Holy cow. That is NOT how you launch an AWD car. You can't just dump the clutch like that. You WILL break things, and it is not an efficient launch. That was painful to watch.
@@Mikcagoyou certainly don’t dump the clutch. Slight modulation and letting up the clutch fast but not too fast aka dumping is the way to go typically. There’s a fine line between bogging and burning the clutch. A good manual awd launch is not the easiest thing to do and people who say it’s easy have loads of experience or they’re lying.
Did you just dumped the clutch close to 6000 rpm? Ofcourse it is going to bog, the computer is protecting the transmission and drivetrain from people like you lol
Guy seriously doesn’t know how to drive stick. Poor car, poor clutch, every time he’s driven a manual he shifts too fast and doesn’t pause a split second between gear changes to let the synchros mesh. Too rough with the shifter. Hard to watch.
I am almost 53. I have a 2010 GTI 2 door with the 6 Speed manual. The manual trans Golf R is a my dream car. I will own a manual trans as long as I can.
Carl Kwasnjuk you can now get a 2018 for under 30K, makes it pretty affordable. Im getting myself one in a few months and if it fits your budget then go for it!
@@xaviergl I cannot afford even that. I had to get a part time job almost 3 years ago just to afford the payments for my 2010 GTI that I paid $8500 for.
My son just bought the DSG transmission version. Holy CRAP is that thing FAST. I am honestly impressed with how well it rides and drives. VW has really engineered a beauty with this chassis.
Seriously considered the Golf R when I replaced my MK6 GTI about a year ago. It's a magnificent vehicle especially considering that it's the only "hot hatch" offering AWD (The WRX is a sedan) and the only vehicle in the class offering an excellent DSG transmission. Looking for a dedicated track toy? It's difficult to find anything better than the Veloster N. Want a vehicle that looks like its design was based on a Hot Wheels toy? The Civic Type R fills that bill. Want a high performance daily driver that has nearly the cargo space of several compact SUV's? The Golf R is the sole choice in the US. The choice between a Golf R and a fully loaded top trim GTI (Autobahn) is somewhat more difficult. Apart from straight line performance and acceleration, the main advantage of the R is VW 4Motion AWD system and the digital cockpit available on the R but missing on the GTI in the US. (Some European versions of the GTI do offer the digital cockpit.) The R handles very, well. But the AWD system adds over 200 lbs to the curb weight of the R. That's the equivalent of carrying around an NFL cornerback in the back seat compared to the GTI. And it's worth noting that VW 4Motion AWD system is reactive. Power is routed to the rear wheels only when slip is detected in the front wheels. Otherwise, the R is a FWD vehicle. (Sofyan's experience with chirping front tires under acceleration is not surprising.) Drag strip performance, 0-60 and quarter mile times are undeniably much quicker in the R. And on a track with long straights and gentle curves, the same is true. But on a twisty public road or a tight track, the R's performance advantage is considerably reduced if not eliminated, altogether. On the other hand, the GTI does have a few advantages over the R. In the US the GTI is offered with a sunroof and includes a spare tire. Each of these features are unavailable on the R. VW claims it's due to the desire to offset the effects of the weight disadvantage of the R. Fair enough and some folks may prefer not having a sunroof. Here in the frequently overcast Pacific Northwest, however, getting light into that dark, dark cabin of a Golf is a major benefit. And having taken a bolt in my GTI's rear tire a couple of weeks ago, I really appreciated having a temporary spare tire that got me to a tire store, especially since a "fix-a-flat" can would have left me stranded. Then there's the question of price and availability. It's true that the MSRP of a fully loaded Autobahn GTI is only about $3K to $4K less than that of the R. But when I was shopping a year ago, I found the real world price difference was at least $10,000 with a $6000 discount on the GTI and the fact that the lowest price I found on a Golf R was MSRP and that was at only one dealer where the only R they had on the lot sold within 24 hours of arrival to a buyer who traveled nearly a thousand miles to get it. Availability may be greater in other regions. Demand for R's is strong here and allocations from VW are traditionally limited in this region. But that's my experience. I went with a DSG Autobahn GTI and I love it. But I wouldn't argue with anyone who chooses an R.
Excellent comparison between the R and GTI. Love the real world info. I have a 2014 GLI, but would love to upgrade to 2019 GLI as now on the same platform as the GTI.
Just bought a 19' R, and currently on a road trip through Colorado. Should have 10k miles on the car by the end of it all. Great car and worth the $40,347 I paid for my DSG onyx white with black Pretorias
Agreed! A sunroof is offered in Europe so it's not all about weight reduction BS. I assume VW figured it wasn't worth dealing with given the low US sales volumes.
It’s not on the R because it’s the sportiest version. Sunroof is pedestrian and when you think about it less sound because they cut a big old hole in the roof
@@97I30T I've owned three 4Runner's. I quite aware of their good points, and that's all well and good. But, sometimes you have to switch things up. We'll see.
I wouldn’t trade it. I’d treat the FourRunner as though you’re going to hold on to it for the rest of your life. It just might achieve it. I’d wait until a time comes when you can buy one of these too and use it as your night out, weekend, go for a ride through the twisties car. That’s if your single. If you’re involved then your other half can get one or you can give your FourRunner to your other half. The thing is that you’ll want to lease one of these because in a few years you won’t want it and you’ll be happy that you still have your FourRunner.
Funny comment. I sold my TRD Pro last year to get an R. In my opinion, one’s vehicle choice should match lifestyle. I loved my 4Runner, but the R is fun everyday, not just on those rare times I went off road.
@@LlyleHunter I get where you coming from, trust me. I do like my 4Runner a lot, and it's paid off. It would be great if my other half liked the Golf R but she's not a fan of VW's at all. I will more then likely hold on to it and possible get a GTI or Golf R so that I can have a change up every now and then.
@@pf6797 Oh Tim. I am totally at ease with my sexuality.... But anyone that likes that car in fucking pink has some repressed issues they need to consider.... Denial is not your friend..... Oh, and my surname is Johnson. It has no reference to my cock....
I saw a Civic Type R not too long ago on the highway and its stance and the way it passed my '08 VW GTI was effortless. The design of the Civic Type R is a bit much for a mature male driver but it's a Civic so it's designed for a younger driver. As it stands right now, performance-wise, I would go with the Civic Type R. However, since I'm an older man, I would opt for the Golf R. But, I will wait. I'm sure VW is concocting something with the GTI and Golf R for 2020 and beyond. I want more horsepower and please bring back the 3 door! I don't want the 5 door! Peace!
@@roderickl9539 What do you mean by an "older man"? I am 44. Can I buy the Civic Type R? Am I too old to use it as a daily car? Is the Golf R more suitable for me?
@@bydgoszczanin7562 Of course you can buy it. There's no rules against an older man buying a car like the Civic Type R. I'm speaking for myself. I live in Chicago and I've a 2008 VW GTI. Before winter, I make sure I've my snow tires on my car. It makes a BIG difference. During summer, I've summer tires on. A Golf R would be ideal for Chicago because of the all wheel drive. Slap some winter tires on and it's no problem. I'd rather have a Golf R than a Subaru Outback or Imprezza or Legacy. By all means, go for the Civic Type R if that's your style. Peace!..
