I’ve owned my Mk7.5 R for over 2 years now. And in that time I have driven a Mk7.5 GTI (both cars are DSG). As much as I love the performance on the R, I would prefer to keep the GTI. For everyday use the R is just like any other golf, but you put your foot down and you’re busting speed limits before you know it. I rather have slightly less power and to be able to enjoy it more. Taking around country roads the R really comes into its own when pulling through and out of corners, but the actual handling feels dull and boring. You just get the feeling that it’s doing everything too well and there’s no thrill (for some people this might be exactly what they want). It’s a more than capable car (more capable than my abilities for sure) I just don’t find it an involving drive at all. Having said that, using launch control with family and friends is always a nice little party trick, it always leaves everyone smiling. And it is nice to have that power on tap if you do need it to shoot off the line. If you are looking at a performance golf, I would recommend the GTI for everyday use and something to have a little fun with. I got the R purely to scratch an itch, I know if I had gone for the GTI I would have always wondered “what if..”. If you do decide the R is what you want I would thoroughly recommend trying to find one with adaptive suspension (mine is fixed and it can be exceedingly uncomfortable for everyday use) and the upgraded sound system (this is applicable to any golf). I hope this helps :)
Very very helpful, I always owned the golf 7 gti, then later got a golf 7R, now I driving driving Golf 7.5 GTI and I love it very much, it even looks better than the R
I think the choice between these two is always the R for me. If I wanted something raw and 'involving' I wouldn't choose either of these cars, I'd choose something lighter and less refined.
Had the 2015 GTI, enjoyed it immensely. It was in for service and my sales guy offered the R for a test drive while I waited. Needless to say, I now have 2016 R in the driveway. Couldn't be happier - best car I've ever owed. It just puts a smile on my face every time I start the engine. It has all the practicalness of a GTI, but that engine, exhaust and drivetrain puts it over the top. Great review Matt. Being an owner of both cars, you didn't miss a thing in your comparison.
Del Boca Vista My R is a great daily driver - no issues with stiffness. I didn't get the DSG, but it's not a problem for me, even in Toronto rush hour traffic. Only complaints, no sunroof and not a fan of auto hold feature.
Yep, the cars for journalists have a rough life, so it is no wonder the paint looks somewhat abused. The cars get abused on track, in the case of the R someone maybe even thought "let's see what the 4WD can do on an unpaved road" and afterwards the cars just get a quick car wash treatment. I do not think VW will bother to give the cars the full polish/wax treatment before every review.
launch control is taking the driver out of the occasion. a child or grandma can no launch a car as fast as a lifetime real racer. Luckily manuals have a few more years. you need to master lauch techniques or get chipped to get manuals to perform close cause manufacturers limit the rams in them. but it can be done but only with practice and skill. around a well known track the lighter weight may come in handy www.caranddriver.com/honda/civic-type-r
He keeps talking about the things that "stand out", but if you want to stand out you wouldn't be looking at a Golf in the first place. It's a car that's about the exact opposite of standing out. It's understated and unpretentious.
All results and all numbers were astonishing. For both GTI and R. With 65BHPs more it is no surprise that R is much quicker. But as our roads are not racing tracks GTI should suffice.
The AWD system makes up more of the 2 seconds than the 65bhp does. Applying power to the ground and grip is the more important part of the first 100 metres of launch
Cisco Network Designer/Engineer I owned a r32 mk4. Absolutely love it except roads in NY are shit so I keep destroying my rims and my engine light won't go away.
These modern turbo engines really are special. Back in the early noughties you'd need a 911 turbo or a Viper to get a sub 4s 0 to 60. Now a hot hatch can almost do it. Granted the double clutch box is also better than any human could ever be.
my benchmark to this day, the lamborghini diablo VT, is slower to 60 than this golf is. which means i could cross one item from my bucket list if i had one of these.
I just switched from Golf GTI Performance pack to Golf R GTI much more nimble and better on fuel boot is bigger R gets the power down very well and is very rapid however steering is heavier and you definitely feel it, its thirsty and you sacrifice mpg Both are great motors the Gti looks way better
I have 2015 GTI Manual with Lighting Package for over 3 years and the car is amazingly fun and with a JB4 ECU tuning, this thing is a little beast! I also own a MK II Audi TTS 2-Seat Convertible with APR Stage I and it's similar to the AWD Golf R performance with huge turbo and Rapid Acceleration with Lightening fast DSG Shifting! The TTS is faster than the GTI and faster than the Golf R, but guess what, I still miss the manual in the light GTI that gives me that smile always!
Putting the R engine/4WD with the GTI exterior/interior would make the perfect car. I hope they give the R more colourful details in 2020. The silver details are almost unnoticeable! RED details for the GTI, and maybe YELLOW for the R.
Don't know what it is about the Golf R but I love it so much. Saw one this morning when I returned from work, and it truly is a gorgeous car. Sounded quite nice too.
errrgh so confusing!! need a Versus Vid to show us diff instead of dueling comments!! So far I get that the R is heavier, but shoots out of corners beautifully while the GTI corners so nicely. Have also read that the GTI will go no where in dampness and /or leaves cuz of FWD but that even when juiced up with a tune, the differential will make steering no problem...sad that I will have to do without a moonroof in an R, maybe I should just tune a GTI i don't think I really want all those bells and whistles anyway...does the GTI have the 4 Motion option? I think in the end, if I see a few more giant grins on faces like this guy, that will have to tell the story...
