YOU JUST CAN’T GO WRONG WITH A GOLF R! 

The MK8 R is an absolute step up from the MK7/7.5 R's. I had a total of four Golf R's of the MK7 generation, they were great cars, but now owning a MK8, it is a better car in every way. All of the complaining about the infotainment is non-sense from everyone, spend a week with the car and it becomes second nature. Amelia, great review, seems like you enjoyed your time with the car, it's absolutely one of the best daily drivers (and fun track weapon) you could own.

Everyone makes a big deal about the infotainment system in this car. I have a 2023 20th anniversary Golf R. The infotainment system is great once you learn how to operate it. I think most reviewers pick on the infotainment system because they can't find any other faults with this car. We have a 2022 Audi S3 and 2023 Golf R, and we love driving both of them. Golf is just a little bit more fun since you can make the back of the car step out while cornering, but that comes into play very rarely. I truly give Golf R a five-star rating.

I can't keep away from Golf R reviews! Great review and looked like you enjoyed your time with the R 🎉

In the U.S., the GTI & R are now really in a class by themselves. Because, unlike Europe, we just don’t get all the fun smaller cars you guys get. Ya’ll are very lucky. And please don’t let over sized SUVs take over. Europe will regret it. Really.

I have a MK6 GTi Stage 2 and it is super fun to drive. Every time I punch the throttle and hear the DSG farts at 22psi on the humble ko3, it is pure fun of a car. I fully rebuilt the engine, new pistons, rings, balance shafts, water pump, timing chain, recalibrated injectors, new oil pump, intake manifold, cam bridge, ported cylinder head, new dsg flywheel, new wheel bearings, and I did a paint correction. It does not consume a drop of oil, I love how analog it is. I also have a MK8 R (stock due to warranty), and like she mentions, it is much faster, it is almost boring because of the 4motion RS3 system, but that is what I like. It is a super safe pocket rocket. No matter how hard I push the car, it takes everything I throw at it without skipping a beat. I play jazz music and just let the engine sing with it. I like both cars in their own way and will hold to both of them as long as I can.

Great review Amelia, MK8 Golf R wins hands down for cars similar at this price point.

Love your honest review of the mk8 Amelia I collect my mk8 20th anniversary model this week but sadly they don’t come with the Akrapovic exhaust as it’s not available

My R 20 years is due in about 6 weeks, nearest replacement I could find for the Focus RS I had, would have preferred a manual I think but not available in the UK for some reason strange reason

We only get the leather seats in the U.S. I just love the cloth seats. So pretty. And much more comfy.

Great video. I hear and read so many reports of the Mk 8 Golf R, saying it’s not as good as the 7.5. The only thin* that puts me off is the same thing that puts me off a Mk 8 generally, which is the infotainment. But you’ve made me reconsider that.

What about the carbon buildup on the intake valves?

Recognising what I said in your Instagram post re my ICE swan song likely to be the 8.5R, I'd answer... S3 given they haven't gone the silly capacitive BS (and I know the 8.5 wheel going back to buttons). Other argument for S3. I think VW are taking the piss with pricing now. Nearly all relevant models jammed up very close to equivalent Audi model price, here in 🇦🇺🦘 anyhow. All IMO/subjective. 👍

Because I am old, I have a rather different take on cars maybe. I have a 22 RS3 with barely 1500 miles on it. It is similar to the Golf R really and for me at least it is not a good daily driver….. Hence the low mileage. The performance is overkill, not linear and it is not manual. I had two Golf GTIs before and they were great…. both manuals. My partner has a Hyundai i20N, which is a superb little daily driver. I20Ns are all manuals, have a real handbrake, are cheap and has enough power to be entertaining. Will I sell the RS3 ? Probably not because it is very nice and for me is a swan song for ICEs. However, the i20N gets my vote as the best daily pocket rocket out there.

Audi S3 is a better all round package for this price point,not enough standard equipment on the golf,S3 Black edition for me,much better value for money! ♥️

Vw Golf Original Germany full manual Is..... Exelsior's Master's beautifull Car's forever always, AMEN, Thank's, desde Quito - Ecuador muchísimas gracias y bye - bye......

It's so easy to drive this car I think I saw a dog drive it but definitely a 12-year-old boy £45000 for a hatchback 😂😂 and 3000 + for an exhaust with a 4 pot 2 l doesn't even sound good, waste of money

Save your money and buy a good low mileage used 7.5R. Much better interior, none of those crap buttons, and it also comes with bonnet struts…

The Golf R is an odd combination, it's both the fastest and the most boring hot hatch.

Who would buy this boring hatchback where airbags are an optional extra? And it's not even that fast!