2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition DSG
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R in Pure White, front left, 2025-04-24 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2022 Volkswagen Golf R in Pure White, rear left, 2025-04-24 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition DSG is a 315-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 7-speed dsg dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $44,645 MSRP and is rated at 26 mpg combined.
It makes 315 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (26 mpg combined).
The Golf R measures 168.9 inches long on a 103.5-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Hatchback |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $44,645 |
| MSRP with Destination | $45,740 |
| Destination Charge | $1,095 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0L Inline-4 TSI, Turbocharged/Intercooled |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Horsepower | 315 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, chain-driven, 4 valves/cylinder, variable timing |
| Bore and Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | 4Motion AWD with rear-axle torque vectoring |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic |
| 1st Gear | 3.19 |
| 2nd Gear | 2.75 |
| 3rd Gear | 1.9 |
| 4th Gear | 1.04 |
| 5th Gear | 0.79 |
| 6th Gear | 0.86 |
| 7th Gear | 0.66 |
| Final Drive | 4.47 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 23 MPG |
| Highway | 30 MPG |
| Combined | 26 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Premium unleaded required |
| Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Strut-type with lower control arms, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink with coil springs |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Vented, 14.1 x 1.3 in |
| Rear Brake Disc | Vented, 12.2 x 0.9 in |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 19 x 8J in (gloss black) |
| Wheels Rear | 19 x 8J in (gloss black) |
| Tires Front | 235/35R19 91Y summer |
| Tires Rear | 235/35R19 91Y summer |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 168.9 in |
| Width | 70.4 in |
| Height | 57.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 in |
| Ground Clearance | 4.7 in |
| Cargo Volume | 19.9 ft³ |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39 in |
| Headroom Rear | 38 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54 in |
| Hip Room Front | 53 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 46 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition DSG with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Tested, but no star ratings were published (2023 Volkswagen Golf R 4 DR AWD).
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2023 Volkswagen GOLF R. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jun 27, 2024 · BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Golf R, Golf GTI, 2024 Atlas, and 2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The rearview camera image may be delayed or deactivated after shifting into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera with a delayed or deactivated image reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024, and July 16, 2024. Owners may contact VW customer service at 1-800-893-5298. VW's number for this recall is 91US.
NHTSA campaign 24V480000
Jun 21, 2023 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023 Golf R A8 and Golf GTI vehicles. The strut mount may be deformed, loosening the bolted connections to the suspension strut mounting.
Consequence: Loose suspension connections can cause steering instability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right and/or left suspension strut mountings, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40T3.
NHTSA campaign 23V437000
Sep 21, 2022 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Golf R A8 and Golf GTI vehicles. The radiator may not have been attached correctly to the intercooler, which can result in a damaged coolant hose.
Consequence: A damaged coolant hose can leak, causing the engine to overheat, and increasing the risk of fire. In addition, large amounts of coolant spilling onto the roadway can increase the risk of a crash to other vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the radiator and replace any damaged parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 19Q8.
NHTSA campaign 22V707000
6 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2023 Volkswagen GOLF R
Owner Complaints
6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Volkswagen GOLF R. See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2023 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.