With its potent blend of power, sharp handling, and everyday practicality, the Volkswagen Golf R continues to attract driving enthusiasts who need a practical daily commuter. But, in a fiercely competitive segment that includes rivals such as the Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N, does the Golf R still offer enough to justify its premium price tag?
On paper, it looks promising. The latest iteration is powered by the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged engine but with some tweaks for improved performance compared with recent years. Its interior blends sporty touches with advanced technology, while aiming to blend a touch of luxury, which is unique to this super hot hatch class.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Specifications
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 235kW@5600-6500rpm / 400Nm@2000-5600rpm
Gearbox: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive, with locking differential
Wheels: F & R: 19×8.0, 235/35
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1519kg
Power-to-weight: 6.46:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 7.8L/100km
Our consumption: 9.2L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/98 RONPower efficiency: 30.12kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 2.35 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.61 seconds*
0-200km/h: 16.52 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.05 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.85 seconds at 178.5km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.987g*
100-0km/h braking: 35.88m in 2.88 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.250g*
Decibel at idle (/Race mode): 56/61*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 87*
Starting price: $70,590*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: How much does it cost?
That’s the potential issue here, the price. It starts from $70,590. On the face of it that is a steep price. However, you have to factor in it infuses premium areas, and let’s not forget the R is all-wheel drive, unlike all of its nearest rivals.
Even still, the R resides at the very top of the current four-tier Golf range in Australia. It is around $14,000 more than the quintessential hot hatch, the Golf GTI (from $56,090). The 110TSI R-Line starts from $42,290 and the base 110TSI Life kicks off from $39,190. (All excluding on-road costs.)
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Interior & packaging
Inside, the Golf R strikes a balance between functionality and flair. You’ll find high-quality materials throughout, with soft-touch plastics and metallic accents that exude a premium feel. The sporty character is subtly reinforced by the heavily-bolstered front seats that offer great support, wrapped in Nappa leather with contrast blue highlights exclusive to the R.
However, while the clean dashboard design helps create a modern look, the removal of physical buttons for detailed climate controls and other key functions is not without its drawbacks. The touch-sensitive sliders for adjusting temperature and volume can be frustrating to use while driving, requiring more attention than traditional yet not-so-elegant controls.
In terms of space, the Golf R retains the practicality that has long been a hallmark of the Golf range. There’s ample legroom and headroom up front, and the rear seats, while tighter, are still comfortable enough for anyone at or below average height. Climate vents, cup holders on a flip-down armrest, and charging options ensure optimum long-distance practicality.
Boot space stands at 374 litres, which is decent but slightly less than some rivals due to the presence of the all-wheel-drive system. If you’re using the Golf R as a daily driver, this should be enough for most scenarios, but families might feel the pinch when it comes to loading luggage for weekend getaways. A pram will fit in, but with not much leftover for other stuff – which is similar to many other hatchbacks like this.
In terms of tech, the 10-inch touch-screen is sharp, supporting both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The system, however, can lag slightly when transitioning between functions, which can test your patience if you’re in a bit of a rush.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Powertrain & handling
The heart of the Golf R is its updated 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces a solid 235kW and 400Nm. Peak power is carried through from 5600rpm to 6500rpm, so it both revs hard but also provides plenty low down. And then peak torque spreads from just 2000rpm and meets at that 5600rpm point where power takes over.
Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, the Golf R delivers explosive acceleration. The 0-100km/h sprint is claimed in just 4.8 seconds, making it one of the quickest hot hatches available (in terms of official claims).
Our testing using a Vbox on a private road revealed a real-world 0-100km/h time of just 4.61 seconds. It also recorded a quarter mile time of 12.85 seconds at 178.5km/h, with 0-200km/h coming up in 16.52 seconds. Checking out our Vbox results data table, you can see this is one serious hatchback. For perspective, we’ve timed a 2017 BMW M3 in 4.58 seconds and 12.57 seconds across the quarter; and a 2021 Porsche Boxster GTS manual in 4.59 seconds and 12.56 seconds across the quarter.
The engine is eager and responsive, providing a punchy experience in every gear. Turbo lag is almost non-existent, with boost maxing out at around 2.3 bar (33.3psi) according to the on-board boost gauge. You could easily mistake this for a larger-capacity four-cylinder, as it just provides so much low-end grunt.
The handling is another area where the Golf R truly shines. The AWD system, coupled with a standard differential lock, provides an awesome amount of grip in the corners and utterly balanced composure, even when pushed hard in the wet. It is hard to think of another vehicle that could be this quick from point to point in road conditions, in all weather. Certainly for this class. It’s not very heavy, either, weighing in at 1519kg, so it feels way more confident and more engaging than any EV.
Body roll is minimal, and the steering, though slightly numb, is precise enough to inspire confidence. Drivers can select from a range of driving modes, including a ‘Special’ Nurburgring mode and even a Drift Mode. Drift Mode aims to send more power to the outside rear wheel, effectively pushing the car around and causing the rear end to step out. It is fun, although not quite as natural in feel as an old-school setup.
The adaptive dampers configure themselves into different ride settings dependent on the drive mode selected, but even in Comfort mode, the ride can feel firm over rough surfaces. For daily commuting, especially on less-than-ideal Australian country roads, it could become tiresome over time, if you’re not used to this sort of vehicle.
However, this is a super hatch – one of the pioneers of the ‘super hatch’ class, actually – and compared with any rival, this is one of the most comfortable. It rides on 19-inch wheels that wear low-profile 235/35 tyres.
The dual-clutch transmission, while quick, can also be jerky at low speeds, especially in stop-start traffic, taking away some of the refinement one might expect from a vehicle of this price range. Again though, if you take this a super hatch, not a conventional hatch, then the snappy gearchanges will be much more important and fitting. In other words, if you just want the ‘flagship’ Golf but you’re not interested in going fast, then the R-Line is the pick for you.
In terms of fuel economy, the official rating is 7.8L/100km, which is very reasonable considering it does 0-100 in well under 5.0 seconds. During our test, with plenty of spirited driving moments, the trip computer averaged 9.2L/100km. Again, that’s pretty good in our opinion due to the performance return it provides.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Powerful and responsive engine: The 235kW 2.0-litre turbo delivers thrilling acceleration and proper high-end performance. Peak torque is available from just 2000rpm, which essentially means no turbo-lag.
- Sharp handling: The 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system and locking diff mean outstanding grip, in all weather.
- Interior quality: Premium materials, supportive and highly adjustable seats, and a modern design elevate the cabin experience above most typical hot hatches.
- Practicality: Despite being a performance-oriented model, the Golf R retains a decent level of practicality with its five-door layout and versatile boot space.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Key considerations before you buy
- Price premium: You are getting a premium package inside, but some rivals offer more raw thrills for less coin, if that’s a higher focus to you.
- Touch-sensitive controls: The lack of physical buttons for climate and volume controls can be frustrating for drivers who prefer more tactile feedback.
- Infotainment lag: The system is intuitive but can sometimes be sluggish when switching between functions.
2024 Volkswagen Golf R: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The Golf R is one of the original ‘super hatches’ and it has evolved over a number of years, into, what is now, a premium, mature, and very refined package. But it’s great to see it hasn’t lost any of its practical roots or its epic all-weather performance.
