
Engine and Fuel Economy
Golf | Golf GTI | Golf R | |
Engine | 1.8L 4-cylinder TSI | 2.0L 4-cylinder TSI | 2.0L 4-cylinder TSI |
Horsepower | 170 | 220 | 292 |
City mpg | 25 | 25 | 22 |
Highway mpg | 36 | 34 | 31 |
What's the difference between the golf and Golf GTI?
Difference Between Volkswagen Golf and GTI
- Golf and Golf GTI are popular small family cars from Volkswagen
- Both are hatchbacks, but GTI is referred to as hot hatch
- GTI is more powerful but less fuel efficient
- GTI is diesel powered, while Golf is available in both petrol and diesel versions
- GTI is more stylish and has more improved features.
Which GTI is best?
What’s the Best Year for the Volkswagen GTI?
- Recommended Volkswagen GTI model years. The Mk 5, Autotrader reports, restored some of the GTI’s sporty nature lost by the more luxury-focused previous-gen.
- Volkswagen GTI issues to look out for. Although these listed Volkswagen GTI models are more reliable, they’re not necessarily bullet-proof.
- Pricing. ...
Are VW Golf and GTI the same?
When it comes to car comparison of VW golf Vs GTI, they both offer a sporty and modern look. However, one thing that makes the GTI stands apart from the basic model of Golf is the sport side skirts and honeycomb mesh grille with red accents. Turning towards the internal features, GTI has plaid seats, matching with the car’s modern look.
What GTI should I buy?
- Torque!
- Exceptional balance between performance and practicality. ...
- It is so much fun to drive and has exceptional handling.
- Top quality finishes inside and out, these are solid cars.
- German engineering has a fantastic reputation and for good reason, VW makes exceptional machines.
- Incredible value for money.

Which is Better Golf GTI or R?
Our pick: VW Golf R It may be a little more expensive than the GTI, but the Golf R is substantially faster, even better to drive and no less usable every day. Given its lofty reputation, the R is likely to hold more of its value over the coming years as well.
Which is more powerful Golf R or GTI?
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R will have a nearly identical interior and similar modern tech to the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI. However, the 2022 Golf R will have more power, standard 4Motion® all-wheel drive, a few extra driving modes, an array of exclusive equipment and some different design details than the 2022 Golf GTI.
Is a Type R faster than a GTI?
Putting their power down through the front wheels, both cars offer punchy acceleration, but despite the fact that the Type R has a 74bhp power advantage, the difference isn't as great as you might expect; it completes the 0-60mph dash in 5.8sec, compared with the GTI's 6.2sec.
What does GTI R stand for?
What is the Golf R? The VW Golf R is a performance hatchback with the addition of premium touches and technology to the VW Golf GTI. What does the R stand for in Golf R? The R in Golf R stands for Racing.
What does R stand for VW?
racingMost common VW acronyms R-Line/Golf R: What does the R stand for here? The quick answer is “racing.” The Golf R is a performance model, while R-Line options offer sportier styling that are meant to remind you of the track.
Which VW Golf is the best?
VW Golf GTI The GTI is arguably the most iconic Golf. It's the only trim level which has stood the test of time since the MK1, and the latest trim is, we think, the best yet. Lauded for its complete feel, the eighth-edition GTI has all the features you need to really impress on the roads.
What car can beat Golf R?
The automatic Golf R can sprint from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds which makes it a ridiculously quick family car....The little Golf that could.CategoryRaces and ChasesMake/ModelVolkswagen Golf RBody StyleHatchbackNov 28, 2021
What makes Golf R faster than GTI?
Golf GTI Vs Golf R Specs The 2022 Golf R will carry the same 2.0L turbocharged TSI engine but it is more powerful than the GTI. To put things in perspective the Golf R makes 315 horsepower, 27 more than the previous generation Golf R and 295 lb-ft of torque with the DSG transmission, or 280 lb-ft with the manual.
Is Golf R twin turbo?
Talking of sleeper cars, this Mk6 Volkswagen Golf R would perhaps pass the test for the most unassuming hatchback on the road, except that the bodyshell wraps around a 700 hp twin-turbocharged engine.
Does TSI mean Turbo?
turbocharged stratified injectionTSI stands for “turbocharged stratified injection” and was inspired by the Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel and FSI direct fuel injection engines. The engine allows for higher torque at lower RPMs, which means more power with less fuel usage.
Does GTI have turbo?
The 2021 VW Golf GTI comes standard as a front-wheel drive with a turbocharged 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine. All its trim levels are equipped with the same turbocharged engine along with an option to choose between the 6-speed manual transmission and 7-speed DSG® automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
How many Golf R are made?
