2024 Volkswagen Golf R

Price Range: $45,665 - $46,465 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback Exterior

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+116

The latest Golf R is quick and fun to drive but hasn't lost the cool, understated charm that defines a Volkswagen hatchback. It's pricey compared to some rivals, but you're getting plenty of performance in the deal. Great cars tend to be focused; the Golf R is a wonder because it seems to be good at nearly everything. We just wish Volkswagen would rethink its cumbersome in-car tech.

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2024 Volkswagen Golf R Review

byChase Bierenkoven^{Contributor
Chase Bierenkoven has been writing about cars in his head since he was a child. Now, he does it for real, covering automotive news and producing reviews for outlets like Edmunds, Forbes Wheels and CarBuzz. Chase's career as an automotive journalist began in 2020, and he has already written scores of road tests. Some favorites of Chase's include the Dodge Challenger 392, Mazda Miata, Kia EV6 and Bentley Bentayga. Outside his work with cars, Chase is often found justifying his latest broken German sports car to anyone that will listen or enjoying the outdoor spaces of his native Colorado.},

rating written byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Exhilarating hot hatch performance
Utility of a hatchback
Smooth ride and comfortable seats
Comes well stocked with standard features

Cons

Touch-sensitive controls are frustrating and distracting to use

What's new

No significant changes for 2024
Part of the third Golf R generation (eighth-generation Golf platform) introduced for 2022

Overview

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is a do-it-all staple for compact-car enthusiasts. Compared to the Golf GTI — the regular Golf is no longer sold in the United States — the R boasts some significant upgrades. These include a more powerful 315-horsepower engine, an adaptive suspension system that adjusts to enhance handling and ride comfort, and a trick all-wheel-drive system that uses torque vectoring at the rear wheels to make the car more nimble when powering out of turns. It even has a Drift mode for the hooligan in you. On top of that you get a practical hatchback body style and plenty of standard features.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$236/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: Last year for the manual transmission

For 2024, the Golf R is unchanged. However, Volkswagen has said the available manual will no longer be offered starting in 2025, leaving a dual-clutch automatic as the sole transmission. This makes 2024 your last shot at the manual, and one that's worth taking. While the R's daily drivability is certainly better with the dual-clutch automatic, rowing your own is an increasingly rare experience in cars and something worth experiencing.

Competitors to consider

With a recent resurgence of hot hatchback competition in the form of the Toyota GR Corolla and Honda Civic Type R, the Golf is no longer the only choice for those in the market for a jack-of-all-trades performance car. While the Golf R isn't quite as thrilling to drive as these rivals, it is also the only one to offer an automatic. Check out our Expert Rating below to get the full breakdown on the Golf R's performance, comfort and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

9.0/10

How does the Golf R drive? The Golf R uses one of the best turbocharged four-cylinder engines around. Our automatic-equipped Golf R test car ripped from 0 to 60 mph in a scant 4.3 seconds and cleared the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds at 108.3 mph. Those are outstanding acceleration times for a hot hatch or compact performance sedan. The engine is powerful and smooth, and the dual-clutch transmission's shifts feel far more refined than those from traditional automatics in some rivals.

Braking and handling impressed too. The Golf R stopped from 60 mph in just 105 feet and pulled 0.99 g on the skidpad, again among the best we've ever seen from any compact. The standard adaptive suspension does a wonderful job of keeping body motions well in check, and standard all-wheel drive means traction is never an issue. The car feels light and nimble thanks to that well-tuned suspension as well as responsive steering that translates more road feel than the closely related Volkswagen GTI. It's not the sharpest or most dynamic car in its class, but it's not too far off the benchmark. Some editors found the steering to be a bit heavy in Sport mode, but it lightens up at low speeds, which makes the Golf R a breeze to park.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Golf R? The Golf R's adaptive suspension dampers help improve not only handling but ride comfort too. There's a distinct difference between Comfort and Sport settings, though the latter is still reasonably compliant. The Golf R's seats are also great. They offer excellent support, with fixed bolsters that hug without squeezing too tight. The front seats are both heated and ventilated; the rear outboard seats are heated too. Padding in both rows is supportive but not overly firm.

The Golf R is relatively quiet, with only a mild amount of wind and road noise at highway speeds. The exhaust is adjustable, though even in its loudest setting you won't have trouble talking to your passengers. The exhaust note is beefy for a four-cylinder engine, and there's a lovely bit of turbo whine at full blast.

