- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
235kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 7.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2022)
2023 Volkswagen Golf R review: DCOTY 2023 – Best Hot Hatch
Winner of the 2023 Drive Car of the Year Best Hot Hatch
- Carries an immense amount of speed through bends
- Excellent technology array
- Super-sharp dual-clutch gearbox
- Seats could use some more bolstering
- Silly touch panels to control air-conditioning
- Lack of steering directness
The Volkswagen Golf R is the 2023 Drive Car of the Year Best Hot Hatch.
As one of the most contentious categories, it came down to a slim margin in deciding the Volkswagen Golf R as the 2023 Drive Car of the Year Best Hot Hatch. We all know the Golf R as a savagely fast hot hatch in all weather conditions, but the model has not typically held the best reputation in terms of smile inducement.
This new Mk8 Golf R is two cars for the price of one: it's a riot when you want and refined when you need. Though it comes at a considerably higher price point than the other two hot hatch contenders (it's $66,990 before on-road costs), the Golf R is worth its substantial asking price due to its jack-of-all-trades character. Not only is it fast like the Hyundai i30 N, but it blends in a well-finished cabin, an array of integrated tech solutions, and it also earns a huge tick in the space and practicality stakes. It even comes in wagon body style for an extra $3000.
Sitting above the Golf GTI, and as the flagship of the Golf range entirely, the Golf R is the most hardcore performance variant of the small hatch line-up. Many Golf variants are fitted with turbocharged 2.0-litre engines, but the Golf R's is turned up to 11 with outputs totalling 225kW/400Nm.
This power is routed through all four wheels, and through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Also joining the party is a host of sporty upgrades such as a sports body kit, sports seats, performance brakes, 19-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and a series of drive modes (including a Drift mode!).
It is far more entertaining than its forebears and welcomes a fun-loving character that is so crucial to the hot hatch formula. You need only look as far as its outlandish body kit to see signs of VW injecting a laugh into its flagship hot hatch.
Key details | 2023 Volkswagen Golf R Hatch |
Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol |
Power | 235kW |
Torque | 400Nm |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 156.6kW/t |
Weight (tare) | 1501kg |
Tow rating | N/A |
Turning circle | 11m |
It remains the all-weather weapon we know and love, with judges likening it to the Porsche 911 Turbo in its unfathomable ability to demolish a set of twisty roads, no matter the conditions.
The 225kW of power is put down to the ground without so much as a tyre chirp, and the way the Golf R is able to carry speed through corners wowed judges. The steering isn’t the last word in directness, but relays good information to the driver about what’s underfoot.
Key to the Golf R’s success is its ability to calm down for everyday duties. The interior is spacious and comfortable, contains all manner of tech and features to keep owners occupied, and its ability to dispatch rough roads is commendable. The Drive team has long lambasted Volkswagen for its inclusion of touch-sensitive controls – which the Golf R has – though thankfully the marque will soon phase out the controls in favour of traditional buttons.
Put simply, this is the hot hatch you'll want to drive every single day.
So, forget everything you know about hot hatches, the new Golf R is a proper compact sports car that just happens to be practical!
Note: These ratings have been pulled from the most recent Volkswagen Golf R review (read it here) and as part of Drive Car of the Year 2023 all finalists will be freshly reviewed in the near future.
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