After setting a new bar for small, efficient cars when it first broke cover almost 50 years ago, the Golf has been breaking new ground in every generation that followed.
Every generation has seen growth, without any backward step, even the much vaunted third generation was the first Golf to have airbags fitted as standard equipment. The latest generation is no exception, and no model better illustrates that than the new VW Golf R.
It is an ideal balance of fun and practicality, laughing in the face of those who think the only car they can choose is a crossover, a vehicle almost universally devoid of joy.
8 Gorgeous Design
Between the sixth and seventh generations, we have not seen any dramatic departures in styling like in previous models. It is very much more of the same, just improved ever so slightly.
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While the exterior might make it look more like a facelift, the latest Golf gets most of its updates on the inside, with a new interior and digital instrument panel.
7 Technology
That instrument panel has gone full digital, and much like other manufacturers they also added a large 10-inch touch screen to the center console, or what is now widely accepted as the “infotainment.”
The R gets both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity as well as a host of other features. We just wish they gave it a couple more tactile buttons to press, but such is life in the digital age.
6 Efficiency
This has become a buzzword for VW. After the dieselgate scandal that rocked the company and by extension the entire automotive industry, everything has become about efficiency. Something we can’t really say about diesels anymore…
Over the years, their gas engines have proven to be some of the most efficient in the industry, and the latest 2-liter turbo is no exception, delivering smooth power to all four wheels and a respectable fuel economy of 28 MPG.
5 Grip
All R models are all-wheel drive, but the latest system is more advanced than ever and delivers incredible grip thanks to its sophisticated torque-vectoring system.
It helps alleviate understeer by constantly calculating exactly how much power to send to each wheel, which also makes for a safe winter commuter that won’t break traction.
4 Safety
With a 5-star NCAP safety rating, you can be sure that the latest Golf is one of the safest cars on the market. For this generation, there is one safety innovation that stands out though.
Their patented ICRS (intelligent crash response system) is something we hope to see adopted by all manufacturers. As soon as a crash is detected (i.e. airbags deployed) all locks are released, the fuel pump is shut off, and the hazard lights are triggered, indicating the fact that you have now become a road hazard.
3 Practicality
Crossovers are all the rage now, having all but usurped the once mighty SUV. Both platforms lend themselves well to bigger families, but for smaller families, a hatchback is still a very reasonable alternative.
Even though this is very much a hot version, it loses nothing in terms of practicality, seating 5 comfortably with luggage space at the back and nobody would judge you for adding a tasteful roof rack to one of these.
2 Performance
Although the latest R model has left the potent VR6 engine behind, it certainly doesn’t lose much in terms of overall performance, making a solid 315 horsepower which is a good deal, and even more than the GTI model.
What is a little bizarre is the fact that it only matches the 0-60 mph of the old R32, even though it is lighter. Both cars get there in 6.3 seconds and will march on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. We suspect it might be down to the transmission, a DSG box would have saved a few tenths, but we think they made the right choice...
1 Manual
You might give up a few tenths of a second here and there, but the fact that they gave this a manual transmission is just fantastic. It is VW basically saying they are willing to choose fun over speed if that's your wish.
It is by far the best way to change gears, and will make this car that much more engaging to drive on the limit. In a time when every manufacturer seems determined to rid the earth of the manual transmission, we are glad to see at least one mainstream manufacturer willing to persevere with it.