4:28 "I take my Japanese car seriously" *shows a pic of a Korean car (Hyundai)* *shows a pic of Seoul, South Korea* *shows a clip of the Chinese movie "China Salesman"* These little things are why I love this channel so much.
I think SG's success has been found by producing the most technical reviews about the stuff enthusiasts care about. When shopping for a performance car, there's real value in watching the SG videos for the models you're shopping. Really want to see their take on the Audi RS3!
I've followed SG pretty much since inception and absolutely love the material. Adding Jack was brilliant and he's really turned into a fantastic presence. This car is my dream car and I'll never be able to afford it. I bought a used 50th Anniversary Edition WRX 2 years ago and the dealer had a brand new Golf R for $40k. I should have bought it and financed it forever. My WRX is OK...but it's not the Golf.
Golf R owner here. You can add the traction control settings in the upper menu. Just slide down from the top of the screen and hold your finger on one of the apps. You'll be able to swap all the options with different ones, including TC . Also, the noise isn't fake. VW uses Soundaktor for the R, which is a sort of resonator that sends real engine noise through the windshield into the cabin.
Best, most fair and balanced review to date on the new R. Well done, guys! - Unlike the mainstream and enthusiast wannabes on RUclips, SG didn’t dwell on the infotainment but instead dispensed more complete, honest feedback that provides layers of enthusiast-minded facts (ie in the garage tech talk with OEM slides). This is the channel I come to get informed, not just entertained.
Unfortunately, the infotainment is going to get a lot more use than the performance capability, even for enthusiasts. This is the Golf is first and foremost a commuter car, the R is still that, just the best version of it.
@@rightwingsafetysquad9872 Was going to say the same. I can't imagine myself living with those shonky touch controls on a daily. I hope the sales are terrible so they rectify this situation in the .5
It appears they will never learn. All VW had to do was research "touch-sensitive controls in cars" on Google for about 5 min and they would have realized it was a bad idea. But VW makes many truly bone-headed decisions, so not too surprised.
They don’t care - manufacturers create demand they don’t follow it. At least when it comes to saving money; they don’t create demand for cool stuff like station wagons or 2-door cars.
@@brianb7844 I use the volume knob every now and then on my MK7. I normally use the steering wheel controls, but I also like a physical button to push on my steering wheel, which the MK8 doesn't have. That's a big no for me. On top of that, its not just the volume control knob. Its the entire climate control system, and all the other tech stuff, that also doesn't have a physical button. Its a very bad design and I can see people trading them in once they get annoyed enough to not want to own the car anymore.
Probably due to the engine still making power right up to redline. Sadly it seems a lot of these newer small displacement high power turbo engines are tuned this way from the factory. The result is the rev limiter crash. Probably could do with another 500-800rpm.
I think how the car feels on the road is more important than how it feels on the track, most people will be putsing around 95% of time with the occasional pull merging on the highway.
@@fikes73 In the midwest, there are no canyons, only on-ramps. I love small sports cars but I totally get why people in the midwest just plod along in SUVs and pick up trucks.
You don't want the car to disappoint you in that 5% though, because that is really annoying. A Renault Megane RS or Civic Type R can still handle the shopping runs and commuting just fine, but when you do make a detour to your favourite mountain road they are proper lively, exciting and fun! :)
these guys have been my favorite reviewers for years and i trust their reviews unlike other people. I have a mk7 R and will probably get into mk8 R if they change out the infotainment and get back into physical buttons for normal stuff like music adj and heater etc. #1 reason why i hate teslas is that everything is done through touch and not actual buttons. good review guys!!
These guys aren't afraid to tell the truth. Too many other reviewers tend to focus on being entertaining, which is fun to watch but not terribly helpful.
@@bbartlow0307 or they sell out to the manufacturer/brand and lie about how great things are. doug demouro has lost me a long time ago with his delivery, too annoying
Sounds like I'll keep my 7.5 until 8.5, at least. VW has gotten good interiors for too long to let that experience stand, every outlet has dogged it. I expect a big revision with 8.5.
@Rdubb That is quite naive to expect them to make significant overhaul of dashboard for .5 version. Do you have evidence of VW doing it ever before? They might come up with 9.0 generation a 1 or 2 years earlier though. But will it be ICE car at all?
@@XX-gg3mx No evidence, just my gut feel. Golf is the dominant model for VAG in Europe, they would be crazy to let that stand for long. They don't need to do that much, just add a row of buttons below the screen for Climate control and a TC button stashed somewhere and get rid of the capacitance buttons on the wheel. the screens by and large can stay. Automakers have done small refinements on subsequent years before for glaring issues. This is even worse for a selling/marketing point of view because it is something the consumer sees right off them, it's almost worse for sales than like a faulty engine component issue.
Golf R is a beast of a machine from a performance perspective, especially with the DSG. It is nice of VW to finally add must-have features like a HUD and ventilated seats. However, their decision to implement this infotainment/touch control system baffles me. Basically, it makes the car a complete no-go.
Judging a competent sporty car on its infotainment system is what baffles me, to be honest, it’s like judging a whole house on its sink, really don’t get it
@@geronimooo260 bad analogy. When the Infotainment is how you access EVERYTHING, it is literally the interface to the entire car other than the steering and pedals. It's a fundamental part of interacting with the vehicle and for a daily driver it is vital to be usable. But the MK8 is not.
@@LordHolley People get hung up on the infotainment. Are you pressing and changing things constantly when driving cause i don't. If someone is constantly fiddling with settings and "playing" with the infotainment then their focus is not on the road, simple as. It isn't a deal breaker at all, folks just love to nitpick and complain.
@@geronimooo260 Reread what you just wrote, and think about it lol. You're going to realize how dumb you are haha The interior of a car is where someone spends 99.9% of the time in, and every single time you get inside your interior, you are adjusting your infotainment, climate control, and all the other stuff. Do you spend 99.9% of your time at the sink in your house? If you aren't smart enough to answer this question, the answer is NO. That had to have been the worst comparison of anything I have heard all year long...
Always have to appreciate when a car reviewer describes rear end control in terms of toe angle. Best and most informative car review channel out there, no questions asked.
*tags Subaru *attaches “how to tune a factory street car” power point *clicks send This thing looks awesome. Really well executed and maintains all practicality .
Canadian viewer. Another superb review. I work off two 24 inch screens at work, all day, I have a tablet, laptop and iPhone. I guess I am old school, I just do not feel the need to look at a digital dash, with a touch screen, when I want to go for a drive. I am on my third VW, and in market for a new car. The Mark 8 GTI and R seem like good propositions but I can not seem to get over the horrible dash, which looks to me, as an after thought. Bring back the knobs....at least.
The “snow tires” installed on this car are Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter performance tires. They provide great traction and handling on cold/dry pavement.
You forgot to add "for a winter tire". These aren't a performance replacement tire for even what good performance all-seasons can do, let alone proper summer tires.
I've really enjoyed SG reviews over the past two years for me, as an auto mechanic and auto enthusiast I enjoy the effort in talking about the technical (hardware and software) of vehicles. Shows work has been put into these reviews and adds value in my opinion. On a side note don't have to worry about the shift linkage if you get the best option and thats the DSG, I've been a purest forever and driven stick my entire life, bought a GTI with a DSG last year and will never go back. Keep up the good work guys.
I love it. Performance increases across the board, not a huge price increase compared to the previous gen, manual transmission still available. Someone call Subaru and tell them this is how you properly conduct a redesign.
At least, an exterior redesign. Have you seen the Outback interior? Only thing VW has on the newer Subaru interiors is the steering wheel. And potentially the seats; Subaru seats seem to be very "love it or hate it" regarding seating comfort
@@LawrenceTimme To make things worse, they've been drinking Toyota's kool-aid the last couple refresh cycles. "Let's make this rally car reliable by utilizing Toyota's approach. Nobody will mind all the extra weight, plastic cladding, unimproved power and CVT when we have daddy Toyota to tell us how good our SYMMETRICAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE(tm) is!"
