2023 Golf R TSI 4Motion 235 KW (320 HP) Deep Black Pearl Effect Full View interior - exterior

2023 Volkswagen Golf R
Starting at $45.835
00:00 Exterior
03:02 Interior
08:47 Trunk and engine sound
09:07 Special outro
HIGHS
Recommended daily dose of horsepower and torque, exquisite handling behavior, any excuse to drive one is the right one.
LOWS
Starting price puts it close to hotter competition, the wrong direction in infotainment design, a larger rear bias for Drift mode wouldn't hurt.
VERDICT
The Golf R takes everything we love about the GTI and adds more horsepower with all-wheel drive but at the expense of what made the Golf so tempting: affordability.
Overview
A car's greatness can be measured in large part by how thrilling it is to drive. While entertainment isn't tied to horsepower alone, the 315-hp Volkswagen Golf R is among the best at filling stomachs with butterflies. At a higher tier of performance than the already fun Golf GTI, reviewed separately, the R adds all-wheel drive with a Drift mode that allows the R to hang it all out by distributing torque to one side of the rear axle. While this dance feels more natural in totally rear-biased cars such as the Ford Mustang or the Chevrolet Camaro, the fact that it's possible in a package so similar to the Honda Civic Type R is inherently righteous. The Golf R is a hotter hatch than the GTI in part because of bigger brakes and acceleration to 60 mph that's more than a full second quicker. However, the R's heavier price tag puts it in Toyota Supra sports-car territory.
What's New for 2023?
While the Golf R doesn't change much for 2023, Volkswagen has added a 20th Anniversary Edition model with visual changes including 20th-anniversary badging, blue "R" logos inside and out, and special puddle lights that illuminate a "20R" graphic on the ground. Black 19-inch wheels are standard, and the 20th Anniversary R is offered in blue, black, or white. Only 1800 special editions will be made.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Golf R: $45,835
Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition: $46,035
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the Golf R's hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder that makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque-up from 288 horsepower and 280 pound-feet in the last-generation R. The engine pairs with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive system features a rear differential that can actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels for improved handling. The Golf R's selectable drive modes (Comfort, Sport, Race, Special, Drift, and Individual) can be activated by pressing an "R" button on the steering wheel. We've sampled the hatch's Drift mode, which proved entertaining on slick surfaces, but it won't replace a rear-drive muscle car's fun factor. Every model comes with a sport exhaust system, variable-ratio steering, and larger front disc brakes than before. It also rides on a set of 19-inch wheels shod with summer performance tires. During our first drive in Germany, the Golf R showed off the quickness and relentlessness of its strong engine, reactive dual-clutch automatic, and intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The version we drove was also equipped with the optional Performance package that adds two more drive modes, including an entertaining Drift mode that allows some tail-sliding antics. At our test track, our Golf R test car with the seven-speed automatic transmission blasted to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds, while the six-speed manual slows things down to 4.9 seconds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the most efficient version of the Golf R is the one with the dual-clutch automatic transmission, which earned ratings of 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Going with the manual transmission drops those numbers to 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, a worthy tradeoff in our opinion for the more engaging six-speed stick. We haven't had a chance to run it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, but when we do we'll update this story with details. For more information about the Golf R's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Golf R mimics the GTI's new cabin design, which provides a sportier aesthetic than the last-generation Golf. Both have a thick-rimmed steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls that operate a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster with configurable layouts. Unlike the GTI, the Golf R isn't available with plaid seat inserts, but it does boast bolstered front seats wrapped in nappa leather. These exclusive buckets have blue and carbon-look accents in the side sections as well as a blue "R" logo in the backrest. The other interior features include ambient lighting with 30 colors, stainless-steel pedals, and more carbon-look trim on the dashboard. The new Golf R also has impressive cargo space and a comfortable back seat.
Read more: www.caranddriver.com/volkswag...
A&M Rekem-Lanaken

[@as_pk7049]

ufff ,, this guys knows this is the real meditation video for legends 😇😇😇

[@MANCARS888]

Hahha yes relaxation😂👍

[@siradjraghdi3504]

Fin YHWH de la semaine bh

[@javierguerra8384]

The best and nicest hot hatch ever.

[@arnaldoalvessilva2291]

Golf 320 hp, muita força pra pouco peso, tem q voar mesmo, é por isso q n tem pra ninguém, parabéns VW vc nós orgulha .

[@matheuscorecha2516]

maravilhoso slk

[@matheuscorecha2516]

Meu sonhoooo

[@kinglehar7879]

dream❤️

[@victorfretes1252]

BELLEZA

[@suleymantasan1472]

Super 👌 schöne Auto 😮❤❤

[@user-dn1fp7qk6z]

Show 🎉

[@khalidtamdi9418]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@aimhnry]

woyld love to test drive one of these man

[@MANCARS888]

Sure fun fast car it is👌

[@rayhuckle]

An idea to reinspire the appeal for the Golf GTI is to bring back a more wider-stocker design stance that made it so popular in 90's. Its still a very desirable car but Audi and Golf are basically twin brothers, which doesn't give it a distinctive position.

