2022 VW Golf R | Review & Road Test

Under the hood of the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R you’ll find some things that are the same, but different, too. The R’s still powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, only this one makes 315 hp and 295 pound ft of torque with the DSG transmission and 280 with the manual.


Let’s talk about both of those things for a second, meaning power and the transmission.

But anyone who knows won’t be quick to dismiss VW’s 7-speed DSG. Like I said before, you get a bigger torque number and frankly, if you’re after quick track times the dual clutch shifts so quick and smoothly, you won’t regret not do the rowing yourself. It’s one of the best you can get that’s not on in premium badged car. Of course, you have paddles to get the best of both worlds. But you’re going to put down faster lap times with it. If that’s what you’re into.

As for power, the extra bump is lovely. Was it necessary? Maybe not, because the Golf R is exceeding good at getting a move on. It puts power down very effectively. The acceleration feels quick and sure. I never feel a lack in that department when I’m driving this. And I certainly didn’t before either.

When it comes to the handling I really don’t have any complaints.

The R comes standard with VWs 4Motion all-wheel drive. The GTI remains a front wheel drive machine with a limited slip differential, which is good , don’t get me wrong, but this all-wheel traction with torque vectoring software that can shift 100% of the rear torque to either one of the rear wheels, is incredibly impressive.


To that end there is also a drift mode if you’re looking to lose a little of that control and get sideways, which is part of the fun of these little hot hatches. Unfortunately I’m not allowed to do that on a public road right now. But the AWD system is so damn good and the Golf tends to understeer, so I feel as though it would take an awful lot of effort to get a little slide out of the rear end.

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. Maybe you want your sporty little hot hatch to get a little squirrely?

Whether you enjoy a little more squirrel in the sauce or not, the Golf R adds some exceptional brakes making for a very tidy track vehicle here that can also pick up the kids from school, grab a week’s worth of groceries and comfortably transport four full-sized adults to a movie.

The suspension gets a track mode that feels appropriately named. You feel the imperfections in the road, but you’re at least firmly planted when you’re feeling them. There’s not a lot of give there.

And when you’re in comfort mode, the Golf R does a great daily driver impersonation. Could I live with this in commuter traffic? With the DSG, absolutely.


When it comes to safety tech, the Golf R gets more features than the previous gen had including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

These advanced systems are available with the manual transmission, which they are not on the Subaru WRX manual, but, I’ll say the lane-keeping assist isn’t as smooth as some others in market right now.


Overall, the drivability of the Golf R is highly desirable.

When I come inside the Golf R I’m not going to gush so effusively.

It does get a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster which is good, customizable and clear, love it. It’s when I get to the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen were things go a bit south.


As for interior goodies, the R gets wireless charging and Apple CarPlay and android standard, which his great. And when you do figure out how it all works the infotainment system allows customization and has very clear graphics, but it’s a bit complicated and layered. Yes, the interior disappoints when it comes to the grand scheme of the car. It simply lacks the specialness of the Mark 7.


And the R is only available as a fully loaded animal. Your one option? Transmission. Base price on the R is about $43,700, which is over $3300 more than the base price was for the Mk 7.

But what you get for your money is generous and includes an adaptive damping suspension, performance summer tires, 14-inch front brake rotors, LED head and taillights, Nappa leather sport seats, a heated leather wrapped steering wheel, 3-zone climate control, snazzy audio system, etc.

If VW offers it, you get it here.

Have I fallen out of love with the Golf R in overall terms? Well, the interior isn’t where I’d hope it would be and not helping matters, but for the rest of it, the well-honed driving dynamics, the zippy speed, and its seemingly innate ability to make you look good on road or track, I’d say the Golf R is still worth loving. Now, go buy one so VW doesn’t discontinue this one, too.