Folks are missing the big picture. This new R is a quantum leap ahead of the GTI and old Rs. I've driven the 7.5 a lot. This torque vectoring and suspension updates has made it far far faster in corners and rotatable. It's like the Focus RS, but much better built, refined, riding and looking. Few cars, even 6 figures ones will keep pace in mountain roads. Most will get you wrapped around a tree.
I've been waiting for their review. Wish the track portion wasn't delayed til Spring. That said, as a daily-driver of a bolt-on modified Mk7 GTI, this is the car I've been waiting on. Given the platforms accessibility to tuners and the large forum presence, I expect the support to be there to fine tune this car. Can't say enough about the honest review you get here. Echoing what others have already said, you do a phenomenal job with your reviews.
@@bbartlow0307 no prob! I think I went with 034 Motorsports and APR respectively. Changing gears now makes a nice 'k-snik' feeling when the desired gear is engaged
@@smiddysmidton8313 generally yes, but no NVH worries for this specific mod. The stock rubber shifter bushings were a little more forgiving in how accurate your shifter throws need to be but aren't responsible for isolating much/any vibration. Replacing a plastic shift cable bracket with billet stainless one theoretically could transfer more vibration through the cable to the shift knob, but it's imperceptible. On the other hand, stiffer drivetrain mounts make a hilarious difference in NVH because those directly connect the greatest source of vibration (engine, transmission) to the car chassis. The NVH difference going from stock to high durometer ("stage 2") polyurethane engine and transmission mounts in my Mk7 was kind of insane. 30k miles later now, I'm switching to "OEM+" rubber mounts to somewhat regain my sanity. I had my fun lol
Wow i've been watching the more popular channels like "Throttle House" etc. But This channel is wozers, very informed and honest while providing the manufactures perspective and reasons. And still entertaining. Bravo for literally taking the car to the streets, sheesh.
I love my 2016 Golf R, and would love to get another Golf R in the future, but that lack of buttons in favor of the haptic crap really would make me go elsewhere. Even if they made a different steering wheel with buttons, that would be enough for me as I rarely touch the center stack in my car. Who in their right mind thought haptic buttons on a steering wheel would be a good idea?!
@@morstyrannis1951 you say that if they are the only company to do that.. do you have any idea how common it is? VW is at the top right now, of course they will get some heat for it. A lot of other automakers do this, we only know the ones that have been caught so far
You could swap in a Mk7 steering wheel (which has a nicer, flatter bottom on the rim, has buttons, looks really nice), you could swap an Audi steering wheel or you can swap in another Mk8 steering wheel. The Mk8 Golf has real buttons, you can also swap parts of the steering wheel onto the Mk8 R wheel, but you won’t have the R button
Love your reviews - the consistent use of humor and sarcasm (Lite!) always make the deeply technical reviews enjoyable. I do have some comments referring to the infotainment aspect of the car. I actually own a 2022 manual Golf R - and, yes, it is a superb vehicle! However, I have to say I don’t understand the negative nonsense about the infotainment system in the car. For me, it is incredibly intuitive and very easy to use and every touch point on the steering wheel is where VW have had them for years. The slide controls work fine and after a short initial learning period I actually love them - VW engineers are not stupid and this is a step up - not, in my opinion, a step back! Incidentally, I am 66, and have owned every generation of the GTI, so even at my age I have to say the perceptions are not accurate!
The interior of this is quite literally the only reason I didn't wait & get this car. I would simply not enjoy being on the inside because of all of the little annoying things you've mentioned. Got a '21 Mazda3 Turbo, very happy.
Those do look like a good option, I just can't push myself to go auto yet. I feel like we are on the brink of never having a manual transmission offering again, so it seems necessary to take it while it's still there.
Mazda seems like a great choice! I want a "driver's car" but without losing reliability and safety, or spending an armleg. The only thing is only VW seems to be sticking with this archetypal hot hatch shape I crave.
