Overview & Reviews
The Volkswagen R32 returns for 2008. This VW GTI on steroids packs a 250-horsepower V6, all-wheel drive and a host of luxury features.
- Muscular V6, fantastic automated manual transmission, comfortable and quiet cabin, excellent steering feel, everything except a nav system is standard.
- Hefty curb weight dulls handling on twisty roads, choosing the optional nav system deletes the CD changer, pricey for a compact hatchback.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 45.00-
R32 #2 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By KingfisherSeattle - October 7 - 10:43 pmJust picked up my Mk V R32 today! This is my second as I had an Mk IV since new in 04. 20k miles later Im ready for my new car. A lot more refinement and still that great VR6 motor. Worth the extra money over the 2.0T motor for the sound alone. Road trip to PDX tomorrow (with the radar detector).
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The Perfect Hatch! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By Phikes - January 29 - 12:13 amBuy this car! The build quality is in Audi territory. The interior is great (steering wheel feels fantastic in hand). The car has grip for days, the body might roll a bit but the AWD goes exactly where you want it. Not to mention one of the best shades of blue ever. And yes it is FAST! The mid range passing power is always right there. I drove both the STI and EVO, they are both faster, but thats the ONLY place they beat the R32. Both the STI and EVO have interior build quality that suggests the occupants were only an after thought.
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Super Car! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By STEVE C - September 19 - 10:26 pmIt took a long time coming, but I finally found a car that was fun to drive with style, luxury and enough speed to keep my heart racing. Audi, BMW, Mercedes have nothing on this car. Saved 15k over BMW and got way better quality car.
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Engine boggs on accelleration - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By JC - August 25 - 2:46 pmDay after I bought the car it started hesitating and the car stall on me in traffic. Took the car to the dealer the next day and they said they couldnt find the problem. After taking the car several times to the dealer they finally found the problem. It took them 13 days to fix it while I was given a rental car. They replaced the "EVAPCANIST".
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R32 #939 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By HSE - October 10 - 11:46 pmCurrently, I have no CDs in the CD changer, no iPod connected and Sirius radio has yet to be activated - the exhaust note and engine resonance are (simply put) addicting! The motor has a lot of grunt. It has a good amount of low end torque and, once the horsepower catches up, it just keeps pulling and pulling! The AWD Haldex system is great. It doesnt struggle one bit - just tight, neutral handling. VR6 + DSG mate extremely well. Fast AND smooth; how do they do it?? The interior design and ergonomics are top notch. Theres a very thin line between VW and Audi nowadays! What can I say about the exterior? Its gorgeous. Very upscale/mature, but you can tell it wants to play.
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Darwin was Right! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By Joe - September 28 - 5:33 amI owned the original GTI pocket rocket in the 80s. It was a revolution in small cars, and created ripples throughout the automotive universe. Today, I own a 2008 r32. It feels like it was forged from a solid chunk of billet, (unlike the beer can feel of my former Subaru WRX). Glove soft leather interior, all the latest safety technology, plenty of honest all wheel drive "non boosted" performance, and the practicality and roominess of a hatch. Is it a $30k plus auto? Maybe not for you - especially if you live in the 0-60; quarter mile universe. But for an old GTI hot hatch man like myself, I cant think of anything better. Its the natural evolution of what I owned over 20 years ago.
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R32 Senior - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By JoneR32 - September 20 - 6:36 pmWas researching for a sports sedan/coupe with AWD, stability control, full air bags & side curtains, and being reviewed as quite respectable in the performance, safety, and handling categories-- safety being first. I found a certified low mileage [6650] R32 in Naples, FL via Autotrader and negotiated a price over the phone-- $23900 + tax & title. Have since added 8000 miles, and they were all driven with a smile on my face. The R32 is a great daily "sports" driver, esp. in city traffic due to the excellent DSG tranny which is left in auto 100% of the time, per the tests that one cant shift as fast as this tranny in manual mode/paddle shifter or console. 21.5 MPG overall--26+ MPG hwy.
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New R32? HOT!! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By Nate Adams - September 15 - 7:10 amJust three days in and I am absolutely sure that this is best purchase in 27 yrs! We have had an 03 Jetta, and currently have an 06 Passat. I had bought a GTI in Feb but couldnt resist the all-wheel drive. But that is nothing compared to what I felt and heard out of that tailpipe! Deep, soothing sounds that send chills up your spine! Sport and luxury all at once? Great job VW. Just give us a manual next time please!
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Fun car! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By 604doc - September 5 - 2:30 pmThis car wasnt even a consideration for me until a friend told me about it. I fell in love with the car on the test drive. Its comfortable on long drives, and just a hoot zipping around the city. Its hard to drive the car "easy", so Im not sure of the MPG yet.
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The .:R is back and better than ever! - 2008 Volkswagen R32
By Dr. A. Keller - May 2 - 3:33 pmThe new R32 may not be as rugged as the previous-gen R32, but it definitely feels a bit more refined with a stiffer chassis, precise handling, more upscale interior material, more comfort features, etc.; all while still retaining its crown as the ultimate hot hatch! The VR6 has a very nice grunt from all around the rev band and is a perfect match with the DSGs lighting fast, crisp gear changes. You can definitely feel the VR6 open up with the more miles you put it through. It feels MUCH more aggressive now (1200 + miles) than it did when I picked her up with 12 miles. If I can describe the R32 in a few short words: its a wolf in sheeps clothing.
