Hatchbacks have been successful in Europe and other parts of the world, but they have never really become popular in the United States.
Over the years, this has caused many deaths because we have seen the elimination of Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Focus. The latest hatchback to join their car afterlife is the standard Volkswagen Golf, which has been discontinued in 2022. However, this is not all bad news, as the model continues to exist in the form of redesigned Golf GTI and Golf R.
We already have some experience with the international version of the Golf Mk8, but we recently traveled to North Carolina and became the first people to drive a US-spec model. We have been with them for a short time, but there are a lot of things to look forward to for the fans who are hotly hatched.
With the launch of the Golf GTI in February 2020 and the Golf R in November of the same year, these cars should be familiar to our readers. Unsurprisingly, the US-spec models are almost the same as the European models, and the design is more stylish than their predecessors.
Starting from GTI, the model has a more expressive front fascia with new LED headlights connected by the familiar red strips. This classic accent has now added a luminous light bar, which is the standard configuration of the intermediate GTI SE. This is a compelling addition that helps models stand out at night.
These are not the only significant changes, as GTI uses a unique fog lamp that forms an X shape. They are connected by a minimalist front splitter, a black diffuser and a rear spoiler. The highlight is a chrome-plated dual exhaust system and 18-inch or 19-inch wheels, supported by a powerful braking system with red calipers.
Golf R is based on this formula and is "more R than ever." Therefore, the uniqueness of this high-performance model is the unique front bumper, which helps to improve airflow while increasing downforce. Buyers will also find extended side skirts and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents.
The highlight is the matte aluminum mirror cover, blue decoration and two-piece rear spoiler. They are combined with a more aggressive diffuser and four tailpipe exhaust system. It is also worth mentioning that Golf R only offers three colors-Lapiz Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl and Pure White-while Golf GTI has a more expressive palette and vibrant hues, such as Kings Red Metallic and Pomelo Yellow Metallic.
Minimalist cottage, good or bad
Although the appearance is evolved, the cabin is more modern and high-tech than its predecessor. Both models are equipped with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel with high-quality graphics and various customization options.
In addition to the entry-level GTI S, the cluster is joined by an independent 10-inch infotainment system with a smaller 8.25-inch display. It looks fairly fast and responsive, but there are no buttons to pull up the media controls.
This is a weird oversight, as people change radio stations much more frequently than climate settings and can be accessed via dedicated buttons on the minimalist central stack, stylish touch controls on the dashboard, and dedicated parts of the infotainment system itself . This is a strange omission, but the entire cabin has been streamlined, which greatly reduces the number of physical buttons and switches.
Leaving aside the infotainment system, GTI is equipped with a heated leather steering wheel, 30-color ambient lighting system, wireless smartphone charger and stainless steel pedals. Buyers will also find heated front seats with classic lattice interiors. If this is not enough, GTI SE has also added a sunroof, passive entry system, GPS navigation and nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system.
Finally, the top GTI Autobahn has Vienna leather sports seats with heating and ventilation, and a 12-way electric adjustment on the driver's side. The back seat passengers are not forgotten, because they will find a dedicated climate control device and warm buttocks.
Stick to equipment, Golf R only provides highway decoration. It largely echoes the GTI variant, but the cabin features the R logo, carbon-effect trim and blue trim.
Although it looks good on the inside and has some high-end features, it does not completely feel high-quality because there are hard plastics at various contact points such as doors. For a car that starts at $29,545 and the DSG-equipped Golf R climbs to $44,445, this is disappointing.
On the bright side, the front sports seats of both models are great, because their heavy supports allow us to stay in place on winding mountain roads. The front seats are also spacious, while the rear seats are quite spacious because they provide 35 inches (889 mm) of legroom and enough head room to satisfy the 6-foot-2 scribe.
As for the cargo compartment, the latest Golf offers 19.9 cubic feet (564 liters) of luggage compartment. This is slightly smaller than the Mazda3 2.5 Turbo, but by folding down the rear seats, the cargo area can be expanded to 34.5 cubic feet (977 liters).
Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with up to 315 horsepower
Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EA888 evo4 engine with an upgraded direct injection system and reduced internal friction. As a result of these and other updates, the 2022 Golf GTI is rated at 241 hp (180 kW / 244 PS) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm) of torque.
This is a modest increase of 13 hp (10 kW / 13 PS) and 15 lb-ft (20 Nm), but it is worth noting that the GTI is 20 lbs (9 kg) lighter than its predecessor. Therefore, the performance improvement has not been lost due to the slightly larger size of the car.
Drivers looking for more power can choose the Golf R, which has 315 hp (235 kW / 319 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque when equipped with an optional seven-speed DSG gearbox. However, drivers who prefer to change gears on their own will have to slightly reduce torque output by 280 lb-ft (380 Nm).
This is a considerable improvement over the 2019 Golf R, which has 288 horsepower (215 kW/292 horsepower) and 280 pound-feet (380 Nm) of torque. However, during the shutdown period, as the weight of the 2022 Golf R reached 3,417 pounds (1,550 kg), the weight of the model increased by 117 pounds (53 kg).
No matter which model you choose, a six-speed manual gearbox is standard. Although we did not test the DIY gearbox this time, when we drove a European-spec model earlier this year, we found that it was a willing partner and very forgiving.
On the other hand, DSG provides fast and smooth gear changes, almost always perfectly timed. Its responsiveness depends on the selected driving mode, because Comfort optimizes "compliance", while Sport allows more aggressive gear changes. There are also Eco and Custom modes, the latter is known for allowing the driver to fine-tune the car to his liking.
Golf R goes one step further because it abandons Eco mode and adds Race, Drift and Special settings. Drift tells the electronic stability control system to relax and also instructs the torque vectoring all-wheel drive system to send power to the outer rear wheels. The special mode is a bit fancy, because it is designed for use on the Nürburgring track and has settings optimized for that specific track.
Regardless of the mode, the engine and DSG gearbox can work well together to a large extent. Having said that, we did encounter some hesitation when stepping on the gas pedal, because the car seemed to have to think about what to do next. These events are rare, but waiting for something to happen is never fun.
Fortunately, because the Golf GTI returns to 24 mpg cities, 34 mpg highways, and 28 mpg gallons in 2022, plus the manual, the increased performance will not have any impact on the pump. This adds 1 mile/gallon city, 4 mile/gallon highway, and 2 mile/gallon combined. The DSG variant is slightly more economical because it is rated for 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg.
Unsurprisingly, the Golf R is more thirsty because it returns to the city at 20 mpg, highway at 28 mpg and 23 mpg, plus the manual. Choosing DSG will increase these numbers to the sum of 23 mpg cities, 30 mpg highways, and 26 mpg.
Hot hatch benchmarks get better
Despite being brand new, Golf continues to use Volkswagen's MQB platform. However, there are some changes, as they now use more ultra-high-strength steel and a lighter aluminum front subframe.
These are not the only changes, because GTI's suspension uses improved shock absorbers and reconfigured wishbone bearings, as well as new springs. The front stiffness has been increased by 5% and the rear stiffness has been increased by 15%.
In addition to suspension adjustments, the model also has an electronically controlled limited slip differential and an available adaptive damping system that can be adjusted up to 200 times per second. In addition, there is a new vehicle dynamics manager, which helps coordinate the various systems of the car to help minimize understeer, maximize grip and provide neutral handling.
The end result is a hatchback, which feels great to drive and offers impressive grip. We quickly spotted the latter on the winding mountain road outside Asheville, where it was smooth due to the early morning rain. Despite the wet weather, GTI remained steadfast and only took off the line once when it was pushed too far.
Golf R takes it to the next level because it has standard adaptive shock absorbers, a more sporty suspension, and a new all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring. It can send up to 100% of the rear torque to the outer rear wheels, which helps improve handling.