I too bought a 2021 Mazda 3 turbo premium plus and I can’t recommend it more. Even more surprised everyone wants a Civic SI over the M3 turbo. I don’t understand the US market I guess
I used to own a 2015 VW Golf R with the DSG and DCC. Great killer shoe box. 😁 I sold it to Carvana because it had close to 100K miles and and started to have electrical gremlins. I do miss the power and the handling. Love tossing it around on mountain roads.
One thing to note. The MK8 GTI and R look much better in person than on video or photos. Personally, I like every angle except the rear. I like the rear of the MK7.5 better. Interior? Subjective, but I prefer the 7.5 interior. I realize EVERTHING is going digital these days, but for some of us out there that just like a simple mechanical gauge cluster, and buttons, dials, simple like that in the MK7.5 GTI S. When I had my 7.5 GTI S in at the dealer for service last week, I saw the new 8 GTI in the lot. It was an Autobahn version and the MSRP was $38,700 on the sticker. With tax and fees we are looking at $41k for a GTI. I paid $26k for my MK7.5 S. Do I see a $12k better car?? Again Subjective. It comes down to what you can afford. For people like myself that want something fun and practical to drive without breaking the bank, the new car is almost getting out of reach.
I fell in love with VWs for their 2dr GTIs, Diesels, AWD station wagons. The Golf just isn’t for me anymore. That’s a good thing though, moving on is natural in life. The Mk7 is peak VW Golf in my eyes.
It looks like an improvement over the MK7 in terms of driving dynamics, I think they will fix the lackluster cabin in 7.5. Honda made the same mistake of removing the volume knob and what not, then put it back in the revision.
@@s3er0i9ngthe interior is an issue but not *the* issue for me. VW has always been known for offering cars for people who want something a little different, dating back to when they advertised ugly and slow as a selling point for the Beetle. The quality of materials has decreased on the Golfs since the Mk5; the 7 was a decline from the 6 but made up for that by offering most of the previously forbidden European options for the first time to the US. The 7.5 got less content still (ex: removal of lights & sound deadening) . Eventually, though, there is a tipping point. I do appreciate that the Golf R gets a sunroof again and a radical change to the AWD system.
@@JoJoJoker The sound deadening seems to be better in the MK8 according to this review. Over all the car seems nicer. I really hope they fixed the issues with the sunroof though. I just wish they left some basic buttons that are used a lot like the volume and climate stuff. Other then that the car does have some cool tech upgrades.
@@s3er0i9ngoh I meant like felt in the glovebox & doors, the pad under the hood…stuff like that. That pad is still gone from the Mk8 along with the gas struts. The Mk7 do with being even louder in my opinion.
Long time viewer and commenter here. I’ve always appreciated the extra effort you all put into your production, but today was the first time I decided to sling your vids onto my living room television. Wow! The image quality is outstanding. It looks better than many big budget shows with dedicated camera crews. Bravo.
I love this gen Golf, especially since NA is the only market to get the 6MT. Kudos for you to not give VW a pass on the terrible infotainment system which is a deal breaker for me. In the olden days you could swap out the double DIN head unit with an aftermarket one but not with these modern cars with non standard HU that can't be easily replaced.
As a perspective buying of this, the type R or whatever else I can find. This review was by far the most informative about what I care about. The other 3 I watched has a little bit of what I wanted to see. But this one has absolutely all of it. Great job the format is perfect. I knew it was good but until I was actually interested in a buying a car I didn't realize how much sense it made.
I am in the market for something to replace my aging 2006 Cooper S, and the Golf R (with a manual trans) is at the top of my list. Unfortunately, I think the lack of physical controls in the center stack will be a deal breaker for me. Who in the world wants to deal with a laggy touch screen to adjust the climate control? I don't have to take my eyes off the road to adjust the HVAC or radio on a vehicle with physical controls. Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but I don't care for having a screen as an instrument cluster, either. I could live with the instrument 'screen' a lot more easily than I can deal with the lack of physical controls though.
Get the previous gen. I love my 16 R ;) I hate screens too and mine is essentially black 100% of the time thanks to bluetooth audio having a black backround with white letters for audio. No blaring light at night and the old one still has physical controls for everything you use on a daily basis.
