►Shop for merchandise: autogefuehl.shop/ ►Subscribe here: ru-vid.com ►Also subscribe to our RU-vid shorts channel: www.youtube.com/@thomasautogefuhl?sub_confirmation=1 ►Follow us on Facebook / Instagram / TikTok @autogefuehl ►Sustainability in the automotive industry documentary: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--8gNXlRGngA.htmlsi=bCdeJZORRHNcVmV2 This is our in-depth review of the 2025 VW Golf R facelift (Golf 8.5). We're taking a look at Exterior, Interior and the driving experience. 00:00 Golf R facelift 00:48 DCC suspension 01:10 Engine power upgrade 02:50 Forged wheels 03:20 New rear design 03:37 Akrapovic exhaust sound 04:32 Golf R Black Edition 05:34 Acceleration and top speed 06:20 Interior quality 06:40 Steering wheel 07:30 Sports seats 08:18 Cockpit and modes 10:07 Rear seats 11:01 Trunk / boot 11:28 Towing and Chat GPT #VW #GolfR
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Data & facts: VW Golf R facelift New Front with air curtains and lights, illuminated VW logo front, LED plus standard, optional IQ Light matrix LED 18“ standard, optional 19“ or 19“ forged wheels (20 percent lighter) DCC adaptive suspension standard depending on market, -20 mm Still lower in price Optional Abramovic exhaust for hatch 4,28 m 169“ 4,63 m 182“ Variant Black Edition with blacked out logos and performance pack Performance Pack adds Special and Drift mode 2.0 l 4-cyl 333 hp (+13 hp) AWD with torque vectoring 7-DSG 4,6 Sek (Variant 4,8 Sek) 0-100 km/h (0,1 sec better each) Up to vmax 270 km/h with performance pack (otherwise 250 km/h) Engine startup with higher rev: Press start button for 1,5 Sek without brake pedal and then press brake pedal 10“ digital instruments with new views and acceleration timer 13“ Infotainment update New steering wheel with bigger paddles and ergonomic form Capacitve R button on steering wheel updated against unintentional press Chat GPT integration Sport seats with integrated head restraints fabric/microfibre Real carbon fibre decor available 1,9 t towing Transparency note: Autogefühl videos are independent and free from editorial influence on opinion and rating. But since manufacturers enable us to do the reviews in the first place, for legal reasons this video is marked as _advertisement_.
Can't wait to see what dealer markup will be on the Black Edition.. That Akrapovic exhaust won't make it Stateside like the earlier R variants. Unless it comes standard on the infamous black edition. I don't think creating a black edition is necessary. Meh. And to think the successor to the Golf R will be EV? 🤦
@@LordStaind With the integration of technology, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, et cetera, people are getting lazier and lazier (sadly, so is their vocabulary). While some think of the English language as evolving for the newer generations, others will beg to differ.
Who at VW is insisting on these touch buttons. The physical buttons on GTI 8.5 are so well received, why not the same on R? Seems Golf 7 will stay desirable for one more generation.
VW said they didn’t switch to physical buttons on the Golf R because of the R haptic button on the steering wheel which they would have to overhaul if they were to switch to physical buttons
Yep, ridiculous. Came here to confirm one way or another and now I'm disappointed. Same with the detestable piano black trim inside. GET RID OF THIS SHITE!!! Maybe they'll get it right for 2026. They are trying their hardest to dissuade me from buying one. It's working.
I appreciate that VW sittl makes the GTI and R for the USA market. I see cost cutting like no gas hood strut, the engine bay is not body colored, and other little things. If VW has to do these things to keep the price down without affecting reliability and performance I consider that a win. It just would be nice if VW would do these 2 things for the USA market. 1. Why oh why can't VW make a Water Pump gasket that won't leak? Seriously, don't you see how this affects your brand "Reliability" how hard can it be to make a water pump housing that won't leak after 40k miles? 2. Why only have DI fuel delivery? We have carbon issues on the intake valves here in the USA which is another expense where some have to have the intake valves media blasted at a cost of $800 some as early as 50k miles. Toyota has dual injection here in the USA so VW can't say its for emissions reasons, but rather a cost savings that is hurting VW's reputation for reliability and cost of ownership here in the USA. Other than that, Great Cars👍
I own a 2016 mk7 R and it looks way better than this. i got the gas hood strut, engine cover looks nicer and overall its just better looking. VW just getting greedier. this isnt about keeping price down since a golf R now base price is higher than it was for mine and yet you get less.