Our biggest complaint is the car's climate control system. While the standard three-zone automatic climate control is a plus, controlling and adjusting the setting can be cumbersome and frustrating. In fact, you can't even see the capacitive touch controls at night as Volkswagen (incorrectly) believed it didn't need backlighting. Using voice commands is a crutch, not a solution. At least the air conditioning blows cold.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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2024 Volkswagen Golf R pricing

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Build & Price

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The same capacitive touch controls that make the climate control system so frustrating plague the rest of the car too. Outside of the window switches, there really aren't any actual buttons. We accidently turned on the heated steering wheel multiple times when a palm grazed the capacitive control in a tight turn. The volume control on the wheel can be pressed or used as a slider, but it doesn't work great either way.

Fortunately, the rest of the interior is much better. The front seat is spacious in all directions, and the driver's seat offers enough adjustment so that it doesn't take long to dial in a comfortable position. The rear is comfortable for adults, but there are more spacious compacts in this class, and the center tunnel makes the middle seat a bit useless. The doors open wide, and the small footprint makes getting in and out a nonissue. The Golf R's upright cabin and narrow pillars help make for great outward visibility, though the side mirrors are on the smaller side.

Technology

9.0/10

How’s the tech? All Golf Rs come standard with a 10-inch touchscreen display and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, both of which allow for some customization. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard and have wireless connectivity, though you can still connect your phone directly using one of the USB-C ports. A wireless charging pad is also standard.

Thankfully, the touchscreen's controls work better than the capacitive touch ones, though the menu system isn't always the most intuitive. While it can occasionally lag, the built-in navigation system works well for the most part. The map is clear and easy to navigate, and it's easy to input directions using the screen or voice commands. The latter works better than most in this class and can also be used to do things such as adjust the radio or climate control system.

Volkswagen includes a whole suite of driver aids on the Golf R, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning and lane keeping assistance. All work well, with straightforward controls and no false positives or overly sensitive beeps. Even better, adaptive cruise control is available with the manual transmission.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Golf R has a reasonably large cargo area, with 19.9 cubic feet of space with the seats up and 34.5 cubes with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down. The cargo floor is low and wide, and the rear seats fold nearly flat. The upright rear window helps with taller items, as does the height-adjustable rear load floor. Storage in the front of the cabin is equally impressive, with large door pockets, adjustable (if somewhat awkward) front cupholders, and a bin in front of the shifter for your phone or sunglasses. The rear door pockets are sizable too, and there are three map pockets on the back of each front seat.

The Golf R has easily accessible Isofix anchors on the outboard rear seats, though you do need to remove the cargo cover to access the seatback anchor. The doors open reasonably wide, and the tall, flat roof means there's space to move around. Larger seats may require scooting up the front seat a bit.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The automatic-equipped Volkswagen Golf R gets an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Opting for the six-speed manual drops the estimate down to 23 mpg combined. The automatic-equipped model's rating is better than most rivals no matter the transmission, and few manual-transmission rivals exceed what the Golf R can do. On Edmunds' 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, we saw the Golf R automatic turn in an impressive 29.3 mpg.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Golf R a good value? The Golf R is pricey compared to a regular Golf GTI, but there's value here. It comes loaded with standard equipment and has zero options beyond paint color and your choice of transmission. Overall build quality is excellent, and the interior gives off a premium feel you won't find in other hot hatches or sport compacts. There's more hard plastic inside than other cars in the mid-$40,000s, but it's an OK trade-off considering the car's performance.

Volkswagen offers a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, which is average for this class. You also get three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance and two years/24,000 miles of included maintenance.

Wildcard

9.0/10

The Golf R has been somewhat understated. Older models were distinct enough from the base Golf that you could tell it was something special but not so flashy that it would draw your attention. That's true of the eighth-generation model, too, though Volkswagen has added a bit more spice this go-around. It's sharp and sporty, with more aggressive front and rear fascias than before. The rear wing has grown in size but is still relatively subtle. It looks and feels a bit more grown-up than either the Honda Civic Type R or Hyundai Elantra N.

Which Golf R does Edmunds recommend?

The Golf R only comes in a single loaded trim level, so your only significant choices relate to the R's transmission and color. Considering that the automatic costs more, and this is the last year of the manual, we recommend getting the stick.

Volkswagen Golf R models

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is available in a single loaded trim level. The R comes with your choice of transmission: a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. These are mated to a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and all-wheel-drive system with rear-axle torque vectoring capability. The Golf R produces 315 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed. The DSG automatic adds 15 lb-ft of torque, bringing the total to 295 lb-ft.

Golf R
Comes fully loaded with:

Adaptive suspension system
19-inch alloy wheels with performance tires
Golf R-specific grille, bumpers, badging, side trim & exterior cladding
Chrome quad exhaust tips
Automatic adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Keyless entry with push-button start
Sunroof
Heated exterior mirrors
Heated steering wheel
Heated and ventilated leather front seats
Heated rear seats
Three-zone climate control
Adjustable ambient interior lighting
Automatic windshield wipers

Tech features include:

Nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
10-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Automatic high beams

The Golf R also comes with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive suite of advanced driver aids that bundles:

Lane keeping assistance (steers the Golf R back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front; enhanced stop-and-go functionality with automatic transmission only)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Volkswagen Golf R Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.6

11 reviews

5(73%)

4(18%)

3(9%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hottest hatch needs a software update!