MatWatsonCars seem the Golf R you were driving has the ""Golf R Performance Pack - upgrade to brakes, cup tyres, limiter removed and lighter exhaust system". My question - is this upgrade pack for the Golf R now available in the U.K.? Last heard its not available in the U.K. Cheers
Your second pronunciation of Akrapovic was correct, nice video. I think generally spec the extra for a R is worth it but at the end of the day it comes down to "wants" rather than "needs" and I want both cars but I want the R that bit more...
Matt, u are one of the rare UK guys who can properly pronounce Akrapovič. Well done mate. The correct version is the second one @4:26 Greetings from Slovenia, where it is made.
i have a 2017 gti autobahn edition and I love it -- but I must say, that digital dash and new infotainment system looks LEGIT in this new 2018, however!
Was a little hesitant between the GTI or the R... knew Matt would give an honest opinion when comparing both. Gotta start saving up for a Golf R... next year🙏🏻♥️
The Golf R is basically marketed to the older consumer who has a bit more money in their pockets, isn't a boy racer, and doesn't want to scare the in-laws. Meaning, the subdued look of the Golf R compared to the GTI seems to be intentional in my opinion. If I were to choose, I would definitely go for the more mature looks and 4WD drive system on the R.
Loved your review . I own the 2015 GTI S PP in 6 speed manual and love it . Over here in the USA the difference in price for an R is about $10k , worse gas mileage, higher repair bills and higher insurance. If I am spending R money you mightiest well jump to the Audi. I get 32 mpg in my GTI ave 80mph, 2 years 40k plus miles no major issues great car. The R might be better at the track or if you live in a snowy area , but if all you want is a little more speed you can flash your GTI for 500-$700 and have as much power as the R. I don't think that is needed as the plan GTI S PP in Manuel is a really fun and practical car.
mate, you do great reviews in a very entertaining manner. I am not even the biggest car fan, checked a few for reassurance for some of the cars I am considering but two hours later going from link to link I find myself here in the hot hatches. Keep up the good work :)
I have 2016 Golf GTD and I love the fuel consumption in it. I normally drive calm and in my city on average I have 6.8-7 l/100km. While on a morning sunday Or at night when the city is empty I get a 5.8-6 l/100km which is insane for such a nice car. (Haven’t driven outside of the city yet). I know it is slower then GTi a bit, but you do win in fuel consumption. + it is a high performance golf :), and it looks good. Also it you want good fuel consumption, you can get a GTE electric version of golf, which is about as fast as GTD (maybe a bit faster due to electric motor) but it is a plug-in hybrid. And again it looks like GTi or R
1: Get golf GTI-P 2: Go to any performance tuner 3: Pay 500 Euro 4: Get new software 5: Get new power from 240bhp to 300 bhp and vrom 350 nM to 440nM (Exactly as an Golf R) 6: Slap some golf R if you so wish(optional) 7: Save around 8.000 Euro or more.
I think the gold R is undoubtedly the better car, but I feel like it doesn’t have as much of a market. The gti is clear where it stands. A sporty hot hatch that’s a good daily driver. The R is a fair chunk more expensive, and a fair chunk more sporty, but that puts it in the same firing line as your AMG’s / AUDI RS’s etc. And I really don’t think the R can compete with them, it seems to be an middle tier between the sports and the race sports. Don’t think it really has much of a market
Very good - and interesting - video. Many thanks Mat. But it's the same old thing - "why not get the real thing!" There was no talk of price or money, so it's a no brainer - get the real thing. It's like the Tiguan versus Ateca or Kodiaq question. If money is not mentioned, get the real thing. Spec it up to the max and get an R. Or, spec it up to the max and get a Tiguan! Like all things, "the devil's in the detail", the more expensive, better, top of the range cars, have all the nice little mini details, that you will appreciate; and nothing's been left out. Cheers.
Are you calling the Tig" the real thing"? I like mine as a great compromise car, but just ache for an 'R' or definitely tuned GTI with autobahn and PP of course.
proper review with numbers and demos to back it up unlike most other boring subjective reviewers. well done Matt once again on par with Chris Harris as the best car reviewer of the Internet age ĺ
Trouble with the R is it feels like a slightly blunt instrument compared to the GTI. Get the GTI with Performance Pack, wind up the suspension to stiffest mode, add Revo map, enjoy 💥
Prva izgovorjava je cist znacilno angleska s tem, da on je se lepo reku č, kr ponavad recejo akrapouik. Pa tut kukr je Blaz reku, preglas je nad drugim a-jem in ne nad o-jem... kukr js vem.
