Is the Volkswagen Golf R a Good Daily Driver? (incl. Golf GTI)
Although sports-focused, the Volkswagen Golf R has a compliant ride and a powerful but efficient engine that makes it easy to live with daily.
The cheaper GTI isn’t too shabby either as an everyday car.
VW Golf R’s Positives as a Daily Driver
#1 Comfortable Ride
The refined ride is a long-standing advantage the wildly popular VW Golf’s high-performance trim has over many other sporty rivals.
Transitioning between the second and third-generation Golf R (which debuted in 2022) saw no loss in the comfort aspect that makes it such a superb daily driver for hot hatch enthusiasts.
The Golf R is impressively comfortable for a small car on big wheels with 300-plus horses powering them; adaptive suspension dampers are standard on the R.
The cabin remains nearly whisper-quiet at almost any speed, making longer drives less tiring than its sporty counterparts.
If comfort is crucial in your speedy hatchback, the Honda Civic Type R is worth considering; it also has more interior volume (+ 10%) and a higher cargo capacity (+ one-third).
(See the Golf R comparison with the Type R later in the post)
#2 Outstanding Fuel Economy (Regardless of Transmission)
EPA estimated the automatic-equipped VW Golf R to get 23 mpg in combined driving.
The automatic transmission enjoys a 2 to 3-mpg advantage over the manual in the second and third-generation Golf R.
Crucially, real-world test results prove these figures are achievable, making the Golf R with the automatic gearbox one of the most fuel-efficient in the class.
#3 Good Visibility
Hatchbacks have a small footprint, and the resulting shorter hood and overall car length typically aid outward visibility.
The Golf R’s boxy hatchback form and slim windshield pillars provide great outward visibility on most sides, except out the back with the relatively thick rear pillars.
The low dashboard helps with the view straight ahead.
Maneuvering the diminutive Golf R in tight urban settings is a breeze, especially when parking in a crowded space.
#4 Superior Handling and Braking (for a Hatchback)
While it maintains the base Golf’s comfortable interior, the performance-oriented Golf R offers an abundance of turbocharged power and sporty handling in the inherent hatchback versatility.
Well-tuned suspension and responsive steering make the Golf R feel light and nimble; Sport and Race modes induce heavier steering, but it lightens up at low speeds to ease maneuvering around town.
Further, the all-wheel-drive system is handy for drivers who live in snowy climes.
Besides the usual all-weather stability and traction-enhancing abilities, the third-gen Golf R (2022 onwards) has a new AWD system with torque-vectoring capability at the rear wheels.
It automatically shifts more torque to the outside rear wheel when the car turns for increased agility.
When pushing the Golf R through its paces on a racetrack, you can utilize the self-explanatory Drift mode that sends all available rear power to one wheel for some power sliding thrills. It isn’t useful for daily driving, but it is a nifty feature to have considering the lofty price tag for a hot hatch.
Braking is another area where the Golf R shines, needing around 105 feet to stop from 60 mph; for comparison, the standard Golf takes 132 feet.
#5 Solid Safety Ratings
Crash safety may not feature highly for some drivers, but the lengthy time spent in a daily driver makes a structurally safe vehicle crucial to your safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scored the Volkswagen Golf R 5 out of 5 stars in overall safety rating.
The individual tests are less stellar, but these are blemishes of an otherwise safe vehicle:
- 5/5 stars – front impact driver-side
- 4/5 stars – front impact passenger-side
- 5/5 stars – side impact driver-side
- 5/5 stars – side impact passenger-side
- 4/5 stars – rollover test;
With the stringent crash test requirements today, a four-star rating is no cause for concern.
VW Golf R’s Negatives as a Daily Driver
#6 Pricey Hatchback
Although the Golf R’s hefty premium over the standard model is justifiable given the performance capability, its $43k-plus sticker price is still higher than segment rivals.
The equally accomplished Honda Civic Type R (around $40k) and the less-powerful Hyundai Elantra N (sub-$35k) cost less without ceding handling prowess and ride quality.
Both competitors have a potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood like the Golf R.
While what you pay upfront is one cost component, the upkeep is a significant ongoing expense that will cost you dearly if the car is unreliable.
#7 Costly Maintenance
Volkswagen vehicles aren’t as reliable as the competition, especially those from the Japanese automakers.