I like the MK7 Golf R but there are some features omitted in the North American version which raises an eyebrow. Moon roof? Heck even my GTI has one. Center console lid won't open? I don't know, did they fix that yet? Smaller display compared to other markets. Tail lights are finally LEDs but still NOT the same gorgeous ones you get in other markets. I mean.... this is almost unacceptable. If the EA888 engine wasn't so tuner friendly, I would totally dismiss this car. To me, the fact that you can tune the crap out of this car is the biggest saving grace and the reason why I still like the Golf R.
They reason for the omission of the sunroof on the Golf R only is that has a heritage in off-road rally racing and not only adds weight but adds the weight added to the top of the car, effectively raising its center of gravity.
@@LlyleHunter That's A reason, not THE reason. Meaning if you look at high performance cars e.g. M3, GTR, etc they don't have a glass roof either. And while you can certainly use that same line of reasoning for how not having a sunroof benefits the golf r, many people would rather have one. Golf Rs in Europe still has a glass roof option. I heard the real reason for the omission in the NA market has something to do with roll over rating and VW having to get certification, but they skipped this step. They cut a lot of corners with the golf r. The center arm console's lid was stuck shut because of the drivetrain that runs along underneath the car and how VW skipped getting something approved for America so they decided to seal it shut. Just stuff like that...
@@pherron7471 Press cars get abused by everyone not just him. And everyone says something inaccurate in their reviews, I guess it's not feasible to know absolutely everything about every single vehicle out there. I'm not trying to defend him, just trying to provide a fair and balanced point of view. Except Matt Farah... this dude knows everything lol
@@ChristianC-gy1ym True. Most people with AWD cars aren't dropping the clutch at 5k rpm. Fuck what he says. The exceptions are if you built the tranny or if you have a car with DCT/auto tranny. You slip the clutch a little, but you better have a mean ass clutch. I just thought that shit was reckless. He's been doing this for a while. He should know stock AWD manual tranny cars will bog if you try launching them like that. Basically, I just want him to learn how to do it properly.
We did mention we wouldn't do that to our personal car... but this is a press car and it lives a hard life for testing purposes. Other journalists will abuse a performance car FAR WORSE than us. If we drove every car like grandma on a Sunday morning, it would be boring.
@@theredline I heard you and I don't want you driving like grandma. Since you make a lot of noise about the lack of manuals in certain cars, it would just be nice if you learned how to launch an awd car properly.
I miss the days of my “old” Mazdas when you could hear the ACTUAL engine. I’m so scared for the synthesized future of vehicles. Instead of hearing the actual engine/feeling the actual road, we are going towards fakeness. I get it but not for performance vehicles. People confuse isolation with luxury. People are so scared to stand out now because of resale value, so we are also losing color choices. It sucks but Porsche still gives me hope lol
Hunter Dugas it’s not synthesised noise. That’s a common misconception among journalists. And seeing as no journalists do any research anymore - you can’t take their word on anything. The golf r uses an actuator - basically a resonator - which is funnelled from the exhaust into the dash. It uses vibrations to create a deeper hum on the interior. If you remove the speakers it still makes the deeper hum. Several VW group use this function. BMW use synthesised sounds.
Owen Kett Yeah something was up when I drove a 428i Gran Coupe a few years ago. Speed was plenty for me personally, but lacked character, part of that was the ultra perfect noise which was awful
People DO NOT WANT a sunroof in the R, that only adds weight at the worst spot possible, high and center. I specifically looked at the R because the GTI Autobahn comes with a Sunroof without the option to delete.
I agree, sunroofs are the worst option in any car. I hate that when you buy the top of the line trim in almost any car, it's almost guaranteed to come with a sunroof. Sunroofs are useless things and always end up eventually rattling or leaking, plus they really cut into headroom.
fred jeep I think it’s worth driving to make a good determination. The interior build quality is outstanding compared to most cars, and the driving dynamics are a blast. I’m amazed at the ability of my 2018 to take corners.
Ah Volkswagen. They're good cars when they're not broken. I was a big fan of Volkswagen, my wife and I bought 6 new and certified pre-owned cars in the past 10 years, but my 16 golf r has some expensive electrical issues at 31k miles. Volkswagen won't cover the part, it's now been over a month that ive been waiting for a replacement 5f control module, and it's going to cost me over $1250 to get this fixed. Not cool.
I love my 2017 Golf R. I drive it daily and it really is a comfortable car to drive. The power is surprising and in combination with all-wheel drive, it is fun! All the extras make it an even better daily driver. I would not track this car.
@@nfsfan9986 Absolutely still love it. I have had zero issues with the car other than the stereo unit needing to be replaced a couple of times. Just standard preventative maintenance and new tires.
I love the fact that he’s having so much fun driving the golf R i feel like that’s what it’s all about. I love my GLI super fun to drive I can imagine what the golf R feel like
My 17' GLI came with fogs, sunroof, dsg trans, 18" rims, all standard equipment. Picked it up as a year end clearance model and paid 22.9k for it out the door. Stage 1 apr tune, performance intercooler, intake, downpipe and a proper set of Pirelli P-zeros and it consistently hits sixty mph from a dig in a little less than 5 and a half seconds. Upgraded to some larger diameter sway bars and linkage, vwr coils, handles like an mk7 gti and it's nearly as fast as this golf R. Love those Golfs though...
Funny how people bash this car, just got the 19R DSG for 43k OTD + addtl $2k APR Plus tune w/TCU tune and try a 3.4sec 0-60mph......what Audi, Porsche, Vette, Mustang in the 40k range will compare to this? Oh, and the APR Plus tune covers the 6 year 72k mile warranty.
MrGrandure you’re a ignorant naive idiot if you think the CEL comes on in these, these 4 bangers aren’t anything like the mk3’s and mk4’s and the build quality is quite good, VW has these 4 cylinders dialed in for long term reliability. This isn’t a modern Subaru where brand new STi’s are eating through crank position sensors right off the lot....
Subie Bruh Unfortunately, Subaru’s reliability has gone way down hill and Volkswagen’s has improved. VW is one of just three manufacturers that use DI/PI engines and their DSGs are faultless. There may be other issues with Volkswagens, especially in cheap Mexican-made models, but engines and transmissions aren’t it anymore. Nor are drivetrains, actually.
George L huh I had no idea thank you for not being an asshole I had a 15 gti that threw a rod so I’ve been pretty biased since then. All the Sti, Impreza, crosstrek I have are very reliable so I figured it was more reliable. I really love vw I just wasn’t sure
Why do people keep criticizing the R's subtlety? This is how VW does it, and people who buy these cars buy them partly for that reason. It is NOT a negative.
I change cars a lot - every 8 to 12 months. Im coming back to the Golf R (this time in manual) - its the only car I have ever owned twice. Great review. thanks
Thanks for making this video. Weirdly, here in Australia it’s not available with a manual transmission but you can get a sunroof. Can’t wait to get mine in 2 weeks.
