The 2023 Volkswagen Golf

Golf is one of the most famous lineups by Volkswagen, and it’s been rolling since 1974. The “popular sport” vibe remained until today, several generations later. The new 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI has three trims available, and there’s also a luxury edition: the Golf R. Explore the most important features of the new Golf lineup in this review. 

Performance and Driveability

There are two engines available for the new Golfs: a 2.0 TSI engine, with front-wheel drive for the GTI models; and a 2.0 TSI engine with 4Motion all-wheel drive for the Golf R. Both engines can come with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic. 

In terms of performance, the first engine is slightly less powerful. The acceleration is also different for both engines: the first goes from 0 to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, while the top-notch option makes it in 4.7 seconds. The GTI engine delivers 241hp and 273 lb.-ft of torque capacity. The flagship model has 315hp and 280 lb. ft of torque. 

The fuel consumption varies according to the engine and choice of transmission; a manual transmission is slightly more economical than DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). GTI models make between 9.7 and 10L/100km in the city and between 7L/100km and 7.3L/100km on highways. The Golf R makes between 10.3 and 11.8L/100km in the city and between 77 and 8.3L/100km on highways.

Interior and Exterior

All trims have seating capacity for up to five passengers, with cloth, leather surfaces, or Nappa leather upholstery, depending on the trim. All trims have lumbar support for the driver’s seat, also with different adjustments, and heated front seats. The climate control system depends on the trim, ranging from single-zone to three-zone options. 

The new Golf has a sleek exterior design, LED headlights and tail lights for all models, and heated exterior mirrors. The flagship model also has cornering, poor weather, and surrounding lighting. 

Tech and Safety

The entire lineup is packed with handy infotainment and safety options. All trims have a Volkswagen Cockpit Pro infotainment system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Additionally, this lineup comes with remote connectivity (Volkswagen Car-Net) and an emergency call service. 

The basic model comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display for controlling the infotainment system. The Golf R comes with an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a subwoofer; lower trims come with a 6-speaker sound system. 

As for safety features, all models have a comprehensive array of driving assists and features, such as hill hold assist, ESC (electronic stability control), cruise control, slide assist, tire pressure monitoring, a rearview camera with dynamic guidance and more. The flagship model has exclusive safety features, including adaptive cruise control, a dynamic road sign display, and an electronic parking brake.

Trims and Prices

There are three Golf GTIs available: Golf GTI ($34,432), Golf GTI Autobahn ($37,832), and Golf GTI Performance ($41,832). The Golf R is the most expensive lineup model, with a starting price of $49,932. Book a test drive at your authorized dealership today and choose your next Golf.