The Golf R offers a sporty driving experience without sacrificing comfort and convenience
Few things upset me more than when an automaker kneecaps the concept of a hatchback. A hatch is supposed to be a practical, convenient, and relatively comfortable car with a good-sized trunk. Historically they’ve been smaller than sedans but their spacious trunks allowed them to carry more stuff—making them popular among adventure-loving younger folks, pet parents, and more.
A hot hatch, however, is supposed to be all of that plus some extra power and sporty bits for a more exciting driving experience. Sadly, companies are known for going too far and making hot hatches too stiff, too low, and therefore, too uncomfortable and unpractical—Ford Focus RS, anyone? Luckily, the 2023 VW Golf R retains all of the qualities of a traditional hatchback, while adding a healthy dose of sportiness into the mix. The result is a powerful, fast, and very sharp hatchback that still works as a family car.
As a former owner of a first-gen Golf R32, I’ve had the chance to witness the evolution of VW’s R models. In terms of design, the new R is a departure from the first iterations, featuring a sleeker, smoother, and modern design language. The front fascia sits down low and gives the car a bit of a menacing look, with the headlights adding a touch of modernity with their elongated corners. The same goes on in the back, where a boxy hatch shows off angular taillights that mostly live on the rear quarter panels. Below, four meaty exhaust pipes let everyone know this isn’t any regular hatchback.
Inside, the cabin is pure VW: Clean, minimalist, and somewhat cold. VW’s newest interior design which began with the ID4 EV isn’t exactly a fan-favorite, but you can get used to it for sure. It’s replaced all buttons with touch-sensitive surfaces and sliders. These can be tricky to understand and master, but you’ll get there eventually. View to the front, sides, and out back is excellent, as it should be in a spacious cabin like this one.
Driving the Golf R is experiencing what the hot hatch driving experience should be. Its suspension is supple but firm. You won’t go, “ouch!” when going over potholes or other road imperfections. However, when the road gets twisty, you’ll notice that the suspension is stiff enough to provide an excellent cornering experience. In other words, it’s well-balanced for weekday and weekend duty, and that’s where most other hot hatches miss the mark.
The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine is in its happy place in higher RPMs. It loves to be revved and aims to please by giving you more and more power as you remain in the higher rev range. You’ll never wish the Golf R had more power, but it does lack a torquey punch. Sometimes you’ll look at the speedo and realize you’re going considerably faster than you imagined, simply because you don’t get a strong sensation of speed while accelerating. The well-insulated, quiet cabin also factors into that.
A smooth six-speed manual transmission makes the R come alive when driven hard, giving the driver the ability to squeeze the most out of its 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Compared to my old R32, which had a notoriously obnoxious transmission, this unit is more playful and has a considerably lighter clutch.
The Golf R doesn’t have any problem running errands around town, taking the kids to school, and doing lots of mundane things. As much as it loves to go fast and carve up corners, it knows when to be a civil hatchback. The backseat is roomy enough for two adults plus maybe one kid (or three kids total), and the front seats are some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced in this segment. Definitely better than the Hyundai Veloster N, Honda Civic Type R, and most certainly the now-defunct Ford Focus RS.
When it comes to cargo space, the R provides enough room for three carry-on-size suitcases, many grocery shopping bags, and lots of kid/dog stuff. Not at the same time, of course. You may need to remove the cargo cover in order to stack things high in the trunk, but that’s the case with any hatchback or crossover. Access to the cabin is easy whether you’re the youngest or oldest in the family, as the R doesn’t sit too low to the ground either.
Overall, the 2023 VW Golf R is a joy to drive fast or slow. It’s a hatchback that can take your family places during the week but can help you escape on the weekends by offering you a thrilling time on your favorite country road. In a nutshell, it’s what a hot hatchback should be.
Of course, this type of performance, looks, and versatility doesn’t come cheap. At $45,390 (including destination), it’s more expensive than some of the best-equipped compact crossovers out there, such as the Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid. However, if you’re set on buying a hatch that also needs to play family car, you couldn’t do much better than this.
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