Hatchback · Gas
Volkswagen Golf R 2015-2019 (Mk7)

- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $36,595–$41,495
- MPG
- 26
- Strength: Excellent driving fun
- Watch-out: Poor running costs
- Watch-out: Below-average reliability
How it scores for you10 scores
All-weather hot-hatch royalty - 292 hp, AWD grip and hatchback practicality - if you can stomach the fuel bills and near-luxury pricing.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 3 of its 9 recalls were serious. About 8% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -2 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $3,100 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 28% of cars we track.
22.8 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 63% of other hatchbacks we track.
Identical practical Golf shell - four doors and adult-usable rear room are rare among 292-hp cars.
292 hp, 4Motion grip and a chassis that shrinks roads; an all-weather performance icon with a manual available.
GTI's MIB II kit plus standard nav and Fender audio late in the run; competent, not flashy.
Firmer R-tuned ride even with DCC; a hushed, upscale cabin softens the blow.
Typical resale value for a hatchback.
No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls10 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
10 recalls · 6 common complaint areas across 2015–2019
- Fuel and propulsion — 44 complaints (2017)
- Recall — Unknown or other (2019)
- Unknown or other — 24 complaints (2017)
2019
- RecallUnknown or other21V321000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requi
- RecallTires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems22V815000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan LWB, Golf Sportswagen A7, Golf Alltrack, Golf R GP, Audi Q3, Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas, Golf A7, Audi A3, 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021 Atlas FL vehicles. The t
2018
- RecallSeats: mid/rear assembly18V803000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings18V864000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.
- RecallUnknown or other20V561000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have b
- RecallUnknown or other21V321000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requi
2017
- Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion44 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The component that failed, according to Volkswagen, is the rollover valve in the gas tank. This issue caused large amounts of gasoline to leak and pool from behind the rear passenger wheel well, creating a significant fire hazard and risk of harm. The vehicle was inspected by a Volkswagen service c
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other24 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The water pump in these vehicles are known defects, with class actions resulting. My water pump has failed at less than 70k miles. This results in engine overheating and possible failure. Luckily I was able to get the car off the road.
- Complaint clusterEngine23 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Turbo Wastegate actuator rod/flap failure/seizure. VW dealership & Independent service center both diagnosed the issue as a seized wastegate actuator flap/rod. This is due to poor design and is a common issue on all 2015-2020 VW/Audi 1.8l TSI engines. This issue causes intermittent engine codes for
- Complaint clusterElectrical21 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car battery spontaneously exploded when trying to start the car.
- Complaint clusterStructure19 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE
driving down the highway at 70mph and what sounded like a gunshot inside the car. glass started falling on us driving down the road. the sunroof glass exploded. got pulled over and looked and the glass is literally blown outward not inward like something falling on it. the hole it bulged up and the
2016
- RecallEquipment: other: labels16V337000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Golf R vehicles manufactured March 17, 2016 to March 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Certification Label that lists an incorrect rear axle weight limit. As such, these vehicles fail
- RecallLatches/locks/linkages16V464000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibration
- RecallAirbags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module22V543000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Audi TT Roadster, TT Coupe, S3 Sedan, R8 Coupe, A3 Sedan, A3 Etron, A3 Cabriolet, 2016 Golf Sportwagen, Golf R, Golf GTI, Golf A7, and E Golf vehicles. During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or depl
- RecallElectrical: body control module: software; visibility/wiper22V831000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numb
2015
- Complaint clusterElectrical14 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When I turn on the ignition it says on the screen Starting system fault please service the vehicle.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other13 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The chrome plastic trim coating on the START/STOP button and also the steering wheel have peeled and are razor sharp. I cut myself badly on both pieces on my right fore fingertip and middle ring finger. I try to avoid placing my hand accross the horn of the steering wheel since this happened, but
- Complaint clusterEngine13 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Thermostat housing and water pump are leaking coolant. It is available for inspection. It can cause my engine to overheat and/or fail while being used. It has been confirmed by a dealership. It has not been inspected by the police, manufacturer, or insurance company. There have been occasional repor
- Complaint clusterFuel and propulsion12 complaintscomplaints:FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I brought my 2015 Volkswagen (with only 50,000 miles) to Island Volkswagen in NY for a fuel system recall repair. Before this, the car had no fuel smell, no leaks, and was driving normally. Immediately after the recall work, I began smelling fuel. The dealership told me the fuel line is leaking and
- Complaint clusterSuspension12 complaintscomplaints:SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the stick shift was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed rear axle and coil springs. The contact was informed that the rear axle and coil springs ne
Cost to own$30,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$36,595–$41,495
Estimated used price, by model year
$3,100/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
23
Highway MPG
30
Combined MPG
26
Horsepower
292 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
22.8 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
52.7 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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