Hot hatch enthusiasts are currently living in a golden age, as exciting new options from Hyundai and Toyota are going toe-to-toe with more established players from Honda and Volkswagen. This week, we have one of those more established players on test, and arguably the most upscale one in the segment: the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Golf R in North America. Its predecessor, the limited-production R32 model, debuted in 2003 and it quickly became a hit, back when hatchbacks were still in favour among Canadians. But as consumer preferences shift towards SUVs and crossovers, Volkswagen no longer sells the standard Golf in Canada, but stays committed to the hot hatch market with the GTI and R.
The 20th Anniversary Edition package doesn’t boost the Golf R’s power or handling capabilities. Instead, it introduces a number of cosmetic updates, including various blue accents inside and out, the requisite badging, gloss-black 19-inch wheels, genuine carbon fibre trim inside, and a sunroof delete. If you really want one, act fast — only 500 examples are coming to Canada at a $2,500 premium over the top trim Golf R, and the numbers are limited even further depending on your exterior colour and transmission choice.
Inside, the cabin is primarily black, accented with hints of blue on the steering wheel, shift knob, stitching, and ‘R’ logos embroidered onto the front seats. Material quality is good overall, but some cost-cutting is evident compared to the previous-generation Golf R, mostly in the hard-touch plastics on lower trim panels. However, standard heated front and rear seats, a chunky heated steering wheel, and memory settings for the driver’s seat make up for that.
Under the hood, the 20th Anniversary Edition retains the standard Golf R’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, putting out 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is available, but our tester was equipped with VW’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Although some extra power would’ve been nice — the European-spec version of this package gets a power bump — existing performance is more than satisfying. Opting for the manual transmission reduces torque to 280 lb-ft.
With the power and standard AWD system, the driving experience is exhilarating, offering confidence-inspiring road grip. Unlike some competitors, there’s no fuss or drama when launching the R. Some may find it less dramatic, but this mature demeanour appeals to many, as it’s fairly well-behaved as a daily driver. The Golf R runs from zero to 100 km/h in the mid- to high- four-second range depending on conditions, and navigating corners is effortless thanks to the well-tuned chassis. The dual-clutch automatic rewards with the perfect amount of pops and burbles from the exhaust, but it’s more subdued compared to other sporty small cars out there, like the Elantra and Kona N.
Surprisingly, fuel economy during our test outperformed our expectations. Volkswagen rates the Golf R at 10.3 L/100 km in the city, 7.7 highway, and 9.1 combined. We achieved an impressive-for-an-AWD-hot-hatch 8.7 L/100 km mainly in sport mode, making it a surprisingly efficient choice in its class, provided you’re OK with pumping in premium fuel.
For 2023, the standard Golf R with a six-speed manual starts at $51,025, while our 20th Anniversary Edition tester with the dual-clutch automatic topped out at $54,925 as-tested. While not inexpensive, it remains competitive with the Honda Civic Type R and Toyota GR Corolla, while being arguably a better daily driver.
The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition is pricier than other hot hatches, but it justifies its cost with a good mix of power, technology, and overall design. It’s a compelling option in a highly competitive field, but personally, I’d save myself the $2,500 and go for a standard Golf R — with a six-speed manual.