Consumer Reports ranked Volkswagen #24 out of 28 automotive brands in their 2021 reliability survey, a subpar performance regardless of any more reliable models.
VW models’ higher-than-average maintenance cost reflects their second-rate reliability.
The Volkswagen Golf R costs approximately $903 per year to maintain, according to RepairPal.
This expense is significantly higher than the average of $526 for compact cars.
Sure, the Golf R is a high-performance vehicle; but setting aside close to $1,000 per year to upkeep a sporty daily driver, excluding unscheduled repairs, may be a stretch for some when mainstream compact cars cost less than half what the Golf R does.
VW Golf R Comparison with Other Vehicles
VW Golf R vs. Honda Civic Type R as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Golf R | 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2022-present) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2015-2019) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2012-2013) | 315-hp (2022-present) 288-292-hp (2015-2019) 256-hp (2012-2013) | 23-mpg (2022-present) 24-25-mpg (2015-2019) 22-mpg (2012-2013) | Prem-ReC | $903 | Good | Good |
| Civic Type R | 2.0L-i4-T–FWD | 306-hp | 25-mpg | Prem-ReC | $368+ | Good | Good |
Evenly matched in performance metrics, the Golf R and Type R are splendidly fast hot hatches.
Although both return respectable fuel economy in the mid-20s-mpg, the Civic Type R edges the VW Golf R as a better daily driver with a marginally more comfortable ride and increased interior space, storage included.
The Honda is a more reliable vehicle that will cost you less in overall running costs.
VW Golf R vs. Ford Focus RS as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Golf R | 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2022-present) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2015-2019) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2012-2013) | 315-hp (2022-present) 288-292-hp (2015-2019) 256-hp (2012-2013) | 23-mpg (2022-present) 24-25-mpg (2015-2019) 22-mpg (2012-2013) | Prem-ReC | $903 | Good | Good |
| Focus RS | 2.3L-i4-T–AWD | 350-hp | 22-mpg | Prem-ReC | $569+ | Good | Poor |
The RS has massive turbo power from its four-cylinder engine.
While both are AWD vehicles with weather-beating capability, the Golf R is decidedly easier to live with day-to-day as it rides more comfortably when not pushed in the daily commute.
Its fuel economy is marginally higher and a welcome saving at the pump in the face of rising fuel prices.
Is the Volkswagen Golf GTI a Good Daily Driver?
Despite the added horsepower over the now-discontinued (at least in the States) standard VW Golf, the GTI’s daily-driver credentials are never in doubt.
The GTI is an excellent everyday car with its hatchback versatility, roomy interior (for a small car), and sophisticated ride quality.
It basically inherits the base Golf’s all-around practicality, including solid fuel economy, and took on a healthy boost in power and sporty handling.
VW Golf GTI vs. VW Golf R as a Daily Driver
Table Guide:
- Engine: base trim; T=turbo; +drivetrain.
- Fuel Economy: mpg combined (base trim).
- Fuel Type: Prem=premium; ReQ=required; ReC=recommended.
- Maintenance Costs: per year avg. (RepairPal).
- Visibility: excellent, good, average, poor.
- Ride Comfort: excellent, good, average, poor.
| Engine | Horsepower | Fuel Econ. | Fuel Type | Maint. Costs | Visibility | Ride Comfort | |
| Golf GTI | 2.0L-i4-T–FWD (2022-present) 2.0L-i4-T–FWD (2015-2021) | 241-hp (2022-present) 210-228-hp (2015-2021) | 28-mpg (2022-present) 26-28-mpg (2015-2021) | Prem-ReC | $791 | Good | Good |
| Golf R | 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2022-present) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2015-2019) 2.0L-i4-T–AWD (2012-2013) | 315-hp (2022-present) 288-292-hp (2015-2019) 256-hp (2012-2013) | 23-mpg (2022-present) 24-25-mpg (2015-2019) 22-mpg (2012-2013) | Prem-ReC | $903 | Good | Good |
The GTI beats the Golf R as a better everyday car due to its improved fuel economy and lower maintenance cost and is cheaper without sacrificing much in handling and the fun-to-drive aspect, albeit with less power.
References:
https://www.vw.com/en/models/golf-r.html
https://www.vw.com/en/models/golf-gti.html
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF%252520R/4%252520DR/AWD