If you live in a cold and rainy country or, worse, if you intend to use your car on wet tracks, there’s no hesitation: Golf R. I drove to and all over Lapland (-> extreme North of Sweden first and back trip through Norway, from Tromsø)... January-February on my (expensive) high perf winter tyres and I think it was the best road trip I ever did. Never has the car been treacherous or unreadable. The car was still standard 300hp and 50.000km, and I had been driving a LOT on snow before (with my Golf R and all my previous private cars), but I’m sure any car enthusiast would say the same, it’s very fast, very efficient and as soon as you understand how the Haldex works on slippery surface (even pure ice), it is as fun as a car can be, driving sideways all the time if you like it. BUT HUGE BUT: The most important parts of the car are not reliable: hydraulic of the Haldex broken (quote) before 70.000km. Turbo broken around 75.000km (if I can remember it well). Warranty expired. Haldex broken AGAIN at 110.000km. So. Buy the car and, if you are really crazy as I am of the way it drives when not ‘broken’: put 15.000 euros on the side. Around 4.000 for the Haldex and 11.000 (!) to open the engine, change all the parts who ‘could’ have been damaged, (almost all moving parts, since it was open...) and find a much better Turbo, on ball bearings (I chose one juste 25% more expensive than the stock crap turbo). De-activate the start-stop by default and enjoy a remap and 400hp. The DSG is limited to 380Nm but can handle a lot more. The car was 4.9s 0-100km/h and around 263 max speed (it should have been limited to 250 but wasn’t!). Now it’s ‘around 4.0s and I couldn’t find a safe and empty enough German highway to test max speed (and nobody cares - what’s impressive is the butt-kick you still get at 200-220km/h. max speed over 250 is useless on any car) And if you enjoy the Italian Alps in the winter, you will understand what ‘rocket-fast’ means in the first hairpin. Enjoy, and I hope they did change the ‘weak links’ : turbo and Haldex BTW, if Seat does the same engine-dsg-Haldex... go for it, must be cheaper. Now, my Golf is almost 6 years old. I bought a confortable relax slow family car and will keep the R for “happy days” And I still have a powerful motorbike for the rare moments when my body says “you feel good this morning’... Drive safely. Speed is not the main point. Speed building is.
The R32(R) was originally designed to he more subtle in design. It was also head and shoulders above the GTI in performance and luxury. Not so much nowadays, but that is generally the case in most things you buy these days. IMO
Option c) - get a Seat Leon Cupra 300 (basically a debaged GTI with way more power). You get Golf R performance, optional Cup 2 tyers, front Dif as standard, brembo breaks and you pay less than for either of these. And if you still fancy AWD - the estate version ( "ST") has got you covered as well.
Not sure why every review compares the R to the GTI. They always compare the most expensive possible GTI spec and compare with the most inexpensive R spec and say "its just a few thousand dollars more". In the US you can pick up a GTI for around 20k new whilst the R is nearly double the price.
Yeap I bought my 2017 gti in December for 23500 (base). To me it wasn't 10k more it's almost 20k at least!! I could buy my wife a used Accord with that money
That $20k gti is also going to have way fewer options. If you want a GTI with similar options as the base golf R, you are looking at ~$37k msrp...$32k after incentives that the R won't get. But, it makes a lot more sense to compare similarly equipped cars when it comes to their price.
I haven´t driven the facelifted versions. But when I drove the pre-FL Golf R, it somehow didn´t feel that more powerful compared to GTI Performance than the specs suggested, I wouldn´t say there was 70 hp difference. So in my opinion the dynamic difference in acceleration is made more by the 4WD than the more powerful engine. I guess a GTI Performance with added 4WD would be very close to an R. Oh and one more thing: the artificial sound of R was a bit annoying, I prefer the more natural sound of GTI. This considered, plus the price difference, plus the much more attractive looks of the GTI (the R is too understaded, too similar to regular Golf with R-line optical pack), makes me think the GTI Performance is a better choice. In the price range of Golf R I would have a look at M140i, mostly because of the fantastic and characterful 6-cylinder (where the 4-pot cannot compete).
In my country the cupra 300 is priced 2k£ more than a base GTI with halogen headlights and 17 inch wheels, the cupra has 19 inch wheels, full LED headlights, adaptive suspension and much more standard equipment
Seat and Octavias are cheaper yes but the second hand price is also lower when it's time to sell so i bet that 2k£ you get back with a Golf in the end.
Just washing and drying can do that. If these cars have been in the hands of multiple journalists, I imagine they would've been valeted each time. Dark colours just show it worse in my opinion (especially black).
I would go for the Golf R because it looks more elegant and clean with it's silver details (I don't like red details) than the Golf GTI, although I think both look fabulous. Overall, I think Golf GTD looks more subtle and refined than the Golf GTI. I prefer Golf GTD and Golf R because of their stylish look. And because I live in northern Europe, four wheel drive is a huge advantage. The performance difference is not a big thing for me.
GTI is a great, classic machine, and 90% of the R in the real world. I upgraded mine (a 2015 Autobahn) with Bilstein coilovers and a rear sway bar, and the handling was very well balanced, basically what it should have been from the factory. I enjoyed that car as a daily driver for 4 years with zero problems and saved my pennies, then jumped to a 2019 R. Not regretting it one bit but the GTI was memorable.
They certainly used to make more than claimed, but the reported numbers have been much closer to reality since 2016. And they never made 30hp more than claimed. My GTI made about 10 more hp on a dyno than reported before I started modifying it but I've heard the new GTI's really make pretty close to the 220 hp claimed by VW. (However, a stage 1 tune puts the Mark 7 GTI's to about 300 hp and 370 pounds of torque!!! Crazy how powerful the new engine can be!)
The akra titanium exhaust is not the exhaust that comes with the car, its an addon. Just ordered mine a couple of weeks ago. Couldnt add the akra system though..!
the golf is faster but the golf is better looking so its the golf for me
bear grylls i dont agree, I prefer the golf
Terrible Television people are deluded obviously the golf is a way better car
I agree, but I prefer the Golf than the Golf. It's just better at being a Golf. Though the Golf is still a good Golf. Either way - Golf.
You lot are all wrong, why would you take the golf when you can have the GOLF or the G.O.L.F. In all seriousness though I would have the GOLF.
guys stop fighting, obviously the golf is better than the golf ok
I’ve owned my Mk7.5 R for over 2 years now. And in that time I have driven a Mk7.5 GTI (both cars are DSG). As much as I love the performance on the R, I would prefer to keep the GTI. For everyday use the R is just like any other golf, but you put your foot down and you’re busting speed limits before you know it. I rather have slightly less power and to be able to enjoy it more. Taking around country roads the R really comes into its own when pulling through and out of corners, but the actual handling feels dull and boring. You just get the feeling that it’s doing everything too well and there’s no thrill (for some people this might be exactly what they want). It’s a more than capable car (more capable than my abilities for sure) I just don’t find it an involving drive at all. Having said that, using launch control with family and friends is always a nice little party trick, it always leaves everyone smiling. And it is nice to have that power on tap if you do need it to shoot off the line. If you are looking at a performance golf, I would recommend the GTI for everyday use and something to have a little fun with. I got the R purely to scratch an itch, I know if I had gone for the GTI I would have always wondered “what if..”. If you do decide the R is what you want I would thoroughly recommend trying to find one with adaptive suspension (mine is fixed and it can be exceedingly uncomfortable for everyday use) and the upgraded sound system (this is applicable to any golf). I hope this helps :)
Very very helpful, I always owned the golf 7 gti, then later got a golf 7R, now I driving driving Golf 7.5 GTI and I love it very much, it even looks better than the R
@@realebogatala440 I agreed. The GTI 7.5 is so much nicer
I think the choice between these two is always the R for me. If I wanted something raw and 'involving' I wouldn't choose either of these cars, I'd choose something lighter and less refined.
@@Hankblue like?
@@zxxczczczcz Like maybe Yarris GR, WRX STi, Honda Type R. All lighter and more engaging rides in the same price bracket.
Had the 2015 GTI, enjoyed it immensely. It was in for service and my sales guy offered the R for a test drive while I waited. Needless to say, I now have 2016 R in the driveway. Couldn't be happier - best car I've ever owed. It just puts a smile on my face every time I start the engine. It has all the practicalness of a GTI, but that engine, exhaust and drivetrain puts it over the top.
Great review Matt. Being an owner of both cars, you didn't miss a thing in your comparison.
Just ordered mine, can't wait to pick it up!
Mark Nagy plus you can have lots of fun in the snow 😎
Mark Nagy the gti and r have the same engine, just a different turbo
Del Boca Vista My R is a great daily driver - no issues with stiffness. I didn't get the DSG, but it's not a problem for me, even in Toronto rush hour traffic. Only complaints, no sunroof and not a fan of auto hold feature.
Mark Nagy
A manual R. Nice choice.
I think I'm gonna get the 7.5.
4.2 seconds from the factory, wow. Good review Matt.
Imagine what a bit of Bluefin magic would bring!!
Probably 4.1 knowing their tunes.. ha. Much better tunes out there for these.. Our 7R with Stage 2 does 3.3.
Down Hill
4.6 usually he's on a decline Matt's a liar
0:55 they have more swirl marks than my 5 year old mk6 with 117000 kilometers
I Thought i was the only one who saw that! Really annoying if you buy a new car with a horrible paint finish.Honestly most people would'nt notice.
I suppose this is a testing car for journalists. They do not care about scratches, just go through a car-wash so the car is clean...
Yep, the cars for journalists have a rough life, so it is no wonder the paint looks somewhat abused. The cars get abused on track, in the case of the R someone maybe even thought "let's see what the 4WD can do on an unpaved road" and afterwards the cars just get a quick car wash treatment. I do not think VW will bother to give the cars the full polish/wax treatment before every review.
11000921 Bournville College shall I send them to you
11000921 Bournville College how old are you boy?
I really like this chap's reviews, no bullshit and useful info done quickly without much waffle, and man what a great job you have!
That Golf R is immense. 4.2 seconds to 60... wow. thats nearly supercar quick
VRSWeb If you put a Stage 1 remap on the Golf R then it does in in 3.7 seconds!
VRSWeb Jeep Cherokee can do 3.5
launch control is taking the driver out of the occasion.
a child or grandma can no launch a car as fast as a lifetime real racer.
Luckily manuals have a few more years.
you need to master lauch techniques or get chipped to get manuals to perform close cause manufacturers limit the rams in them.
but it can be done but only with practice and skill.
around a well known track the lighter weight may come in handy
www.caranddriver.com/honda/civic-type-r
but it IS a supercar
I'd rather drive a Golf R than a trackhawk. It's apples to oranges. But one costs more than twice (nearly 3 times) the other.
Hatchback 0-60 in 4.2 wow!
Can't wait to get this
tanafc96 same, in like 20 years
I bought my 7R but the 2.0 TSI was way too slow so i swapped it with a vr6 and boosted it.
The reason for the faster time is that the road is not completely flat
Rs3 does 3.6 seconds for a hatchback!
the rs3 also costs a shit ton
I found the GTI to give a better tingle. Especially when it’s tuned. The wheel spin gives a thrill
I think gti is enough for performance driving and more colorful than R so my choice is GTI
Not in Germany lol
Great choice
also in germany. Love my 7.5 gti
I prefer the GTI over the golf R. ( big fan from South Africa)
I think the Golf R is better looking. Very slight understatement is never a bad thing.
Richard McFarlane- especially for an older driver. At 55 i want performance but not flash. Plus, the gti is more of a cop magnet....
@@davestauffer8672 Either is a cop magnet in red, not as much in blue, much less in gray...
