Used 2013 Volkswagen Golf R Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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A magnificent true driver's car
JT Noonan, 05/16/2016
updated 11/28/2016
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
I did a lot of research on the R, including comparing the 2012/2013 model mk6 with the current mk7. I bought a used mk6 with 21k miles for about $12k less than a new one and I couldn't be happier. The AWD is fantastic, especially in cornering. It has plenty of power, any more and you run the risk of multiple speeding tickets. The 6 speed is the best I've ever used. The turbo sound is beautiful. The pervasive criticism of the mk6 R has been mainly that it should do more and offer more, such as offering a DSG transmission (as in Europe), more aggressive styling and the ability to turn off stability control and more HP. Not for me. I'm not going to take it to the track. I hate automatics (even DSG's) and I prefer the understated styling. I want people to think it's just a Golf. Further, the new mk7 doesn't offer a sunroof (my mk6 does) and has limited and basic colors to choose from (none that I liked). My dark grey/greenish understated R mk6 is perfect. My only complaint is that there is no basic USB (why they put in a proprietary MIDI cable I don't know). The integration with iPhone could have been done better, even in 2012. Sat/Nav is acceptable. The sound quality is superb, however. This is a driver's car for old school manual transmission enthusiasts that enjoy *the art* of driving, more than just shaving .5 seconds off 0-60 that a DSG would give you.
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2013 Golf R
lovcars1, 04/24/2013
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 2dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
28 of 43 people found this review helpful
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.
Best all-around sports car
Charlie F. , 04/13/2020
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 2dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I can drive this 12 months a year. when others are parking their sports cars I am cruising around in the snow and ice.
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I really want to love this car
Jacob, 09/03/2019
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've been a Subaru STi fan for the past decade. On a whim, I decided to give this car a try. at the start it's pretty impressive compared to other cars in its market, very cush interior, nice feeling responsive steering and powerband. But after a few years of ownership, certain non-wear items started breaking for no apparent reason. The clutch is barely strong enough to manage stock power levels, and even with the APR stage 1 stock tune I noticed some occasional minor slippage in higher gears, no big deal really... The problem is the most "reasonable" upgrade/replacement that makes the car dependable again costs around $1500, and most VW dealerships will charge in the neighborhood of $2000 for installation. The non-wear items that I was referring to are the paint, which is apparently weaker than sketch paper, I have chipping galore, and 90% of my driving has been on city streets and highways. The entire roof lining has separated from the foam, and the crazy part is, apparently other R owners just know about this are are cool with it... the interior repair shops know modern VWs are notorious for this, and even the dealership admitted that it's pretty common in most models for this to happen. and the weirdest bit of unexpected wear is the rear bumper reflective marker just "fell out"... For real... I don't beat on this car, I don't race, I have no plausible explanation for what happened to this stupid little plastic piece, I just got home one day, was walking around my car and noticed something missing. Performance-wise, this car is awesome, it feels so great to romp on, the engine and transmission feel fantastic and respond positively to high revs. But it seems like everything else built around the powertrain is built with the lowest cost in mind... be prepared to be asking yourself how the hell "that" fell apart if you're willing to stick it out for the driving experience.
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This car is a blast to drive
peter emmons, 04/19/2016
2013 Volkswagen Golf R 4dr Hatchback AWD w/Sunroof, Navigation (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Buy the manual shift. I thought the automatic in my GTI was great, but this manual is much nicer and gives a better driving experience. The power and acceleration of the R is fantastic. Great comfort and relative fuel economy is an added bonus.
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