The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is the latest version of Volkswagen’s performance hot hatchback. The new Golf R has many improvements from its previous generation, including something that any car enthusiast would love - more power. Plus, many changes elevate the driving experience to a whole new level. The old Golf R was falling behind in the race for being the hottest hatchback in the segment, so Volkswagen has updated the Golf R to produce over 300 HP. It is also based on the Mark 8 Golf, which means it features a host of changes on the exterior, interior, and a mighty engine.
Nearly 20 years ago, Volkswagen gave North America a taste of the Golf R, and it was an instant hit with all driving enthusiasts. The biggest pulling factor of the Golf has always been its 6-speed manual transmission and Volkswagen’s signature 4motion AWD system. The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is here to give the enthusiasts more of everything.
It’s Highly Impressive Engine
Perhaps the biggest talking point about the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is the upgraded engine which now churns out 315 HP, an increase of over 25 HP from the previous Golf R. The unit is a 2.0 Liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder, which has Volkswagen’s phenomenal TSI engineering. What keeps the Golf’s charm intact is that it still comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission to this day. The other transmission option is the seven-speed DSG gearbox. Also, what is worth noting is that the torque figures are different for different transmissions. The DSG produces 295 lb-ft of torque, and the manual produces 280 lb-ft.
The vehicle comes equipped with the 4motion AWD system, which sends power to all four wheels. The vehicle also features a drift mode, in which the Golf R can send up to 50% of its power to the rear wheels. There is also Torque vectoring on offer, which makes sure that the wheels with the most traction receive the majority of the power. The fuel economy stands at 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the Highway. The Golf R reaches from 0 to 60 MPH in under 3.9 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 12.5 seconds at a speed of 111 MPH.
A Head-Turning Styling
The Golf R looks fast even when standing still, thanks to its redesigned bumper and sharp angular design. There are LEDs all around its body, including headlamps, tail lamps, indicators, and also DRL’s. The talking point about the front design is the light bar that runs across the length of the vehicle and the subtle blue accents over that light bar and on the headlamps. There is also a small R badge on the grill to ensure it is separated from the regular Golf.
For this new generation, Volkswagen did not increase the vehicle's dimensions in any way. The car remains 167 inches long and sits on a wheelbase of 103.8 inches. What is immediately noticeable is the 19-inch wheels which are standard on the Golf R. Within the wheels lie the upgraded brakes, which are now bigger and provide better stopping. Other styling cues include the addition of a sunroof, a new spoiler at the back, and the quad exhaust pipes, which are all functional.
Once inside the Golf R, it is impossible not to admire the sheer quality of materials and attention to detail. The biggest aspect of the interior is the two large screens. One is the gauge cluster which is 10.25 inches, and the 10-inch infotainment system. What is also new to the Golf is that all the buttons on the steering wheel are now being replaced by touch-sensitive buttons, which take time to get used to. The car also features ambient lighting, which can be customized in 30 different colors as per Volkswagen. The Golf has tons of storage spaces throughout the cabin, and seats are special for this year. They offer heating and cooling functions and electric adjustability and can save up to 3 people’s settings.
More Performance For More Money
The new 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is priced at $44,645 for the 6-speed manual transmission and $45,440 for the seven-speed DSG. That’s a bump of around $3,350 over the previous model of the Golf R. The 2022 Golf R offers many safety features, too, some of them being adaptive cruise control, lane keeps assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, and emergency braking. These do justify the value-for-money quotient to some extent, if not wholly.
The idea of the Golf R has always been simple - to provide a supercar-like performance without sacrificing the practicality for everyday use. Volkswagen had to deliver all of it without being too expensive, and they have done it with the 2022 Golf R. It does command a premium price and leads the race in terms of performance and stand-alone standard features. The Golf R still is a driver’s delight and an insanely capable hot hatchback.