The gti and gtd look more agressive and slightly better imo. But the R looks more like a standard golf. I like that too, kind of like a sleeper
@@SteevK69 My golf r is gray (365 HP) and never been stopped or lost to an AMG :-)
@@richboy900 a wolf in sheep's clothing is always better i know because my R has 365 HP 3.6 0 to 100
Just got a Golf R yesterday 2016, cant wait till its been delivered
Congratulations🎉🎊🥳 Has it been delivered👍
Enjoy man, I'm considering an R look-a-like, either the 1.4 TSi R-Line or the 1.5 EVO
@The Bump Test Guy I now have a 7.5 GTI, 2 door manual, white silver, all stock, 18" Parkers, I love it
How well has your car been. Have you had any engine problems.
Only few people understand why it's important to discuss the difference between the GTI and the R-logo. I really love it
That red lide line in grid and front lights makes the gti a pimp car.
The Golf R is a fantastic road car in any conditions it just grips and goes and can handle anything. Plus the Lapiz blue looks great.
0-60 mph 4.2 seconds? With hot hatch! Crazy! :D
He keeps talking about the things that "stand out", but if you want to stand out you wouldn't be looking at a Golf in the first place. It's a car that's about the exact opposite of standing out. It's understated and unpretentious.
All results and all numbers were astonishing. For both GTI and R. With 65BHPs more it is no surprise that R is much quicker. But as our roads are not racing tracks GTI should suffice.
MrVoayer R is faster because of awd not hp
Are you telling me that GTI would be just as fast if only it had 4WD? Be careful there.
MrVoayer almost, awd will eliminate wheel spinning on the start. but on stage1 gti will be much faster than R on roll.
The AWD system makes up more of the 2 seconds than the 65bhp does. Applying power to the ground and grip is the more important part of the first 100 metres of launch
@@Caymanec you need to compare stock to stock and tuned to tuned.
Golf R is my favorite dream car since I am little boy (R32 MK4)
Cisco Network Designer/Engineer I owned a r32 mk4. Absolutely love it except roads in NY are shit so I keep destroying my rims and my engine light won't go away.
And the VR6 before that. Very nice car to drive.
Same bro
These modern turbo engines really are special. Back in the early noughties you'd need a 911 turbo or a Viper to get a sub 4s 0 to 60. Now a hot hatch can almost do it. Granted the double clutch box is also better than any human could ever be.
my benchmark to this day, the lamborghini diablo VT, is slower to 60 than this golf is. which means i could cross one item from my bucket list if i had one of these.
I like the use of racelogic to check the manufacture figures. More videos should use this.
brightbluesmurf did you see my Alfa Giulia vs M3 vs C63. In that I use it to measure my drift angle!
I just switched from Golf GTI Performance pack to Golf R
GTI much more nimble and better on fuel boot is bigger
R gets the power down very well and is very rapid however steering is heavier and you definitely feel it, its thirsty and you sacrifice mpg
Both are great motors the Gti looks way better
I have a GTI for 2 months good car but and i don't know if i change in the future for a Golf R
I have 2015 GTI Manual with Lighting Package for over 3 years and the car is amazingly fun and with a JB4 ECU tuning, this thing is a little beast! I also own a MK II Audi TTS 2-Seat Convertible with APR Stage I and it's similar to the AWD Golf R performance with huge turbo and Rapid Acceleration with Lightening fast DSG Shifting! The TTS is faster than the GTI and faster than the Golf R, but guess what, I still miss the manual in the light GTI that gives me that smile always!
Golf GTI because Jeremy Clarkson drives it as a daily driver.
Gowtham Oleti LoL😂
Gowtham Oleti seriously ?
Gowtham Oleti hahaha hell yeah! You won comment of the day for me
agreed
I'll become obese and smoke 40 cigarettes a day if we're using that logic
I absolutely love the exterior and the interior of the Golf R, simple but pretty
Putting the R engine/4WD with the GTI exterior/interior would make the perfect car. I hope they give the R more colourful details in 2020. The silver details are almost unnoticeable! RED details for the GTI, and maybe YELLOW for the R.
Don't know what it is about the Golf R but I love it so much. Saw one this morning when I returned from work, and it truly is a gorgeous car. Sounded quite nice too.
Golf R 7.5 is the nuts. GTI more of an involving drive though.
FloatingPoolTurdMachineTithers Nope, with the performance pack's VAQ differential you'd get more understeer in the Golf R.
errrgh so confusing!! need a Versus Vid to show us diff instead of dueling comments!! So far I get that the R is heavier, but shoots out of corners beautifully while the GTI corners so nicely. Have also read that the GTI will go no where in dampness and /or leaves cuz of FWD but that even when juiced up with a tune, the differential will make steering no problem...sad that I will have to do without a moonroof in an R, maybe I should just tune a GTI i don't think I really want all those bells and whistles anyway...does the GTI have the 4 Motion option? I think in the end, if I see a few more giant grins on faces like this guy, that will have to tell the story...
surprised you didn't include an easter egg, you know, since it is easter........
It's only my UK full in-depth reviews which have the Easter eggs. However, tomorrow I will upload a special Easter Egg video!
Yay:)
MatWatsonCars seem the Golf R you were driving has the ""Golf R Performance Pack - upgrade to brakes, cup tyres, limiter removed and lighter exhaust system". My question - is this upgrade pack for the Golf R now available in the U.K.? Last heard its not available in the U.K. Cheers
Absolutely love my R. Brutal and practical.
Your second pronunciation of Akrapovic was correct, nice video. I think generally spec the extra for a R is worth it but at the end of the day it comes down to "wants" rather than "needs" and I want both cars but I want the R that bit more...
