2023 Volkswagen Golf R Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Volkswagen Golf R represents the performance pinnacle for the German brand, though it owns several other marques with much hotter options.
What’s New for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen just released the new eighth-generation Golf R in 2022, so there are no changes on deck for 2023.
Design
The new Golf R got subtle refinements to its styling, but it's still immediately recognizable as a Golf. Volkswagen updated the car's exterior lighting with LED headlights and an LED light strip, and the rear end only features the VW logo and “R” script. Though Volkswagen offered versions of the car with two doors in years past, it’s now only available with four doors.
Powertrain
The 2023 VW Golf R gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the available seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The standard six-speed manual brings a slightly lower torque rating of 280 pound-feet, but the car is ferociously quick with either option. It comes with unique differentials that can shift power between the rear wheels to enable a pseudo drift mode, and the car can run zero-60 mph in around four and a half seconds.
Interior
The Golf R’s surprisingly spacious interior comes standard with leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. Heated rear seats are also standard, along with a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting. The R doesn’t have upgrade options like the GTI, as it comes with all the goodies baked in. Still, it retains the utility and usability that made the model famous years ago, and its cargo space is as generous as some small SUVs'.
Technology
The Golf R comes standard with a 10-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, along with automatic climate controls, wireless charging, and nine speakers. Volkswagen opted for an almost completely touch-based interface for the car, getting rid of most buttons in favor of touch sliders and controls. The move almost instantly riled car reviewers, but the system becomes more intuitive with ownership and time. Most will find the infotainment system easy to use, though it’s a bit laggy on vehicle startup.
Safety
The Golf R grabbed a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022, but it hasn’t been put through the agency’s new side-crash test for 2023. In order to secure the award, vehicles must earn an “Acceptable” or “Good” score in the test, which uses more force than in years past. VW equips a load of standard safety kit, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, forward collision warnings, and more.
Pricing
The 2023 Volkswagen GTI starts at $30,530 before taxes, options, and destination. The midrange SE trim starts at $35,330, and the top Autobahn trim starts at $39,070.
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2023 Volkswagen Golf R Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear 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 · USB auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 480 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.1 · Front brake width: 1.3 · 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 storage and pass-thru · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: cargo area carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Active parking system: driver controlled brake, gas and gear selection · Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: front · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB-C front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 4.47
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: MIB3 · Infotainment screen size: 10 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 10 in. · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · 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: contrast stitching
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
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): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Amazon Alexa · Smart device app function: horn/light operation · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: polished aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · 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 · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 480 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 14.1 · Front brake width: 1.3 · 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 storage and pass-thru · Dash trim: carbon · Door trim: carbon · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Active parking system: driver controlled brake, gas and gear selection · Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Ambient lighting: color-adjustable · Assist handle: rear · Autonomous lane guidance: lane centering · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB-C rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 4.24
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: contrast color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 10 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 10 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front pedestrian · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · 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: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.1 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
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
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Amazon Alexa · Smart device app function: maintenance status · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: painted aluminum
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer