Used Volkswagen Golf R 2014-2020 review

The multi-plate clutch at the heart of the Golf R’s Haldex 5 all-wheel drive system is familiar enough, using an electro-hydraulic oil pump to engage and send almost 100 percent of available torque to the rear axle when a control unit deems it necessary.

Volkswagen says that shorter response times and an optimisation of the amount of torque sent rearwards in “specific driving situations” (in other words, aggressive cornering) has helped the R to achieve a more neutral handling balance.

The manufacturer also claims pseudo transverse differential locks on both axles to go with the longitudinal one by virtue of the electronic differential system (EDS), integrated into the stability control, that brakes a slipping inside wheel, letting drive make its way uninterrupted to the opposite side.

Known as four-wheel EDS, the system is enhanced on the Golf R (as it was on the Golf GTI) with the inclusion of XDS+, essentially a cleverer line of software code that works to minimise understeer and thereby improve agility.

Additionally – and notably, because it cannot be performed in the GTI or any other Golf – the electronic stability control can be fully deactivated in the R if the ESC button is held for three seconds.

As with the GTI, there are MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link set-up at the rear, but both have been structurally tweaked for better rigidity and the R’s ride height dips by a further 5mm.

The new model also shares its stablemate’s progressive, electrically powered steering ratio, aggressively metered to take just 2.1 turns between lock stops.

Three-, five-door and estate variants of the Golf R are offered.

Volkswagen was shrewd enough to notice that some of its Golf R buyers would feel inclined to use it on a track day and to improve its track appeal an optional Performance Pack has been offered. The pack doesn't see any fettling done to the 2.0-litre TSI unit, but changes made elsewhere to reduce weight and increase downforce to give enhanced track pace and consistency. 

In its honesty and feedback, there are shades of a mid-1990s rally replica to the Golf R – it’s that keen and committed. On bad roads, this results in an occasional harshness and kickback, but the R just feels very honed most of the time. There’s precious little dive under hard braking and turn-in is sharp and accurate. Despite the quickening steering ratio, the rack feels intuitive, too.

Initially, the car will lean towards understeer – as it should – but the limits are so high that you’re unlikely to reach them very often on the road. It’s more likely that it’ll scythe through a corner, giving impressive response and feedback, and that you’ll only broach those limits on a circuit.

Do so there, though, and the Golf displays an impressive neutrality for a hatchback. There’s lift-off turn-in, the four-wheel drive system shuffles power around and, should you get back on the power, it’ll push into a four-wheel drift, especially in the wet.

Very few modern hot hatches drive with such incisiveness and verve.