Fred Mephisto, 11/17/2022

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

To me this is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive in the real world. Super snappy acceleration, AWD is glued to the road, quiet (but can give some pop and rumble if you like), it is just pure fun to tear around town. Seats are really comfortable and I think the overall appearance of the exterior is spot on, especially in the blue. There was a recall to remove the plastic engine …

Amazing to drive. The info system you get used to

Time4gary, 04/09/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I hate to say I like commuting - but now getting to drive the R, I actually look forward to commuting. That's certainly new. Such a fun car to drive. The info system isn't the easiest to use - but you get used to it as you learn all the shortcuts. Watching so many R reviews - I was led to think the new info touch interface was an inherently evil force in the world. It ain't that bad …

A very nice car, but...

Michel, 10/04/2023

2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

I used to own a 2019 Golf R and I recently switched to the 2023 model of the same car, so I feel in a good position to compare the two. Generally speaking, the newest version is more comfortable, better equipped and fancier than its predecessor, but not as user's friendly. The so called "virtual cockpit" is unnecessarily complicated, hard to decipher and very distracting. Trying to …

Best all around hatch!

T, 01/08/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

The touch controls you adjust to fairly quickly, it has a great on road feeling and great acceleration. I do hope that they give everyone a software update on the infotainment but other than that I love it.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf R since its last redesign.

See all 11 reviews of the Volkswagen Golf R

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2024 Volkswagen Golf R videos

DRAG RACE! 2022 Hyundai Veloster N vs. 2022 VW Golf R | 0-60, Horsepower, U-Drag & More!

NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, but since the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The funky Hyundai Veloster N and all-new Volkswagen Golf R go head-to-head in our U-Drags series! In this video, the front-wheel-drive 2022 Hyundai Veloster N takes on the all-wheel-drive 2022 Volkswagen Golf R in a drag race battle of very different hot hatches. Will the Golf R’s 315…

DRAG RACE! 2022 Hyundai Veloster N vs. 2022 VW Golf R | 0-60...

Drag Race! Audi S4 vs. VW Golf R | Hot Hatch vs. Sedan | Hor...

2024 Volkswagen Golf R Features Specs

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$45,665
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$236/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Compare the Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Golf R
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Safety

Our experts’ favorite Golf R safety features:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns you if you're in danger of hitting the car in front and automatically applies the brakes if you don't react quickly enough.
Active Blind-Spot Monitor: Alerts you if a car is in your blind spot and steers you back into your lane if you start to merge.
Dynamic Road Sign Display: Uses cameras to read road signs and relays useful information including speed limits to the instrument panel or head-up display.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Good

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Golf R a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Golf R both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Golf R gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 11 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Golf R has 19.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Golf R. Learn more

What's new in the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R:

No significant changes for 2024
Part of the third Golf R generation (eighth-generation Golf platform) introduced for 2022

Learn more

Is the Volkswagen Golf R reliable?

To determine whether the Volkswagen Golf R is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Golf R. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Golf R's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Golf R and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Golf R gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 11 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Golf R is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2024 Volkswagen Golf R?

The least-expensive 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $45,665.

Other versions include:

4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $45,665
4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $46,465

Learn more

What are the different models of Volkswagen Golf R?

If you're interested in the Volkswagen Golf R, the next question is, which Golf R model is right for you? Golf R variants include 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), and 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM). For a full list of Golf R models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2024 Volkswagen Golf R

Pricing

2024 Volkswagen Golf R Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds spotlight: Last year for the manual transmission

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Compare dealer price quotes

2024 Volkswagen Golf R pricing

What others are paying

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Golf R does Edmunds recommend?

Volkswagen Golf R models

Volkswagen Golf R Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hottest hatch needs a software update!

Amazing to drive. The info system you get used to

A very nice car, but...

Best all around hatch!

Helpful shopping links

2024 Volkswagen Golf R videos

DRAG RACE! 2022 Hyundai Veloster N vs. 2022 VW Golf R | 0-60, Horsepower, U-Drag & More!

2024 Volkswagen Golf R Features Specs

Compare the Volkswagen Golf R

Safety

Our experts’ favorite Golf R safety features:

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Volkswagen Golf R a good car?

What's new in the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R?

Is the Volkswagen Golf R reliable?

Is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2024 Volkswagen Golf R?

What are the different models of Volkswagen Golf R?

Related 2024 Volkswagen Golf R info

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}