The 2019 Volkswagen Golf R Is Still The Grown Ups Hot Hatch 

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!

So glad you said it was pink. Was fearing it was red and there was something wrong with my display. 😂

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.

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.

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

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.

Using mine as a commuting battle wagon, 125 kms. each way on those days I go to work. Love it! Auto cruise and braking make it such a pleasure in highway traffic.

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.

Wants to launch car* - Let's the clutch snap* - Complains it would "bog down"* :-?

Another well rounded review, 2 thumbs UP !

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

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

I still think the 1998 to 2005 Golf is a nice looking hatchback.

The conservative look is what I want. We called it a sleeper in my day.

Thank you for showing what the turn signals look like, a lot of reviews do not usually show what they look like.

I used have a motorcycle that color - a 2001 Triumph Speed Triple. Triumph called it Nuclear Red, but I called it Dog Pecker Pink.

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.

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

Love your reviews! Thank you.

I have a 2018 MK7.5 Golf R DSG and a 2019 Civic Type R. They both rock!

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.

That color is drop dead gorgeous on a conservative frame like the R. It’s like a model in a Channel dress.

Love the new intros you’re doing. 👍🏿💪🏾

Love the way the golf R look so normal, but it a beat inside

I wish we could get a sunroof on the R in North America like everybody else. :(

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.

im inlove with mine. specially the sound! nice review 100!

I get the same smile when I drive my 2000 VW Golf Mk4. It's such a fun car to drive.

That color should be called "Pepto Bismal"

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.

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.

traction control button only partially defeats the TC in "sport mode". You have to go into the touchscreen settings to fully defeat it more and turn TC "off". That's how I do it in my 2018 Oryx 7.5 R 6MT

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?

Adult Hot Hatchback for the young at heart awesome

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

Very nice review. Thank you.

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

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.

Good review as always.

I love your reviews!

The ideal car and color for the bossy bottom!

No sunroof and a Black-Only Ho-Hum interior would make me wait for the MazdaSpeed3 (Fingers crossed).

Great video Sofyan as always.really informative and very engaging..your Clutch skills makes us cringe tho..lol

I love how slow this car looks I actually want to go get one next year

This color is crazy!

Props to Volkswagen for not letting you adjust sound while moving!

Man, your videos are always great, thanks! Are the 0-60 numbers correct in your video? Vw says it goes below 5s. Perhaps thats the gti time. :)

Great review!what a fun car!!

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.

Nice car.. I always wanted one of those cars.. For a project.. But if i had it.. My color will be racing green

I don't mind the "raspberry red" paint job so much, it's very subtle and tasteful. It reminds me of the cornflower blue from the GTI Rabbit Edition or the Blue Flame from the new Corolla Hatchback (both of which I think look really nice and pop in a really fun way). Not sure I'm man enough to get a car in "raspberry red," but I think it's cool that it exists. I wish more cars offered a metallic green tbh.

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!

15:27 Moves hand over the "auto hold" button without mentioning it. 26:45 Slams VW for not having hill assist. OK.

Says something along the lines of "don't want to do to much of an aggressive launch." Dumps it at over 5K.......

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.

Wow that looks fun!

Holy SHIT this is Pink hahah whatever, still love the Pepto Bismol Golf R!!!

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.

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...

The 2nd LED is a cornering light, the main one goes Hi and Low.

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 still want a Golf R.. They are just so expensive I can't justify it.. Awesome car have always loved them.

i wonder if there is a launch mode in this car. i love your reactions man it makes me want this car so bad because i see how much fun u are having in it

23:13 the resurrection of Joker laughing!!! :)

lexus need to make a 350hp ct-f to compete w this

4K plus RPM clutch drops smh good thing the computer is smart enough to stop you.

Are you filming with a new camera? The refresh rate looks great in this video.

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 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.

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.

Sounds really freaking good over here.

Hill Assist is a great option. When you live in a hilly area , you appreciate it

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.

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.

Owning a MKV GTI made me buy a MKIII TTS..........amazing car. Only thought about a Golf R for a brief second but I agree it's a nice car for certain drivers.

The GTI is a pretty conservative /mature also and being an older driver I appreciate that in both models.

That color is hilarious.

Did your $1300 per month leased Porsche ever make you smile this much? 23:07

Nice Review Of 2019 Volkswagen Golf R. 😁

Use and OBD device to shut those annoying menu blocking done it and works perfect

Oh No! Sofyan has swiped Barbie's Dreamobile VW!

The driving impression and review is worrying, the lack of experience is obvious and it makes me cringe.

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.

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

I like this guy! I'm subscribing...

It's a great car but I'm really tired & bored looking at the Golf in general Great review

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 own a 17’ and love it. Is it worth 41k? Probably If you look at your new options with all wheel drive and 0-60 in less than 5 seconds it starts to make sense. One thing i do agree is its way too understated. Wish it had crackling exhaust like the A45 AMG.

How long before the check engine light comes on?

Correction - The MK7 Golf R does have hill hold assist! :)

Thing is so sick 💯♥️🎒

I had a 2010 GTI with the DSG and hated the transmission. I ended up trading it in for a 2013 STI and it was an easy decision. For the cost of a limited STI with every option you can get a semi optioned type R. The problem is the type R and the base Golf look 95% the same. That being said I would probably get this R over a Civic type R based on that having over the top design.

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.

A 6000 rpm launch, are you nuts? It’s a good thing that computer stopped you lol.

You love that Seneca Regional park parking lot lol!

Really.. the color looks really good on you.

Im an european and i drive manual all my life, and let me say this, this is really not the good way to launch a car!

If you want to launch it properly, you have to at least feel the clutch, and not just dump it.

I like the sound!!

tires are Continental SportContact 5P, not ProContacts - which are a very mild all-season tire. The Sport Contact5 isn't the greatest, I agree, but at least they do put summer performance tires on the R, unlike the GTI.