Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 28 September 2009
If the thought of a GTI is just a little too everyday, then this could be the Golf for you. It does without the lurid colours and loud bodykits that you'll see elsewhere in the hot hatch world - the only visual difference between this range-topper and a standard Golf are a few subtle styling tweaks and a redesigned front end. What you do get is one of the fastest and most powerful Golfs ever produced with a 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 and four-wheel-drive for excellent grip in all conditions. It's the gentleman's, rather than the boy racer's, hot hatch.
4.5 out of 5

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4.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£22,885 - £24,675

Used price range:

£8,482 - £17,836

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Discreet performance, great handling

Offers little more than the outstanding Golf GTI, thirsty engine

If the thought of a GTI is just a little too everyday, then this could be the Golf for you. It does without the lurid colours and loud bodykits that you'll see elsewhere in the hot hatch world - the only visual difference between this range-topper and a standard Golf are a few subtle styling tweaks and a redesigned front end. What you do get is one of the fastest and most powerful Golfs ever produced with a 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 and four-wheel-drive for excellent grip in all conditions. It's the gentleman's, rather than the boy racer's, hot hatch.

Driving & Performance

  • Performance

    4.5 out of 5

    "The R32 gets a 3.2-litre V6 that produces 250bhp, making it the flagship of the Golf range. It's an..."

  • Handling

    4.5 out of 5

    "It's a very capable driving machine with little bodyroll, precise steering and rapid throttle..."

Comfort

  • Comfort

    3.5 out of 5

    "The cabin styling is as restrained as that of the exterior. It's sober, but sophisticated, well..."

  • Practicality

    4 out of 5

    "The R32 hasn't lost any of the practicality that has made Golf one of the best family hatches..."

  • Equipment

    4 out of 5

    "Every Golf R32 comes with 4MOTION four-wheel-drive, ABS with brake assist, electronic stability..."

  • Behind the wheel

    4 out of 5

    "The driving position is comfortable, thanks to a highly adjustable seat and steering wheel. The..."

Costs

  • Running costs

    3 out of 5

    "A strong demand for the previous generation model means that prices remain firm. With numbers in the..."

  • Green credentials

    2 out of 5

    "The R32 is a polluting model with an average of 243g/km CO2. It's also pretty thirsty, averaging..."

Safety & Reliability

  • Safety

    5 out of 5

    "In addition to a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, there's ABS with brake assist, an electronic..."

  • Reliability

    4 out of 5

    "This generation of Golf is proving to be very reliable and even though the R32 is a performance..."

Buying & Selling

  • Buying new

    2.5 out of 5

    "Hard negotiators may be able to wrangle a discount, though it's unlikely a Volkswagen dealer will..."

  • Buying used

    3.5 out of 5

    "It's easy to tell an R32 apart from lesser Golfs. Firstly there's the aluminium-effect grille, which..."

  • Selling

    4 out of 5

    "It's likely to be snapped-up quickly by dealers - if you want a quick sale - and private buyers..."

Gallery

  • Interior Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08)
  • Exterior Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08)
  • Exterior Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08)
  • Exterior Volkswagen Golf R32 (05-08)

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