Love your videos! It looks like the US still gets alot of watered down cars from Europe compared to other markets. It probably comes down to cost. My 2019 Golf R is completely decked out with factory fitted Akrapovic exhaust and beefier front brakes/disc, with sunroof, black Pretoria wheels, DSG only, DynoAudio; I'm an audiophile and the sound is good. All up this "Special Edition" could cost in the states 47k USD? Maybe 48k. We get standard the bigger infotainment with no nobs, better rear tail lights; waterfall turn signals. The only grip with right hand driven here in Australia is we get a plastic foot rest. The noise with the Akrapovic is amazing admittedly inside the cabin is pretty muted compared to outside, it's all business. Imho, sunroof is a must. Just being able to put back the sunroof visor and bringing in sunlight already pays for itself.
That red reminds me of the tornado red my 97 golf k2 used to have. 5:50 aww man... I was looking forward to your signature exterior shot of the exhaust revving. Cool video
You hit the nail on the head. Since 1974 the Golf has delivered a great ride combined with Velcro handling and steering that talks to you. These cars become like pets. Nothing farvegnugens like a Golf! They leave wabbit twax!
The Golf R is so handicapped when equipped with the manual transmission . This made evident by the horrendous bogging off the line every time Sofyan tried to launch it. I would definitely go for the DSG. 👍
For over 40 years of driving I never went without at least one MT in my garage until I purchased an MK6 GTI with a DSG in 2013. When I replaced that car with a new GTI last year I didn't hesitate to go with a DSG again. Apart from the better overall performance and slightly better mpg's with the DSG, it has several other advantages. I can drive in manual mode, as I do about 75% of the time, and have complete control of the gear I want. I can have the software that controls shift points in automatic mode tuned to my preferences for a few hundred dollars. And when I'm stuck in freeway traffic creeping along at 5-15 mph, I can let the DSG do its thing. Finally, when I had a Stage I APR tune added to my GTI, I didn't have to face the prospect of upgrading and/or replacing the clutch on a regular basis.
Stephen Hendricks I completely agree with you. Most folks don’t understand that performance isn’t the only reason people go for the DSG. It is such a versatile transmission. It allows the driver to “engage” or “disengage” whenever they want to. I don’t understand why manual fans see that as a bad thing.
@@vr6gls It's really not that hard to understand: it's simply less engaging to manually shift a DSG or automated trans. I was a die-hard manual guy for 25+ years and recently bought a car with a ZF 8 speed, the only automatic that I've ever driven that didn't annoy me (which includes the old VW 6 speed DSG. I haven't driven the 7 speed). I find manually shifting this transmission mostly pointless because of how well it shifts itself. I only use the paddles when I'm doing some aggressive corner carving and even then I find it mostly unnecessary. IN NO WAY does shifting an automated transmission match the engagement of a manual. I'm lucky enough to have 1 of each. But if you can have only 1 car and want an automatic, just be sure to get a good DSG (many suck, I can name a couple from personal experience) or a ZF 8 speed.
@@vr6gls Sorry. I can't seem to find your reply to my message. That being said, of course, my opinion is my own and I don't speak for anyone else. However, you are one of the very few (or only) people I've ever heard say that shifting an automated transmission is as engaging as shifting a manual. I find that to be absolutely impossible simply based on the amount of work required to shift gears when doing spirited driving. But, if that works for you, great.
Instead of dumping the clutch (which causes the traction control to bog it down) if you get used to where the friction point is and modulate tw throttle you can get a smooth launch. In the DCT, it doesnt dump the clutch, it modulates the clutch and throttle.
It may not be as fast as the competition, but you have to appreciate the grown up/classy styling. Not everyone wants to drive a car that looks like it's for a teenager.
@@bextar6365 I strongly suspect that this particular R was available in the press fleet because VW found it couldn't sell it. The cost of the 40+ custom colors of the R was absurd ($2500) but there were many very attractive options.
Same here... Was looking at buying one today and I was just too bored to. I remember when I didn’t want any other hot hatch but the Golf and now everything but the VW looks appealing to me.
I would totally drive the pink one. My wife might be reluctant to be in it, though. My bucket list item is to own a car in the moat garish color possible.
This makes me feel good about the MK7.5 GTI I bought recently. Honestly not missing out much in terms of features, and some features my '18 car had before this "refreshed" R. Not missing out on as much as I thought.
See how you go with time Rachman....? I had a mk6 gti, then a mk7 gti......in the end I found it underpowered and lacked grip in many conditions. Ended up getting the 7.5 R and love it. No regrets. See how you go mate over time. More power is always better haha
@@owenkett6708 Oh, I can agree with that. The R was a whole lot more $$$ new and they didn't even have one (6MT) at the time I was looking so the GTI looked great to me. So far so good!
@Da Ca If you need 500 HP, I daily my GTI and even stock I manage to have some fun with it. Besides you can tune them to be pretty quick and rip traction for days. I do wish it had more grip in the winter though. Can't really fault it for the price!
I have one Apr stage 1, I piss myself laughing how quick it gets to 100, I also have a reso delete and get double gunshots out the rear often . I hope they produce that r+ with 400hp although that new A45s looks the goods, next RS3 should be a belter as well.
my 7.5 GTI has a sunroof, park assist, alcantara seats, 9.2 inch screen but it doesn’t have an alarm system and the car lock from the exterior with hand.. that kinda suck
You missed a trick, the DSG is a 7 speed box, super quick gear change, far better than the manual. I would hate any GTI badging the R is far better than that. And the GTI is slow by comparison, front wheel drive can't handle the power and its only 200bhp. The R is brilliant, I have driven one for 4 years and its a pleasure to drive every day and its wickedly quick and the adaptive cruise control makes driving in traffic easy.
I test drove one last week. Here are a couple of my thoughts; I did not like the rev hang that the manual version has. Also, I could definitely feel the extra mass of this car over the GTI. Other than the fact that you can launch it better from a stop, I felt like the GTI was more playful feeling. I'm an XL shirt size guy and felt the side bolsters on the seat were a bit restrictive and not very comfortable. Otherwise, it is what the title say, a grown up hot hatch. Very refined.
@@carlos_al Rev hang is a delay in engines revs decreasing when you lift off the throttle. It occurs on most modern engines, but is more noticeable on manual transmission equipped cars.
I prefer NO SUNROOF over the panoramic sunroof. If I want a sunroof I'd prefer the small old style sunroof that opens up only over the front seats and has a TOTAL privacy slider. I have a 2010 GTI 2 door with 6 speed manual and this Golf R with manual trans is my dream car(but in a different color). I also wish Volkswagen would make a Golf R with similar plaid seats as the GTI. I don't like leather. As far as the car bogging down when you try to launch it is probably because of the All Wheel Drive.
complaining about the red accents its pointless. The redline accents have always been a gti thing since they first came out thats why the never put it on the R
This is one of the best videos I've seen on the MK 7.5. I have the 2018 Golf R and I've noticed that there isn't much difference with the 2019 other than a loss of 4 hp with the 2019 version yet I can't find any info on why this is so. The reviewer mentioned the lack of the hill assist feature. Did he miss it or was it deleted on the 2019 version because my 2018 definitely has it. The reviewer also missed what I call the 'secret refrigerator' feature with the glove box. There is an air valve connected to the ventilation system that will let you divert some chilled air from the a/c system directly into the glove box thereby giving you a mini chiller box. Since I purchased the 2018 model my local dealer added a $5,000 "market adjustment fee" to their 2019 R models which I thought was really stupid. They also added "no test drive" on the sticker unless they think you're really serious about buying one. The salesperson told me that they will need to run your credit before they would consider letting a prospective buyer take one for a test drive. This was not the case when I wandered into the showroom last year and was offered a test drive and was sold. My take on the fee is the dealer really wants to keep those cars on the lot which is odd since I thought moving cars off the lot was their business.
