Sport Sedan Shootout

 

1. Introduction
2. BMW 135i Coupe
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TC-SST
4. Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec R
5. Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION
6. She Says
7. Conclusion
8. Specifications

 

2008 Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION

CarAdvice Rating: (4.75/5.00)

There is a lot to like about the Volkswagen Golf R32 and we all know it’s been around for a while (click here to read full review). It is the sort of car that pumps out enough grunt to keep the rev head in you happy while still being humble enough in the looks department to use as an everyday car. There is no mistaking the Golf is on the approach when you hear that intoxicating exhaust note.

For a sports sedan, we found the Golf to be very manageable, but not in a bad way – after all, you still know the power is there – and there certainly is enough of it. The 3.2-litre, V6 loves to rev and never feels as though it’s about to catch you by surprise. Driving along what must be some of Australia’s curviest roads, the Golf remained completely predictable with that brilliant 184kW always ready to go.

The R32 sticks to the road like the proverbial to a blanket and corners like it’s on rails. Gearshifts in the six-speed manual gearbox were easy to make and the clutch was user friendly. Torque, although only 320Nm, seems to come on as soon as you put your foot down; there is no waiting for a response which injects lots of fun into driving what is already a barrel of laughs.

The steering is tight, involved and accurate with near-perfect feedback and the compact design makes it an ease to park as well. Volkswagen’s 4MOTION full-time four-wheel drive system also comes standard in the R32, further assisting the impressive grip levels.

The Golf looks great, it isn’t making an obvious statement about its race-like power, which really appeals as you could easily see it being quite at home in the family garage, then taking people by surprise at the lights. We’d also have to say that a winning factor for the Golf is the usability as a day-to-day car. It’s just as happy doing the grocery shopping as it is on a twisty country road – though we all know where the fun is to be had.

Further adding to its family appeal is the supreme safety levels R32 offers. Kudos to Volkswagen for its five-star EuroNCAP rating on the Golf. The R32’s safety features include four-wheel ABS, plenty of airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and front and rear crumple zones.

Active safety is where the Golf excels with anti-slip regulation to prevent wheel spin, electronic stabilisation program, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution all included standard.

Inside, there is no forgetting you are in a car that is built to go. The steering wheel is easy to hold with its moulded grips and flat bottom adding to that sporty feel. Instrumentation is simple but informative with an easy to use menu system, while the interior’s luxurious feel makes driving the Golf a pleasure. The leather racing seats too are comfortable – and ultra supportive – but in all honesty are a little bit of hindrance to get in and out of.

The R32’s visibility is crystal clear with no obvious obstructions. The hatchback’s boot space practical and the rear seats fold down to expand the 275 litre boot to a cavernous 1230 litres if required. The three-door version of the R32 that we tested is less than generous in the rear legroom department, so if it was to be a family car (or carrying back seat passengers regularly) best opt for the five-door variant.

By sports sedan standards, the R32 is at the lower end of the price scale, bringing the value for money card into the Golf’s deck as well, and combined with liveability and strong performance, it’s a winner – by a nose – in our books.

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

 

1. Introduction
2. BMW 135i Coupe
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TC-SST
4. Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec R
5. Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION
6. She Says
7. Conclusion
8. Specifications

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