If you're in the market for your first hot hatch, you've undoubtedly looked at the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R. I mean, why wouldn't you? It's had brilliant reviews, looks great, and has a whopping 316 bhp on tap. However, if your budget doesn't stretch as far as the starting price for one — around $55,000 — then fear not, as there are older, more affordable alternatives.
And this doesn't mean you need to give up hope of owning an R-badged Golf, either, as one of the Mk8's predecessors — the Mk5 R32 — is now sitting at around $10,000 in the used market. And yes, you don't quite get the power of the newer Golf R, nor the levels of modern technology, but what you do get is a very respectable 247 bhp and a glorious exhaust note from that VR6. Plus, underneath everything it's a MK5, a car that's often regarded as representing the peak of the Golf generations.
So, with prices now looking really affordable, let's take a closer look at why the Mk5 Golf R32 makes a great first hot hatch.
The MK5 R32's Place in Volkswagen History
Volkswagen is certainly no stranger to creating performance Golfs. In fact, The Golf GTI is regarded as one of — if not the — most iconic hot hatches. Think of it as the benchmark, if you will. And while the GTI deserves its legend status for a long list of reasons, Volkswagen has also given us some bigger-engined alternatives of note. It all started in 1992 with the MK3 Golf VR6. It had a 2.8 liter, 6-cylinder engine — the VR6, hence the name, but we'll get into that later — with 174 bhp and could hit sixty in 7.4 seconds. But, thanks to its engine, it wasn't so much its speed that was its party trick, rather the noise it made.
In 2002, though, Volkswagen decided to take the big-engined hatchback to the next level with the Mk4. It was named the R32 and used the same VR6 layout found in the MK3, only displacement was now increased to 3.2 liters — hence the name. It had 237 bhp and 236 lb-ft of torque that was sent through a Haldex all-wheel-drive system. Sixty could be reached in 6.4 seconds and it could go on to hit 154 mph, figures that are still respectable to this day. It was fast, then, and really set the tone for the mega-hot hatches that followed.
So, in 2005, the Mk5 went on sale in Europe — and in 2007 in the US — with a list price of around $30,000, or $37,000 in today's money. The similarities with its predecessor were immediate, with a 6-cylinder lump upfront and an all-wheel-drive system. But unlike the Mk4 R32, whose GTI sibling had received less than favorable reviews, the Mk5 R32 had stiff competition from its GTI relative, so it needed to be good to be worth the additional cost. And good it was.
A Detailed Look at What You Get For Your Money
The same VR6 engine found in the Mk4 was used in the Mk5. Only peak torque — 236 lb-ft, to be precise — was now reached at 300 rpm lower, while power was increased by 10 bhp at 247. The VR6 engine is unique in the sense that it's essentially six cylinders arranged in a zig-zag pattern under one cylinder head, meaning you can have the power of a V6 in a much smaller platform like the Golf. The downside to this, however, is that it means the R32 isn't as economical as the modern, turbocharged hot hatches. What it does mean, though, is that it makes a fantastic noise just like the cars that came before it.
To help put the power down, the Mk5 R32 comes with Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, which means rear-wheel traction will be engaged as and when you need it. Autocar reported that because of this, the R32 has much more traction over the permanently-front-wheel drive GTI, putting it in a completely different league when it comes to performance. And of course, this makes the car a lot more useable in poor conditions, and thereby a lot more manageable to those buying their first hot hatch.
One thing that's been consistent throughout the R-badged Golf's history is the perfect balance between subtle and sporty looks. And the Mk5 R32 is no exception. It's understated and refined, with subtle hints at its performance given through a chrome front grille, 18" alloys, and twin exhaust pipes. But really, the low-key details only enhance the already-handsome Mk5. The interior is premium, too, with luxurious, heated leather seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and climate control. Oh, and don't forget that because it's a Mk5 Golf, it's practical, also, with space for four passengers and a decently-sized boot.
So what you have is a car that makes everyday use a breeze, looks good, and sounds even better, all at a fraction of its original price. That's why, then, the Mk5 Golf R32 is a great option for those looking to buy their first hot hatch.