After a two-year hiatus the Volkswagen Golf returns with an all-new for 2022 Golf R. With this new iteration, the turbocharged engine adds 27 hp. The all-wheel-drive system gets an update too, making it more agile around turns.
The Golf R also changes on the inside with a nicely composed digital instrument panel. However, that is marred by the most infuriating touch-pad interface. All functions are accessed through it and it just is not intuitive or in any way easy to operate. I found that I needed to set my tunes and climate before leaving on my trip and hope for the best. Adjusting even the simplest function while driving was not safe.
There is a single trim available on the Golf R and it’s fully loaded with all sorts of goodies. The only major decision that needs to be made is whether or not to stick with the standard six-speed manual tranny or to go for the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. My model came with the automatic tranny.
A few of the highlights of the many features that are standard on the Golf R are 19-inch alloy wheels, special Golf R grille, bumpers, badging, side trim and exterior details, nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, wireless smartphone charging pad, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation.
With its 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Golf R makes tracks with 315 horses and 295 lb-ft of torque when paired with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic tranny. These are awesome numbers and are reflected with the ease in which the Golf R passes and merges into highway-speed traffic. Expect to get 23/city and 30/highway MPG on a Golf R equipped with an automatic transmission.
Comfortable seating front and back make the Golf R a great travel car. Both front seats have heating and ventilation functions and the rear outboard seats are heated as well. The interior vibe is sporty and minimalist. That leads to the biggest problem with the Golf R, outside of the windows most all functions are touch, even the ones on the steering wheel. I accidentally turned on or off many functions while turning the wheel. Getting to the climate controls is cumbersome, it just didn’t work for me. I found myself pulling over to mess with the touch controls.
There’s a lot of space in the back for storage, 19.9 cubic feet to be exact. Of course that number rises when the 60/40 back seats are down to 34.5 cubic feet.
The Golf R was fun to drive with a lot of zip from the turbocharged engine. The steering was also responsive making twisty roads fun. With the adaptive suspension the car keeps to the road and the all-wheel-drive makes traction a non-issue. The cabin is quiet and road imperfections are kept to a minimum.
All-new and fun, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, returns to the states with a bang.
