Harper Lin
In 2019, Volkswagen announced that it would be discontinuing the Golf R for the 2020 model year. The Golf R was discontinued alongside the SportWagen and Alltrack models, but Volkswagen stated that this was only a brief hiatus as they prepared to launch the Mk8 generation Golf R. The Golf R was expected to return with the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, featuring a more powerful engine and improved performance. While the Golf R was discontinued for a brief period, it seems to have made a comeback, as sources indicate that the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is now available, featuring various updates and improvements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 |
| Status | Discontinued, Available |
| Reason for discontinuation | Volkswagen's focus on SUVs and EVs, low sales numbers |
| Alternative options | Audi S3, Golf GTI |
| Transmission | No longer offered with a manual transmission, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission |
| Horsepower | 288, 315, 328, 400 (rumoured) |
| Torque | 280 ft-lb, 310 pound-feet |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, 34 mpg (in testing) |
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What You'll Learn
Volkswagen Golf R discontinued in 2020
In 2019, Volkswagen announced that it would be making changes to its US lineup for 2020, which included the discontinuation of the Golf R. The Golf R was expected to return when the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf debuted, which it did in 2022.
The decision to discontinue the Golf R was likely influenced by Volkswagen's shift in focus to SUVs and electric vehicles. The Golf R's production ended, but it was still available in 2020 as a 2019 model. The Golf R has since returned as the Mk8 Golf, featuring standard LED headlights, a fully digital instrument cluster, lane-keeping assist, and an 8.25-inch touchscreen in the centre console.
While the Golf R was discontinued for a brief period, Volkswagen continued to offer other models in the Golf family. The Golf GTI, for example, remained available in the US market and was expected to receive only minor updates in terms of power. The Golf's nearly 50-year run in the US has seen various iterations, including the GTI, Golf R, E-Golf, and Sportwagen.
The Golf R has traditionally been a popular choice for buyers, offering a fully loaded model with the option of a manual or automatic transmission. With the manual transmission now discontinued across the Golf range, buyers can focus on customising the visual aspects of the vehicle, such as opting for the Black Edition or the Euro Style package.
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Golf R returns as Mk8
Volkswagen Golf R, the range-topping version of the seventh-generation hatchback, was discontinued for the 2020 model year. The Golf R is expected to return with the Mk8 version of the Volkswagen Golf.
In 2019, Volkswagen announced changes to its lineup for the 2020 model year, which mainly revolved around standardising active driver assistance technology. The Volkswagen Golf R has been discontinued for 2020, with a Volkswagen spokesperson confirming that the all-wheel-drive Golf R had officially ended production. However, the Golf R is expected to make a comeback with the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf.
The Golf R will be one of only two Golf models available in the United States, the other being the Golf GTI. The regular Golf and wagon versions will no longer be sold in the US. The eighth-generation Golf GTI and Golf R arrived later in 2022 as 2022 models. The Golf R is up 27 hp to 315, and the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is now the sole gearbox option. The 2025 Golf R sees a boost of 13 horsepower and 15 pound-feet, now rated at 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
While there was no official word on the release date of the Golf R Mk8, it was rumoured that it would arrive for the 2021 or 2022 model year. The new-generation Golf R has been spotted testing in various locations, sometimes featuring a heavily camouflaged version of the Mk8 body. The next-generation Golf R is expected to be significantly more powerful than its predecessor, with rumours suggesting it could generate 400 horsepower.
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Golf R discontinued in the US
In 2019, Volkswagen announced that it would be discontinuing the Golf R for the 2020 model year. The Golf R, the range-topping version of the seventh-generation hatchback, was discontinued alongside the SportWagen and Alltrack models. However, Volkswagen stated that the Golf R would only be taking a brief hiatus and would return as an Mk8 model.
The decision to discontinue the Golf R was likely due to a combination of factors, including Volkswagen's shift in focus to SUVs and electric vehicles, as well as declining sales of the Golf in the US market. In 2020, Volkswagen sold fewer than 22,000 Golfs, a significant decrease from the peak sales of nearly 69,000 in 2017.