This is obvious behind the steering wheel, because although the Golf GTI is good, the Golf R is even better. Turning feels tighter and more precise, and the extra traction of all-wheel drive means that the hatch remains firm.
Another advantage is the Golf R's powerful braking system, which has 14.1 inches (358 mm) cross-drilled front brake discs, dual-piston floating calipers and aluminum caps, which can reduce weight by 1.3 pounds (0.6 kg). GTI’s braking system is more basic, using a smaller 13.4 inch (340 mm) ventilated front brake disc. However, both are very capable and have a 12.2 inch (310 mm) disc.
Adhere to driving dynamics, both models are equipped with a progressive variable ratio steering system. They are similar, but the golf R’s lock is tighter than GTI’s 2.1, which is 1.97 laps.
The steering changes according to the selected driving mode, but the sport mode provides a good combination of effort and response. However, in the twists and turns, quickly pressing the R button on the steering wheel will cause the model to enter Race mode, which will make things a little more tense.
Speaking of modes, it is worth noting that Volkswagen wants car owners to have fun, because there are ESC Sport and ESC Off settings. ESC Sport changes the threshold to provide more freedom, while ESC Off completely disables the system.
Although very interesting, golf is not about back pain. Both models are sturdy and durable, but given their sporty nature, they are quite compliant and look very comfortable in daily use. The cabin is also relatively quiet, but thankfully, some exhaust crackling can be heard inside.
Starting at $29,545, Golf R rises to $43,645
Like almost all other products, Golf GTI is more expensive than before because the starting price is US$29,545, followed by a destination fee of US$995. Upgrading to the Intermediate SE will cost you $34,295, while the premium highway trim starts at $37,995.
The Golf GTI SE seems to provide the best combination of value and equipment. It can be equipped with a $1,225 package that adds leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 12-way electric adjustment on the driver's side. Speaking of options, all three trims can be equipped with the aforementioned DSG gearbox for a price of $800.
In addition to the equipment we talked about before, Golf GTI is also equipped with a large number of driver assistance systems, including front assist systems, blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control systems with stop-and-go functions. Other highlights include lane assist, rear traffic warning and semi-automatic travel assist functions, which combine adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
In contrast, the pricing of Golf R is simple, because it only provides a fully equipped decoration. This is both a blessing and a curse, because it means that the model's starting price is $43,645, while the price of the DSG transmission has risen to $44,445.
That is the luxury car field, and the Golf R actually belongs to its own category. Its closest competitor in the United States is the Honda Civic Type R, but it is cheaper and does not have all-wheel drive. However, when the redesigned Civic Type R arrives next year, we will better understand how the two models match.
On the other hand, Golf GTI will have to compete with Mazda3 Hatchback 2.5 Turbo. This model starts at $31,050 and is equipped with all-wheel drive and a more powerful engine that can produce up to 250 horsepower (186 kW/253 horsepower) and 310 pound-feet (420 Nm) of torque. These are significant advantages over GTI, but you must live without a manual gearbox.
Bigger golf with some quirks
Golf GTI and Golf R are widely regarded as the benchmarks of popular models. It is easy to understand why these two models provide excellent driving dynamics, a stable and comfortable ride experience and sufficient power.
On the basis of its predecessors, Mk8 further improves the driving experience and adds some additional performance. Golf R has also ushered in the long-awaited return, now equipped with a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system, which can provide better handling.
Having said that, I personally prefer GTI because the difference between the two models is not enough to justify the additional $14,100. Higher-level equipment is obviously a factor, but the $34,295 Golf GTI SE can provide you with almost everything you need for a hatchback, which is $9,350 less than its high-performance counterparts.
Although there are many things to like, these two golfs are not perfect because some interior technologies are not mature enough. Touch controls can be hit or missed, and the infotainment system makes some relatively simple tasks too complicated. This is usually a minor annoyance, but it is especially annoying in cars where manual transmissions are one of the main selling points. However, if you can overcome this, you can enjoy it.
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