The standard front sport seats have substantial side bolsters, but a wide seating area means they don’t press against your sides too much. The shifter is on the taller side for a performance car, but it works well nonetheless.Ģ022 Volkswagen Golf R | photo by Christian Lantry It steers with a light touch, the clutch pedal depresses easily, and the shifter flicks easily between gears whether you’re shifting up or down. Great to DriveĮverything about the Golf R driving experience is light and slick. In consideration of our December test drive, the car’s standard summer performance tires had been swapped for Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter tires. Our test car had the manual, and its as-tested price was $44,640 (including a $995 destination charge).
GOLF IT PRICE MANUAL
The Golf R is offered in one well-equipped trim level with a standard six-speed manual transmission the lone option is a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which costs $800. For more details, check out a side-by-side specs comparison of the two hatchbacks. Also, the Golf R’s 315-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes 74 hp more than the Golf GTI’s turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The Golf R has standard all-wheel drive, while the Golf GTI is front-drive only. While the Golf R and Golf GTI share a platform, there are some significant differences between them. Related: 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, Golf R: Quick Spin The regular Golf hatchback is no longer offered in the U.S. for the 2019 model year, the 2022 Golf R is based on the redesigned, eighth-generation Golf platform, which also underpins the 2022 Golf GTI. Versus the competition: Competitors like the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai Veloster N and Subaru WRX STI have racier styling, but none offer the blend of refinement and performance you get with the Golf R. Its well-roundedness doesn’t come cheap, however, and some shoppers might not appreciate VW’s newfound love of touch-sensitive controls. The verdict: The redesigned 2022 Volkswagen Golf R hatchback is a refined, entertaining and versatile performance car.