Used Alfa Romeo deals
Head-to-headOn the road
Both cars are a joy to drive. The Alfa Romeo’s engine is divine: a rich, complex growl that’s so good we wish we could hear more of it from the cabin. The Golf’s engine isn’t quite as sonorous, but it’s a touch more audible. The VW feels more sophisticated in other areas; it’s more agile through the corners, while its gearshift, clutch and pedal placement are way better than those of the Alfa Romeo.
Tech highlights
The big-engine, small-car format is still one that excites, and here are two of the best examples of the breed. Both have 3.2-litre, six-cylinder engines and six-speed manual gearboxes. The main difference is that the Alfa sends its torque through the front wheels, while VW fitted the R32 with its Haldex four-wheel drive system, which sends power to the rear when the front breaks traction.
Price and running
V6-powered hot hatches from the early noughties are unlikely to be bought for their fuel-sipping qualities, and it’s safe to say that the mpg figure for both cars is likely to be in the twenties if driven keenly. Values of both are on the up; GTAs start from around the £10,000-mark, with leggy versions of the Golf starting at around £2,000 or so less. Tidy examples of both cost significantly more.
Practicality
Hot hatches aren’t just about performance – they need to be easy to live with, too. That means space for at least four is just as important as in a standard family car. Both cars easily pass this test. The Golf’s cabin offers a little more elbow room in the back, but the Alfa just edges it in terms of knee room. Both have superbly comfortable back seats, and reasonable boot space, too.
Safety
Both of these cars emerged as Euro NCAP really began to establish itself, so safety standards started to progress. Both have front, side and curtain airbags, plus driver aids like ABS and electronic stability programmes. At the time, NCAP awarded the Golf four stars (by this point, just one car, the Renault Laguna, had scored the full five), and the Alfa was given three stars.
Ownership
Volkswagen sold roughly 2,300 examples of the R32 Mk4 and DVLA data shows that there are just under 900 still registered, with another 850 or so listed as SORN. The Alfa is significantly rarer. The same source shows just 157 registered, taxed and road legal at the end of Q2 2025 (the latest data available), with a similar number of GTAs declared SORN.
VerdictWinner: Volkswagen Golf R32
When Volkswagen nails a hot hatch, it goes down among the very greatest, and revisiting the Golf R32 here confirms that it deserves to be given the highest praise. Contrary to many hot VWs that came before, it’s agile and playful to drive – all the more surprising considering the huge engine up front. The 3.2-litre unit sounds great, while all of this is wrapped up in a package that includes all of the things that made the Mk4 Golf such a hit with buyers in any form: a spacious cabin, impressive refinement and superb build quality.
Runner-up: Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
It may come second here, but drive these two cars back-to-back, and you’d be hard pressed not to succumb to the 147 GTA’s immense charm. Absolutely gorgeous to look at, rapid in a straight line, and of course blessed with one of the finest engines ever fitted to a production car, it’s like a baby Italian supercar wrapped up in a hatchback body. Yes, the Volkswagen is a little more agile, more refined and better built, but we doubt any of those things will matter in the slightest if you’ve already fallen for the GTA’s personality.
Prices and specsOur choiceVolkswagen Golf R32Alfa Romeo 147 GTAPrice new/inflation-adjusted to 2025£22,340/£41,657£22,450/£41,863Petrol or diesel?PetrolPetrolFuel economy24.4mpg23.3mpgPowertrain and performance EngineV6/3,189ccV6/3,179ccPower238bhp247bhpTorque320Nm300NmTransmissionSix-speed manual/awdSix-speed manual/fwd0-62mph/top speed6.6 secs/153mph6.3 secs/153mphFuel tank55 litres63 litresDimensions Length/wheelbase4,176/2,517mm4,213/2,546mmWidth/height1,735/1,425mm1,764/1,442mmBoot space275 litres280 litresKerbweight1,512kg1,360kgTurning circle10.9 metres12.1 metresCosts/ownership Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000 miles)N/AN/ADepreciationN/AN/AInsurance group/quote/VED36/£571/£43038/£646/£430Three-year service costN/AN/AAnnual tax liability std/higher rateN/AN/AAnnual fuel cost (10k/20k miles)N/AN/ANCAP Adult/pedestrian/stars4/2/4 _ (2002)3/2/3_ (2001)Equipment Metallic paint/wheel sizeOption/18 inchesOption/17 inchesParking sensors/cameraNo/NoNo/NoSpare wheel/Isofix pointsSpace-saver/NoSpace-saver/NoKeyless entry & go/powered tailgateNo/noNo/noLeather/heated seatsYes/yesYes/noScreen size/digital dashboardN/AN/AClimate control/panoramic sunroofYes/noYes/noUSBs/wireless chargingNo/noNo/noWireless Apple CarPlay/Android AutoNo/noNo/noBlind-spot warning/head-up displayNo/noNo/noAdaptive cruise/steering assistNo/noNo/no
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