2012 Volkswagen Golf R

2012 Golf R Photos
The Volkswagen Golf is a front-wheel-drive compact in two-door and four-door body styles. Both are hatchback designs that seat five. We found the Golf enjoyable to drive, smooth and fuel efficient. The front seats are comfortable and the cabin is roomy and functional, austere but of pleasingly high quality.

The 2012 Golf is a sixth-generation product, which was introduced as a 2010 model. For 2012, Volkswagen is producing a limited run of 5000 of the high-performance Golf R model, which features more power and firmer suspension settings than the already impressive GTI, which is based on the Golf (covered in a separate report). Otherwise, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf lineup carries over largely unchanged from the 2010 introduction.

The Golf offers a choice of a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged diesel engine, or the high-performance, turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine in the new Golf R. The standard 2.5-liter five-cylinder is the least expensive, the diesel offers the best fuel economy, and the Golf R offers the best acceleration performance.

Today's Golf looks like it always has. It's roomier than it looks, and the trunk is large for the class. Inside is an austere cabin with comfortable seats. Audio and air conditioning controls are simple and easy to use. Driver visibility is excellent.

We found the Golf cruises quietly and easily with either of the two base engines. Handling and ride quality are better than that of the competition, and the brakes work well and hold up without overheating during repeated hard use.

The standard Golf models most people buy come with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that puts out a very usable 170 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 177 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. Most come with the Tiptronic 6-speed automatic transmission or, though the base 2-door is available with a 5-speed manual. The inline-5 gets an EPA-estimated 24/31 mpg City/Highway with the Tiptronic (23/33 mpg with the manual). The Golf accelerates briskly from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and responds readily to the gas pedal at highway speeds. The Tiptronic automatic shifts smoothly in automatic or manual mode. The 5-speed manual gearbox is easy to shift, with a smooth, easy clutch pedal and offers improved performance (0-60 in 7.8 seconds).

The Volkswagen Golf TDI comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine. TDI stands for turbocharged direct injection. The Golf TDI offers a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual, called the Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG. This alphabet soup of technology results in superb fuel economy: an EPA-estimated 30/42 mpg City/Highway with either transmission. The TDI turbodiesel produces 140 horsepower at 4000 rpm, and an impressive 236 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 2500 rpm. Note the TDI offers substantially more torque than the 177 foot-pounds generated by the gas engine, and the TDI delivers its peak torque of 236 foot-pounds at much lower rpm than does the gas engine. Torque is that force that propels you from intersections and up …
Full Review

The Volkswagen Golf is a front-wheel-drive compact in two-door and four-door body styles. Both are hatchback designs that seat five. We found the Golf enjoyable to drive, smooth and fuel efficient. The front seats are comfortable and the cabin is roomy and functional, austere but of pleasingly high quality.

The 2012 Golf is a sixth-generation product, which was introduced as a 2010 model. For 2012, Volkswagen is producing a limited run of 5000 of the high-performance Golf R model, which features more power and firmer suspension settings than the already impressive GTI, which is based on the Golf (covered in a separate report). Otherwise, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf lineup carries over largely unchanged from the 2010 introduction.

The Golf offers a choice of a 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged diesel engine, or the high-performance, turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine in the new Golf R. The standard 2.5-liter five-cylinder is the least expensive, the diesel offers the best fuel economy, and the Golf R offers the best acceleration performance.

Today's Golf looks like it always has. It's roomier than it looks, and the trunk is large for the class. Inside is an austere cabin with comfortable seats. Audio and air conditioning controls are simple and easy to use. Driver visibility is excellent.

We found the Golf cruises quietly and easily with either of the two base engines. Handling and ride quality are better than that of the competition, and the brakes work well and hold up without overheating during repeated hard use.

The standard Golf models most people buy come with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that puts out a very usable 170 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 177 pound-feet of torque at 4250 rpm. Most come with the Tiptronic 6-speed automatic transmission or, though the base 2-door is available with a 5-speed manual. The inline-5 gets an EPA-estimated 24/31 mpg City/Highway with the Tiptronic (23/33 mpg with the manual). The Golf accelerates briskly from a standstill to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and responds readily to the gas pedal at highway speeds. The Tiptronic automatic shifts smoothly in automatic or manual mode. The 5-speed manual gearbox is easy to shift, with a smooth, easy clutch pedal and offers improved performance (0-60 in 7.8 seconds).

The Volkswagen Golf TDI comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine. TDI stands for turbocharged direct injection. The Golf TDI offers a choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual, called the Direct Shift Gearbox, or DSG. This alphabet soup of technology results in superb fuel economy: an EPA-estimated 30/42 mpg City/Highway with either transmission. The TDI turbodiesel produces 140 horsepower at 4000 rpm, and an impressive 236 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 2500 rpm. Note the TDI offers substantially more torque than the 177 foot-pounds generated by the gas engine, and the TDI delivers its peak torque of 236 foot-pounds at much lower rpm than does the gas engine. Torque is that force that propels you from intersections and up …
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Retail Price

$33,990 - $34,590 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine 2.0L I-4
MPG Up to 19 city / 27 highway
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 6-spd man w/OD
Power 256 @ 6000 rpm
Drivetrain 4MOTION all wheel
Curb Weight 3,325 lbs
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