Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Golf R
Verdict
At RM185,990 against RM338,812, the Volkswagen Golf is the saner Malaysian buy if you want the Golf shape with lower running costs: 148 hp, 250 Nm, 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h, a 380-litre boot, RM90 road tax and a five-year warranty. The Volkswagen Golf R is a different spend altogether. Its 329 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive and 4.6-second sprint make the RM152,822 gap about speed and grip, not extra practicality.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf if you want the cheaper five-seat C-segment hatchback with the bigger boot, lower road tax and longer warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R if you want the full-performance version with 329 hp, 420 Nm, all-wheel drive and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Golf RM185,990; Volkswagen Golf R RM338,812
- Engine: Volkswagen Golf 1,498 cc; Volkswagen Golf R 1,984 cc
- Output: Volkswagen Golf 148 hp/250 Nm; Volkswagen Golf R 329 hp/420 Nm
- Driven wheels: Volkswagen Golf front-wheel drive; Volkswagen Golf R all-wheel drive
- 0-100 km/h: Volkswagen Golf 8.6 s; Volkswagen Golf R 4.6 s
- Boot space: Volkswagen Golf 380 L; Volkswagen Golf R 341 L
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 185,990✓ | RM 338,812 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,498 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Power | 148 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.6 s | 4.6 s✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,289 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,789 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,483 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,631 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Boot space | 380 L✓ | 341 L |
| Fuel tank | 50 L | 55 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 | 7 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 2 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 372 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Golf
- RM152,822 cheaper to buy
- Bigger 380-litre boot
- Five-year warranty and RM90 road tax
- Much slower 8.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Front-wheel drive only
- Less power at 148 hp and 250 Nm
Golf R
- 329 hp and 420 Nm
- All-wheel drive traction
- 4.6-second 0-100 km/h sprint
- Costs RM152,822 more
- Smaller 341-litre boot
- Two-year warranty and RM372 road tax
Golf vs Golf R FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Golf or Volkswagen Golf R better?
The Volkswagen Golf R is better for performance, with 329 hp, all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The Volkswagen Golf is better value for daily use, with a lower price, bigger boot and longer warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf R costs RM152,822 more than the Volkswagen Golf, at RM338,812 versus RM185,990.
Which has more boot space?
The Volkswagen Golf has more boot space, with 380 litres against the Volkswagen Golf R’s 341 litres.