Honda Won't Like The Volkswagen Golf R's AWD System originally appeared on Autoblog.
The hot hatch segment is heating up
Hot hatches aren’t exactly a dime a dozen, and the competition is a heated one, but the Volkswagen Golf R manages to stand out as one of the best in the business. The German model combines all the practical features of the Golf, like seating for five and plenty of cargo space, with the performance of a sports car. The Golf R isn’t the only hot hatch in its price range, though. The Honda Civic Type R presents fierce competition, with a competitive price and similar performance, but it lacks a key feature to go tire-to-tire with the Golf R: all-wheel drive.
European 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black EditionVolkswagenVolkswagen Golf R comes with standard AWD
The 2025 Volkswagen Golf R is the most powerful of its breed, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That’s 13 horsepower and 15 lb-ft of torque more than the 2024 model. Power is transmitted through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Golf R features VW’s 4Motion all-wheel drivetrain, providing drivers with a more engaging experience behind the wheel. The 2025 VW Golf is also one of the more efficient hot hatches, earning up to 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
European 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black EditionVolkswagenThe Honda Civic Type R is a favorite of hot hatch enthusiasts, and rightfully so. It comes stocked with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. That powerhouse comes mated to a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the front wheels. The Japanese hot hatch is one of the few, if not only, of its segment that comes with front-wheel drive. That drivetrain doesn’t translate to higher efficiency, though, with the 2025 Civic Type R earning a combined 24 mpg.
Looking deeper, however, the VW Golf R might not be the whole package. The VW Golf R is only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, as the 2024 Golf R marked the final year for the six-speed manual. On top of that, the 2025 VW Golf R starts at $47,100. Meanwhile, the Honda Civic Type R offers a six-speed manual as the sole gearbox and is priced from $45,895.
2023 Honda Civic Type RHondaThe VW Golf R comes in two trim levels, with the top-spec model starting at $48,415. The Golf R Black Edition rolls out on 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels and as the name implies, it boasts a blacked-out theme, with darkened headlight elements and front grille and black VW and R badging. Black quad exhaust and brake calipers help complete the intimidating aesthetic.
The VW Golf R isn’t the only AWD hot hatch
The Volkswagen Golf R isn’t the only hot hatch to come with standard all-wheel drive. The Toyota GR Corolla manages to bridge the gap between the Civic Type R and the German hatchback, albeit in limited numbers. It comes powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Toyota’s hot hatch entry also comes with standard all-wheel drive.
2025 Toyota GR Corolla Toyota Available from $39,160, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla undercuts both Volkswagen and Honda’s hot hatch offerings. It comes in three trim levels, with the top-spec Premium Plus priced from $45,815. The Japanese hot hatch comes stock with an eight-speed Gazoo Racing direct automatic transmission, but drivers can opt for a six-speed manual gearbox instead.
Surprisingly, the 2025 Toyota GR Corolla’s automatic transmission isn’t the most efficient of the two. When paired with the standard all-wheel drivetrain, the GR Corolla earns up to 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The six-speed manual is the transmission of choice for both a more engaging driving experience and, as it turns out, fuel economy. GR Corolla models equipped with a manual gearbox are rated for a combined 24 mpg.
European 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Black EditionVolkswagenFinal thoughts
The Honda Civic Type R is undoubtedly one of the hottest hatchbacks on the market, but the VW Golf R’s AWD system might give it the upper hand. On the other side of the equation, the German hot hatch lacks a manual transmission, something enthusiasts tend to look for in performance cars. The Toyota GR Corolla manages to combine the best of both worlds, but its limited production could become an issue. Realistically, though, there’s no bad choice in the hot hatch segment.
Honda Won't Like The Volkswagen Golf R's AWD System first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
