Used 2019 Volkswagen Golf R Consumer Reviews
Used Golf R for sale
4...
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Golf R, so we've included reviews for other years of the Golf R since its last redesign.
Things you should know going in
Rick Morton, 12/27/2019
2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
15 of 32 people found this review helpful
I am a long-long-time GTI/GLI driver. Those cars (particularly the GTI) appear to give more bang for the buck than anything else out there, and stay reasonably durable at least until the 80-100,000 mark. When I first became aware of the Golf R a couple of years ago I pined for it greatly, and then all of the sudden it became a financial reality. Voila, there I was this week with the Golf R. And I hated it an hour or two in and stayed that way. The fantastic dealer let me do a reset the next day and I was thankfully back where I started. This is not a review of how bad the Golf R is, it's a warning to GTI owners who look at this as a no-downsides trade up from the GTI. In the deal you're giving up at least two things in addition to a ton of cash - the taken-for-granted throw-around handling of the GTI, and the effortless primo MPG achieved by same. Given my short stint I can only say that you feel the extra weight in the back of the Golf R where all the AWD mechanisms are working, it's a little like hauling a trailer. And you may be disappointed when a mixed highway 27 mpg trip in the GTI turns into a mediocre 22 mpg drag in the R, where (unlike with the GTI) you are trying deliberately to go slow off the line to save a little gas. In fairness, where the weight in the back affects cornering and nimbleness, it also helps tracking so the R goes exactly where you direct it to go albeit with a little harsher ride. A few other differences between the two cars. You have to bring your own spare tire with the Golf R and decide where to put it (the cargo area being the most obvious choice). The R navigation is super, but the front end cruise control accident assist may drive you bananas. Even though the gear ratios on paper look the same, it seems like you go through the gears faster in normal driving with the R and may have trouble finding the right gear in the 35-45 mph range. There's other stuff that I can't recall sitting here. In concept it's a great car, in reality I wanted back in my old GTI after about 30 minutes in (fortunately my wish was granted). Again, not a knock on the car but a warning to GTI drivers who are looking at this as a GTI plus. It is not. It's a different car with different strengths and weaknesses, a few of which I couldn't accept. .
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Value
Kids Car? No Way!
Mark Womack, 07/08/2022
2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is solid, quick, handles great and is really fun to drive. I’m 65 years old and it makes me smile every day!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The flying box.
Merlin, 02/10/2020
2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
This vehicle will peak not only the practice side via its 5 doors but also it's performance and engineering components I assure you it's not a GTI it's a flying box. 😀
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Exciting little car
Hot Hatchman, 08/02/2021
updated 08/10/2023
2018 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Installed APR Stage 1 tune. Huge difference in performance. Highly recommend. This thing is a sleeper and super fun to drive. Suprise a lot of other performance cars. Had 2018 VW Golf R for 2 years now. No problems at all still an exciting car with plenty of torque. No need to downshift in 3rd or 4th to rocket past traffic. Love it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
R vs GTI
Steve S, 07/04/2019
2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0T w/DCC and Navigation 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
4 of 24 people found this review helpful
I love my GTI. Nice performance, handling and practicality, all rolled into one car. If I could afford an R I would have one in a second, but I'm completely satisfied with what I have.
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
4...