Great review as always!!! You want to learn something about a certain car, come to this channel! Now, as far as Golf R goes... nah... low $40k pricing is a major NO NO for this car... while it does lot of things, this thing does not come close to some other cars available for the same amount of money. In no way I would buy this car and pay what the price is... not worth it... it is a Golf...
vr6gls Fair point... Golf R would be my pick if I was choosing between those three easily... I had offer on table for under $39800+ tax n fees for 2018 Q50 RedSport400... it was their floor model with 7 miles on the clock, brand new... that’s just one example what other better options exist for that kind of money...
I loved my R (a 2017 manual) and traded it only because I thought I could live with 4 doors, but I couldn't. A bad hip and injuries from down range don't go together very well with narrow door openings. VW really needs to offer the 2 door again.
I love these! ... Wait, no fog lights?, Well, okay I guess I could add some of I really want them... Uh.. no sunroof? Wait, no memory seats? Nvrmnd, I'm out. So sad.
Holy cow. That is NOT how you launch an AWD car. You can't just dump the clutch like that. You WILL break things, and it is not an efficient launch. That was painful to watch.
Brandon your right, I own the Cliff Green Golf R 2019 and it hurt me to see this guy using the launch control inefficiently
I just wanted to learn more about my Golf R
All these whingers coming out of the woodwork. Get on with your life.
Ok so then HOW, since you know it all? 🤣🤣🤣 At least throw that in there
@@Mikcagoyou certainly don’t dump the clutch. Slight modulation and letting up the clutch fast but not too fast aka dumping is the way to go typically. There’s a fine line between bogging and burning the clutch. A good manual awd launch is not the easiest thing to do and people who say it’s easy have loads of experience or they’re lying.
Did you just dumped the clutch close to 6000 rpm? Ofcourse it is going to bog, the computer is protecting the transmission and drivetrain from people like you lol
I know right?! That is NOT how you launch an AWD car (or really any car with a clutch)
very hard to watch
Guy seriously doesn’t know how to drive stick. Poor car, poor clutch, every time he’s driven a manual he shifts too fast and doesn’t pause a split second between gear changes to let the synchros mesh. Too rough with the shifter. Hard to watch.
this reviewer bought a Tesla 3 as his own personal daily driver... don't think he knows much about cars bro.
EnRich what does him buying a Tesla have to do with anything?
So glad you said it was pink. Was fearing it was red and there was something wrong with my display. 😂
Not red, it's Raspberry Red
The conservative look is what I want. We called it a sleeper in my day.
Peter Symes That's what I love about it!
I am almost 53. I have a 2010 GTI 2 door with the 6 Speed manual. The manual trans Golf R is a my dream car. I will own a manual trans as long as I can.
Carl Kwasnjuk you can now get a 2018 for under 30K, makes it pretty affordable. Im getting myself one in a few months and if it fits your budget then go for it!
@@xaviergl I cannot afford even that. I had to get a part time job almost 3 years ago just to afford the payments for my 2010 GTI that I paid $8500 for.
@@carlkwasnjuk9518
I've wanted a GTi since I was 12. I'm 49 and I just splashed on a super low mileage 2018 R. I love it so much.
That color should be called "Pepto Bismal"
🤣🤣🤣🤣
My son just bought the DSG transmission version. Holy CRAP is that thing FAST. I am honestly impressed with how well it rides and drives. VW has really engineered a beauty with this chassis.
Seriously considered the Golf R when I replaced my MK6 GTI about a year ago. It's a magnificent vehicle especially considering that it's the only "hot hatch" offering AWD (The WRX is a sedan) and the only vehicle in the class offering an excellent DSG transmission. Looking for a dedicated track toy? It's difficult to find anything better than the Veloster N. Want a vehicle that looks like its design was based on a Hot Wheels toy? The Civic Type R fills that bill. Want a high performance daily driver that has nearly the cargo space of several compact SUV's? The Golf R is the sole choice in the US.
The choice between a Golf R and a fully loaded top trim GTI (Autobahn) is somewhat more difficult. Apart from straight line performance and acceleration, the main advantage of the R is VW 4Motion AWD system and the digital cockpit available on the R but missing on the GTI in the US. (Some European versions of the GTI do offer the digital cockpit.)
The R handles very, well. But the AWD system adds over 200 lbs to the curb weight of the R. That's the equivalent of carrying around an NFL cornerback in the back seat compared to the GTI. And it's worth noting that VW 4Motion AWD system is reactive. Power is routed to the rear wheels only when slip is detected in the front wheels. Otherwise, the R is a FWD vehicle. (Sofyan's experience with chirping front tires under acceleration is not surprising.) Drag strip performance, 0-60 and quarter mile times are undeniably much quicker in the R. And on a track with long straights and gentle curves, the same is true. But on a twisty public road or a tight track, the R's performance advantage is considerably reduced if not eliminated, altogether.
On the other hand, the GTI does have a few advantages over the R. In the US the GTI is offered with a sunroof and includes a spare tire. Each of these features are unavailable on the R. VW claims it's due to the desire to offset the effects of the weight disadvantage of the R. Fair enough and some folks may prefer not having a sunroof. Here in the frequently overcast Pacific Northwest, however, getting light into that dark, dark cabin of a Golf is a major benefit. And having taken a bolt in my GTI's rear tire a couple of weeks ago, I really appreciated having a temporary spare tire that got me to a tire store, especially since a "fix-a-flat" can would have left me stranded.
Then there's the question of price and availability. It's true that the MSRP of a fully loaded Autobahn GTI is only about $3K to $4K less than that of the R. But when I was shopping a year ago, I found the real world price difference was at least $10,000 with a $6000 discount on the GTI and the fact that the lowest price I found on a Golf R was MSRP and that was at only one dealer where the only R they had on the lot sold within 24 hours of arrival to a buyer who traveled nearly a thousand miles to get it. Availability may be greater in other regions. Demand for R's is strong here and allocations from VW are traditionally limited in this region. But that's my experience.
I went with a DSG Autobahn GTI and I love it. But I wouldn't argue with anyone who chooses an R.
Excellent comparison between the R and GTI. Love the real world info. I have a 2014 GLI, but would love to upgrade to 2019 GLI as now on the same platform as the GTI.
@Stefan Not sure where you live, Stefan, but the M140i xDrive isn't available in the US.
@Stefan Not sure where you live...
Just bought a 19' R, and currently on a road trip through Colorado. Should have 10k miles on the car by the end of it all. Great car and worth the $40,347 I paid for my DSG onyx white with black Pretorias
LOL @ you spending $41K on entry level European car with cheap plastics, limited features, a dated design and then bragging about it.
@@metromusic5725 That's OK, you don't have to like it...
@@metromusic5725 forreal. Should've gotten an A4 for that price
@@Courtyardx The A4 has less more, more weight and understeers. The R is the better driver's car choice. Besides it's his money to spend.
