recalls. Since then, there have been eight different body styles of the practical, but fun and sporty Golf.
It's also been one of the bestselling cars for VW and overall for the last almost 50 years. What's more, the whole idea of a hot hatchback, or hot hatch, came about because of the VW Golf.
The Golf typically dons a front-wheel-drive system and a front transverse engine. You can also opt for the all-wheel-drive, even sportier GTI, which shares the same body style as the Golf but with a higher price tag.
shares. Inside you'll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 315 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft of torque, making it the fastest Golf yet.
Even with all that power, you aren't getting thrown around while driving. The Golf R has a smooth ride, making it extra appealing for a range of driver preferences. It effortlessly glides through the gears and takes you from 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds.
The R performance package is mostly to thank for that ease. It comes standard on all models in the U.S. With this package comes tweaks to the throttle, transmission, and ride, helped by the 15-position electronically-controlled dampers for the suspension.
In the interior, there's also cool tech like an infotainment system as well as leather-wrapped seats that don a cloth carbon-fiber-like pattern that harkens to the classic plaid print that the Golf GTI is known for.
What's its significance in the hot hatch market?
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The Golf definitely holds a firm spot in the market historically. With the updates to the latest model, it also beats out the Honda Civic Type R in terms of performance.
The Golf continues to position itself as a well-balanced mostly economy car with an emphasis on performance. Its higher price tag does impact its accessibility to a broader audience that maybe can't quite afford it.
For reference, the MSRP of the Civic Type R starts at around $37,000, but other hot hatches like the Mazda 3 start at a reasonable $22,750 MSRP.
You'll need great insurance to go with your hot hatch
No matter if you zoom off in a brand new Golf R or go with a more economically priced choice, you're going to need cheap car insurance. That's where
If you want to save money on car insurance, the Jerry app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.