The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 6MT Is The Ultimate All-Weather Hot Hatch

With Subaru cancelling plans for a WRX STI for this current generation, the 2022 #VolkswagenGolfR is the only player in town for enthusiasts looking for an AWD turbo hot hatch, until the upcoming GR Corolla comes to market at the end of this year. The latest Mark 8 #GolfR has more power, a new torque-vectoring AWD system, and a choice between a 6-speed MT or a 7-speed DSG. Its one of the best hot-hatches you can currently buy, and enthusiasts who opt for the #VWGolfR with the DSG will get one of the quickest accelerating sport compacts on the market.

We're also on:

[theredline]

Even though we have a new GR Corolla and Civic Type R on the way, let us remind you just how GOOD the latest Golf R is... especially with the 6-speed MT. We look forward to doing a comparison test between the Honda and Toyota later this year!

[pennycopperhatch]

At least VW makes a Hatchback look like a Hatchback still!...So Big Props to VW!

[michaelw]

I really like the new Golf R, but I can only find them at damn near $60k in my area. Which is absolutely insanity.

[wompa]

Car manufacturers have managed to convince the public that having the wiz-bang infotainment system is a luxury thing. But it’s entirely a cost savings measure. Not having to buy and install all of those buttons is builders being cheap.

[hellkitty]

The Golf R has always been the "mature" offering of the hot hatch. No crazy wings, gashes, slashes, or vents. It helps them to age quite well. Seeing the new CTR vs the previous generation really shows what happens when you go overboard on styling elements. The R will age very well.

VW was very smart to offer both a 6MT and DCT trans. Factoring in the impressive refinement and build quality of the R, it is one of the better buys of the class. I would love yo own one and be stealth about it!

[JCTiggs]

As of Oct 2023 the Golf R is still quite rare in Canada. And used 22-23 R's are still selling at what a 2024 R at MSRP costs. Some even higher.

[orangefirepearlfb]

13:25 😭🤣🤣 I knew 5 seconds before you said that you were already annoyed trying to get the screen to function

[IMPTIGO]

The host doesn't seem like the most skillful manual driver, I mean each shift is jerky af. I've seen other reviewers drive the 6MT and it doesn't look anything like this. And come on, rev matching? Geez, that's the type of thing you drive an automatic for, not a manual. Incredible that only NA gets the manual, probably will be the last one. That touch infotainment system though... hell no.

[anthonyc]

Another clutch destroyed by your driving 🤦🏻‍♂️

[jdipietronh]

You can setup a quick shortcut on the drop down menu (swipe down) for stability control, no need to go through the long path of menus like you were doing.

[AlecGrey]

Omg this is perfect!
I had a 2018 base golf and I thought the torque was rowdy on that. I can’t imagine this one lol.

[wanglee]

Yes every car that uses purely only a touch screen to do everything has gone the wrong direction. Keep all the daily adjustments a solid button or designated on the touch screen. I hate going thru 20 screen to adjust basic temperatures.

[AntFragale]

I have a 2022 Golf R, DSG. If anyone has any questions, no matter how specific, ask and I’ll do my best to answer them for you.

For what it’s worth this guy made some things seem way harder than they are. You do not have to do a convoluted process to turn off ESC. You can do it in one swipe from the drop down menu. Also, special mode puts the suspension rather soft, but everything else in “attack” as you called it. The green hell is bumpy. Also the fan being too fast when the A/C was turned on was because as he said himself, he put it to auto. It was getting to his desired temp as quickly as it could relative to what he selected. You can easily turn the temp up to have the fan auto lower in speed or use “classic” climate instead of auto and adjust everything yourself. It just takes an actual owner who’s spent more than 5s with the car.

[xtnuser]

Love my '19 GTI, and would definitely consider upgrading to the new generation R. Except that I wouldn't, because I've made a blood oath that I will never get another car with a touch sensitive volume slider instead of a knob. Go to hell VW...go straight to hell.

[Benjammin]

Anybody that lives with this car and actually likes driving doesn’t give a crap about the infotainment being touch only. It’s very easy to get used to and comes in a day or so for a normally intelligent person

[dfk]

It's going to be a Battle Royale between the Golf R and the new Civic Type R when it comes out. Too bad the Golf R 's interior is not too well executed...

[tonysteele]

For a measily $50k, you too can have a kinda-fast tiny 4 cylinder hatchback. What a wonderful world we live in! God bless us 2022.

[Tinrs]

A blue one was behind me bout 3 weeks ago in Knoxville and i like the look of this. ive always thought of this when i think of a hot hatch id look at first IF in the market but older now.. gotta grow up lol

[Loopsrainforest]

I never thought I'd say this but I also wish it had rev matching. I had massive ligament damage in my ankle from a bad fall while hiking & I can't heel toe like I used to.

[Dagot]

Finding a new Golf R that you can reasonably afford is nearly impossible. In my area, new R's are $5-7K over MSRP. One dealer is asking $10K over MSRP. I found a dealership nearly 400 miles away and we arrived at a price on a 2024 Golf R 6spd in lapis blue. The "market adjustment" was far less and, while it was still a stretch for me, I decided this is the car I love to drive any time and any place. AWD is an added bonus in my part of the country in winter. It was worth the long drive.