The Volkswagen Gold R takes one of the seven places for Automobile Magazine All-Star List of cars.

Lauded for its performance and value, the Golf R joins Automobile’s list of the seven outstanding model year 2016 vehicles

Volkswagen of America, Inc., is pleased to announce that the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R, commended for its “practicality and punch,” was named today to Automobile’s “2016 All-Star” list. Automobile,a leading automotive lifestyle print and online brand, selects exceptional vehicles each year to its prestigious list based on style, class, importance, and desirability. This is the first time that the Golf R has been named anAutomobile “All-Star”.

“The Golf R has won the hearts of enthusiasts and everyday drivers since its introduction last spring, and we are honored that it has earned a coveted spot on Automobile’s ‘2015 All-Star’ list,” said Vinay Shahani, Vice President, Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “This award is a testament to the Golf R’s stellar combination of performance and value.” 

“Volkswagen Golf R wowed us with its potent performance on both road and track,” said Mike Floyd, Editor-in-Chief, Automobile. “But more than that, it’s also an incredibly practical package that can haul the mail as well.”

Automobile chooses its “All-Star” contender list from the entirety of all-new, heavily revised, or newly significant variants on sale or otherwise available in the U.S. in the 12 months preceding the publication’s fall test. 

Editorial staff and contributors cast private ballots for their favorite vehicles, including passenger cars, sports cars, sport-utilities, minivans and trucks. Winners are determined solely by staff preferences.

The latest Golf R, introduced for 2015, is the most powerful version of the Golf ever to be sold in the U.S. market. It redefines the hatchback category with enough space for five adults and more trunk space than most mid-size sedans. 

It features an even more advanced version of Volkswagen’s EA888 four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter engine that’s fitted to the Golf GTI, which was named anAutomobile “2015 All-Star.” 

Boasting 292 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the R model is also fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy rating of 31 mpg with the six-speed manual transmission. 

The 2016 Golf R features a suite of new connectivity features that includes USB and VW Car-Net® App-Connect technology, as well as a number of newly available driver assistance systems. 

The Golf R comes standard with Volkswagen’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the DCC and Navigation model is available with the Driver Assistance Package, which adds Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist), Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, and Park Distance Control (Park Pilot). 

The 2016 Golf R (along with the Golf, Golf GTI and Golf SportWagen models), earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Pricing for the 2016 Golf R starts at $35,650.