People that have never driven this car need to keep their opinions to themselves.
My interest starts and ends with VW's refusal to offer a sun/moonroof.
It's on the $24k Golf SE.
It's on the $32k GTI
But... not on the 42k R?
Weight reduction bro. Ze Germans charge extra for that.
Agreed! A sunroof is offered in Europe so it's not all about weight reduction BS. I assume VW figured it wasn't worth dealing with given the low US sales volumes.
You can install that yourself
It’s not on the R because it’s the sportiest version. Sunroof is pedestrian and when you think about it less sound because they cut a big old hole in the roof
If you want a performance car, why the hell do you want a sunroof? Get a convertible you little bitch.
I still think the 1998 to 2005 Golf is a nice looking hatchback.
I so wanted to trade my 4Runner for one of these last summer -- and now, after watching this video that feeling is back. Damn you.
Billy Hughes Don’t do it! Your 4Runner will be so much more reliable and it will hold its value way better.
@@97I30T I've owned three 4Runner's. I quite aware of their good points, and that's all well and good. But, sometimes you have to switch things up. We'll see.
I wouldn’t trade it. I’d treat the FourRunner as though you’re going to hold on to it for the rest of your life. It just might achieve it. I’d wait until a time comes when you can buy one of these too and use it as your night out, weekend, go for a ride through the twisties car. That’s if your single. If you’re involved then your other half can get one or you can give your FourRunner to your other half. The thing is that you’ll want to lease one of these because in a few years you won’t want it and you’ll be happy that you still have your FourRunner.
Funny comment. I sold my TRD Pro last year to get an R. In my opinion, one’s vehicle choice should match lifestyle. I loved my 4Runner, but the R is fun everyday, not just on those rare times I went off road.
@@LlyleHunter I get where you coming from, trust me. I do like my 4Runner a lot, and it's paid off. It would be great if my other half liked the Golf R but she's not a fan of VW's at all. I will more then likely hold on to it and possible get a GTI or Golf R so that I can have a change up every now and then.
I recently bought a 2019 Golf R in Lapis Blue. I have about 1200 miles on it and couldn't be happier. Love this car!
Get it tuned
Myself the 2019 GTI performance in atlantic blue . Manual im from belgium
1200 Miles is not much at all. ... wait until you reach 25000 Miles .. Your dealership first and your mechanic next will be your family friends.
Congratulations on your new golf R👏👏👏got mine a year ago manual fun for my taste 😉👌
@@squidproquo2241 Ahhhhh.... It would still be under warranty......
That color is drop dead gorgeous on a conservative frame like the R. It’s like a model in a Channel dress.
Yep..... This car looks female in that colour.......
Person who names themselves The Johnson prefers male-imbued vehicles. Makes sense.
@@pf6797 Oh Tim. I am totally at ease with my sexuality.... But anyone that likes that car in fucking pink has some repressed issues they need to consider.... Denial is not your friend..... Oh, and my surname is Johnson. It has no reference to my cock....
I love the subtlety of the Golf R. Civic Type R, you look like you're dying for attention even tho it's a great car.
I saw a Civic Type R not too long ago on the highway and its stance and the way it passed my '08 VW GTI was effortless.
The design of the Civic Type R is a bit much for a mature male driver but it's a Civic so it's designed for a younger driver.
As it stands right now, performance-wise, I would go with the Civic Type R. However, since I'm an older man, I would opt for the Golf R.
But, I will wait. I'm sure VW is concocting something with the GTI and Golf R for 2020 and beyond.
I want more horsepower and please bring back the 3 door! I don't want the 5 door!
Peace!
@@roderickl9539 Stage 3 the Golf R EQUALS 0-60 n 3.6:) OUCHHY Z06/zrl/porsche 911, BMW m3/4 etc.......
You can drop off kids and pick up chicks with the same car, and without looking stupid.
@@roderickl9539 What do you mean by an "older man"? I am 44. Can I buy the Civic Type R? Am I too old to use it as a daily car? Is the Golf R more suitable for me?
@@bydgoszczanin7562 Of course you can buy it. There's no rules against an older man buying a car like the Civic Type R.
I'm speaking for myself.
I live in Chicago and I've a 2008 VW GTI. Before winter, I make sure I've my snow tires on my car. It makes a BIG difference.
During summer, I've summer tires on.
A Golf R would be ideal for Chicago because of the all wheel drive. Slap some winter tires on and it's no problem.
I'd rather have a Golf R than a Subaru Outback or Imprezza or Legacy.
By all means, go for the Civic Type R if that's your style.
Peace!..
I like the MK7 Golf R but there are some features omitted in the North American version which raises an eyebrow.
Moon roof? Heck even my GTI has one.
Center console lid won't open? I don't know, did they fix that yet?
Smaller display compared to other markets.
Tail lights are finally LEDs but still NOT the same gorgeous ones you get in other markets.
I mean.... this is almost unacceptable.
If the EA888 engine wasn't so tuner friendly, I would totally dismiss this car. To me, the fact that you can tune the crap out of this car is the biggest saving grace and the reason why I still like the Golf R.
They reason for the omission of the sunroof on the Golf R only is that has a heritage in off-road rally racing and not only adds weight but adds the weight added to the top of the car, effectively raising its center of gravity.
@@LlyleHunter That's A reason, not THE reason. Meaning if you look at high performance cars e.g. M3, GTR, etc they don't have a glass roof either. And while you can certainly use that same line of reasoning for how not having a sunroof benefits the golf r, many people would rather have one. Golf Rs in Europe still has a glass roof option.
I heard the real reason for the omission in the NA market has something to do with roll over rating and VW having to get certification, but they skipped this step.
They cut a lot of corners with the golf r.
The center arm console's lid was stuck shut because of the drivetrain that runs along underneath the car and how VW skipped getting something approved for America so they decided to seal it shut. Just stuff like that...
I still believe that getting a Cupra 290 over a Golf R in North America was the best choice for me.
Says something along the lines of "don't want to do to much of an aggressive launch." Dumps it at over 5K.......
Love the way the golf R look so normal, but it a beat inside
4K plus RPM clutch drops smh good thing the computer is smart enough to stop you.
Sometimes he does or says things that has me questioning his car knowledge.
@@pherron7471 Press cars get abused by everyone not just him. And everyone says something inaccurate in their reviews, I guess it's not feasible to know absolutely everything about every single vehicle out there. I'm not trying to defend him, just trying to provide a fair and balanced point of view.
Except Matt Farah... this dude knows everything lol
@@ChristianC-gy1ym True. Most people with AWD cars aren't dropping the clutch at 5k rpm. Fuck what he says. The exceptions are if you built the tranny or if you have a car with DCT/auto tranny. You slip the clutch a little, but you better have a mean ass clutch. I just thought that shit was reckless. He's been doing this for a while. He should know stock AWD manual tranny cars will bog if you try launching them like that. Basically, I just want him to learn how to do it properly.
We did mention we wouldn't do that to our personal car... but this is a press car and it lives a hard life for testing purposes. Other journalists will abuse a performance car FAR WORSE than us. If we drove every car like grandma on a Sunday morning, it would be boring.
