The Volkswagen Golf R has all-wheel drive, two or four door options, and a turbocharged engine for those who want a little extra power. The Golf R is upgraded from the GTI, giving it better handling and more aggressive power. It can go from zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. The Volkswagen Golf R makes for the perfect every day driver for those looking for a little more power while still getting decent gas mileage.
Key Features
The Golf R comes with a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder that offers 256 hp. A six speed manual transmission is the only transmission type offered with this vehicle. The fuel economy will provide you with 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. It has a “good” safety rating due to the roof strength and side-impact tests.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R is a brand new vehicle so this is its first year on the market.
What We Like
The Golf R handles gracefully and is not too heavily weighted. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard on this vehicle which other Golfs do not have. The AWD allows the vehicle to handle corners better and provide you with more confidence while driving. The retuned suspension offers sharper handling and a better driving experience.
What Concerns Us
While it is an upgrade from the GTI, it is also much more expensive. The manual transmission may be off putting to customers who only used automatic transmissions. In addition, the Golf R does lack interior storage space, especially once you fill it full of passengers and their luggage.
Available Models
The two models of the Volkswagen Golf R are the base model and the Golf R with Sunroof and Navigation Hatchback. The latter offers more features and options than the base model of the Golf R.
Major Recalls
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R was recalled due to the fuel injection pulse coincided with the natural frequency of injector line number two. This could create stress on the fuel line causing cracks and leaks which may lead to a fire. A vibration damper will be installed on these vehicles to stop this issue.
Common Issues
Common complaints with the Volkswagen Golf R include the AM radio stopped working, the door doesn’t unlock every so often, not starting, oil leaks from the crankshaft seal, engine losing power, and rough shifting.
