2023 Volkswagen Golf R Safety and Reliability

There is no official safety review of the VW Golf R from the NHTSA, but the IIHS conducted the required crash tests to formulate a report. Scoring top marks in all evaluations, the Golf R is let down by its standard headlights, which the authority doesn't rate highly. Still, the VW Golf R was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2022.

Admirable safety ratings for the Gold R come courtesy of a long list of standard features. The 2023 model comes standard with powerful ABS brakes, adaptive LED headlights, traction and stability control, and six airbags, including driver knee and side curtain airbags.

The list of standard driver assistance features is also impressive: each car comes with an active blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, lane assist, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, high beam control, adaptive cruise control, dynamic road sign display, front and rear park distance control, parking steering assist, a head-up display, and forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking.

In terms of reliability, the 2023 Volkswagen Golf R has already been recalled once for a radiator that is incorrectly attached to the intercooler, and the 2022 model year was recalled four times. These recalls were for issues ranging from an inoperative rearview camera display and the same radiator issue mentioned above to a design flaw with the plastic engine cover and a sunroof malfunction.

To allay any fears, the automaker sells the new VW Golf R hatchback with a four-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and two years or 20,000 miles of scheduled maintenance.