00:00 Year Make Model
0:40 Exterior
1:07 Interior
2:50 Engine
4:38 Driving Impressions
6:50 Competitors

[Coronerlex]

I enjoyed the review. Seemed pretty thorough. At the end you seemed to mention the ~$3300 price increase as if it were some huge downside but you didn't mention all of the features the MK8 has over the Mk7. Sunroof, memory driver's seat, heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, torque vectoring AWD over Halidex, More power, improved exhaust, heads up display, improved ambient lighting, rear seat climate controls, etc. Huge additions over the MK7.5 for not a reasonable increase in price.

[TalismanPHX]

Price gouging by dealerships is horrendous on the Golf R and even the CRIMINAL

[koston]

"affordable sport cars" true, without crazy dealer markups. With mark up, that R will cost over $60K.

[UtkuUtkan]

"Go to VW and buy one." Only if it were that simple.

[dalemansukh]

mK7 R owner here. This was a great and excellent review. Good job on the content and knowing your audience.

[TheRacingShawn]

VW, please replace the infotainment system and bring back physical buttons in the midterm update.

[nevercedes]

I agree, at this price range, rev matching should be there. I’m glad it isn’t though, really threw me off on the type r so I’m not upset if it’s not there. We all learned without it.

Interface seems like a massive learning curve which I’m not excited about but most those settings are left alone after one set up, besides volume and temp control

[henryi]

The capacitive buttons, cup holders, and touch screen volume interface need to be redesigned ; otherwise the car is great.

[haze]

Looks great, drives great... ruined by terrible user interface inside.
Drivers want a physical volume knob and HVAC controls. The haptic button and slider trend needs to die already.

[connormcnicol-day]

Manufacturers, stop trying to reinvent climate control, volume and tuning knobs. Oh, and steering wheel buttons. Leave them alone!

[haciendadad]

Not surprised that VW held back some on the interior, but to differentiate from the Audi, something had to give, and for the difference of $10k or more, the interior is a small price to pay, but I'm buying it for the engineering. Also, The Straight Pipes team had no problem getting it to drift out of curves, without putting it in Drift Mode, and in Drift Mode they were able to do donuts. The SavageGeese and Alex on Auto teams was quite impressed with with the vehicle too but gave it a knock on the infotainment screen too but they all love the performance of this new model!

[tedjones]

Accurate and well-presented road test... However, I have to disagree about the comments re: Infotainment - the system is actually very intuitive and after a short learning curve very easy to use. I set my Climate control to 70 F year round - and the heated/cooled seats are easy to access and use. As far as the heated steering wheel issue (You can turn it off - which I have done for the summer) and what's nice is that the whole system adjusts to the outside temperature BEFORE you get in the car and so everything is automatically cooled down/heated without touching the system once you start the engine. Also, if you are driving at 10/2 o clock position you would never hit the heated steering wheel button! It would have been nice for the presenter to go into MODES and show the numerous options to set the car up - hitting R on the steering wheel gives the 'hottest' setting for instant maximum performance.
I have the 6 speed manual and the car drives superbly and continues to impress me. Incidentally, I'm 66 and if the 'much criticized' infotainment system is so bad - how did I master it so quickly...? The car has effectively sold out and as an owner (I have owned every generation of GTI) I can absolutely see why!

[ronochow]

Those terrible capacitive controls especially on the steering wheel is a complete deal breaker.

[Driver]

DSG is awesome, my current MKVII GTI, is my first VAG with DSG and I was sold. My old MKVI GTI manual was good, but not Honda or Mazda shift quality.

[MilindSabarad]

Why do you hate on the interior so much and call it less special than the Mk7? It's good!! What's your definition of special?

[Flex_WRX]

Such a great host. Always enjoy Kelly Blue Book reviews! Im waiting for my R to arrive... Sigh.

[mark-qidi]

Those touch buttons are a deal breaker for me

[BrogeKilrain]

For those $$ bucks they need Scirocco appeal design

[metetuncay]

The titles for the different sections of the review don't correspond to the actual parts of the video where those things are discussed.

[DouglasRosser]

Did I hear the line "squirrel in the sauce" during this review? AWESOME!