Test-Driving The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R offers an impressive performance pedigree. Its 2.0-liter turbo four makes 315 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque when paired to its 6-speed manual transmission. That number climbs to 295 lb-ft with the 7-speed dual clutch automatic. This power is sent through Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system before arriving at the 19-inch alloy wheels wearing performance tires.

The cost for all this performance tech is $46,890 for 6-speed manual Golf Rs, or $47,690 for models with the 7-speed automatic. That’s about $10,000 more than a similarly powered Hyundai Elantra N or Toyota GR Corolla, but only about $2,000 more than the Honda Civic Type R. What does the extra coin get you? Well, the Golf R will hit 60 mph in the mid-4-second range, with the automatic of course being faster. That basically ties the Type R, GR Corolla and Elantra N — to a degree that suggests an almost scary level of benchmarking across these automakers.

But car’s like this are not really about straight-line acceleration. They are more focused on inspiring confidence during aggressive cornering, which puts the all-wheel-drive GR Corolla and Golf R at a theoretical advantage over Honda’s and Hyundai’s front drivers. And yet all these cars can pull about 1 later G, so all-wheel-drive advantage doesn’t manifest in a lateral grip advantage. The Golf R does offer a “drift” mode that delivers more power to the rear wheels, something Honda and Hyundai can’t do. And even without that setting you can feel the torque-vectoring in the 4Motion system rotating the car in a way a front-driver can’t.

However, you can also feel the Golf R’s increased weight compared to the Type R and GR Corolla. We’re talking a couple hundred pounds here, so it’s not huge issue. But if you’re after the most responsive-feeling pocket rocket in this segment, the Golf R isn’t for you. Conversely, if you’re looking for the most comfortable and accommodating of these sport compact cars, the Golf R is a solid choice.

Roomy and comfortable seating for four adults? Heated and ventilated power front seats, with memory? And covered in Nappa leather? Heated rear seats? Three-zone climate control? A sunroof? A head-up display? The Golf R includes all of these as standard equipment, largely explaining and justifying its price premium. And this Lapiz Blue Metallic paint? If you’re someone who appreciates color and scoffs at the sea of grayscale we’re constantly downing in, this shade is an absolute asset in the Golf R’s favor.

Are there any issues that hurt the Volkswagen Golf R? Well…it’s a Volkswagen. And that means it’s got a Volkswagen’s user interface. And generally speaking, that’s not a good thing. The interior features a large 10-inch central touchscreen display with high-resolution graphics, but the infotainment system uses a clunky interface that’s matched by touch-sensitive steering wheel controls versus hard buttons and toggles that are easier and less distracting to use. As with all of these systems, owners will get through the learning curve and be able to accomplish things relatively quickly. But a streamlined, intuitive starting point would make the Golf R more competitive.

Interface issues aside, the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R is an intriguing take on modern day performance cars. It, along with the GTI, are the only versions of the Golf you can buy in the U.S., suggesting they’re the only versions worth the trouble for VW to import here. And despite its performance capabilities the Golf R maintains the high level of practicality every Golf is known for.

Buyers seeking a cheaper thrill will find it with the Type R or GR Corolla or Elantra N. But buyers seeking a near-luxury experience that’s only fractionally less thrilling can find it in the Golf R. And on days like today, having heavily bolstered front seats with a ventilation setting is, well, pretty cool.