Matt, u are one of the rare UK guys who can properly pronounce Akrapovič. Well done mate.
The correct version is the second one @4:26
Greetings from Slovenia, where it is made.
Aljaz Trdina if I buy a car made in Slovinya, will I get a hooker with it?
i have a 2017 gti autobahn edition and I love it -- but I must say, that digital dash and new infotainment system looks LEGIT in this new 2018, however!
Another great Review Matt, I need to get my hands on a.... Golf
Was a little hesitant between the GTI or the R... knew Matt would give an honest opinion when comparing both. Gotta start saving up for a Golf R... next year🙏🏻♥️
The Golf R is basically marketed to the older consumer who has a bit more money in their pockets, isn't a boy racer, and doesn't want to scare the in-laws. Meaning, the subdued look of the Golf R compared to the GTI seems to be intentional in my opinion. If I were to choose, I would definitely go for the more mature looks and 4WD drive system on the R.
Jose Lora The R is faster
Why you acting like nobody races in R, sound so biased against GTI just for the extra hp and AWD drivetrain, thats crazy. It ain’t a boy racer car
Love the coloured theme on the GTI, GTD and GTE
Good to see Stacey's uncle Bryn is doing well for himself at carwow
Yet another great review. Thank you. Your content and presentation/review style is some of the best on UA-cam. Keep up the good work.
Loved your review . I own the 2015 GTI S PP in 6 speed manual and love it . Over here in the USA the difference in price for an R is about $10k , worse gas mileage, higher repair bills and higher insurance. If I am spending R money you mightiest well jump to the Audi. I get 32 mpg in my GTI ave 80mph, 2 years 40k plus miles no major issues great car. The R might be better at the track or if you live in a snowy area , but if all you want is a little more speed you can flash your GTI for 500-$700 and have as much power as the R. I don't think that is needed as the plan GTI S PP in Manuel is a really fun and practical car.
4:22, latter one is correct, I'm from Slovenia where Akrapovič is from
mate, you do great reviews in a very entertaining manner. I am not even the biggest car fan, checked a few for reassurance for some of the cars I am considering but two hours later going from link to link I find myself here in the hot hatches. Keep up the good work :)
I have 2016 Golf GTD and I love the fuel consumption in it. I normally drive calm and in my city on average I have 6.8-7 l/100km. While on a morning sunday Or at night when the city is empty I get a 5.8-6 l/100km which is insane for such a nice car. (Haven’t driven outside of the city yet). I know it is slower then GTi a bit, but you do win in fuel consumption. + it is a high performance golf :), and it looks good. Also it you want good fuel consumption, you can get a GTE electric version of golf, which is about as fast as GTD (maybe a bit faster due to electric motor) but it is a plug-in hybrid. And again it looks like GTi or R
All about the sound
I got my first car this year, 2004 Golf 5 2.0 TDI 140hp and I love it, I would enjoy owning those new Golfs but they cost more than my apartment d:'(
My first car also was a 2004 Golf V 2.0 TDI 140 :D
It ran 240000km then we sold it for a new car
So why don't you finance it? You could lease them.
This... nobody buys them outright, they're all leased.
How you getting 2 litres as your first car? Insurance must be mental, I’ve had to get a 1.2 golf because of insurance cost
I had a 2007 Volvo XC70 D4
Hey Matt, quiet cool too know that we both tested the exact same car.. This GTI with that number plate is the one VW gave me a few months later..
Great video! Thought I would add that the Mk 7.5 GTI Performance isn't a pack it's it's own model.
At 5:30 the R has a manual gearbox, yet tested later in the video has a DSG. Nice...
I'd buy the GTI. How come speed limit is blurry during the tests? Were you driving too quickly for that road? 😁
Carwow is the best car blog by a mile. Great review.
I want the GTI 😍
1: Get golf GTI-P
2: Go to any performance tuner
3: Pay 500 Euro
4: Get new software
5: Get new power from 240bhp to 300 bhp and vrom 350 nM to 440nM (Exactly as an Golf R)
6: Slap some golf R if you so wish(optional)
7: Save around 8.000 Euro or more.
better off just getting the golf r than tuning the gti at least the car will still be in warranty
km/h is for normal people just saying
john gki agreed!
ok
john gki Ok, Mr. superhuman thing.
i am normal too :)
john gki Oh sorry i thought you were trying to insult who use kmh as i just started watching the video my bad 😅
youre the coolest guy reviewing cars ever in my opinion! best channel for cars!
Both beautiful, exceptionally well engineered cars but it's the GTi heritage for me, all the way! Tyres, brakes and pipes can all be changed.
I think the gold R is undoubtedly the better car, but I feel like it doesn’t have as much of a market. The gti is clear where it stands. A sporty hot hatch that’s a good daily driver. The R is a fair chunk more expensive, and a fair chunk more sporty, but that puts it in the same firing line as your AMG’s / AUDI RS’s etc. And I really don’t think the R can compete with them, it seems to be an middle tier between the sports and the race sports. Don’t think it really has much of a market
Very good - and interesting - video. Many thanks Mat. But it's the same old thing - "why not get the real thing!" There was no talk of price or money, so it's a no brainer - get the real thing. It's like the Tiguan versus Ateca or Kodiaq question. If money is not mentioned, get the real thing. Spec it up to the max and get an R. Or, spec it up to the max and get a Tiguan! Like all things, "the devil's in the detail", the more expensive, better, top of the range cars, have all the nice little mini details, that you will appreciate; and nothing's been left out. Cheers.
