2026 Volkswagen Golf R
2026 Volkswagen
Golf R
For those who feel they need something more than the Golf GTI’s 241 horses and similar look, the Golf R is waiting in the wings. There are plenty of drivers happy to pay the extra cost to get a truly track-ready VW, complete with 328 horsepower and a substantial list of performance upgrades, plus a lap timer. It’s even available with the weight-reducing Euro Styling Package, which substitutes lighter cloth and faux suede for the standard leather as well as knocking off some pounds by removing the power factor and ventilation from the front seats, deleting the sunroof, and swapping in a lower-weight Akropovic exhaust. While driving purists found it hard to accept the recent demise of the manual transmission, the Golf R remains a blast to operate. It has been rightfully awarded with a few Motor Trend Car of the Year honors, including the current model year. But nothing holds a candle to the intense affection and cult-like appreciation that Golf owners feel for the vehicle. VW packages the Golf R as a single trim package, which we outline in detail on this page.
How we describe this model: aerodynamic, track-ready, justly acclaimed, beyond fun to drive, legendary
Shop this model against: Honda Civic Type R, Subaru WRX, Toyota GR Corolla, Audi S3
Golf R Highlights
- Motor Trend Car of the Year
- heated leather-upholstered front and rear outboard seats (front seats are also ventilated)
- standard IQ.DRIVE safety tech bundle
- includes Carefree Coverage for 2 years or 20,000 miles
Powertrain and Mechanical Details
- 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder TSI engine (output: 328 horsepower)
- seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with paddle shifters
- EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway
- R-Performance 4MOTION® all-wheel drive with torque vectoring
- progressive steering
- sport-tuned suspension
- Multimode DCC and Adaptive Chassis Control
- XDS cross-differential system
- GPS lap timer and G-meter
Interior Highlights
Leather seating surfaces, Climatronic Touch tri-zone auto climate control with advanced air filter, heated and ventilated front Top Sport seats, passenger seat with power recline, heated rear outboard seats, keyless push-button ignition, head-up display, ventilated 15-watt wireless device charging, stainless-steel pedal caps, 10.25-inch VW Digital Cockpit Pro configurable digital instrument display, power tilt/slide panoramic sunroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters and touch control, multi-color ambient lighting (adjustable), 60/40-split folding rear seat with center armrest and pass-through, four USB-C ports, two front data ports, two rear charging ports
Exterior Highlights
Keyless access, adaptive front lighting system with dynamic cornering lights, auto-on/off LED headlights and daytime running lights, Poor Weather Lights, LED taillights, front grille with light bar and illuminated VW logo, rain-sensing windshield wipers, illuminated door handle recesses, power-folding heated power-adjustable side mirrors with gloss-black caps and puddle lamps, side-mirror position memory and passenger-side auto-tilt, summer performance tires on 19-inch forged alloy wheels
Safety
Adaptive cruise control, Front Assist (forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian/cyclist monitoring), Active Blind-Spot Monitor with RTA, dynamic road sign display, Light Assist (high-beam control), Park Assist Plus with Park Distance Control (front and rear parking sensors), Lane Assist, rearview camera system, Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, anti-slip regulation, electronic differential lock, engine brake assist
Infotainment
12.9-inch touchscreen, navigation, Harmon Kardon premium audio, AM/FM radio, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio with three-month trial, App-Connect smartphone integration (both wireless and USB), connected vehicle services from myVW+
Major Options
Euro Styling Package (Akrapovic Titanium axle-back exhaust system, cloth and ArtVelours upholstery, manual front seats with power recline, lower curb weight), black wheels, rooftop base carrier bars with various attachments
MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of the vehicle. Dealer sets final price. Sales tax, title, and registration fees are not included in vehicle prices or manufacturer offers that appear on this site and must be paid by the purchaser. $420 doc & title prep fees apply to all vehicle sales, including manufacturer offers that may appear on this website (with the exception of vehicle sales under $10,000 which incur only a $20 title preparation fee). Actual odometer reading may vary due to test drives and other miles driven since vehicle was listed. MPG ratings are EPA estimates. Actual results may vary for many reasons, including driving conditions and how you drive and maintain your vehicle. See full site disclosure here.