Volkswagen Golf R 2017 review
- Price N/A
What we like
- Plenty of pace
- Great value
- Good looks
What we don't
- Almost undersells itself too much
- Gesture mode seems incongruous
- Front bar can scrape over driveways
If there ever was a Golf that could double as a secret agent, the Golf R surely is the lead candidate.
From a distance it looks for all the world like a mild-mannered, handsome but largely innocuous five-door hatch with a subtle bodykit and nice rims… but get a little closer and you'll see the reality is anything but.
VW has lightly tweaked the potent R in line with the Golf's mid-life Mk 7.5 update, but has largely left the important stuff alone. This is a good thing – that stuff is still as good as it gets.
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Verdict
If you're looking for something with genuine pace in a low-key package that exudes a rare blend of convenience and sophistication, the Golf R should be at the top of your list.
If you're not looking at it because it's the wrong type of European badge, then I counsel you to have a second go-around. There are simply no other cars for the money that offer the same affordable blend of pace, space and grace.
Does the Volkswagen Golf R qualify as a premium hot hatch in your eyes?
Volkswagen Golf R 2017 review
What we like
- Plenty of pace
- Great value
- Good looks
What we don't
- Almost undersells itself too much
- Gesture mode seems incongruous
- Front bar can scrape over driveways
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