Are you calling the Tig" the real thing"? I like mine as a great compromise car, but just ache for an 'R' or definitely tuned GTI with autobahn and PP of course.
proper review with numbers and demos to back it up unlike most other boring subjective reviewers. well done Matt once again on par with Chris Harris as the best car reviewer of the Internet age ĺ
The Golf R is such a beautiful, sporty, nicely made, and just awesome car. Although the GTi isnt bad either.
7.5 R, best car I ever owned. Can’t rate it highly enough.
GTI Performance it is. No doubt.
Trouble with the R is it feels like a slightly blunt instrument compared to the GTI. Get the GTI with Performance Pack, wind up the suspension to stiffest mode, add Revo map, enjoy 💥
Second pronunciation (of Akrapovič) is the right one.
Urban Lampret it isn't , the first is the right way too say it (slovenian)
FLIP O MATIC O clovek a ti reces akrapóvic namest akrápovic
Prva izgovorjava je cist znacilno angleska s tem, da on je se lepo reku č, kr ponavad recejo akrapouik. Pa tut kukr je Blaz reku, preglas je nad drugim a-jem in ne nad o-jem... kukr js vem.
i thought it was akraaaapovich :)
you're so damn wrong.
If you live in a cold and rainy country or, worse, if you intend to use your car on wet tracks, there’s no hesitation: Golf R.
I drove to and all over Lapland (-> extreme North of Sweden first and back trip through Norway, from Tromsø)... January-February on my (expensive) high perf winter tyres and I think it was the best road trip I ever did. Never has the car been treacherous or unreadable. The car was still standard 300hp and 50.000km, and I had been driving a LOT on snow before (with my Golf R and all my previous private cars), but I’m sure any car enthusiast would say the same, it’s very fast, very efficient and as soon as you understand how the Haldex works on slippery surface (even pure ice), it is as fun as a car can be, driving sideways all the time if you like it.
BUT
HUGE BUT:
The most important parts of the car are not reliable: hydraulic of the Haldex broken (quote) before 70.000km. Turbo broken around 75.000km (if I can remember it well). Warranty expired. Haldex broken AGAIN at 110.000km. So. Buy the car and, if you are really crazy as I am of the way it drives when not ‘broken’: put 15.000 euros on the side. Around 4.000 for the Haldex and 11.000 (!) to open the engine, change all the parts who ‘could’ have been damaged, (almost all moving parts, since it was open...) and find a much better Turbo, on ball bearings (I chose one juste 25% more expensive than the stock crap turbo). De-activate the start-stop by default and enjoy a remap and 400hp. The DSG is limited to 380Nm but can handle a lot more.
The car was 4.9s 0-100km/h and around 263 max speed (it should have been limited to 250 but wasn’t!). Now it’s ‘around 4.0s and I couldn’t find a safe and empty enough German highway to test max speed (and nobody cares - what’s impressive is the butt-kick you still get at 200-220km/h. max speed over 250 is useless on any car)
And if you enjoy the Italian Alps in the winter, you will understand what ‘rocket-fast’ means in the first hairpin.
Enjoy, and I hope they did change the ‘weak links’ : turbo and Haldex
BTW, if Seat does the same engine-dsg-Haldex... go for it, must be cheaper.
Now, my Golf is almost 6 years old. I bought a confortable relax slow family car and will keep the R for “happy days”
And I still have a powerful motorbike for the rare moments when my body says “you feel good this morning’...
Drive safely. Speed is not the main point. Speed building is.
The R is faster but the GTI looks better in every way.
RMGeneral moron
Get a GTI and a $500 tune and it's just as good
Tidwell proper isn’t though
Gti are more fun if you have money you tune the gti and smash the golf R
@@JustinAbroad one word. Wheelspin.
Insider tip, get the estate R it handles better than the normal one.
Love the way he get so happy with the speed, that feeling
The R32(R) was originally designed to he more subtle in design. It was also head and shoulders above the GTI in performance and luxury. Not so much nowadays, but that is generally the case in most things you buy these days. IMO
Golf R just rules all haha! Love the Rs wheels alot they make the car for me along with those exhaust tips. Imo of course.
Option c) - get a Seat Leon Cupra 300 (basically a debaged GTI with way more power). You get Golf R performance, optional Cup 2 tyers, front Dif as standard, brembo breaks and you pay less than for either of these. And if you still fancy AWD - the estate version ( "ST") has got you covered as well.
And a shit interior
Not sure why every review compares the R to the GTI. They always compare the most expensive possible GTI spec and compare with the most inexpensive R spec and say "its just a few thousand dollars more". In the US you can pick up a GTI for around 20k new whilst the R is nearly double the price.
Yeap I bought my 2017 gti in December for 23500 (base). To me it wasn't 10k more it's almost 20k at least!! I could buy my wife a used Accord with that money
That $20k gti is also going to have way fewer options. If you want a GTI with similar options as the base golf R, you are looking at ~$37k msrp...$32k after incentives that the R won't get. But, it makes a lot more sense to compare similarly equipped cars when it comes to their price.
My MK6 United Grey GTI has been very good to me. these cars have history. unlike almost all the other 4 cylinder turbos out there.
I haven´t driven the facelifted versions. But when I drove the pre-FL Golf R, it somehow didn´t feel that more powerful compared to GTI Performance than the specs suggested, I wouldn´t say there was 70 hp difference. So in my opinion the dynamic difference in acceleration is made more by the 4WD than the more powerful engine. I guess a GTI Performance with added 4WD would be very close to an R. Oh and one more thing: the artificial sound of R was a bit annoying, I prefer the more natural sound of GTI.
