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. True, it does offset a bit of the GTI’s fun and agility for extra competence, but it isn’t enough to trade in that all-weather dominance.
Full Answer
How does the STI compare to the Golf R?
Yet it wouldn’t take very long, even just puttering along in traffic, to recognize that these are very different cars, however. Unlike the Golf R, the STI takes a more overtly track-oriented route with respect to the way it’s tuned; and in short, it wears that track flavor on its sleeves a little too much for most daily driving.
Should I buy a Golf R or GTi?
Both models are tested in the more popular, more practical five-door body style, though the Golf R loses a cubic foot of rear cargo space having to accommodate another set of driven wheels. It won’t be enough to upset the weekly shop, but we’d check if you can still get that Bugaboo to fit. What sounds better: GTI or R?
What is the difference between the Golf R and Golf R?
Both versions use the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot, 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.
How fast is the VW Golf R 0-60 time?
In a straight line, the 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque from the VW Golf R's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine are enough to drop its 0-60 mph time to an astonishing 4.5 seconds, which is nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the less-endowed GTI.
How fast is the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R?
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R might very well be the most accessible, livable car to offer both all-weather traction from all-wheel drive, plus 0-60 mph acceleration in less than five seconds—especially if you limit the contenders to those with an under-$40,000 price tag.
What is a Subaru STI?
The Subaru STI is the sort of model that always keeps you in touch with what’s happening under the hood and at the wheels—and that’s not necessarily a good thing if you have travel companions. There’s a lot of road and tire roar in the STI at speed, and you hear a fair amount of gearbox whine. And finally there are the engine sounds, piped into the cabin via a resonator system, and seemingly present whether you want it or not. It all adds up to a vehicle that has the soundtrack of an old-style sports car, in some ways; don’t bother talking, the STI is your soundtrack.
How many mpg does a 2015 Subaru WRX have?
The 2015 Volkswagen Golf R achieves an EPA-rated 23 mpg city, 30 highway. Meanwhile the Subaru WRX STI gets ratings of 17/23 mpg. And that factors out to a significant 7-mpg difference in these two vehicles’ EPA Combined ratings—translating to a difference in your annual fuel costs that’s likely to be in the thousands. Furthermore, the STI lacks direct-injection technology, which helps with efficiency in light-load conditions—when you’re just plodding along in traffic, for instance.
Is Subaru STI a sedan?
Subaru redesigned the STI as a sedan-only performance model in its latest iteration. That brings the STI, full-circle, back to the sedan design with which it was launched; although it’s worth wondering if the STI might be a tighter rival to the Golf R (and the upcoming Ford Focus RS) if it were a hatchback.
Does the 2015 Golf R have a manual transmission?
That’s a big advantage over the STI , which can only be had with a six-speed manual.
Is the Golf R a hatchback?
Simply put, we think that the Golf R can play both sides; it looks the part of a performance-oriented hatchback, yet it can go under the radar and look quite formal when you need to be taken seriously—or seen as a responsible parent. Let’s face it: The STI can appear more than a little tuner-car-like, with its lower aero work, exessive front overhang, and oversized (albeit functional) rear wing. Although there are plenty of times we’d like to flaunt it, there are also plenty when we’d rather not.
Does the Golf R have a center differential?
The Golf R’s system, and its Haldex 5 center differential, is definitely a setup that permits a lot of nuance, and it brings an Audi quattro-like lack of fluster to the all-weather driving experience. It’s all extremely smooth, with judicious brake application essentially acting as front and rear limited-slip diffs (VW terms it XDS+).
How fast does a 2022 Golf R go?
And all that power goes to the front wheels via a six-speed manual and a limited-slip differential. That’s enough to let the Type R go 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, Car and Driver reports. Like the Type R, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
How much heavier is the 2022 Golf R?
Car and Driver estimates that it’s about 300-400 pounds heavier than the Civic Type R.
When will the Golf R be released in the US?
The Golf R won’t come to the US until the 2022 model year. But the latest version of Volkswagen ’s hottest hatch is shaping up to be seriously impressive. However, at least in the US, the Honda Civic Type R arguably wears the hot-hatch crown.
Does the Golf R have an automatic transmission?
And, unlike the CTR, the Golf R has AWD and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But, uniquely for US buyers, Volkswagen offers an optional six-speed manual. And, although it doesn’t have an LSD, the Golf R does have an electronic torque-vectoring rear differential, Autocar reports.
Is the Golf R more expensive?
True, the Golf R is also a bit 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 considerably less demanding drive. Don’t dismiss this for an absence of performance, mind you: the Golf R is noticeably faster, grippier and seemingly impossible to over drive.
How to tell the difference between a Golf R and a Golf GTI?
The front bumpers feature different orientations for their various air inlets, the back of the R offers quad tailpipes instead of duals, and of course there are the modest R badges to be found on the car. Still, the differences are quite subtle, and hard to spot unless you know exactly what you're looking for.
How fast is the VW Golf R?
In a straight line, the 288 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque from the VW Golf R's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine are enough to drop its 0-60 mph time to an astonishing 4.5 seconds, which is nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the less-endowed GTI. It's also a number that would have blown anyone's mind outside of the supercar segment a mere 15 years ago, available from a compact hatchback based on economy minded roots. My, how far we've come.
Does the GTI have all wheel drive?
The GTI is also available with both gearboxes, although it lacks its siblings all-wheel drive to smooth out the rougher edges of its 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque (also from a turbo four). Advantage: The Golf R's extra power, and winter-friendly all-wheel drive, carry the day here.
Do GTI owners feel emasculated when they pull up at stop light?
This is a mixed blessing, because while GTI owners won't immediately feel emasculated should they pull up at a stop light beside a Golf R , on the flipside there's not really much recognition for the latter's owners among casual car fans to indicate that they opened their wallet substantially wider.
Is it fair to ding a GTI?
You may be thinking it's not fair to ding the GTI for not matching the R in terms of output. After all, it's intended to follow its stable mate from a respectful distance in terms of performance to ensure that there's enough separation between the two models to make buyers feel good about paying a premium.
Is the Golf R a hot hatch?
The Golf R feels far more like a luxury car with a pedestrian badge than a true hot hatch, but that's not faint praise—in fact, it's an impressive accomplishment that sets it apart from Honda's own Civic Type R, which presents a similar asking price. Advantage: Golf R.
Is the Golf R a thrill?
The Golf R is similarly disinterested in providing visceral thrills. Where it makes up for it is the sheer and utter confidence it displays in almost every driving situation, with its extra power and traction helping to ease the pain of its less-than-playful character.
