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2024 VW Golf R Changes: Are There Any Changes to the 2024 Golf R? – The front-wheel-drive GTI and the all-wheel-drive variant of the Mk8 Golf are the only two Golfs that will be sold in the United States in 2023. The all-wheel-drive variant of the Mk8 Golf is the most powerful vehicle in the range. Following in the footsteps of the legendary R32, Volkswagen gave customers in the United States their first taste of the hot hatch with the Mk6. The new Toyota GR Corolla is one of the few direct opponents that the enthusiast model has with a similar body design. However, there are not many direct competitors.
It’s not the understeer at the limit or the strange clutch pedal engagement of the six-speed manual that bothers us the most about the sporty hatchback version of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R. During our testing for Performance Vehicle of the Year, we came to the conclusion that the reason for this is the prevalence of capacitive controls that are located everywhere around the driver’s seat. During intense driving, the contemporary, fluid toggles made for some irritating interactions, particularly with the controls on the steering wheel. This was especially true in situations when the driver was driving aggressively. It has been reported that Volkswagen will be releasing some updates to the infotainment system, and we are looking forward to having more experience with it.
This R model, like its predecessors, is capable of performing at a high level. The version of the vehicle that is equipped with a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission provides a superior driving experience. In general, the Mk8 Golf R is a refined and self-assured machine at high speeds, giving the impression of being an adult-oriented sports car. However, it is not a hatchback with a lot of character, and we would not characterize the driving experience as mind-bogglingly enjoyable. However, in comparison to many other sports compacts, it offers more utility.
Changes
The same generation 2023 Golf R was honored with the Top Safety Pick+ title from the IIHS, the highest accolade that the institution bestows. Having said that, the LED projector headlights on the car only obtained an Acceptable grade since the low-beam visibility was insufficient in a few different situations. 2024 VW Golf R Changes
Active safety equipment is standard on the 2024 Volkswagen Golf R and includes a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, monitoring for blind spots and rear cross-traffic, and adaptive cruise control. In addition, Rs come standard with parking sensors and the ability to do semi-autonomous parking, as well as adaptive high beams and recognition of traffic signs.
The same capacitive touch controls that are so annoying in the temperature control system are also found throughout the remainder of the vehicle. There aren’t any actual buttons here unless you include the ones that control the windows. In the course of making a sharp turn, one of us accidentally activated the heated steering wheel more than once by brushing the capacitive control with our hand. The volume control on the wheel may either be pushed or used as a slider, although neither operation produces very satisfying results.
The remainder of the inside, fortunately, is in considerably better condition. It does not take very long to find a comfortable position behind the wheel thanks to the many adjustment options available on the driver’s seat. The front seats are roomy in all directions. Adults can ride in comfort in the backseat, although there are more roomy compacts in this segment, and the tunnel in the center of the vehicle renders the middle seat mostly unnecessary. Because of the compact size and the broad openings of the doors, entering and exiting the building is a breeze. Although the side mirrors are on the smaller side, the Golf R’s high cockpit and slim pillars also contribute to the vehicle’s excellent outward view.
Each and every Golf R comes equipped with a touchscreen display of 10 inches and a digital instrument cluster measuring 10.25 inches; all of these features allow for a certain amount of personalization. You can still connect your phone directly by utilizing one of the USB-C connections, even if Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard and offer wireless connectivity. In addition, a charging station for wireless devices is included as standard.
Although the menu system isn’t always the most intuitive, thank goodness the controls on the touchscreen function better than the capacitive touch ones. Even if there are times when it becomes unresponsive, the in-car navigation system generally performs quite well. The map is straightforward and simple to explore, and it is uncomplicated to enter instructions using either the screen or voice commands. The latter operates more effectively than the majority of products in this category and may also be used to do tasks such as adjusting the radio or the temperature control system.
The Volkswagen Golf R is equipped with a comprehensive set of driver assistance features, including as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance, amongst others. All of them function well and have user interfaces that are easy to use. There are no false positives, nor are the beeps too sensitive. Even more fortunately, the manual gearbox comes with the option of having adaptive cruise control.
When all of the seats are in their upright positions, the cargo compartment of the Golf R has a volume of 19.9 cubic feet; however, this increases to 34.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down in a 60/40 split. The floor of the cargo area is both low and broad, and the back seats fold almost all the way down. The height-adjustable rear load floor and the upright rear window both provide assistance when dealing with objects of a greater height. The storage space in the front cabin is just as excellent, with spacious door pockets, adjustable (though slightly uncomfortable) front cupholders, and a bin for your phone or sunglasses in front of the shifter. Additionally, there are three map pockets located on the back of each front seat, which are a good size and are located on the rear doors of the vehicle.