@@AKJeeper I have ordered an R through my VW Dealer - I'll judge 100% when I drive it! Would agree that you can't master from a first drive; so, I will see what time does to my opinion!
The best auto-review site on the internet. it's not even close. Then there are the rest... I may not always agree with the subjective stuff, but you have integrity, and do not come off as shills for the manufacturers. And I should also mention the production values, awesome!
I just can’t get past the interior in the mk8. The lack of physical controls just drives me insane. The one thing the previous Golf and had Audis going for it is the modern yet contemporary interior from an ergonomic perspective.
As someone in the market and wanting a Mk8 R, I’m so glad there will be availability because everyone prefers the buttons to the 8’s screen. Great job VW and as always, thanks SG for the review. Lemons < Lemonade.
Actually, nobody ever asked for haptic controls, so the button in the 8" is just a state. I think most of us wish they'd all come back. At least I've never met anyone that said there were too many or that they didn't like them.
When you guys lifted the trunk did it have trouble opening all the way up do to the spoiler weight? Throttle House had noticed that between the GTI and the R, the R couldn't open the hatch properly without help
I drive a 7.5 GTI manual and absolutely love it! With regards to the infotainment system, I believe it is not such a big issue as everyone makes it to be. Once you enter your desirable settings, you rarely go into the system at all. I have my wireless apple car play and only change the volume and the temperature on a daily basis. The volume could be adjusted on the steering wheel and the temp control should be a shortcut. The pluses of the new interior: heated wheel, ventilated seats, more settings on the gauge cluster. The back seat gets temp control, which I don't have now. Plus, there are 4 USB C, as opposed to the one I currently have. Overall, I think the pros of the interior outweigh the cons. It's a matter of time till I get mark 8 R manual. Luckily, my GTI performs great meantime.
I have been waiting for this car for so long, and it's beyond my expectations in so many ways. That said, the significant miscalculation on the execution of the infotainment system is meaningful enough to prevent me from buying this car, which I am truly disappointed about.
I had a mk7.5 for a while. it was very competent, well built (better than my BMW), and quick. But it completely lacked personality even with 6mt. Good to hear this one is better but... that infotainment. It's not even a gripe, it's just unsafe. IAmRoadsmart did a study with these sorts of interfaces in partnership with the National Institute for Highway Safety and found these interfaces to be worse for your reaction time than being at 0.08. It's a bad idea to build interiors like this. It needs to stop.
Yeah “too well-rounded” is my only real criticism of the Mk7. My Mk6 had a more natural playful feel to it while my Mk7 has a more engineered playful feel to it. It’s as capable as I need on the streets but I’d like some drama. In VW’s defense, they did make the Clubsport for that.
agreed, this should be illegal. important controls should never be infotainment only. there are too many people who will have their eyes less on the road
I worked at a driving lab in university (12-ish years ago) and we published numerous papers warning against touchscreens. Drivers got into more crashes, made more mistakes and saw fewer obstacles than those that were both drunk and high at the same time! The statistics are terrifying and I'm shocked that we keep going further down the rabbit hole.
Love the video! How could you guys never really review a Mercedes Benz GLA45 AMG? I really want to hear your opinion about this car. Thank you and keep up the wonderful work!
Also: I think saying something like the Mazda three and the civic hatch have just as upscale interior is kind of damning; that used to be one of the things Vw did really well, making you feel like you had a much nicer interior space to occupy than your average car in the segment. They felt like budget Audis. I’m glad they lessened the amount of glossy dark material, because I couldn’t stand how dirty and scratched it got on my mk VII, but it comes at the expense of a lot of bad design choices elsewhere.
I agree. On the previous generations a big selling point over the competitors was that you got a hassle free, logical, upscale feeling interior. Now thats just gone. There's a great video on youtube comparing the interior quality of the MK 7.5 and MK8 and the difference is astounding. And i know Jack said that it has a characterful motor, but to me it sounds like every other 4 cyl DI turbo... The VR6 powered R32, now that was a characterful motor!
I'm driving a mk7.5 R and at this point even with all the great reviews, hp and handling upgrades I have no urge to replace my current R for the mk8 R. The infotainment is a not something I look forward to.