During the hiatus, Volkswagen continued to offer other iterations of the Mk7 Golf, including the Golf Value Edition, the e-Golf, and the GTI. It was speculated that the next-generation Golf R would arrive for the 2022 model year, featuring a more powerful engine and improved performance.
As of 2024, it appears that the Golf R has returned to the US market, with the eighth-generation model available as a 2025 model year vehicle. The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R offers improved performance, with 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It retains its position as one of the favorite vehicles in its segment, earning a spot on the Editors' Choice list for 2025.
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Golf R's manual transmission replaced
Volkswagen has discontinued the manual transmission option for the 2025 Golf R. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is now the sole gearbox option. The 2025 model sees a boost of 13 horsepower and 15 pound-feet, now rated at 328 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
The Golf R has traditionally been sold with the option of either a manual or automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between the stick or the automatic transmission, with the manual option being discontinued for the 2025 model. The manual transmission has been replaced by the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is now the only option available for the Golf R.
The standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive system features a rear differential that can actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels, improving handling. The selectable drive modes have also been updated, with the addition of an Eco mode and changes to the shift points and functions in Comfort and Sport modes.
The decision to discontinue the manual transmission option for the Golf R may have been influenced by Volkswagen's focus on standardization and active driver assistance technology. Additionally, the growing emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs) and SUVs may have contributed to the shift away from manual transmissions. Volkswagen has made a handful of changes to its US lineup, including the discontinuation of the manual transmission Golf R.
Despite the discontinuation of the manual transmission, the 2025 Volkswagen Golf R remains a favourite in its segment and has earned a spot on the Editors' Choice list for 2025. The Golf R continues to offer impressive performance and features, such as the illuminated VW logo badge, new headlights, unique front bumper and grille, exclusive wheels and brake calipers, and a meaner-sounding Akrapovic exhaust system.
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Audi S3 as an alternative
Volkswagen Golf R is not discontinued as of 2025. However, in 2019, Volkswagen did announce that it would be making changes to its US lineup for 2020, which included discontinuing the Golf R.
The Audi S3 is a viable alternative to the Golf R. Both cars share the same platform and similar engines, but they are also very different. The Audi S3 has a classier exterior and interior infotainment seats. However, the S3 does not have a hatch and some people find the interior ugly. The S3 also has rougher-riding and noisier magride shocks. On the other hand, the S3 comes with a sunroof and front and rear fog lights. It also sits lower than the Golf R.
In terms of performance, the Golf R and Audi S3 are nearly identical, sharing the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine with 288 horsepower and 280 ft-lb, identical seven-speed transmissions, and all-wheel-drive systems. The Golf R has rear heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats, which are not available on the S3. The S3 has auto-folding mirrors, which the Golf R may get in the future.
The Audi S3 has a base MSRP of $44,500, which is only slightly more expensive than the Golf R's starting price of $43,395. The minor price difference favors the Audi, especially if performance is the only concern. However, if you want the Audi virtual cockpit, you will need to opt for the Prestige trim, which starts at $49,800. The Prestige trim includes features like adaptive cruise control, a premium audio system, and navigation, which come standard on the Golf R.
Overall, the Audi S3 is a good alternative to the Volkswagen Golf R, offering similar performance and features at a slightly higher price point. The decision between the two cars may come down to personal preferences for exterior and interior styling, as well as the availability of certain features and options.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Volkswagen discontinued the Golf R for the 2020 model year. The Golf R is expected to return with the Mk8 version of the Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen's focus on SUVs and electric vehicles led to the discontinuation of the Golf R. The company also wanted to produce electric vehicles for the U.S. market.
The Golf R is expected to return with the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf, which was predicted to debut in late 2019 or 2022.
The Audi S3 is a similar alternative to the Golf R, with the same turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, identical seven-speed transmissions, and all-wheel-drive systems.