[@MANCARS888]

Yes true maybe they wil bring it back the wider stocker desing years to come it would be awesome👍

[@alexysgregorys2873]

better than Corolla GR and Civic type R

[@alisonhenriquedasilva3245]

Muito top carro golf R

[@MANCARS888]

👌👌

[@golzim4839]

Meu sonho , se EU tevesse grana compreria kkkk pq liso com um carro desse nao dar kkkkkk

[@elssh.a864]

increible que un auto de esta gama y taaaaan caro no cuente con ambos asientos delanteros electrónicos VW te viste muy tacaño

[@JennaTols]

Where can I find a rear license plate bracket like that one but for a US model?

[@MANCARS888]

hi maybe you should try to search online or ask a local dealer they can help you with it

[@SoftPorridge]

price tag must be cut by 30%

[@SiyabongaErick]

🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@DedliFlexx]

Facts. It makes no sense right now.

[@bp8545]

nope. If your broke ass can't afford it then too damn bad. Get an altima instead

[@user-ec3ls8fc2q]

❤❤❤👍

[@SahucMcOffer]

back looks pretty sharp, but front is feminine af, no hate but 7 or 7.5 looks more mean and better

[@joulypink9996]

Regálamela 😊❤

[@jenspapp1761]

Ohhh yeahhh in 2 Weeks i get the Same 😍😍😍

[@MANCARS888]

Nicee lucky you its a beast😁👍

[@megataurus7779]

Well did you get it?

[@jenspapp1761]

@@megataurus7779 yes i get my Golf 8 R! Its looks and drive perfectly! Iam pretty Happy…..😍😍

[@alexysgregorys2873]

the best color is...BLUE lapiz

[@user-jf2mf6lw1p]

Your crazy maybe for you 💀

[@alexandrenecker7508]

D'as auto vw 💪👍

[@michaeljrgensen1599]

At 6 minutes, 44 sec - the display for climate at the back seat shows "OFf". In my country this car is 120.000€. I would not expect VW to have saved that 0.50€ on a decent display.. shame on you VW ! A part from that - I have my money ready for a mid-used version of this car, to replace my Golf VI R.

[@MANCARS888]

120 000euro its alot of money my friend wich country you live?

[@gilbertolongares3454]

Lo único que no está en la versión de dos puertas éso lo hace más deportivo

[@psiturbo]

y quitarle ese sunroof

[@Federicomandotti]

Puro divertimento....

[@skillerxs]

Would be nice if it would be in manual..

[@martinrinfret3423]

Yes I have one in Quebec is so nice in manual

[@cryptik_official]

It’s actually 290-298 hp at most.

[@MANCARS888]

Thanks for the feedback,but its registrated as 320 hp and the golf 8 r (20 years edition) with 333hp

[@Jose-vb7py]

Precioso pero para mi gusto hubiera cambiado todo lo azul por rojo.

[@alexysgregorys2873]

BLUE és mucho mas rico..

[@alexysgregorys2873]

in brazil this car has super over priced..cost the same of porsche and bmw and audi...around..120.000US$

[@MANCARS888]

Thats a lot yes maybe buy one in europe

[@gforce5506]

Golf has become an uglier car with each model. It surpassed its rivals in exterior design. As a former golf prisoner, I don't like golf anymore.

[@williamsolomon8704]

mo go wena gongwe ga o na yone koloi le ba ditonki

[@mehamadteggr]

😢😢😢😢

[@viator1987]

Don't do it. I have a black R. Looks like shit right when you leave the showroom. Awful paint color. I have regrets. Wish mine was blue, or even white.

[@pitsosebiloane6639]

Stop lying, being broke isn't a crime. .

[@azharcassim2795]

Look you make a very valid point. I'm so tempted to go for a black but I know that it's going to require constant TLC to keep it looking good. Black is a difficult color to look after. The only way I see this working is having a full PPF done straight from the dealership. And a ceramic coat with regular maintenance washing.

[@chrisjones4863]

They ruined this final Golf Mark 7.5 is the No.1 hot hatch in my opinion

[@MANCARS888]

The gtd is also beautifull ,you dont like this model?

[@chrisjones4863]

@@MANCARS888 I think they went too far with trying to be clever on the interior. Externally the car has grown on me but it’s not subtle anymore like the previous model. I agree yes the GTD is also a mean looking machine.

[@MANCARS888]

ow okay yess i understandt it now thx for the reply👍@@chrisjones4863

[@RR-kb2ks]

Have to agree. Have hankered after one from they appeared in 2014, would love a 7.5 in black or indium grey, pan roof, on 19 Pretoria's - ahhhh, one day. The 8 looks almost ordinary, doesn't make you look the way you do with it's predecessor.

[@chrisjones4863]

@@RR-kb2ks I used to have the grey, 2019 model. It had a quality no messing around feel to it and everything worked to perfection. Had twins last year so had to say goodbye to it, boy I miss it

[@svenboden68]

Glad to own the 7.5 R seeing all the annoying heptic controls on this one😂😂😂

[@MANCARS888]

Hahah😂

[@psiturbo]

I have the MK8, is not glitchy at all, no issues, 2024. All the bugs have been fixed, something called UPDATES!

[@svenboden68]

@@psiturbo i m talking about heptic controls not software issues but good morning to you to and welcome to a completly different topic captain sarcasm

[@kimboofdzners9574]

​​@@svenboden68 MCM goes over them and he states the controls are easy to work with, you just slow... kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap3NcmWNZd-pqM0si=2d-SKt2yUjmiRKF3 *Part of the "annoying" controls is the glitches some have reported, I was on topic, get out of the tunnel vision.

[@enricoschirinzi235]

Uguale alla mia

[@MANCARS888]

Good taste👍