I have a mk 8 Golf R and used to sell mk 7.5 golfs. The complaints about the interior are overhyped. It's a lot cleaner and the interface is easy. Hell, anyone that I've shown it to love the modern interior. If you know how to use a modern cell phone, you can easily pick up the new interface. As for turning off the traction control, you can easily place it into your quick apps by simply swiping down on the screen. It takes me one second to do. They don't cover quick apps in most all reviews. I haven't had any more learning time with it than I have with any car I've ever purchased. What's actually annoying are cars with dials that you have to use to scroll through the entire interface. The mk 8 Golf is a lot quicker to use than cars with these scroll wheels. My friend with a 2018 Audi S4 has the scroll wheel. it was absolutely annoying having to watch him navigate the menus as it took forever to do anything.
I have to say, this is one of the best Golf R reviews out there in my opinion and I think I have seen them all multiple times at this point, including yours. Well done.
In November 20 I wanted to get a new car to replace my daily (which probably only gets driven every 7-10 days). I saw the local VW dealer& he had half a dozen of the Golf R 7.5 Final Edition. I had never had a golf but always wanted one. I went for a drive in their test drive R & I really liked the way the final edition was finished. I went home. It was about that time they released information about this Mk8 R & I was HORRIFIED 😂 After watching Carsales for about 10 days I bolted down to the dealer & brought home a new final straight from his storage shed. I left it parked in my shed for a few months before dropping it down to my detailer, had the paint corrected & wrapped it in PPF. I’ve done 10k since I picked it up & I really like the car, the finish is impeccable for a Golf IMO. When the Mk8 arrived I went and had a look and whilst I acknowledge the newer one is quicker & the newer technology with the drive system is better all I can help thinking is THANK FUCK I GOT THE 7.5 final. If I decide I want it to go faster I will tune it. I need my licence and it’s pretty punchy, I’ve never launched it, nor do I give it a hard time (it’s spotless). My greatest concern with the car is not shredding my drivers licence. I’ve got no interest in tracking the car, it’s NOT a track car. I was never a VW fan……but I’ve decided to get a bigger shed cos I’m going to keep this, that’s how good it is & yep it’s just a little hatch, not even a sportscar but there’s something about it. All I can say is the Golf 8 R interior is an abortion, very disappointing and clearly VW cut costs to pay fines or increase profits. My VW dealer wants my 7.5, he wants it for himself but he’s not getting it. I think I will make my new daily the ID BUZZ when it gets here and I will park the Golf somewhere between my Landcruiser & another toy, I’m leaning towards doing a few minor mods ‘ this is the first time in my life I’ve actually been happy with a purchase almost 18 months after buying it. It’s a matter of opinion I realise but as far as I’m concerned as an overall package the Golf R peaked, the pick of them was probably the 7.5 Special Edition with the Akrapovic exhaust. I know theres heaps of haters out there & I know they’ve got flaws & theres better cars out there but thank fuck I’ve got my 7.5 😂 I know people are going to rip into me but VW slaughtered that 8 Interior & for someone like me that’s where I sit & I only have limited use for for getting down the quarter mile to pick up the paper 1/2 a second quicker or with the rear end drifting into the carpark of the Police Station to hand my licence in. I really hope VW sorts out these fffukked interiors, please give us tactile buttons & nice surfaces & tidy finishes, there’s already umpteen manufacturers doing NASTY out there.
This is a great review from a guy who really knows what he is talking about. Australians love the Golf R and even though there have been price rises, I think this will sell very well. Interesting that there has been a hardware/software upgrade for the Golf overseas meaning far quicker and accurate response from the centre screen.
Great review, and nice car. It's a small step away from its cousin the Audi S3. If you'll be drifting or go track days Golf R of you like spirited runs with comfort and a little class S3
The only drawback to the S3 (and RS3 if you're looking to step up a level with performance) is that the trunk of the 3 series is tiny vs what you get from the hatch of the R. I really wish that the US had gotten the RS3 hatch. It would have been a slam dunk so if you are wanting to stay in the VAG family, the next best option is the S5 sportback for about $60k
It's not too far off the entry level Golf. They have a plasticy, space-age look about them. It's such a conflict to the refinement that's going on outside the car. Europeans must like that kind of interior.
Thanks for the review guys. You guys always do great R vids. I loved my mk7 and it’s great to look at. But too many repairs, issues and never had complete confidence it would get me to my destination. Good they have a 5 year warranty now. Great content guys, nevertheless.
Shame you guys in the land of Oz don't get the Golf R with a proper manual transmission, the drivers choice. I took both the DSG & manual out for a test drive, and sure the auto was quicker, but the manual was just more involving, engaging and fun overall. SaveTheManuals.
@@Bahle_Gaji Nope. Cancelled the order as it just kept pushing out till eventually there was no delivery estimate. Not fussed to be honest. Didn’t want it sometime towards the end of the year and then have a facelift turn up a few months later with the heavily updated interior. They can keep it for near $80k!
Nice review but why is America and Canada , country's that love their auto gearboxes the only two to get the manual whereas Europe and Australia only get the auto , it seems around the wrong way to me . Would i buy one , no way not at that sort of money but the GTI is tempting .
So how is this overly expensive when a comparitive AWD EV6 in Oz is $83k and every motoring journalist seems to think that is great value and the ducks nuts? I drove it last week and compared to the Golf R it certainly isn't special to drive, fast or that nice inside either. I would think comparitively the Golf's best competitor is the 300hp Cupra Formentor, if money is important? In NZ Golf R has always been over 70k, still is and Tiguen R is $80k which is the most expensive. Formentor saves you 6k over a Golf, TRoc R is cheaper again. The GT line EV6 I drove is $107k in comparison, Polestar 2 DM without PP is $95k!!! Absolutely crazy numbers, especially for EVs..
So, if it has a “really cool light show” when unlocking the car - why not show it ? This is a video after all and some of us won’t get to see it otherwise. Pretty silly to think we aren’t interested. Sigh.
How could anyone who lives outside of a city, (who travels) afford to run this on premium petrol? Why do you car presenter/ reviewers fail to calculate this. You think we all live in Bondi.
We’re one of the only channels that provides a comprehensive cost of ownership chapter in every review, including fuel consumption. Whether the cost of ownership meets your budget is up to you.
@@scollyutube according to their official product pages the new Golf R produces 235KW while the new Audi produces 228KW and the difference on the 0-100 between them is only 0.1 seconds. So the difference in actual performance is negligible. The one big difference IMO is the interior of the Golf looks like a boy-racer-mobile while the Audi as a far nicer place to be.
@@ryant2568 yep agree on interior, has been that why in previous versions for a while and everything is more touch and screens now unfortunately. Still they don't drive the same either. I bought a 7.5 R because the S3 didn't drive as well when I tested both before driving. I think reading most reviews, the Golf 8 isn't 235kw comparitively either to the 228kw/ 400nm that Aussie is finally allowed now in the S3. Golf 8 apparently is quasi 350hp and has more torque too. It's noticeably different to the 7.5 in acceleration especially the faster it goes.
@@ryant2568 The Golf R has close to 340 hp,not 320. Also does 0-100 in 4.3 sec, however Matt Watson from CarWow managed to do 0-60 miles in 4 seconds, so it’s much quicker than the S3 which does 0-60 in 4.8 sec. Having said that the S3 has a better interior,but is a less of a drivers car.
I really think they over did the dash and the removal of all switches. I predict their sale numbers are going to be affected because of this fact. I suspect tesla’s one screen in car policy might have something to do with VW going down that minimalistic path. Bring back the switches for the petrol engine or become like Tesla and go down the screen operating EV’s, you can’t be both and look like a zebra 🦓 . ☺️
@@darknightbegins85 Exactly! The Golf R is the better performer. Volkswagen partnered with Benjamin Leuchter, a German pro racer to test and provide inputs on the development of the GTI and R models. It definitely has superior driving dynamics compared to the S3. But the S3 is no slouch for sure.
