Quintessential ‘Hot Hatch’: The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T Is More Powerful, Capable and Expensive than the GTI

~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

Volkswagen can claim the invention of the “hot hatch,” of which the 2022 Golf R is the peak after nearly a half century of refinement. The hotties started as juiced-up versions of versatile economy hatchbacks. Now they are purpose-built.

Think of today’s Volkswagen R and GTI, the Honda Civic Type R and Si, and Hyundai Veloster N. Some sedans also fit the small car/high performance template, including the VW Jetta GLI, and the Subaru WRX and WRX STI.

The original hot hatch came at a transition time for the German manufacturer in the United States. The venerable VW Beetle, born in 1938, was on its way out in the mid-1970s, though still being built in other countries. In the U.S., the rear-drive Bug with its air-cooled rear engine was replaced by the liquid-cooled transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive VW Rabbit, sold elsewhere as the Golf.

The GTI (for Grand Touring Injection) was introduced in 1976 and, for 2022, it now is in its eighth generation. If you have an opportunity to drive one of those older models, it won’t seem like much, which is something you can say about many older models of modern cars.

But the 2022 GTI still is a benchmark in the hot hatch category, with four doors, front-wheel drive, a 241-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The Golf R model joined the lineup in 2002 and now is in its fifth generation as a high-performance sibling of the GTI. It is more expensive and has equipment differences from the GTI—mainly its drive train. An easy way to categorize it is to view it as an all-wheel drive version of the GTI.

But it doesn’t start or end there. The R, with 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, is more powerful, capable and, of course, more expensive than the GTI. It has a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, called 4Motion, that can distribute the engine’s torque, or twisting force, between the left and right rear wheels for faster and more secure handling on curving roads or race tracks.

It enables six drive modes: Comfort, Sport, Race, Special, Individual and Drift, selected by touching an “R” button on the left side of the steering wheel. The Drift mode mimics the antics—mostly of rear-wheel drive cars—doing pirouettes in movies and videos.

The 2022 Golf R comes in only one version: loaded, so its base price, including the destination charge, is the same as the as-tested price—in this review, $44,640. That’s certainly not bargain basement but not outrageous for customers who get excited by a compact hatchback that can nail zero to 60 miles an hour in a bit more than four seconds.
The 2022 Golf R comes in only one version: loaded, so its base price, including the destination charge, is the same as the as-tested price—in this review, $44,640. That’s certainly not bargain basement but not outrageous for customers who get excited by a compact hatchback that can nail zero to 60 miles an hour in a bit more than four seconds.

The tester came with a six-speed manual transmission, the setup favored by die-hard enthusiasts. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic costs an additional $800 and delivers slightly faster acceleration. Surprisingly, at this price the stick shift doesn’t have automatic rev matching on downshifts so owners have to “heel and toe” themselves.

It is fair to say that the Golf R is as fully equipped as almost anything available. Equipment includes Nappa leather sport seats, three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power driver’s seat with three memory settings, heated outboard rear seats, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic headlights, navigation system, SXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi capability, wireless smart phone charging, a head-up display, premium Harman-Kardon audio system with nine speakers, and a tilt-and-slide glass sunroof. The sunroof has a manual sunshade but it is made of a flimsy perforated cloth that admits too much sunlight.

Driver assistance equipment includes a configurable 10.25-inch instrument display, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor and rear cross traffic warning.

Many functions can be operated via the center touch screen, which can be touchy owing to its functions fussiness. For example, volume is adjusted with tiny sliders instead of buttons. Simply tuning from one station to another on the satellite radio requires scrolling through several menus. Best to get a user tutorial. Cussing doesn’t help.

Overall, the Golf R delivers a satisfying combination of rocket acceleration, sharp handling and steering feedback, a somewhat ragged and noisy ride from tires, engine and wind, four-passenger comfort with tight seating for a fifth, and even the capability to transport a bicycle.

Just wish it had rev matching.