2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

Name: 2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $39,888 - $43,998

2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition 4dr Hatchback Exterior

+177

The latest 2023 Golf R is quick and fun to drive but hasn't lost the cool, understated charm that defines a Volkswagen hatchback. It's pricey compared to some rivals, but you're getting plenty of performance in the deal. Great cars tend to be focused; the Golf R is a wonder because it seems to be good at nearly everything. We just wish Volkswagen would rethink its cumbersome in-car tech.

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Price & Payment

27 cars

$41,549 avg. price

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2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

New limited-production 20th Anniversary Edition
Part of the third Golf R generation (eighth-generation Golf platform) introduced for 2022

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$218/mo

$162/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#46 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Golf R from 2008-2022.}

$884/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.54x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

18%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Volkswagen Golf R Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

8 reviews

5(50%)

4(37%)

3(13%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hottest hatch needs a software update!

Fred Mephisto, 11/17/2022

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

To me this is one of the most enjoyable cars to drive in the real world. Super snappy acceleration, AWD is glued to the road, quiet (but can give some pop and rumble if you like), it is just pure fun to tear around town. Seats are really comfortable and I think the overall appearance of the exterior is spot on, especially in the blue. There was a recall to remove the plastic engine …

Amazing to drive. The info system you get used to

Time4gary, 04/09/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

I hate to say I like commuting - but now getting to drive the R, I actually look forward to commuting. That's certainly new. Such a fun car to drive. The info system isn't the easiest to use - but you get used to it as you learn all the shortcuts. Watching so many R reviews - I was led to think the new info touch interface was an inherently evil force in the world. It ain't that bad …

Ignore bandwagon infotainment reviews!

MK8R, 12/31/2023

2022 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Don’t let these reviewers who spend 10 minutes trying to figure out the infotainment, sway you in their decision. Find out for yourself. It’s a NON issue. I’ve had my ‘22 R since Feb. ‘22 and I have never accidentally turned on the heated steering wheel. I can see it being possible if you drive with your palms flat gripping the inner spokes of the wheel. The volume and radio sliders on …

My 2023 20th anniversary edition Golf R

Tom S., 10/31/2023

2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Love this car. It is quick, fast, fun, under the radar, and handles like a dream. I am averaging 28 miles per gallon combined and I don't drive it conservatively. Everyone says bad things about the infotainment system, but once you understand how to work it and get used to it, it is very straight forward. Its multi drive modes allows it to be both a sports car and a comfortable daily …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf R since its last redesign.

See all 8 reviews of the Volkswagen Golf R

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2023 Golf R Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$44,740
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$218/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Golf R models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns you if you're in danger of hitting the car in front and automatically applies the brakes if you don't react quickly enough.
Active Blind-Spot Monitor: Alerts you if a car is in your blind spot and steers you back into your lane if you start to merge.
Dynamic Road Sign Display: Uses cameras to read road signs and relays useful information including speed limits to the instrument panel or head-up display.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

Price & Payment

2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Volkswagen Golf R Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Hottest hatch needs a software update!

Amazing to drive. The info system you get used to

Ignore bandwagon infotainment reviews!

My 2023 20th anniversary edition Golf R

2023 Golf R Highlights

Safety

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2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

Price & Payment

2023 Volkswagen Golf R Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Volkswagen Golf R Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Hottest hatch needs a software update!

Amazing to drive. The info system you get used to

Ignore bandwagon infotainment reviews!

My 2023 20th anniversary edition Golf R

2023 Golf R Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2023 Volkswagen Golf R info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Volkswagen

Research similar vehicles

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}