Volkswagen Golf R

The Golf R is a high-performance variant of Volkswagen’s compact hatchback, the Golf. It’s the most capable and best-equipped version of the Golf, slotting above the sporty GTI (which is reviewed separately). Standard features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a rearview camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration also became standard in 2016, and VW added a host of standard safety tech and driving aids in 2017, including front and rear parking sensors, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. All were previously optional. With the debut of the third-generation Golf R in 2022, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and wireless smartphone charging joined the standard-features list.

Under the hood, the Golf R employs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that drives all four wheels via VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive system. At the model’s 2012 debut, the engine produced 256 horsepower, and since then, it’s received two notable increases: to 292 hp with the launch of the second generation in 2015 and then again to 315 hp with the launch of the most recent generation in 2022. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a dual-clutch automatic, which was upgraded from six to seven speeds in 2018. No hybrid or electric variants are available.