Mine arrives in February after an 8 month wait, I’m very excited. The infotainment doesn’t really bother me as I don’t change a lot of settings as I commuting into work, radio volume and that’s about it.
We’re some 47 years into the GTi and almost a decade into the R, how has VW not perfected the long throws and sloppiness of the manual gear shift? This should be a fun car to manually shift. And the infotainment is egregious. Do they ever listen to feedback by buyers?
That's a different issue. The shifter was on its way out so there was no reason to continue to develop it. The did a satisfactory job of holding onto it.
For 47 years the shifter was not on the way out. I like VAG but they are also one of most arrogant car companies when it comes to listening to anyone. I accepted to be happy they get it right most of the time.
Everything you said when you talked to the engineers explaining the “tablet” design layout, about the infotainment, confirms everything I have been saying about this atrocious interior! First off, do drivers use their tablet while driving? The answer is NO! So why the hell would you design the infotainment to be like a tablet? 🤦♂️ Secondly, these younger kids, who are all about tech, and less about driving dynamics, either were VW’s prospects for this car, or are the very ones who designed this interior. It atrocious, and I would put my $$ on it that VW changes the interior for their re-gen MK8 model. The S3’s interior is very similar, but has touch buttons on the important buttons. I can see the GTI/R going with that interior on the re-gen.
Please test the Audi RS3 on track, PLEASE. I want to see how the under steer is on the RS3 and Golf R. Even with new rear end I believe the under steer will still be there on track. Good video as always.
The rear diff on the new RS3 is the same clutch-pack as the one on this Golf R, so I'd imagine it behaves similarly to how they explained in the video. That is, effective but rather unnatural feeling.
@@pan4632 yes, I am aware. I just like their weight chart they do. I also figure close to 60% front weight as well. Also like to see how the 2.5l 400BHP performs getting grip in and out of corners with possible extra car weight. Also I don't think they mentioned it, but I think Audi engines are mounted forward front sub frame that also makes the cars push in corners. Also want to know if stock Audi camber can be adjusted.
One thing that came to mind, and I know this might sound crazy, but given that Porsche falls under the VW conglomerate, I'd really be interested in seeing Porsche come out with a Hot Hatch... a mini Macan if you will; complete with aluminum parts and Porsche's focus on performance in transmission and dampers. It would be hella expensive, but could be an "entry" level Porsche. Mark/Jack, perhaps you could bounce that idea off them and see what they think.
I have about 30 track days with a modified MK7.5 R and there is no getting away from the fact that it's just a better street car, even with a big rear anti-sway bar, -3 camber in front, etc. It's incredibly fast and potent, but it's not exactly fun. I wonder if that rear diff is enough to change the handling at the limit on the track. However - again, if you have no intention of tracking your R, on the street it's amazing.
Even on the street, it's too competent to get your hair to raise or feel like you could get in trouble. Selling mine was hard as I went with a less capable, more irresponsible vehicle. If they can find some way to bake more fun into it, I will come back. Sounds like mk8 facelift could be it.
@@cwx8 i did too! I traded it in for a manual, RWD M235i. I’m slower around the track but the experience is on a whole other level. And since I’m not making a living with faster track times, I don’t care being a bit slower :)
@@sephiros9883 That's interesting, so the modified mk7.5 R is faster than the M235i - but did you modify the BMW to same extent? I'd imagine the M235i being faster? Is it too heavy and being rwd gets you into more oversteering situations on corner exits?
When you showed the interior of the Mazda I was blown away how nice it looks. VW really needs to do something about the styling of this car though, it is depressing.
It’s VW, they save the nice materials for Audi. Their SUVs look nice, until you sit in them and start feeling the plastics everywhere. That said, this Gold R is the best thing that they make.
I watched/read somewhere that the lane keeping defaults to ON every time you start the vehicle, that alone is a deal breaker for me. Found a 2021 GTI after seeing the Mk8 GTI at the dealership, a step backwards in my opinion.
