Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Golf R: which hot VW is best? 

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI is here, and it’s more powerful than ever before. We’ve lined it up for a drag race against a pre-facelift Golf GTI Clubsport, and we’ve thrown a previous-generation Golf R into the mix to see how VWs hot hatches have progressed over the years.

But which one should you actually buy? To find out, let’s compare these cars back to back to see what you actually get for your money, as well as which one will suit your needs best.

Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Golf R: the numbers

Let’s kick off with a game of top trumps. All three of these cars use the same 2.0-litre turbocharged engine in different states of tune.

In the new Golf GTI it puts out 265hp and 370Nm of torque, an increase of 20hp over the pre-facelift car, driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’s no manual option here, much to the dismay of many hot hatch aficionados.

The GTI Clubsport gets 300hp and 400Nm of torque, also sent to the front wheels only by the same dual-clutch transmission as the standard GTI. The old Golf R has 300hp and 380Nm of torque, however it’s the only one of the three with all-wheel drive. A manual gearbox was also offered in this generation of Golf R.

Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Golf R: performance

So what does all this mean for performance? Well on paper, the Mk7 Golf R should walk a drag race. It’s over a second quicker to 60mph than either of the other two cars, most likely thanks to the all-wheel drive traction, but it is the heaviest of the three, tipping the scales at 1,505kg.

For comparison, the GTI weighs in at 1,454kg, while the Clubsport is a shade heavier at 1,461kg. These are all just numbers on a sheet though, so check out the video to see how things pan out in a drag race.

Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Golf R: suspension and chassis

It’s out on a twisty road, or a racetrack that you’ll start to see more significant differences between these three cars, and choosing the right one will hugely depend on your needs.

As a fun daily driver, the new Golf GTI fits the bill nicely. The suspension is set up to make it just as comfy as a normal Golf when you’re bumbling around town, but at the push of a button it firms up for more sporty handling.

It’s great, but sometimes you do feel as though it’s too much like a normal Golf. It doesn’t encourage you to hoon about like a hot hatch should, a Honda Civic Type R is much more fun to drive.

This brings us neatly on to the GTI Clubsport. You can think of this as a more track-focussed version of the standard, pre-facelift GTI. In addition to the increased power, the Clubsport got a host of suspension upgrades to make it more agile and engaging to drive, adding in some of the hot hatch sparkle which was missing from the standard car.

The suspension is lowered and stiffened, sacrificing a bit of day-to-day comfort in the pursuit of back-road thrills, and there’s more front camber – meaning the front wheels are at a steeper angle which makes it feel more responsive to your steering inputs.

The Golf R on the other hand offers a totally different experience, mostly thanks to its all-wheel drive system. The front-wheel drive GTI and GTI Clubsport will start to lose front end grip if you push too hard into a bend, whereas the R will hold on for much longer.

It’s this added traction which gives you the confidence to make the most of that 2.0-litre engine, regardless of prevailing weather conditions. The Clubsport may be a bit more engaging, but the R is much easier to drive quickly.

Volkswagen Golf GTI vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Golf R: the verdict

So which of these three cars should you actually buy? All three of these cars have their merits, but it’s the Golf R which offers the best blend of performance, everyday usability and value for money here.

You can pick up a clean Mk7 Volkswagen Golf R for as little as £20,000, and it’s a lot of car for that sort of cash. You’ll want to be careful when choosing a used example, because a lot of these cars have been thrashed by people who haven’t looked after them, but get a good one and you won’t be disappointed.

That said, the GTI Clubsport is probably a better car for keen drivers thanks to the host of chassis upgrades. It feels more agile, despite the lack of grip compared to the all-wheel drive R, and it’ll put a bigger smile on your face at non-scary speeds.

Clubsports start from just under £30,000 for a low-mileage 2021 example, rising to around £40,000 for the last examples made in 2024. That makes it seem like a bargain compared to the £40,000 facelifted GTI when you consider the extra power and handling goodies.

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