@@theredline I heard you and I don't want you driving like grandma. Since you make a lot of noise about the lack of manuals in certain cars, it would just be nice if you learned how to launch an awd car properly.
I miss the days of my “old” Mazdas when you could hear the ACTUAL engine. I’m so scared for the synthesized future of vehicles. Instead of hearing the actual engine/feeling the actual road, we are going towards fakeness. I get it but not for performance vehicles. People confuse isolation with luxury. People are so scared to stand out now because of resale value, so we are also losing color choices. It sucks but Porsche still gives me hope lol
Hunter Dugas it’s because turbocharged 4 cylinder engines don’t sound good stock
Hunter Dugas it’s not synthesised noise. That’s a common misconception among journalists. And seeing as no journalists do any research anymore - you can’t take their word on anything. The golf r uses an actuator - basically a resonator - which is funnelled from the exhaust into the dash. It uses vibrations to create a deeper hum on the interior. If you remove the speakers it still makes the deeper hum. Several VW group use this function. BMW use synthesised sounds.
Owen Kett Yeah something was up when I drove a 428i Gran Coupe a few years ago. Speed was plenty for me personally, but lacked character, part of that was the ultra perfect noise which was awful
Adult Hot Hatchback for the young at heart awesome
Exactly!
And since the young at heart are stable, classic and not trendy, this is a great match.
@@LlyleHunter Way to go Bruce........
What makes this vehicle for the young at heart? It looks like a high top shoe with four wheels on it.
Props to Volkswagen for not letting you adjust sound while moving!
scheeenfilmiesgucke props? That might be the most annoying thing ever, especially as a passenger
@@PeRRXX Are you a turbofan?
scheeenfilmiesgucke yea
I wish we could get a sunroof on the R in North America like everybody else. :(
15:27 Moves hand over the "auto hold" button without mentioning it. 26:45 Slams VW for not having hill assist. OK.
seriously. my '17 GTI has hill assist. I figured this did too...
People DO NOT WANT a sunroof in the R, that only adds weight at the worst spot possible, high and center. I specifically looked at the R because the GTI Autobahn comes with a Sunroof without the option to delete.
What? I have an R with the sunroof and love it. It's a hot hatch not a race car, that added weight won't do jack shit in regular driving.
I agree, sunroofs are the worst option in any car. I hate that when you buy the top of the line trim in almost any car, it's almost guaranteed to come with a sunroof. Sunroofs are useless things and always end up eventually rattling or leaking, plus they really cut into headroom.
lexus need to make a 350hp ct-f to compete w this
seeing as the ct was just a prius, that would be hilarious but awesome
I don't get what people are on about calling these boring. I test drive the and the wrx, the sti and St, and found the R twice as fun.
I think it’s perfect (except for that color, I’d choose black). It’s just a perfect sleeper car that looks sophisticated but is a pure drivers car
Did your $1300 per month leased Porsche ever make you smile this much? 23:07
That kind of money is Porsche 911 territory, and yeah, it probably would lol.
@@legostarwarsrulez The guy in the vid sold his 718
shut your face! But I'm taking about the Porsche Cayman he leased, not a 911.
Stefan Shit I drive a 944 turbo and even I know the answer to that. Still getting an R next.
This color is crazy!
Lol. I love the color but not for the extra cost of course. It's pink/red! 😍👀🤣
No sunroof and a Black-Only Ho-Hum interior would make me wait for the MazdaSpeed3 (Fingers crossed).
fred jeep I think it’s worth driving to make a good determination. The interior build quality is outstanding compared to most cars, and the driving dynamics are a blast. I’m amazed at the ability of my 2018 to take corners.
Ah Volkswagen. They're good cars when they're not broken. I was a big fan of Volkswagen, my wife and I bought 6 new and certified pre-owned cars in the past 10 years, but my 16 golf r has some expensive electrical issues at 31k miles.
Volkswagen won't cover the part, it's now been over a month that ive been waiting for a replacement 5f control module, and it's going to cost me over $1250 to get this fixed. Not cool.
never own a german car out of warranty.
Golf Rs have had more problems than GTIs I got my GTI with salvage title and haven't had any problems after 3 years
These are best leased and remembered fondly!
At 31000 miles you still have warranty wtf!!!!
the golf r is a performance car .so it will require up keep. its not a station wagon
I love my 2017 Golf R. I drive it daily and it really is a comfortable car to drive. The power is surprising and in combination with all-wheel drive, it is fun! All the extras make it an even better daily driver. I would not track this car.
Do you still love your R? How's the reliability been?
@@nfsfan9986 Absolutely still love it. I have had zero issues with the car other than the stereo unit needing to be replaced a couple of times. Just standard preventative maintenance and new tires.
@@TtoTheRock that's great to hear, thanks! Kinda in the market for one right now and was concerned about the reliability
I love the fact that he’s having so much fun driving the golf R i feel like that’s what it’s all about. I love my GLI super fun to drive I can imagine what the golf R feel like
The driving impression and review is worrying, the lack of experience is obvious and it makes me cringe.
Holy SHIT this is Pink hahah whatever, still love the Pepto Bismol Golf R!!!
Honestly I would take it over Audi A3 or Mercedes CLAs I f the world. Mature and not embrasssed about it. I prefer the GTI but t R is a great machine.
My 17' GLI came with fogs, sunroof, dsg trans, 18" rims, all standard equipment. Picked it up as a year end clearance model and paid 22.9k for it out the door. Stage 1 apr tune, performance intercooler, intake, downpipe and a proper set of Pirelli P-zeros and it consistently hits sixty mph from a dig in a little less than 5 and a half seconds. Upgraded to some larger diameter sway bars and linkage, vwr coils, handles like an mk7 gti and it's nearly as fast as this golf R.
Love those Golfs though...
Most tuned R’s do it in under 4 seconds.
The ideal car and color for the bossy bottom!
As an owner of a 2016 GTI, be GLAD there is no sunroof. It’s horrible. Creaks and rattles and makes me feel like I am driving a Dodge Neon.
I still want a Golf R.. They are just so expensive I can't justify it.. Awesome car have always loved them.
cheap used tho
Do it Craig. You only live once!
A GTI is a really rewarding option.
@Bruce Solomon _ Yes, if you want to reward the crooked VW brand, you should by the GTi
@skbuoy _ LOL! it is bargain junk indeed.
Great car, my brother owns a 2018 R, tuned into stage2 with 310whp. 0-60mph(0-100km/h) in 3.72 seconds. Rips many super sportscars.
Funny how people bash this car, just got the 19R DSG for 43k OTD + addtl $2k APR Plus tune w/TCU tune and try a 3.4sec 0-60mph......what Audi, Porsche, Vette, Mustang in the 40k range will compare to this? Oh, and the APR Plus tune covers the 6 year 72k mile warranty.
How long before the check engine light comes on?
MrGrandure you’re a ignorant naive idiot if you think the CEL comes on in these, these 4 bangers aren’t anything like the mk3’s and mk4’s and the build quality is quite good, VW has these 4 cylinders dialed in for long term reliability. This isn’t a modern Subaru where brand new STi’s are eating through crank position sensors right off the lot....
