24 Nov 27th-Dec 3rD, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2025 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R 2.0T: THE HOT HATCH THAT FORGOT ITS A HATCH. 2025 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R 2.0T Strap in and crank the volume Strap in and crank the volume on your favorite desert-off-road on your favorite desert-off-road 80s rock jam because the 2025 80s rock jam because the 2025 Golf R just showed up to the Golf R just showed up to the party wearing a tailored suit and a party wearing a tailored suit and a rocket pack. Under the hood sits rocket pack. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that pumps out approximately that pumps out approximately 328 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in 328 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in the U.S. version, routed through the U.S. version, routed through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The result? A crispy- system. The result? A crispy- sharp hot hatch that runs errands sharp hot hatch that runs errands in the morning and scalds the in the morning and scalds the twisties after lunch. twisties after lunch. Inside, the Golf R gets serious Inside, the Golf R gets serious but not stuffy. You’ll find premium- but not stuffy. You’ll find premium- ish touches, tech that keeps the ish touches, tech that keeps the smartphone crowd happy, and smartphone crowd happy, and enough hatchback practicality enough hatchback practicality that your brothers and their trail that your brothers and their trail gear can squeeze in. With just gear can squeeze in. With just under 20 cu.ft. of cargo space under 20 cu.ft. of cargo space and a combined fuel-economy and a combined fuel-economy rating of roughly 25 mpg (22 city rating of roughly 25 mpg (22 city / 31 highway) it quietly says: “I / 31 highway) it quietly says: “I can keep up with your weekend can keep up with your weekend warrior lifestyle and your weekday warrior lifestyle and your weekday grind.” But make no mistake - this grind.” But make no mistake - this isn’t your grandmother’s Golf isn’t your grandmother’s Golf going to the garden store. It’s the going to the garden store. It’s the kind of car that will roast your tires kind of car that will roast your tires and still pop open the back hatch and still pop open the back hatch for grocery bags. for grocery bags. Here’s the honest Clutch Here’s the honest Clutch McFly take: The 2025 Golf R 2.0 McFly take: The 2025 Golf R 2.0 T is like that sneaky cousin who T is like that sneaky cousin who shows up to the family barbecue shows up to the family barbecue wearing a tailored blazer and wearing a tailored blazer and flip-flops—stylish, unexpected, flip-flops—stylish, unexpected, and ready to break loose. For and ready to break loose. For just around $50,000 you get the just around $50,000 you get the polish of a luxury compact, the polish of a luxury compact, the drive of a racer’s toy, and the drive of a racer’s toy, and the utility of a hatchback your mom utility of a hatchback your mom would approve of (begrudgingly). would approve of (begrudgingly). If your vibe is “get my gear, hit the If your vibe is “get my gear, hit the canyon, stop for brunch, maybe canyon, stop for brunch, maybe mess around a little,” this car nails mess around a little,” this car nails it. Only caveat: if you’re hauling it. Only caveat: if you’re hauling six dudes, a rooftop tent, and the six dudes, a rooftop tent, and the kitchen sink, maybe you need kitchen sink, maybe you need bigger - but if you’re keeping it bigger - but if you’re keeping it smart-aggressive, the Golf R smart-aggressive, the Golf R makes perfect sense. makes perfect sense. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