This is part of a short list of items that I really dislike about the Mk8.5 and why I ended up going for the 7.5R from my MkVII GTI. The total lack of buttons, not thought out UI (the floating iPad look, the unlit haptic HVAC controls) and poorly designed headlights on the Mk8 with that 'eye-liner' look.
I took this over the 8R. I am not completely sold on the 8.5R just yet. Trying to justify the price hike. I may just wait a year or so and find a used one low miles CPO one owner. Paying msrp is ridiculous, imo. You can use the extra cash for mods :D
I honestly love VW, in my country ( South Africa ) it's extremely popular. My dad owned VR6 MK3, MK4 Golf GTI, MK6 Golf GTI and R, MK7 GTI and R. He saved the MK4 for me and i love it, it has well over a Million kilometers, by now it has more lol. I can't wait to buy my own MK8 Golf !
the infotainment's been ''upgraded'' and that's it, no gas struts no electric tailgate, not even a badge on the engine cover, would it cost this much to make it a bit exclusive, this car is quite expensive
I can't decide between a 2025 type R and this 2025 Golf R. My MK7 DCT Golf R was a 2015 and it got stolen almost 3 years ago. But I really loved it. I know that this mk8+ is a whole other beast. And now that they've addressed the terrible infotainment in the 8 as well as addressed the capacitive buttons on the wheel being accidentally pushed, it makes me really want one. However in the early 2000s I had an S2000, and I absolutely loved it. I loved the transmission, and I feel like the Type R would be a four-door, turbocharged, FWD version of the S2K. I like the looks of both of them.. but I prefer the interior quality and luxury of the golf R. I don't do any tracking, and this would be my daily. We have no snow, and perfect roads here in South Florida.... If I lived up north with snow and ice and bad roads, then obviously the golf R without a doubt. But I already had a golf R for almost 5 years, even though it was a very different driving car in terms of dynamics and power, it's still not completely new to me. Anyone have any thoughts??
Hi dear Thomas... Thanks a thousand time for doing it in english, that is top notch ;-) I can't catch a word in german even I'm from the east part of Belgium. Great review, lovely car to replace my Megane MK4 RS Trophy. Thanks for your time and quality content. Cheers.
@@justpixelbee Maybe they say like that but they will make a combustion engines in the future because electric doesn’t make any sense and nobody will buy it
I really love the all new golf R and ordered one earlier today. Hope for it to be delivered in the beginning of October this year. Well done VW. Sold my old 7.5 Golf GTI performance a couple of years ago and really missed having it.
Should be integrated into the dashboard, like on my RS3 8Y. They save a load of money in production by fitting that type of screen, Merc do it as well. I don't like them at all.
Still no estate here in the states because VW hates us it would seem. I'm not a big fan of the screen, it's just out there and needs to be integrated into the dash. I'm also bummed about the return of haptics. I'm also surprised that the diff is clutch packs in stead of ball/roller thrust. And is it just me or is there LESS rear passenger space in this one? Guess I'll keep my 7.5 GTi Autobahn for now. Much as I love the new hardware of this car, the haptic thing is a deal breaker for me. I miss when VW designed cars for the driver and safety including distractions from driving. I don't need an almost 200mph fidget spinner ffs.
I just bought the 24 Elantra N in a similar shade of blue, I love my car but wow the exterior and interior improvements of this car, absolutely beautiful. I part of me wishes I would've waited, but then I'm reminded at this cost difference between them, the Elantra N offers a lot for what it is at $35K, This car top spec would be $50K. Perhaps it'll be my next one when I get bored of the EN or want to move up to something with better interior quality.
Hey, congrats on your '24 Elantra N! I currrently have my '16 Veloster Turbo and loved it for what it was. Mind you, I was coming from a 2014 GT-R!!! I'm sure you will have fun with the N, Hyundai has come a LONG way in this segment of tuner vehicles etc. At one point I did want a Veloster N, but a colleague of mine said to wait for the Mk. 8.5, and well, here I am.
I own the mk 7.5. When the mk 8 came out, there was nothing about that model to make me upgrade. In fact the mk 7.5 was a better looker out of all the R models. This one is tempting. But i can't see myself bying it fearing a costly one. Besides, mine runs 370hp. 👍😉
Is this a review or just an extended infomercial? Apart from the comment on the lack of gas struts I can’t recall any actual opinions in this video, just reeling off the stats and changes VW have made.
We always present all pros and cons. Also that the Golf R is the only one still with capacitive bs buttons on the steering wheel. Not sure if you have watched full length but in every review we give the same pros and cons in the same fair and balanced way with all brands and vehicles
Thomas, any updates on the sound system? I drove the Mark 8 for a week and was really disappointed at how bad music sounded. Hoping once again that they make the more comfortable fabric available for all markets.
I find it strange the location of the R branding is on the door now opposed to the fender.. VW follows the trend of creating a "black edition", smfh. A retractable touch-screen in the cabin would seem to be expected by now. On the other hand, I guess it's one less thing to worry about breaking. Also, would VW really break the bank by adding brembo calipers? Wait till the dealers get ahold of the infamous black edition. I'll be surprised to see if the Akrapovic exhaust makes it Stateside on the black edition. I wish VW paid more attention to their customers feedback instead of following trends. 🤦
I don't think weight saving is the goal. The clutch packs allows them to varies the amount of torque to each rear wheel, so they can use the rear to reduce understeer and do fun things like drift.
@@jenny80myles not what i'm asking, i know the function of clutch packs in LSDs. I ask about the removal of the spider gear. Most modern LSDs have the same clutch packs, but retain the spider gear. This is useful in normal, low power/speed turning where the spider gears act like an open diff, without unnecessary wear on the clutches
@@gumpert7611 You don't need the spider gear in a FWD platform because you don't need to maintain drive force in the rear and can just let them roll. Does that answer your question?
50K is a lot, but at least in the USA the average price of a new car is 47K from 23 Jan to 24 Jan. kinda shocking considering I got a 2015 GTI new for 27K original owner and I did pay 48 for my Golf R last year. Its better but not 19K better.
Polo Gti is a bit cheaper and pretty awesome. Much lighter and agile car. Like what Golf Gti used to represent. Spiritual suceesser to original MK1 Gti Golf is the Polo. In fact it dropped weight compared to Polo MK5.
The capacitive BS on the steering wheel is so BS :) we need physical climate knobs, media buttons volume knobs and _physical_ steering wheel knobs. Is that that hard? Sliding volume strip ffs... Also as you said, sliding fingers on the steering wheel. Just drove 1300km in the facelifted T-Roc, loved the physical buttons on the steering wheel at least. 100% operation without looking
Lots of cheap stuff going on here, not even a gas strut for the bonnet, but I bet they want to charge you more for it. Audi going the same way with the S and RS3.
A great preview, and the improved lighting techniques of dark interiors noted and much appreciated. At one point I had an R32, which was wonderful. If this new version had to be my last ICE car before I went EV, I doubt I would complain. The hatch version of course.
VW leadership sucks. They ignore their customers and continue to push crap like capacitive BS. Ferdinand Piëch must be laughing at VW. He saved the brand like he did with so many failing car companies. The second he leaves, they just go back to making crap, ignoring customers and blowing all their budget on stupid gimmicks. I’m so glad I have my mk7. I will be restoring an older car when my mk7 dies. I have absolutely no interest in any car built after 2020.
Wonderful face life.. way better then the older one the ONLY problem is.. these are VERY over priced here in the U.S. they barley sell any of them.. I went to a dealer a couple of months ago and a new one was for $$46,000!!! NOT WORTH IT.. ended up buying a BMW.
dude, go check European prices on Golf R. What the hell are you talking about. You probably guys have the cheapest Golf 8R in the world, and you are not the poorest country.
@@FeN1xDD You missed my point.. for that price I can get a BETTER CAR like BMW. with way more features.. We American might have more money but we work hard for it..
I would have preferred Brembo brakes to those wimpy looking factory brakes fro m VW. They're good enough, but this car still has to compete with the likes of the Honda Civic R which does come with Brembos. Although not as comfortable a ride, it has more room and is more sporty. With all the stiff competition coming from Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota, good enough, is no longer "good enough."
