2016 Volkswagen Golf R Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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If you're looking for a hot hatch but want more power than the mainstream ones offer, you may be a good candidate for the Volkswagen Golf R. Brought to the U.S. back in 2012, the Golf R takes all that's good about the Golf and GTI and adds a whole bunch of insanity.
Sitting under the Golf R's hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pumping 292 horsepower to the pavement via Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. That's good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. Drivers who like to row their own will rejoice to hear the Golf R now comes with a 6-speed manual transmission standard. If you're the type who prefers today's excellent automatics, the 6-speed DSG will still be available, but now for a fee.
Volkswagen is proud to point out the Golf R made it around the Nürburgring in 8 minutes and 15 seconds, putting it dead even with the famed BMW 1M. That lap time more than makes up for the Golf R's 22 mpg city/31 highway mileage rating (with the manual, the automatic clocks 23/30), which is a bit lower than you'd expect for a car of its size.
For 2016, the Golf R will have 2 available trims—the Golf R and the Golf R with DCC (Dynamic Chassis Control) and Navigation. Both will come with 4 doors and Volkswagen's new MIB II infotainment system with USB connection and VW Car-Net App-Connect—a system that integrates your phone into the car's infotainment system and works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
Pick the raucous base model and you'll find yourself flying down the road enjoying such niceties as a 6.5-inch color touchscreen infotainment display, driving mode selection, leather seats, keyless entry with push-button start, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. But thanks to 18-inch wheels, 3-mode electronic stability control, and vented brake calipers, you may be too busy enjoying the ride to really notice the luxury surrounding you. Automatic bi-Xenon headlights will keep your attention focused on the outside, while front and rear side curtain airbags, dual front airbags, 4-wheel antilock brakes, and VW's Intelligent Crash Response System protect you inside the car.
Opt for the Golf R with DCC and Navigation and you'll hop in your ride to find things like Discover Media touchscreen navigation and Volkswagen's Dynamic Chassis Control—a system that lets the driver adjust the car's damping settings. In addition to the goodies found on the base Golf R, the more premium trim boasts 19-inch wheels and a Fender sound system. New for 2016, the Golf R with DCC and Navigation is available with VW's updated Driver Assistance Package, complete with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, and park distance control.
The Golf R has made a name for itself as a fun, raucous car with more than enough utility to be a daily driver. With seating for 5 and 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (52.7 with the seats down), the Golf R certainly fits the bill as a practical car. Where most people get scared away from the Golf R is the price tag—$35,650 is by no means a small price for a small hatchback. If you know the Golf R is for you, go for it. While it may seem like a lot of money to lay down for a small Volkswagen, when you compare it to the cars its performance numbers rival, it begins to look like a bargain.
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2016 Volkswagen Golf R Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Dash trim: simulated carbon fiber · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: simulated carbon fiber · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: alloy · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.44 · Locking differential: center
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Fender premium brand · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.4 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with pass-thru · Dash trim: simulated carbon fiber · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: simulated carbon fiber · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: alloy · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.27 · Locking differential: center
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: height · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer