The Volkswagen Golf R: A Mixed Bag of Excitement and Frustration
The Volkswagen Golf R has long been a car I eagerly anticipated driving, its spot solidified on my list of potential purchases. Along with the Golf GTI, these models have been favorites among enthusiasts, even when price wasn’t a concern. This sentiment is echoed broadly; on the Autoblog Podcast’s "Spend my Money" segment, "You should buy a GTI" became something of a catchphrase. However, Volkswagen’s latest generation of Golf R and GTI models come with a significant caveat: the interiors are maddening.
An Unwelcome Interior Overhaul
Volkswagen’s controversial interior revamp began with the introduction of the ID.4 and has now extended to the GTI and Golf R lineups. The new models replace the previously well-received screens and buttons with a cumbersome touchscreen interface and unilluminated sliders. Gone are the user-friendly, tangible controls. The layouts include a touchscreen that, while improved in responsiveness, still poses significant issues.
Frustrating Interface and Controls
Touchscreen Woes
- Lag and Complexity: Despite a smidge of improvement, the touchscreens still lag behind intuitively designed controls. Heating seats, for instance, involve navigating through multiple menus with inadequately sized buttons.
- Inadequate Menu Shortcuts: Important shortcut icons aren’t always docked, adding to the inconvenience.
- Poor Radio Display: The radio interface fails to show both your favorites list and song information simultaneously.
It doesn’t end there; the new steering wheel touch sliders and the digital instrument layout further complicate what was once straightforward.
Steering Wheel Frustrations
- Volume Controls: The sliders for volume on the steering wheel are a mess, being imprecise and often misresponsive.
- Upcoming Changes: Fortunately, Volkswagen is listening and plans to replace these with traditional buttons in upcoming models like the 2024 Atlas.
Digital Instrument Cluster
The digital displays in the latest Golf R lack practicality. Although digital instrument displays offer flexibility, several options in the Golf R lack a tachometer, making them less useful for manual driving.
The Imminent Farewell to Manuals
Volkswagen’s announcement to discontinue manual transmissions for the GTI and Golf R after 2025 has hit hard. This upcoming change hastens the need to savor the driving experience these manuals offer.
Manual Transmission Quirks
- No Auto Rev Matching: Unlike competitors like the Civic Type R and GR Corolla, the Golf R doesn’t offer automatic rev matching, although heel-toe downshifting remains manageable.
- Adjustable Drive Response: Switching between modes like Comfort and Sport can dramatically alter throttle response, sometimes resulting in an embarrassing stall if not anticipated.
A Conflicted Yet Compelling Drive
Despite these issues, driving the Golf R proved enjoyable enough to somewhat overlook its faults.
Adjustable Suspension Magic
- Comfort to Sport: The Golf R offers multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Sport, Race, Drift, and a Custom Nurburgring setting. The latter two aside, the ability to fine-tune suspension beyond standard configurations makes a noticeable difference. During a long drive to San Diego, I set the suspension to Comfort while keeping other settings sporty, resulting in a smooth yet responsive ride.
- Mountain Road Ready: On more demanding roads, the ability to adjust the dampers allowed for optimal performance without sacrificing comfort.
Built for Versatility
- Rear Differential: The twin-clutch torque-vectoring rear differential not only improves handling but also features a drift mode for those inclined.
- Family-Friendly: Surprisingly, the Golf R supports child seats efficiently, a testament to its practicality beyond performance driving.
Features That Shine
- Seat Heaters and Ventilation: Mercedes-Benz has allowed simultaneous heating and cooling settings for years, and this feature is now in the Golf R. Whether for back pain or avoiding a sweaty drive, it’s a thoughtful addition.
- High-Quality Leather Seats: Despite the lack of plaid elegance available in Europe, the black leather seats in the U.S. are both comfortable and supportive.
Areas for Improvement
Storage for Manuals: Continuous improvement could make the Volkswagen manual more user-friendly, particularly for those accustomed to the ease of a Miata’s transmission.
Drive Mode Lighting Linked to Ambient Settings: The default ambient lighting for various drive modes can be gimmicky, locking you into colors like mustard yellow for Custom settings.
Limited Color Choices: Only three color options—Lapis Blue, black, and white—make personalization minimal.
Conclusion: A Contemplative Choice
Weighing a final price of $46,890, the decision between the Golf R and alternatives like the Honda Civic Type R isn’t straightforward. The Golf R excels with its exceptional comfort, adjustable suspension, and all-wheel drive, making it versatile for all seasons. The Civic Type R, however, offers a standout manual transmission and a larger trunk space. Ultimately, even with the Golf R’s perplexing interior updates, it remains a worthy consideration for enthusiasts.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