Driveitsideways 1 actually Sti are a lot more reliable then these vw
Subie Bruh Unfortunately, Subaru’s reliability has gone way down hill and Volkswagen’s has improved. VW is one of just three manufacturers that use DI/PI engines and their DSGs are faultless. There may be other issues with Volkswagens, especially in cheap Mexican-made models, but engines and transmissions aren’t it anymore. Nor are drivetrains, actually.
CrazyLegsMcGee The warranty is 5 years/60k miles, as opposed to Honda or Subaru.
George L huh I had no idea thank you for not being an asshole I had a 15 gti that threw a rod so I’ve been pretty biased since then. All the Sti, Impreza, crosstrek I have are very reliable so I figured it was more reliable. I really love vw I just wasn’t sure
Why do people keep criticizing the R's subtlety? This is how VW does it, and people who buy these cars buy them partly for that reason. It is NOT a negative.
I change cars a lot - every 8 to 12 months. Im coming back to the Golf R (this time in manual) - its the only car I have ever owned twice. Great review. thanks
Another well rounded review, 2 thumbs UP !
Oh the slurping sounds are deafening little guy.
I remember back in the day too always wanted one of these. Still my favorite hatch. Would consider owning one just for fun times/drives.
Thanks for making this video.
Weirdly, here in Australia it’s not available with a manual transmission but you can get a sunroof. Can’t wait to get mine in 2 weeks.
Shame that here in Oz the manual has been canned. Love my R in DSG but will find a 2nd hand manual to replace it ☺️
Love your videos!
It looks like the US still gets alot of watered down cars from Europe compared to other markets.
It probably comes down to cost. My 2019 Golf R is completely decked out with factory fitted Akrapovic exhaust and beefier front brakes/disc, with sunroof, black Pretoria wheels, DSG only, DynoAudio; I'm an audiophile and the sound is good. All up this "Special Edition" could cost in the states 47k USD? Maybe 48k.
We get standard the bigger infotainment with no nobs, better rear tail lights; waterfall turn signals.
The only grip with right hand driven here in Australia is we get a plastic foot rest.
The noise with the Akrapovic is amazing admittedly inside the cabin is pretty muted compared to outside, it's all business.
Imho, sunroof is a must. Just being able to put back the sunroof visor and bringing in sunlight already pays for itself.
That red reminds me of the tornado red my 97 golf k2 used to have.
5:50 aww man... I was looking forward to your signature exterior shot of the exhaust revving.
Cool video
See I love how conservative the R is. It’s a hot hatch I can be a dad in
A 6000 rpm launch, are you nuts? It’s a good thing that computer stopped you lol.
It didn't stop the clutch disc from being instantly sandwiched against the flywheel...
You hit the nail on the head. Since 1974 the Golf has delivered a great ride combined with Velcro handling and steering that talks to you. These cars become like pets. Nothing farvegnugens like a Golf!
They leave wabbit twax!
Correction - The MK7 Golf R does have hill hold assist! :)
Yes, the 7.5 has it, as well. It’s activated by the “Auto Hold” button just behind the E-brake. I guess he just missed that.
@@crledes Only DSG has the "Auto Hold" feature
The Golf R is so handicapped when equipped with the manual transmission . This made evident by the horrendous bogging off the line every time Sofyan tried to launch it. I would definitely go for the DSG. 👍
For over 40 years of driving I never went without at least one MT in my garage until I purchased an MK6 GTI with a DSG in 2013. When I replaced that car with a new GTI last year I didn't hesitate to go with a DSG again. Apart from the better overall performance and slightly better mpg's with the DSG, it has several other advantages. I can drive in manual mode, as I do about 75% of the time, and have complete control of the gear I want. I can have the software that controls shift points in automatic mode tuned to my preferences for a few hundred dollars. And when I'm stuck in freeway traffic creeping along at 5-15 mph, I can let the DSG do its thing. Finally, when I had a Stage I APR tune added to my GTI, I didn't have to face the prospect of upgrading and/or replacing the clutch on a regular basis.
Stephen Hendricks I completely agree with you. Most folks don’t understand that performance isn’t the only reason people go for the DSG. It is such a versatile transmission. It allows the driver to “engage” or “disengage” whenever they want to. I don’t understand why manual fans see that as a bad thing.
@@vr6gls It's really not that hard to understand: it's simply less engaging to manually shift a DSG or automated trans. I was a die-hard manual guy for 25+ years and recently bought a car with a ZF 8 speed, the only automatic that I've ever driven that didn't annoy me (which includes the old VW 6 speed DSG. I haven't driven the 7 speed). I find manually shifting this transmission mostly pointless because of how well it shifts itself. I only use the paddles when I'm doing some aggressive corner carving and even then I find it mostly unnecessary. IN NO WAY does shifting an automated transmission match the engagement of a manual. I'm lucky enough to have 1 of each. But if you can have only 1 car and want an automatic, just be sure to get a good DSG (many suck, I can name a couple from personal experience) or a ZF 8 speed.
@@vr6gls Sorry. I can't seem to find your reply to my message. That being said, of course, my opinion is my own and I don't speak for anyone else. However, you are one of the very few (or only) people I've ever heard say that shifting an automated transmission is as engaging as shifting a manual. I find that to be absolutely impossible simply based on the amount of work required to shift gears when doing spirited driving. But, if that works for you, great.
Nice car.. I always wanted one of those cars.. For a project.. But if i had it.. My color will be racing green
Norman Felton when you mod it you’ll destroy the functionality sir
Mario Lopez he wants a green one because he smokes weed
Instead of dumping the clutch (which causes the traction control to bog it down) if you get used to where the friction point is and modulate tw throttle you can get a smooth launch. In the DCT, it doesnt dump the clutch, it modulates the clutch and throttle.
It may not be as fast as the competition, but you have to appreciate the grown up/classy styling. Not everyone wants to drive a car that looks like it's for a teenager.
$2500 extra cost for that gay color "insane" VW should pay people to order it !
But it still looks like it was made for a teenager. Lol
@@rastradamus1074 I suppose less than it's competitors
@@bextar6365 I strongly suspect that this particular R was available in the press fleet because VW found it couldn't sell it. The cost of the 40+ custom colors of the R was absurd ($2500) but there were many very attractive options.
The 2nd LED is a cornering light, the main one goes Hi and Low.
Being 35 I couldn't buy the Civic it's just too much and hot hatches should be subtle. I really like the R.
There is a trend of deleting fog lights from higher end sporty cars. Subaru did the same to the STI. Makes no sense to me.
VW introduced the R nameplate much earlier than 2010. Both the 4th and 5th generation Golf have R32 version, with AWD and a V6 engine.
The GTI is a pretty conservative /mature also and being an older driver I appreciate that in both models.
It's a great car but I'm really tired & bored looking at the Golf in general Great review
Same here... Was looking at buying one today and I was just too bored to. I remember when I didn’t want any other hot hatch but the Golf and now everything but the VW looks appealing to me.
@@silasrogan241 Hallelujah
im inlove with mine. specially the sound! nice review 100!
Oh No! Sofyan has swiped Barbie's Dreamobile VW!
It is kind of odd that the R is so conservatively styled, however, on the road its stance instantly distinguishes it from a typical Golf.