Sales Results - USA - Golf RYearJanTotal2022260780202102720204042019364,2235 more rows
Golf GTI Vs Golf R Specs
The 2022 Golf GTI will carry a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection TSI engine, making it the most powerful Golf GTI to ever hit production. This engine can be paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7 speed DSG automatic transmission. The Golf GTI produces 241 horsepower, 13 more than the MK7 GTI and 273 lb-ft of torque.
Exterior Comparison
From the exterior, there are a few differences that make the Golf R a bit more aggressive thanks to its sharp side skirts and more aggressive diffuser that features a quad-tipped exhaust system. The front-end gets more aggressive on the Golf R and allows better airflow to the radiator.
Real-Life Performance
On the road, both cars are super performers. Being a hot hatch is not only about going quick on the quarter-mile drag strip but giving the driver a nice feeling behind the wheel. The GTI and Golf R both do that thanks to their responsive throttles and very adaptive driving modes.
COMPARISON: GOLF GTI and GOLF R ON THE ICE
You choose volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf R? When we do a car-vs-car comparison, we usually want to compare the strengths and weaknesses between two models. Not close relatives under the same banner.
Two- or four-wheels drive
This is the obvious answer to the question. The 2019 volkswagen Golf R offers more horsepower grip on frozen lakes, such as the one we visited in Quebec at Volkswagen Canada’s invitation to test the 2019 versions of several VW models. Volkswagen used studless winter tires to shod the cars for this day of driving.
2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI Rabbit Edition
We were given a volkswagen golf GTI and golf r to test on the day. It is a mid-level trim of the GTI hierarchy. It is less well-equipped than the Autobahn version and is targeted at driving enthusiasts. The GTI has the Rabbit-exclusive set shocks and DCC (Dynamic Chip Control) system that can change the car’s driving behavior with one touch.
2019 Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf R, on the other hand, is dressed in a more elegant outfit without being too extravagant. The four exhaust tubes at the back signal the car’s intent. The fender is unique to this model. And the wheel arches are well filled in by the 19-inch alloy tires.
Our verdict
The Golf GTI is a great choice for those who don’t mind driving a sporty car with 2-wheel drive. If your budget allows or good estimated credit score in dealer, the Golf R may be the perfect car to your life. Exactly what your need.
Is the R fast or slow?
This depends on what you want from your fast Golf. If it’s raw pace and refinement, the R has it nailed. Not only is it faster, it’s easier to drive fast, thanks to better traction, body control and more composure through corners.
Is the Golf R more expensive?
True, the Golf R is also a few thousand pounds more expensive, but if you’re buying your next car on finance, the difference between the two models in monthly payments are marginal. Time to find out which model is the best option for you.
Is the Golf R wet grip?
There’s no such wet grip issues in the Golf R, which is a consderably less demanding drive. Don’t dismiss this for an absence of performance, mind: the Golf R is noticeably faster, grippier and seemingly impossible to over drive.
Is the Golf R 2.0 a turbocharged engine?
Both versions use the same turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit, which is both zingy and responsive to input, but neither are the most characterful sounding engines. The more powerful Golf R enjoys bigger fistfuls of noise pumped through the speakers, and it releases more exhaust rumble, but it feels a little flat and synthetic.
Setting The Scene
Like all things in life, this particular back-to-back test was imperfect, especially considering that I had to cross an ocean and invade the Teutonic homeland to make it happen. In one corner sat a three-door version of the Golf GTI, a body style offered in Europe and Canada, but not the U.S. In the other? The Golf R Variant, a.k.a.
Cosmetic Surgery For Near-Twins
Back in the real world, it’s not easy to tell an R hatch from a GTI hatch from 50 feet away unless you really know what you’re looking for, and that continues to be the case for the 2018 model year after the addition of LED tail lights to all Golf models (as well as LED running lights, which were previously available), and a gentle nip and tuck to the front and rear bumpers.
Big R, Little R?
Properly spec’d, is the Golf GTI a baby R? A full day behind the wheel from Munich, Germany, to Worthersee, Austria, provided the ample opportunity to answer that question as I moved from 155-mph (250 km/h) Autobahn blasts to winding “two-or-is-that-one lane” mountain passes that fully tested the mettle of both cars.
The Verdict: 2018 Volkswagen GTI vs Golf R
Did I really have $15,000 more fun in the Golf R as compared to the GTI? No, I did not — but then again, I was driving a top-tier version of the front-wheel drive hatch.

Golf R vs GTI – The Basics
General Golf R & GTI Topics
Golf R vs GTI – Which Is Better?
Golf R vs GTI Conclusion