The Isofix anchors on the outboard rear seats of the Golf R are quite easy to reach; however, the seatback anchor requires that the cargo cover be removed in order to be accessed. The doors swing open to a reasonable degree, and the tall, level ceiling ensures that there is plenty of room to walk about within. When using larger seats, it may be necessary to move the front seat forward a little bit.
Interior
Although neither the 2024 Golf R nor its FWD brother, the GTI, is very sporty (unless you’re talking about the 2023 GR Corolla), they are on par with small hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3 when it comes to the amount of room available within the interior of these vehicles. When compared to the Toyota, the Volkswagen offers slightly more than 2 inches of luggage capacity and more than 5 inches of additional back legroom.
Puddle lights, lighted door handle recesses, heated washer nozzles, and rain-sensing wipers are some of the standard external improvements that Volkswagen will provide on the 2024 Golf R. The inside of the hatchback comes standard with a three-zone climate control system, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats with a 12-way power driver’s seat, heated rear outboard seats, and adjustable ambient lighting. Additionally, the rear outboard seats in the back are heated. In addition, there are nine speakers made by Harman Kardon, two USB ports in the front and two in the back, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made possible by App-Connect, and a total of three displays: a 10.3-inch screen for the gauge cluster, a head-up display, and a touchscreen measuring 10.0 inches in the middle.
Specs
The all-wheel-drive 20234 Golf R is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 315 horsepower and is available with a choice of two different levels of torque output. The powerplant generates 280 lb-ft of torque when equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox; when equipped with the optional seven-speed automatic transmission, that figure rises to 295 lb-ft.
The 2024 Golf R automatic has the best fuel efficiency rating of all the models in the range, with a rating of 23/30 mpg city/highway. But even the vehicle with a manual transmission gets 20/28 mpg, which is better than what the 2022 Subaru WRX delivers in terms of fuel economy. The AWD small car gets 19/26 mpg with its six-speed manual transmission, while it only gets 19/25 mpg with the Subaru’s CVT automatic transmission.
The engine of the Golf R is a turbocharged four-cylinder and is widely considered to be among the finest in its class. Our test Volkswagen Golf R with an automatic transmission accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 4.3 seconds, and it finished the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds while traveling 108.3 miles per hour. Whether you’re driving a hot hatchback or a tiny performance sedan, those are impressive acceleration times. The engine is responsive and tuned, and the shifts provided by the dual-clutch gearbox seem far more honed than those provided by standard automatics in some of the vehicle’s competitors.
Even the braking and handling were impressive. The Volkswagen Golf R came to a stop from 60 miles per hour in only 105 feet and drew 0.99 g on the skidpad, which is again among the finest performance that we have ever seen from any small vehicle. Both the basic adaptive suspension and the standard all-wheel drive ensure that traction is never a problem with this vehicle. The standard adaptive suspension performs an excellent job of keeping the body movements firmly in control. Because of the car’s highly-tuned suspension as well as its snappy steering, which conveys more road feel than the closest comparable Volkswagen GTI, the vehicle has the sensation of being light and agile. Although it is not the sharpest or most dynamic vehicle in its category, it is not too far off from the standard either. When in Sport mode, the steering might seem a little on the weighty side, but it lightens up considerably when traveling at low speeds, which makes it quite easy to park the Golf R.
The adjustable suspension dampers found on the Golf R assist enhance not only the vehicle’s performance but also its ride comfort. There is a clear difference between the Comfort and Sport settings, despite the fact that the Sport option is still rather accommodating. The seats of the Golf R are also quite comfortable. They provide an outstanding level of support because to the fixed bolsters that embrace without putting too much pressure on the body. Both the front and the rear outboard seats in the back are heated, and the front seats have ventilation as well. Both rows have padding that is supportive without being too hard.
When traveling at highway speeds, the Golf R produces a level of wind and road noise that is only slightly audible to the driver and passengers. The exhaust can be turned up to its maximum setting, yet even at that volume level, you won’t have problems carrying on a conversation with your passengers. The exhaust tone is surprisingly robust for a four-cylinder engine, and when pushed to its limits, there is a delightful amount of turbo whining.
The car’s temperature control system is our primary point of contention with the vehicle. Controlling and modifying the setting may be a hassle and a source of frustration, despite the fact that the basic three-zone automated temperature control is a positive feature. Because Volkswagen (incorrectly) felt that the capacitive touch controls did not need illumination, they are not visible at night. In point of fact, you cannot even see them. The use of voice commands is not a solution but rather a crutch. At least the air coming out of the air conditioner is cool.
When combining city and highway driving, the Volkswagen Golf R with an automatic transmission has an estimated 26 mpg fuel economy. If you choose the six-speed manual transmission, you will get an estimated 23 miles per gallon overall. No matter the transmission, the rating of the model with automatic transmission is greater than that of the majority of competitors, and the capabilities of the Golf R are exceeded by just a small number of competitors that provide manual transmission.