The 2022 VW Golf R Is Not Your Typical Hatchback
The Volkswagen Golf R has a few key features, including a manual transmission option, that set it apart from both the Golf and its competitors.
Written by Serena Aburahma
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The Golf compact car captured the attention of many because it's affordable and has excellent fuel economy, which makes it a perfect
first car to buy
. But, a new car
is stealing the attention away for the 2022 model year. The Golf R is its rebellious sibling that turns heads because of its speed. What makes this performance model so unique?
What can you expect with the Volkswagen Golf R?
Volkswagen paused the production of the Golf R after the 2019 model, but now it has come back stronger than ever. Car and Driver named it one of their editor's choice vehicles for 2022.
It offers plenty of standard safety features, like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. You'll also get 19-inch wheels with a set of summer performance tires.
The Volkswagen Golf R offers variable-ratio steering, a larger front disc braking system, and a sports exhaust setup. You'll find supportive front seats covered in Nappa leather, a 10.2-inch digital gauge display, and a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen for the interior.
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What makes the Golf R so unique?
The Volkswagen Golf R isn't just your typical hatchback. A few features set it apart from its rivals, like its revolutionary all-wheel-drive system. It's also one of the few models on the market that still offers a manual transmission, which Volkswagen insists on keeping.
Powering this Golf model is a 2.0-liter Inline-four turbocharged engine that generates 315 hp. Paired with it is your choice of a six-speed manual gearbox (standard), or the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which would cost an extra $800.
According to
Car and Driver
, the Volkswagen Golf R can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, which is almost a second faster than the Honda Civic Type R. You'll also get six drive modes, which include Comfort, Sport, Race, Special, Individual, and Drift. When it comes to fuel economy, this model isn't too bad. With the automatic transmission, you can expect 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The manual gets 20 mpg on city roads and 28 mpg when traveling on the highway.
How does it stack up with its competitors?
One of its biggest competitors happens to be the Honda Civic Type R. The two vehicles have been rivals for quite some time. The Civic model won't come out until later this year for the 2023 season, but the 2021 model still offers plenty of competitiveness to the Golf R.
According to
Car and Driver
, Honda's performance model has the same engine as the Golf. However, its output isn't quite the same. Its 2.0-liter engine only produces 306 hp with 295 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ratings are close, but Honda's model isn't as efficient as the Volkswagen Golf R. It's rated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. However, it's close to the manual version of the VW.
So far, Car and Driver likes the Honda Civic Type R a tiny bit more because it has a larger amount of cargo space, and its infotainment system isn't as challenging to use as the Golf's. The 2021 version earned top safety scores, but the 2022 Golf R hasn't been tested yet.
When it comes to price, the Civic Type R is a bit cheaper, with an MSRP of $37,950 for the base model. The VW Golf R is quite a bit more at $44,640.
Insuring your Volkswagen Golf R
When purchasing a Volkswagen Golf R, especially the 2022 model, you'll want to get the best insurance you can without overpaying for it. That can be difficult unless you go through the painstaking work of browsing through numerous insurance companies for the best policy at the best price. Who has the time to do all that?
That's where
Jerry
comes in. We can search dozens of companies to find the best options that work for you. Sign up for our service today and see how much you can save. Are you overpaying for car insurance?
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