2024 Volkswagen Golf R Specs, Review, Price, & Trims

Volkswagen Golf R

Key Features

Starting at $44,455 MSRP*
2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI® engine with 315 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque
7-speed DSG automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission
4MOTION® all-wheel drive
DCC adaptive chassis control

Digital Cockpit Pro instrument panel, Discover Pro 10-inch touchscreen navigation, and heads-up display
IQ.DRIVE suite of driver-assistance technologies
Standard panoramic sunroof
19” aluminum wheels with summer performance tires

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Golf R vs Competition

About the Volkswagen Golf R

Over four decades ago, Volkswagen redefined high performance with the Golf GTi, the world’s first “hot hatch.” Years later, they pushed the envelope even further with the Golf R, the fastest production Golf ever. The newest version of the Volkswagen Golf R boasts impressive performance, tenacious traction, and cutting-edge technology. With 315 horsepower on tap, the 2.0-liter TSI® engine delivers mind-bending acceleration, the likes of which you’ve never seen from even the hottest of hatchbacks. Lightning-quick shifts from the optional 7-speed DSG transmission will throw you back in your heated and ventilated Top Sport bucket seat, and thanks to 4MOTION® all-wheel drive, you can be certain that all of that power makes it to the pavement.

Of course, you can’t spend all of your time behind the wheel on a racetrack – unless you’re a professional race car driver, of course. For the rest of us, there’s plenty to keep us occupied during our commute. The Discover Pro 10-inch touchscreen, standard panoramic sunroof, and customizable 30-color ambient lighting make your drive more pleasant – and more connected. In the Volkswagen Golf R, performance, practicality, and comfort combine to create an ideal driving experience for those who want it all – and need the space to bring it home with them.

What the Critics Say

The driving experience can best be described as that of a Porsche 718 Cayman with a back seat. Yes, this Golf—with a transversely mounted four-cylinder in an economy car's body—is that good.” - Car and Driver

How does the new Golf R drive? Why, it's nuts, of course. Volkswagen turned us loose on roads that were twisty and extremely narrow. Here, the Golf R was right at home: Tenacious grip, heroic brakes, and a seemingly unflappable all-wheel-drive setup allowed us to rocket into, through, and out of the corners as if we'd been given a day pass from the laws of physics.” - Motor Trend

What’s New For 2024

There are no major changes to report to the Volkswagen Golf R for the 2024 model year. Enthusiasts will be disappointed to learn that 2024 is the final model year for the manual transmission option on the Golf R. This means it’s your final chance to experience the thrill of shifting your own gears behind the wheel of this high-octane hatchback. In other news, last year’s commemorative 20th Anniversary Edition has been discontinued from the tim range. Otherwise, the Golf R soldiers on unchanged from last year’s version.

Volkswagen Golf R Features

Impressive Performance

The heart of the Volkswagen Golf R is its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI® engine, which produces 315 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough power to rocket this machine to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. The legendary DSG 7-speed transmission shifts so quickly that the fun never stops and if like many of us, you prefer to shift your own gears, that’s an option as well. The performance-tuned 4MOTION® all-wheel drive system gives you the traction you need to make the most of all of that power. DCC adaptive chassis control continuously tweaks the damping force up to 200 times per second to ensure the most sure-footed handling in any Golf, ever. Your command center, the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, is customizable to display the information you care about most, while a standard heads-up display keeps you focused on the road.

Driver-Focused Cockpit

30-color adjustable ambient lighting and a standard panoramic sunroof are just two of the impressive interior features of the Volkswagen Golf R. In addition to the aforementioned digital gauge cluster, you’ll also have access to a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen navigation system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Nappa leather Top Sport seats are heated and ventilated for optimal comfort in all weather conditions, and they’re contoured to hold your body in place during high-performance maneuvers while remaining comfortable enough for daily use. Every single Golf R comes fully loaded with all of these luxury features. All you have to choose is transmission and color.

A Technological Marvel

There’s more to automotive technology than just infotainment. The Volkswagen Golf R includes IQ.DRIVE, a sophisticated suite of driver assistance technologies designed to keep you safe on the road. Features include adaptive cruise control, an active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, front brake assist, lane-keeping assist, and Travel Assist, which combines several of the previously mentioned features to create a hands-on, semi-autonomous driving experience. In addition, Golf R buyers also receive Volkswagen Car-Net®, which includes a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for your mobile device. App-Connect allows certain smartphone apps to appear on your center touchscreen for ease of use.