The Jekyll-and-Hyde nature of the Volkswagen Golf R makes it an interesting hatchback. On one hand, it can be a sensible, practical vehicle for everyday use. On the other hand, it has enough power and aerodynamic capabilities to keep up with many supercars on a racetrack. The Volkswagen Golf R is known as a ‘hot hatch’ due to its fiery performance and personality. The car is available in three colors:

Exterior and interior
The main differences between a standard Golf GTI and the Golf R can be seen in the 19-inch alloy wheels, the rear spoiler, aggressive twin-exhaust pipes, and more subtle ones elsewhere in the car. The steering, with touch-sensitive buttons that control the stereo volume, certain climate control functions, and the 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, is sporty and thick-rimmed. The Volkswagen Golf R has special ambient lighting in its cabin that can be lit in up to 30 colors. The front seats are wrapped in nappa leather. The seats have two-tone blue-carbon accents and an “R” moniker on the backrest.

Engine and performance
The Volkswagen Golf R comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that produces a powerful 315 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. These numbers make the Volkswagen Golf R the most powerful Golf. You can purchase the car either with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The car comes standard-fitted with Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with a rear differential that accurately provides torque between the left and right wheels for optimized handling. The engine delivers powerfully as expected, and the power allows the Volkswagen Golf R to have a top speed of 155 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. The fuel economy of the vehicle is in the range of 23 to 25 mpg.

Ride and handling
All the electronic aids and suspension tweaks enable the Golf R to handle well, even at high speeds. The steering is direct and responsive and provides good feedback and grip for the driver. Additionally, the car comes with a driving mode called the ‘drift mode’ to make full use of its handling prowess. In this mode, drivers can get the tail of the car out during high-speed cornering and hold the drift at high speed, which is a hair-raising motoring moment. However, drifting is only recommended for skilled drivers who can handle it.

Although the gearshifts are smooth and hassle-free in the automatic variant, the six-speed manual gearbox allows much quicker shifts and adds dynamism to the driving experience. The suspension settings can be controlled from the central 10-inch touchscreen on the dashboard. Overall, the ride is soft and stable, unlike several high-performance vehicles. The suspension settings and the Volkswagen Golf R’s suspension play a part in making the car’s ride quality steady and manageable for passengers seated within. Only occasional pothole bumps may filter into the cabin.

Convenience and safety features
The Volkswagen Golf R contains several convenience and entertainment features, including rain-sensing wipers, heated washer nozzles, puddle lights, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats. This car also features the 12-way electrical adjustment in the driver’s seat, three-zone climate control, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and a heads-up display that shows on the windshield so that the driver can keep their eyes on the road while driving.

In addition to the standard and expected safety features such as airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), the Volkswagen Golf R comes with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automated lane-keeping system, rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors, semi-autonomous parking, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive high-beams.

Price
The Volkswagen Golf R is priced at $44,290. This price is dynamic and does not include the optional extras.