1. Volkswagen R32 Engine

The Golf R is a car that many just can't understand. $41K for a mere VW Golf? It's certainly no chick magnet regardless of color. And it's not designed to cosset the boss on a ride to a sales appointment. But like the mundane-appearing WW II freighters that packed hidden heavy guns, it is a real 'Q ship.' For those who value performance, it equals or exceeds more than a few so-called sports-cars.

Compare its acceleration, handling, and Read More braking statistics, for example, to those of the last generation C5 Corvette. While equipped with the same engine and transmission as the Audi S3 and TTS, it sells for thousands less with fit and finish to match. Unlike some ostensibly competitive 'hot hatches,' it doesn't beat you up in daily driving.

It's as quiet as many popular sedans, it absorbs road irregularities with aplomb, and provides all the convenience of a four-door hatchback that can haul all kinds of stuff home from Best Buy and Home Depot. Oh yes, it's not perfect. The video screen is simply too small and the lack of an automatic garage door opener is inexplicable. Similarly, I very much dislike the car's inability to run the navigation system without having to listen to the radio. The new adaptive cruise control is terrific, but the lane-keeping system needs a good bit of work. Whatever you, do not compare this car to the previous generation Golf-R.

Volkswagen R32 Engine

Having just sold my 2012 R, I can say without the slightest hesitation, it's vastly better, particularly in NVH. The car's greatest problem are its beautiful, very light alloy wheels.

They simply are not sufficiently strong to withstand the potholes of late Midwestern winters. And at a replacement cost of $800 a wheel, that's not a trivial issue. Additionally, VW needs to do some work with its proximity warning system and integrated navigation system. Unless you turn it off completely, there is no way to shut off the proximity system's warning sound, which most times remains on far too long. Similarly, there is no way to use the navigation system without also having the radio running.

Honda's figured that one out, VW should, too. This vehicle has interested me for almost 2 years. When the 2017 came out with DCC, I started a little more research and decided to pull the plug.

The ride home from the dealership on I-95 left a smile on my face until the next day, when I got an even bigger smile after understanding more about the systems. The car is scary quick, and goes exactly where you point it. The seats are very comfortable, even after spending over 4 hours in the vehicle Read More on the second day.

The tech may be a little intimidating at first, as the vehicle has almost every conceivable bit of information at your finger tips. VW's carnet blows away Onstar. The fender sound system is absolutely outstanding. I leased mine because of my previous experience with VW products. They all developed 'issues' around 60K miles. Assuming this vehicle hangs with me, I will probably buy it outright at the end of my lease.

There is supposed to be a limited quantity of these this year. I say if you can find one, drive it, and you will smile like a lil kid. Hatchbacks are not everyone's cup of tea, but if you are a hatchback type of person, IMHO, this one is very hard to beat. Happy motoring!

Volkswagen's legendary GTI is the car credited with introducing America to the hot hatchback phenomenon, and the Golf R is a hot-rodded version of it. The Golf R has an even more powerful engine, all-wheel drive and a suspension tuned for maximum grip and response. This is a serious performance car that will get your pulse racing, yet it has all the comfort and practicality associated with the Golf, which — though not terribly popular in America — is one of the world's best-selling cars. At the heart of the Golf R is Volkswagen's venerable 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but not in the same form to which you may be accustomed.

The Golf R's version is hypertuned for 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are offered. The dual-clutch is the quicker of the two, and we've clocked it to 60 mph in a very impressive 4.6 seconds — just over 1.5 seconds quicker than we've seen in the GTI (and when talking about 0-60 mph times, 1.5 seconds is akin to 1.5 hours). EPA fuel economy estimates are 25 mpg combined for both transmissions, with the manual rated at 22 city/31 highway and the automatic at 22 city/30 highway.

The Golf R has the suspension to back up that engine. With all-wheel drive to boost the grip, the Golf R is incredibly quick and responsive through the turns, and driving it fast is relatively easy and a lot of fun. The optional DCC adaptive suspension ups the ante significantly, and though the steering is a bit lightly weighted for our tastes, switching to Race mode improves the feel significantly.

Braking is excellent, although the standard-fit summer tires will need to be changed out for winter driving. Most cars with the Golf R's abilities are unsuitable for day-to-day driving, but the Golf R is the exception to the rule. The no-nonsense dashboard is smartly trimmed and easy to use, leather upholstery comes standard, and there's plenty of headroom so you can sit up properly. The Golf R has a perfectly usable backseat and plenty of cargo space, and for 2017 it adds optional driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic braking. The Golf R comes exclusively as a four-door, making it a great choice for family duty. You can't say that about a Corvette.

If there's one drawback to the Golf R, it's the price — the bump over the GTI is significant, and many potential buyers will have to ask themselves if so much performance is really necessary. Volkswagen sells the Golf R as a four-door hatchback in a single trim level. An optional package adds the DCC suspension, navigation and advanced driving aids, and Volkswagen is expected to limit availability of Golf Rs without this package for the 2017 model year. Edmunds can help find the perfect 2017 Volkswagen Golf R for you. 2017 Volkswagen Golf R Overview The 2017 Volkswagen Golf R is offered in the following submodels:. Available styles include w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M), w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM), and 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6AM). What do people think of the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Golf R 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database.

Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Golf R. Edmunds Expert Reviews Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Golf R featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Cargo space 4.0 / 5.0 Our Review Process This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors. We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life. Which 2017 Volkswagen Golf RS are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Volkswagen Golf R for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Volkswagen Golf R. Why trust Edmunds?