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2018 Volkswagen Golf R

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R is a compact car, rated at 29 MPG combined by the EPA, with a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year.

2018 Volkswagen Golf R
© Dinkun Chen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Combined MPG
29
NHTSA safety
Starting price
$46,000
Recalls
4

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Full specifications

Identity

SRC · NHTSA vPIC
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf R
Model year2018
Vehicle classCompact Car

Engine & drivetrain

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
Displacement1.8 L
Cylinders4
TransmissionManual 5-spd
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline

Fuel economy

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
City MPG25
Highway MPG34
Combined MPG29
CO₂ tailpipe309 g/mi
EPA annual fuel cost$2150

Available configurations

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
Golf28 MPG combined
Golf29 MPG combined
Golf R25 MPG combined
Golf R24 MPG combined

Fuel economy

SRC · EPA FuelEconomy
City25 MPG
Highway34 MPG
Combined29 MPG

Efficiency vs class average

Golf R29 MPG
Class average31.6 MPG

About 8% below the class average.

Est. monthly payment
$810/mo
Amount financed
$41,400
Total interest
$7,202
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5-year fuel cost
$6,931

$1,386/yr · 12,000 mi/yr · $3.35/gal

Combined MPG29
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Extended warranty & insurance

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Cost to own

Estimate monthly payments and 5-year fuel cost using the tools in the sidebar. Figures use EPA fuel economy and current U.S. energy prices from EIA.

Safety ratings & recalls

SRC · NHTSA vPIC
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Recalls (4)

  • SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY18V803000 · 2018-11-14

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.

    Remedy: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72H8 (VW) and 72H9(Audi).

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS18V864000 · 2018-12-05

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R vehicles. The fuel hose quick connector may detach from the fuel supply line in the engine bay, resulting in a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will secure the fuel line connection, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Bi.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER20V561000 · 2020-09-16

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Golf R and Atlas, 2017 Golf Alltrack and E-Golf and 2016-2018 Passat vehicles. These internal use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and will repurchase the vehicles. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01E9.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER21V321000 · 2021-05-05

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the MPG of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R?

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R is EPA-rated at 29 MPG combined (25 city / 34 highway).

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R reliable?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R. Recalls are repaired free of charge by the manufacturer — verify any open recalls by VIN before purchase.

How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R?

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating, including 4 stars in the frontal crash test.

How much does it cost to fuel the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R?

At 12,000 miles per year, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R costs roughly $1,386 per year to fuel, or about $6,931 over 5 years at current U.S. energy prices.

What type of vehicle is the 2018 Volkswagen Golf R?

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf R is classified as a compact car. Common rivals in this class are worth comparing on price, MPG, and safety.

Sources: NHTSA vPIC · EPA FuelEconomy · NHTSA vPIC