This considered, plus the price difference, plus the much more attractive looks of the GTI (the R is too understaded, too similar to regular Golf with R-line optical pack), makes me think the GTI Performance is a better choice. In the price range of Golf R I would have a look at M140i, mostly because of the fantastic and characterful 6-cylinder (where the 4-pot cannot compete).
if you add 4wd to the gti you add 100kg of weight
That's simply unbelievably quick.
The R accelerates as fast as a Corvette C7 and faster than a current Camaro SS with a 6L engine!
In my country the cupra 300 is priced 2k£ more than a base GTI with halogen headlights and 17 inch wheels, the cupra has 19 inch wheels, full LED headlights, adaptive suspension and much more standard equipment
Julian J
In my country the CUPRA and R is not even offered... Only the FR and GTI
yOUdONTkNOW what is your country
Mrdjan Jozic israel
Mrdjan Jozic
Denmark btw I was wrong the CUPRA is offered just recently but the R is still not offered
Seat and Octavias are cheaper yes but the second hand price is also lower when it's time to sell so i bet that 2k£ you get back with a Golf in the end.
Where was the drag race?
The Golf R at the beginning was manual gear, later at 8:49 it is an automatic gear 🙃!!!
GoldenHeart Boy 4:09. Paddle shifters
TheSovietHotDog he had a manual one earlier then paddles later been with both noticed it right away
What a fun and informative comparison! Lots of great info. Thanks!
The swirl marks on the paint... *cringes*
Stephan Dolby how are they caused?
Just washing and drying can do that. If these cars have been in the hands of multiple journalists, I imagine they would've been valeted each time. Dark colours just show it worse in my opinion (especially black).
Stephan Dolby OMG, there's people using their cars, some even drive them so the brakes will look used.
Sirion Yeah, I'm sure people wash their cars that often, too.
I would go for the Golf R because it looks more elegant and clean with it's silver details (I don't like red details) than the Golf GTI, although I think both look fabulous. Overall, I think Golf GTD looks more subtle and refined than the Golf GTI. I prefer Golf GTD and Golf R because of their stylish look. And because I live in northern Europe, four wheel drive is a huge advantage. The performance difference is not a big thing for me.
Loved my TDI, definitely thinking about upgrading to a GTI or R, love the R in that blue 😍
GTI is a great, classic machine, and 90% of the R in the real world. I upgraded mine (a 2015 Autobahn) with Bilstein coilovers and a rear sway bar, and the handling was very well balanced, basically what it should have been from the factory. I enjoyed that car as a daily driver for 4 years with zero problems and saved my pennies, then jumped to a 2019 R. Not regretting it one bit but the GTI was memorable.
Same here. I have a mk6 gt tdi with stage 1 remap and its a good laugh but really fancy a GTi now
I think I'd go with the GTI. .....so nice.
Awesome review. 0-60 = 4.2!! DAMN that is hot !
Love the review!
TransHerring that's why there called hot hatchbacks lol
LOL, I didn't even think of that when I posted.
Porsche should make a Golf R type car for there line up
GTI my winner. R just too over the top, plus worse boot for 4WD to fit. Plus duller interior too.
Dang! I love the sound of that exhaust!
Impressive performance from both of them!
Bet they make at least 30hp more than claimed
Who cares isn't a tune in order on both of them anyway?
They certainly used to make more than claimed, but the reported numbers have been much closer to reality since 2016. And they never made 30hp more than claimed. My GTI made about 10 more hp on a dyno than reported before I started modifying it but I've heard the new GTI's really make pretty close to the 220 hp claimed by VW. (However, a stage 1 tune puts the Mark 7 GTI's to about 300 hp and 370 pounds of torque!!! Crazy how powerful the new engine can be!)
Blown away by those 0-60 times
I am just not a big fan of the wheels on the gti
They're ugly as f....
I LOVE the wheels on the R
I agree. I have a US mk7 with the Austin wheels which I like better.
Pretty sure you can choose different wheels
Jiaen Lu that’s why i scuffed the wheels of my new gti 2 weeks after getting the car. fuck em
He is so much better than the 3 new blokes on Top Gear, should of hired him!
do a focus RS vs a focus st 😄
ant civic type r
All of these are gay
Daniel ivanov you're gay
I am pretty sure you're just a butthurt prius driver
Εκτορας Γκικοπουλος both of those cars are gay rice rockets
Daniel ivanov nope
In Canada the Golf R is over $12k more than the Golf GTI Rabbit (with taxes and interest). Way, waaay over-priced.
Where i live its $33k difference
@@sadasdasddsadas5042 What?! In what currency?
0-60mph or 0-62mph?
The new exhaust on the R is quite nice. My R is jealous.
The akra titanium exhaust is not the exhaust that comes with the car, its an addon. Just ordered mine a couple of weeks ago. Couldnt add the akra system though..!
VW should give the GTi the 300bhp and give the R the same power as the RS3
Rs3 is a 5 cyl... Different cars
The GTI doesnt have a happy smile. It has an evil grin...
I just test drove a 2018 R, I think it's gonna be my next car! It's power seemed so usable on the street compared to my 5.0 Mustang GT.
Awesome review. Happy VW decided to give the Golf R some fire power with the Cup2 tires. CTR and Focus RS beware.
RSX250 thanks
Very enjoyable to watch. No time wasted, it's all about the driving. Thanks
the R is almost as fast as a 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo
Top end no. Just off the start