Used 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Base Hatchback Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Base Hatchback.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2013 Golf R
lovcars1, Atlanta, GA, 04/24/2013
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 2dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I love driving. And I'm getting older and need something more practical. Enter the Golf R. I've always enjoyed the practicality that hatchbacks offer and there are reasons why Golfs have sold so well. I have not been disappointed with her the past 2 months since I purchased it. Interior is excellent and offers everything I need and more. The drive quality is firm, but German. It corners … nicely, and being 4wd it never scares and the tires let you know when you're on edge and about to break traction. It's predictable and its growl at highway speed is great. There is turbo lag but no torque steer--as expected since its 4wd. Nobody pulls up next to race. Only Golf GT/DI people know what it is.
Love the R
Kristian, Plainsboro, NJ, 09/16/2023
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 2dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I've owned my 2013 R since 2017. It had around 59,000 miles on it and was in excellent shape. This is easily the best car I've ever owned. I have owned a 2000 and 2007 GTI, a circa 1980's RX7 and a few other small quick automobiles. When I first learned about the R32 and later the R, I knew that I must have one. I find New England winters so much more fun in an AWD vehicle. I considered … the WRX, but they are ugly AF and have poor interiors. And I'm just not the type to have a hood scoop on my car. The lines of the 2013 Golf R are simple and beautiful and I've found the 2L turbo to be somewhat bulletproof in my experience. After I bought the car I brought it to the local VW shop to have APR stage 1 installed. Funnily enough, the previous owner had already had it installed, but it had been shut off by the dealership for the sale. For only $200 they turned it on, and told me the engine should be making around 310 hp.
Well, I simply love this car. It's quick as hell, corners like a dream, and surefooted in a way that my GTI's never were. Third gear on a freeway on ramp is a blast. Zero to 60, or better yet, 0 to 100 has never been so much fun. In a typical New Hampshire winter, I have had no problem driving anywhere under all conditions. I have never been stuck or stranded. One slight problem can be the ride height, when the snow reaches about 8-10 inches it can take some maneuvering to "steer" your way out of it.
The interior is beautiful in my opinion, the Dynaudio system sounds great when playing off my Iphone. I'm now at about 125,000 miles and I haven't had any major maintenance issues. A poorly executed aftermarket exhaust by the previous owner started to fall apart, and replacing it with the stock exhaust set me back about $1400. The same year and model is currently selling for just about what I paid for it in 2017. I'm keeping this one for as long as I can.
Happy Motoring!
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Base Hatchback
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Strong turbocharged engine
- Pro:standard all-wheel drive
- Pro:sharp handling and composed ride
- Pro:hatchback versatility
- Pro:two- or four-door configurations
- Pro:interior sophistication.
- Con:Considerably more expensive than the GTI
- Con:lack of interior storage space
- Con:manual gearbox only
- Con:no power seats.
Full Edmunds Review: 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Hatchback
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2013 Volkswagen Golf R in Ohio is:
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