, but the Golf R’s cabin is almost at an Audi level of luxury. The front sport seats offer a fine blend of comfort and support, and the high-end leather upholstery has classy contrast stitching. The switchgear moves with silky precision, and chic details abound. There is plenty of satin-finish- and piano-black trim to liven things up, and we’re especially fond of the “carbon-fiber-weave” detailing on the shift lever. The Golf R’s exterior has a similarly sophisticated feel, with subtle “R” badging, handsome 18-inch alloy wheels, and slightly more aggressive front and rear fasciae. There’s no boy-racer silliness here.
The Golf R’s most direct competitor is Ford’s ferocious Focus RS, another hot-rodded AWD 4-door compact hatchback with a hefty price tag. Subaru’s WRX STI sedan is another logical rival. Both of those vehicles outgun the Golf R in the horsepower department (the STI puts out 305 horsepower, the RS a snarling 350) but neither is as polished or refined overall as a Golf R.
Test Drive: 2016 Subaru WRX STI
Also, the Golf R gets a number of welcome updates for 2016. A 6-speed manual transmission is now available as a no-cost option to the 6-speed automated-manual gearbox; VW’s new MIB II touchscreen infotainment system brings updated features such as USB connectivity and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality; and a Golf R Driver Assistance Package, which includes adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear park assist, is available. (The 2017 Golf R sees no significant changes other than the addition of the Driver Assistance Package as standard equipment.)
It’s hard to fault the Golf R for much, other than its price tag—and even that is a matter of perspective. When compared to the GTI, the Golf R’s tariff seems pretty steep. But the R also compares quite well to Audi’s S3 sedan, which costs a lot more and doesn’t offer the versatility of a hatchback. Sometimes $8 candy bars are worth it.
Test Drive: 2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman
