Volkswagen Golf R 2019 Review

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI is the performance representative in Malaysia's C-segment hatchback market, combining track fun and daily practicality with its 290PS horsepower, all-wheel drive system, and extensive features.

RM 305,562

Volkswagen Golf R 2019

Segment

C-Segment

Body Type

Hatchback

Engine Power(PS)

290

Driven Wheels

All Wheel Drive

Capacity(L)

Engine Torque(Nm)

View Volkswagen Golf R > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

In Malaysia's C-segment hatchback market today, models that combine performance and practicality have always been the focus of enthusiasts. The 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI, as a performance representative in this segment, features a maximum horsepower of 290PS, an all-wheel-drive system, and extensive safety configurations as its core highlights. Many car fans are curious if it can balance daily driving and track enjoyment. This test drive will be centered around a static experience, dynamic performance, and real-world usage scenarios to present its true capabilities to readers.

From the exterior, the Golf R continues the family design language, but the sporty details make it highly recognizable. The front face adopts a black honeycomb grille paired with sharp LED daytime running lights on both sides, and the lower bumper integrates a sporty front lip. The overall style is understated but aggressive. The side profile is sleek, with 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels paired with 235/35 R19 tires further accentuating the performance vibe. The black roof spoiler and quad exhaust layout at the rear underline its performance credentials. In terms of lighting, LED headlamps and taillights are standard, providing clear illumination and outstanding recognition at night.

Inside, the interior predominantly features black tones. The seats are made of a combination of Alcantara and leather materials, offering excellent wrapping and support. The central control area is simple in layout, with a 9-inch touchscreen located at the center, which operates smoothly and supports CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. Beneath it, some physical buttons are retained for easier blind operations. Regarding materials, the upper part of the dashboard is wrapped in soft materials with silver decorative strips added to the details, which give the interior a texture that aligns with its positioning. In terms of configuration, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and an 8-speaker sound system are all standard. The front seats offer power adjustment and heating functions, enhancing daily convenience.

Regarding space, the vehicle dimensions are 4,258mm × 1,799mm × 1,452mm, with a wheelbase of 2,620mm and a total weight of 1,261kg. The front-row seating space is spacious, with more than a fist's room for both head and legroom for a 180cm passenger. Rear seating space is average; passengers of the same height will have about two fists' worth of legroom, but headroom is slightly tighter, though meeting the needs for daily family use is not an issue. In terms of storage capacity, the front central armrest and door storage compartments are of moderate size, while the boot offers a standard capacity of 380L, which can be expanded to 1,270L by folding the rear seats, offering strong practicality. Additionally, rear air vents and USB ports enhance the comfort of rear passengers.

As for power, the 2.0T turbocharged engine provides a maximum power of 290PS/5500rpm and a maximum torque of 380N·m/2000rpm, paired with a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. During actual driving, the initial acceleration responds quickly, delivering ample torque at low RPM, and the 0-100km/h acceleration time is approximately 4.6 seconds. When switched to Sport mode, throttle sensitivity increases, and the transmission's shifting logic becomes more aggressive. Stepping on the accelerator for overtaking delivers a strong push-back sensation. For daily driving, switching to Comfort mode makes the power output smoother and more suited for city commuting.

The handling and chassis performance are excellent, with a precise steering wheel and minimal play, providing clear directional accuracy. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link structure, which is tuned to be firm yet resilient. It controls body roll exceptionally well during cornering and maintains good high-speed stability. On bumpy roads, the suspension quickly filters out minor vibrations and provides effective cushioning for larger bumps, striking a balance between handling and comfort. The full-time four-wheel-drive system performs outstandingly on slippery roads, significantly enhancing traction and maintaining vehicle stability even during rapid acceleration or cornering.

In terms of fuel consumption, urban driving consumption is about 9.5L/100km, highway consumption is around 6.8L/100km, with a combined fuel consumption of approximately 8.2L/100km. This is a reasonable range for a model with 290 PS horsepower. Braking performance is excellent, with a linear pedal feel and uniform brake force distribution. During emergency braking, the vehicle's posture remains stable, with a braking distance of approximately 35 meters from 100 km/h to 0. In terms of driving comfort, noise control performs well, with wind and tire noise at 120 km/h within an acceptable range. The seats offer strong support, reducing fatigue during long drives, making it suitable for long trips.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2019 Golf R lie in its powerful performance, precise handling, and comprehensive safety features. Compared to models in the same class like the Honda Civic Type R, the Golf R's full-time four-wheel-drive system offers greater advantages on slippery roads, and it provides better daily driving comfort. Against the Mercedes-AMG A35, it delivers more value for money with comparable levels of features. This car is ideal for consumers who seek driving fun while also considering family use. Whether for city commuting, weekend getaways, or occasional track days, it can meet these demands.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI is a model that strikes a good balance between performance and practicality. With 290 PS horsepower and all-wheel drive delivering an outstanding dynamic performance, along with rich configurations and reasonable space to meet daily needs, it is undoubtedly a quality choice in the C-segment hatchback market for users who value driving pleasure without compromising on practicality.

Pros

The safety configuration is practical, and the active braking system has avoided dangers multiple times. The full-car airbags + AWD four-wheel drive enhance stability on wet and slippery roads on rainy days.

The interior craftsmanship is solid, the 9-inch touchscreen responds quickly, and the dual-zone air conditioning cools effectively, with adjustable settings for the rear seats.

Powerful performance, the 2.0T turbocharged engine provides strong acceleration for highway overtaking, and the AWD system ensures steady grip during cornering.

Cons

Obvious turbo lag at low speeds in urban areas, not brisk enough when starting

Interior features a lot of plastic parts, with a general texture in areas like the lower part of the center console, and the rear air conditioning vent is positioned too low

Lacks lane-centering assistance, and some active safety features are not as good as cars of the same price range from Japanese brands

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 6 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.3 / 5

Interior Design

4.5 / 5

Safety

4.3 / 5

Exterior Design

4.5 / 5

Showing 6 reviews

5 Excellent

Z4G29

Owner of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI

As the owner of a 2019 Golf R, after driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, the most satisfying features are its safety and interior! Let’s talk about safety first — with Malaysia’s many highways, narrow rural roads, and occasionally unexpected motorcycles, the car’s active braking system has really saved me once: I was following a car on the North-South Expressway when the vehicle in front suddenly braked hard. Before I could react, the system automatically stopped the car, really gave me a scare but saved the day! Plus, with full airbags and AWD four-wheel drive, it remains incredibly stable on slippery mountain roads along the East Coast during rainy days, with no skidding at all. As for the interior, it’s absolutely impeccable. Volkswagen’s craftsmanship is really solid — the 9-inch touchscreen responds quickly, and the dual-zone air conditioning cools extremely fast, even in Kuala Lumpur's 35-degree heat. Family members in the back can also adjust the temperature themselves. The 8 speakers deliver powerful sound quality, making it super relieving to play some music during traffic jams. The seats are well-contoured; even on long trips, my back doesn’t feel sore. Overall, these two aspects have far exceeded my expectations — full marks well deserved!

4 Excellent

HR_V

Owner of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI

As a 2019 Golf R owner, after driving it in Malaysia for almost two years, I truly feel this car suits my taste! The exterior definitely deserves full marks — the classic hatchback design, combined with the R-series exclusive honeycomb grille, quad exhaust outlets on both sides, and 19-inch large wheels, its return rate in the KLCC parking lot is super high. Every time I lock the car, I can't help but take another look. In terms of performance, I’d rate it 4 stars. The 290hp turbo engine makes overtaking on Malaysia's highways super satisfying, especially on long-distance drives along the North-South Expressway. When you press the accelerator deeply, the push-back feeling comes immediately. The AWD system also performs incredibly stable on rainy days on the Federal Highway. However, the turbo lag is somewhat noticeable in the heavy city traffic, and the initial acceleration feels lacking in responsiveness. This small regret cost it 1 point. Interior-wise, I’d also give it 4 stars. The 9-inch touchscreen responds quite quickly, the dual-zone air conditioning is very practical in Kuala Lumpur's intense heat, and the 8 speakers are powerful enough for music enjoyment. But there’s quite a bit of plastic, especially on the lower part of the center console; it feels average to the touch. If more soft padding could be added, it’d be perfect. Overall, this car is really suitable for driving in Malaysia. Its looks and performance are impressive, and the small shortcomings are completely acceptable!

5 Excellent

NX350h

Owner of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI

As the owner of a 2019 Golf R, driving in Malaysia for almost two years, I am overall very satisfied with the experience! Let’s talk about the exterior first. I'm giving it a 4-star rating because its design is relatively understated, not as flashy as some performance cars — it doesn’t attract too much attention when stuck in traffic in Kuala Lumpur’s city center. However, the 19-inch large rims and the R-badged details reflect its sporty nature, which suits someone like me who doesn’t want to be too showy but loves performance. For performance, I’ll also give it 4 stars. The 2.0T turbocharged engine is fantastic for overtaking on the highway, especially on the North-South Expressway from Johor to Kuala Lumpur. Even at 120km/h, it still accelerates effortlessly, and the all-wheel drive system feels very stable on rainy highways. However, in stop-and-go city traffic, the turbo lag at low RPM is a bit noticeable, and the start isn’t as quick — this is a small regret. The interior deserves a full score! Although it’s a 2019 model, the 9-inch touchscreen and dual-zone air conditioning are very user-friendly, and the seat cushioning is excellent, making long-distance drives not tiring at all. I’m particularly impressed by the rear air vents and the 8-speaker sound system. When taking my family to Genting Highlands, rear passengers do not feel stuffy, and the sound system provides great enjoyment for listening to music while driving through mountain roads. Overall, as a daily driver and for occasional fun drives, the Golf R performs exceptionally well in Malaysian road conditions!

5 Excellent

i30N

Owner of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI

As a 2019 Golf R owner, driving it in Malaysia for nearly two years, the most exhilarating thing about it is its performance! With a 290-horsepower turbo and all-wheel drive, overtaking on the North-South Expressway always feels confident — especially on the highway stretch from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, where just stepping on the gas easily leaves behind all the slower cars. The grip during cornering is incredibly stable, even on rainy days with slippery roads. In terms of safety, I feel quite reassured too. It comes standard with a full set of airbags and automatic emergency braking. Last time on the LDP highway in PJ, when the car in front suddenly braked hard, the system automatically slowed me down — almost avoiding a crash. This system really saved my life. However, compared to Japanese cars of the same price range, it lacks lane-centering assist, so during long drives I still have to stay quite focused, which is a reasonable point deduction. As for the interior, although Volkswagen's design isn’t particularly eye-catching, the build quality is very solid. The 9-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and the dual-zone air conditioning is powerful enough for Malaysia’s hot weather. However, the position of the rear air vent is a bit low, and friends sitting in the back have mentioned that their feet feel a bit cold, but overall, I’m still very satisfied. In conclusion, the Golf R performs remarkably well under Malaysia's road conditions. Full marks for performance, and the safety and interior are also decent. It's definitely worth considering!

4 Excellent

TacomaTRD

Owner of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0 TSI

As a 2019 Golf R owner, I've been driving it in Malaysia for almost two years now, and I find both the performance and safety aspects to be quite solid! Speaking of performance, the 2.0T engine combined with all-wheel drive is incredibly practical here—it’s a nightmare commuting in Kuala Lumpur during rush hour, but as long as there's a gap, flooring the accelerator and feeling that thrust leave other cars behind instantly is amazing. On weekends, when driving to Genting Highlands or on high-speed highways along the east coast, the AWD provides exceptional grip around corners, and the 290 horsepower makes uphill climbs effortless. The only downside is the thin tires (235/35 R19), so you have to be careful of small potholes; otherwise, there's a chance the tire might bulge. This is a minor drawback, but overall, I'm still very satisfied. In terms of safety, I feel completely reassured. Once, on the Penang highway, I was tailgating too closely, and when the car in front suddenly braked, I didn’t react in time. The automatic emergency braking kicked in and stopped my car, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision! I later checked the specifications and found out that the car is equipped with full airbags, including knee airbags and side airbags for the rear seats, which brings great peace of mind when taking my family out. There's also the electronic stability control system—once on the North-South Expressway during heavy rain, the car skidded, and the system immediately corrected the direction, preventing any accident. My only minor regret is that the automatic parking feature doesn’t work quite well in the narrow parking spaces of old residential areas here, so I end up parking manually. However, the core active safety features have truly saved me a couple of times, so giving it 4 stars feels completely fair!