Yes it definitely still has subtle hints of performance so you know it’s something you might not want to challenge too fast.
If you want to launch it properly, you have to at least feel the clutch, and not just dump it.
A moment of silence for those who paid over MSRP on a Honda...
Why, the Civic Type R has better subjective and objective performance?
@@wbwayne8887 And objectively uglier
Watches watches watches don't forget about the watches. 🤬
Hill Assist is a great option. When you live in a hilly area , you appreciate it
The Veloster N sounds better but the R is more practical and has a better interior.
I love how slow this car looks I actually want to go get one next year
My dream whip. Raw power unleashed.
Exterior: 6/10
Interior: 6/10
Quality: 6/10
Practicality: 4/10
Performance: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Overall: 32/60
Reliability: 0/10
Did you just give it a Dougscore?
Doug Allen I believe he did
One simple APR Stage 1 tune and you have 330 HP to the wheels, no bolt-ons required lol👍
Those non symmetrical wheels though. Pointing the correct way on the passenger side, incorrectly on the drivers. 👎
High_Velocity610 Now that you pointed that out it’s all I can see and it’s super irritating.
I would totally drive the pink one. My wife might be reluctant to be in it, though. My bucket list item is to own a car in the moat garish color possible.
This makes me feel good about the MK7.5 GTI I bought recently. Honestly not missing out much in terms of features, and some features my '18 car had before this "refreshed" R. Not missing out on as much as I thought.
See how you go with time Rachman....? I had a mk6 gti, then a mk7 gti......in the end I found it underpowered and lacked grip in many conditions. Ended up getting the 7.5 R and love it. No regrets. See how you go mate over time. More power is always better haha
@@owenkett6708 Oh, I can agree with that. The R was a whole lot more $$$ new and they didn't even have one (6MT) at the time I was looking so the GTI looked great to me. So far so good!
@Da Ca If you need 500 HP, I daily my GTI and even stock I manage to have some fun with it. Besides you can tune them to be pretty quick and rip traction for days. I do wish it had more grip in the winter though. Can't really fault it for the price!
I have one Apr stage 1, I piss myself laughing how quick it gets to 100, I also have a reso delete and get double gunshots out the rear often . I hope they produce that r+ with 400hp although that new A45s looks the goods, next RS3 should be a belter as well.
I don't like the red accents on the GTI.
my 7.5 GTI has a sunroof, park assist, alcantara seats, 9.2 inch screen but it doesn’t have an alarm system and the car lock from the exterior with hand.. that kinda suck
You missed a trick, the DSG is a 7 speed box, super quick gear change, far better than the manual. I would hate any GTI badging the R is far better than that. And the GTI is slow by comparison, front wheel drive can't handle the power and its only 200bhp. The R is brilliant, I have driven one for 4 years and its a pleasure to drive every day and its wickedly quick and the adaptive cruise control makes driving in traffic easy.
It doesn't stand for "Race" it stands for Rennsport.
2nd..... Early squad, can I get a hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Great video Sofyan as always, glad to see the subs continuing to grow.
I test drove one last week. Here are a couple of my thoughts; I did not like the rev hang that the manual version has. Also, I could definitely feel the extra mass of this car over the GTI. Other than the fact that you can launch it better from a stop, I felt like the GTI was more playful feeling. I'm an XL shirt size guy and felt the side bolsters on the seat were a bit restrictive and not very comfortable. Otherwise, it is what the title say, a grown up hot hatch. Very refined.
what is "the rev hang" ?
@@carlos_al Rev hang is a delay in engines revs decreasing when you lift off the throttle. It occurs on most modern engines, but is more noticeable on manual transmission equipped cars.
@@davisflyer thank you for the explanation. i am going to test drive one this weekend, i hope i like it because i really want it
If your friends judge you (and you care) you need some better friends, and self-confidence.
I feel like a lot of people shot in the Golf R for being boring and plain, yet it seems like they don’t understand it’s like that for a reason.
You really need to work on your manual driving skills and launching... just saying
I prefer NO SUNROOF over the panoramic sunroof. If I want a sunroof I'd prefer the small old style sunroof that opens up only over the front seats and has a TOTAL privacy slider. I have a 2010 GTI 2 door with 6 speed manual and this Golf R with manual trans is my dream car(but in a different color). I also wish Volkswagen would make a Golf R with similar plaid seats as the GTI. I don't like leather. As far as the car bogging down when you try to launch it is probably because of the All Wheel Drive.
complaining about the red accents its pointless. The redline accents have always been a gti thing since they first came out thats why the never put it on the R
Blue
The reason the golf r doesn't have fog lights is because that area is used for air flow to heat exchangers on both sides.
This is one of the best videos I've seen on the MK 7.5. I have the 2018 Golf R and I've noticed that there isn't much difference with the 2019 other than a loss of 4 hp with the 2019 version yet I can't find any info on why this is so. The reviewer mentioned the lack of the hill assist feature. Did he miss it or was it deleted on the 2019 version because my 2018 definitely has it. The reviewer also missed what I call the 'secret refrigerator' feature with the glove box. There is an air valve connected to the ventilation system that will let you divert some chilled air from the a/c system directly into the glove box thereby giving you a mini chiller box. Since I purchased the 2018 model my local dealer added a $5,000 "market adjustment fee" to their 2019 R models which I thought was really stupid. They also added "no test drive" on the sticker unless they think you're really serious about buying one. The salesperson told me that they will need to run your credit before they would consider letting a prospective buyer take one for a test drive. This was not the case when I wandered into the showroom last year and was offered a test drive and was sold. My take on the fee is the dealer really wants to keep those cars on the lot which is odd since I thought moving cars off the lot was their business.
Even right now in 2022, they want the salesman who sells this car to make a lot of money, not just a couple hundred bucks at best
Great review as always!!! You want to learn something about a certain car, come to this channel!
Now, as far as Golf R goes... nah... low $40k pricing is a major NO NO for this car... while it does lot of things, this thing does not come close to some other cars available for the same amount of money. In no way I would buy this car and pay what the price is... not worth it... it is a Golf...
WhoCares So you would pay $40k for a Civic or Impreza or Focus??? If you would, then you are a hypocrite.
vr6gls Fair point... Golf R would be my pick if I was choosing between those three easily... I had offer on table for under $39800+ tax n fees for 2018 Q50 RedSport400... it was their floor model with 7 miles on the clock, brand new... that’s just one example what other better options exist for that kind of money...
Def sounds better than the Type R
They should only come in Blue... i do love that theres a ton of choices
sean hershey I’ve never seen another vehicle with some many colour options these days. It’s great.
Light blue or white is the nicest for this car.
Are you filming with a new camera? The refresh rate looks great in this video.
We were using our Sony A7R II :)
They should call it “teletubby pink”
arctic hound I think “oxidized and faded red” would be a good name.
This guy likes the thick shifter
I loved my R (a 2017 manual) and traded it only because I thought I could live with 4 doors, but I couldn't. A bad hip and injuries from down range don't go together very well with narrow door openings. VW really needs to offer the 2 door again.
I love these! ... Wait, no fog lights?, Well, okay I guess I could add some of I really want them... Uh.. no sunroof? Wait, no memory seats? Nvrmnd, I'm out. So sad.