Volkswagen Golf R vs. Volkswagen R32
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R and Volkswagen R32 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Volkswagen Golf R and the Volkswagen R32.
When we compare the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Volkswagen R32's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency and base engine power. The Volkswagen R32 has the advantage in the area of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf R's and the Volkswagen R32's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf R is a better car than the Volkswagen R32.
Pricing: A used 2024 Volkswagen Golf R ranges from $44,883 to $51,042 while a used 2008 Volkswagen R32 is priced between $6,991 to $21,592.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf R’s base engine makes 315 horsepower, and the Volkswagen R32 base engine makes 250 horsepower. The Golf R is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 406 miles. The R32 is rated to deliver an average of 20 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 334 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Golf R the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen R32. The Golf R uses premium unleaded, and the R32 uses gasoline.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf R has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$47,191 - $53,276
Starting MSRP:
$45,665
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
$26,555
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
$17,795 - $45,665
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$32,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,673
Price Range:
$44,883 - $51,042
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
$28,855
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
$19,171 - $47,673
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
51
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
5,179
# Good or Great Deals:
4
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,740
Price Range:
$6,991 - $21,592
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
11
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
111,721
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Volkswagen Golf R Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen R32 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf R
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
11.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
10.1 - 13.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen R32
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2 - 18.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.1
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Volkswagen Golf R Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 43Ranking
13 out of / 43Ranking
17 out of / 43Ranking
18 out of / 43Ranking
21 out of / 43Ranking
24 out of / 24Ranking
26 out of / 43Ranking
35 out of / 43Ranking
42 out of / 43Volkswagen R32 Rankings
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf R Trim Levels
4Motion
Volkswagen R32 Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
315 hp @ 5900 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1900 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.093 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
250 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque:
236 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.070 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
290 / 406 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.2 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 23 / 20
Range (city/hwy):
261 / 334 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Available
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
Not yet available
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
Not yet available
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.2 inches
Cargo Space:
9.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3404 lbs
Width:
70.4 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
168.9 inches
Wheelbase:
103.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3547 lbs
Width:
69.2 inches
Height:
57.7 inches
Length:
167.2 inches
Wheelbase:
101.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
3.6 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
polished aluminum alloy with painted accents
Tire Size:
P235/35R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
Not yet available
Wheel Type:
Not yet available
Tire Size:
Not yet available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Lapiz Blue Metallic
White
Pure White
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
White
Candy White
Gray
United Grey Metallic
Red
Tornado Red
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black w/ Blue Accents
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Not available
Gray
Anthracite - Top Sports Leather
