2023 Volkswagen Golf-RFuel Economy & MPG Ratings
Trim Comparison
| Trim | Engine | City | Hwy | Combined | Fuel Cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 23 | 30 | 26 | $3,150 |
| Manual 6-spd | Premium | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
Based on gasoline at $3.67/gal, 15,000 miles/year
vs. average new vehicle
Environment
- CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
- 343 g/mile
- Annual Petroleum Consumption
- 11.4 barrels
Specifications
- Engine
- 2L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- 6-speed Manual
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Body Style
- Sedan
- GVWR
- Class 1 (≤6,000 lbs)
Source: EPA fuel economy data & NHTSA vPIC. Specifications reflect the most common trim configuration.
Engine & Efficiency Details
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
- Engine Size
- 2L, 4-cylinder
- Induction Type
- Direct Injection
- Efficiency Tech
- Auto Start-Stop
- Fuel Type
- Premium Gasoline
Annual Fuel Cost by State
Prices as of week ending May 18, 2026 · Source: EIA
| State | Gas Price | Annual Cost | vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| National AvgEPA default | $4.490/gal | $2,590/yr | — |
| California | $5.957/gal | $3,437/yrHIGHEST | +$847 |
| Texas | $3.888/gal | $2,243/yrLOWEST | $-347 |
| Florida | $4.136/gal | $2,386/yr | $-204 |
| New York | $4.522/gal | $2,609/yr | +$19 |
| Ohio | $4.510/gal | $2,602/yr | +$12 |
| Washington | $5.591/gal | $3,226/yr | +$636 |
| Colorado | $4.618/gal | $2,664/yr | +$74 |
| Minnesota | $4.344/gal | $2,506/yr | $-84 |
| Massachusetts | $4.448/gal | $2,566/yr | $-24 |
Calculated at 15,000 miles/year (EPA standard assumption) using 26 MPG combined. Regular gasoline prices. Actual costs vary.
NHTSA Safety Ratings
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov)Safety Equipment
Recall History3
Source: NHTSAOwner-Reported Problems6 complaints
Source: NHTSANHTSA has received 6 owner complaints for the 2023 Volkswagen Golf-R. Top reported issues include brakes, electrical system and steering. The data below is sourced from consumer complaints filed directly with NHTSA.
Problems by System / Component
2023 Volkswagen Golf-R problems by category: Brakes: 2 complaints, Electrical System: 2 complaints, Steering: 1 complaints, Power Train: 1 complaints, Lighting: 1 complaints.
Sample Owner Complaints
Complaint data is sourced from the NHTSA Complaints Database. Reports are filed by vehicle owners and may not reflect confirmed defects. Last updated via NHTSA API.