Do you remember the 2004 Volkswagen R32? It was a more extreme take on the company’s venerable hot hatchback, the Volkswagen GTI. It featured a 3.2-liter V6, a six-speed manual transmission, and a Haldex part-time all-wheel-drive system. Well, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is a derivative of that car, but it’s a pretty far departure from it.

The Volkswagen Golf R was completely redesigned for the 2022 model year. It’s longer and sportier than the outgoing model as it has more horsepower and tech features to the power to the ground. As for the forthcoming 2023 model, we expect that it will be priced similarly and carry the same features. Here’s a closer look.

How much will the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R cost?

Considering the Volkswagen Golf R was redesigned for 2022, the 2023 model should carry over the same price structure. In that case, we expect the 2023 Golf R to have a starting price of around $44,095 with the six-speed manual transmission and up to $44,890 with the DSG transmission.

When will the 2023 Golf R be available?

Considering there are still 2022 Volkswagen Golf R models hitting dealership floors, we expect that the 2023 model should show up by the end of the year. Depending on any inventory shortages or supply issues, the 2023 Golf R could show up sooner. However, if you can’t wait, the 2022 model should suffice just as well.

2023 Volkswagen Golf R: Engine specs and other features

As stated before, if the 2023 Golf R is carried over from the 2022 model year, we can expect it to be equipped with the same engine. The current Golf R is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes 315 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with the DSG transmission. That torque number sees a 15 lb-ft dip if you choose to row the gears yourself.

The power is put down through all four wheels, and the car itself is kept stable with the DCC adaptive dampening system. The coolest part about the AWD setup is that 100% of the power can be sent to the rear wheels when the “drift mode” is selected so you can get sideways on the racetrack.

Performance aspects aside, the Golf R comes standard with a head-up display, a navigation system, a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, and the brand’s Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. There are also plenty of safety features like adaptive cruise control, an active blind spot monitor, a rear traffic alert, and a lane assist.

According to J.D. Power, there should be a special 20th Anniversary Edition in 2023. Other than that, only minor cosmetic updates are foreseen at the moment.

To top it all off, the Golf R even comes with two years of free maintenance, which can save you some money in the long run. We expect that the 2023 Golf R will come with all of these features, although there could be the exception of a new exterior color.