Volkswagen Golf R MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volkswagen Golf R has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 10 model years, from 2012 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (2015) and its thirstiest returned 22 mpg (2012). The EPA record holds 15 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen Golf R placed highest in 2019 at #51 of 86, and lowest in 2025 at #71 of 85. It spent 0 of its 10 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 15 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Golf R fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Volkswagen Golf R burns 460 to 460 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $3,100 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $4,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 25 mpg the Volkswagen Golf R is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $62 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Volkswagen nameplates

Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.