It does not, (I have a 2022 GTI) and btw, all the complaints about the infotainment are over-blown, it just takes a little bit to get used to, sure they need to fix some stuff, and a couple critical knobs would be better, but don't let those small things overshadow what a huge leap fwd the mk8 is in every other aspect, if I was in a mk7.5 I'd def trade into a mk8.
@@sabresys45 good to hear. I wanted the new platform after watching savagegeese's review and the improvement in dynamics, but at the end the Mrs didn't like the styling and it's going to be the main car. 3rd Mk7 we buy, these cars are pretty amazing daily drivers.
@@sabresys45 reviewers also rarely point out that most drivers use the steering wheel to control volume. Anywho…more capable, built with flimsier materials. Par for the course since the Mk5’s high point of build quality.
Huh this actually makes me consider a Golf R for once. I always struggled with appeal to Golfs due to how *clinical* they seemed but this seems pretty entertaining
The fact that it comes with an automatic is something to celebrate. Let's face it, rivals from other brands in this class come ONLY with a manual. Honda in particular, where not only the Civic Type-R but the Si are both manual only. Meanwhile both the GTI and the R come with optional automatic gear boxes for those of us who don't want to arrive to work, with one arm and one leg already exhausted. Thank you VW. Seriously, the only way you can get the Honda Si's engine and turbo with an automatic is to buy an Acura Integra. Ironically, while that would have been fine if this were the 1990s; nowadays it doesn't work. Acura is tight-lipped about the automatic CVT's performance in the Integra. But realistically, you're getting 0-60mph. times of 8 seconds. The Acura is now a bigger, longer, Near-Luxury vehicle. And if that's the point of it, you might as well just get a Honda Civic Touring with its 20 horsepower less turbo charged 4-cylinder instead. Save a huge chunk of money and get a better-looking interior than the Acura Integra.
4:28 "I take my Japanese car seriously"
*shows a pic of a Korean car (Hyundai)*
*shows a pic of Seoul, South Korea*
*shows a clip of the Chinese movie "China Salesman"*
These little things are why I love this channel so much.
And the movie clip with Steven Segal featured Chinese actors speaking Mandarin... oops.
I think SG's success has been found by producing the most technical reviews about the stuff enthusiasts care about. When shopping for a performance car, there's real value in watching the SG videos for the models you're shopping. Really want to see their take on the Audi RS3!
I would love the RS3 comparison, but I don't think they're doing a hatch in the US. So disappointing...again.
True that!
Very true, i pause on the technical slides. Really appreciate that.
My friend's bought an RS3 from the CEO of Road Atlanta and it's nice, but I haven't ridden in it yet. It's the perfect size.
I've followed SG pretty much since inception and absolutely love the material. Adding Jack was brilliant and he's really turned into a fantastic presence. This car is my dream car and I'll never be able to afford it. I bought a used 50th Anniversary Edition WRX 2 years ago and the dealer had a brand new Golf R for $40k. I should have bought it and financed it forever. My WRX is OK...but it's not the Golf.
I laughed out loud when Mark suggested writing a powershell script to turn off traction control 😂
Yeah, because real man use bash.
Get-TCS | Set-TCS -Off -AddHorsepower -TurnUpto11
@@brokula1312 You are correct
does that mean toyota uses ruby?
IF Volkswagen
THEN Throw in the woods
Golf R owner here. You can add the traction control settings in the upper menu. Just slide down from the top of the screen and hold your finger on one of the apps. You'll be able to swap all the options with different ones, including TC . Also, the noise isn't fake. VW uses Soundaktor for the R, which is a sort of resonator that sends real engine noise through the windshield into the cabin.
“I take my Japanese cars seriously” *shows a Hyundai*
Also 4:43 is not Japanese
Hyundai is more German than a German car
4:33 Shows a picture of Seoul, Korea! Savagegeese humor is seriously underrated!
@@Szcza04 95% of German cars are almost 100% German. What are you talking about?
The sarcasm on this channel is largely why I always tune in.
Physical buttons > touch screens
I love you, Marko
You still own a blackberry bro?
I prefer them. Automakers would rather save cost, since they are already paying for a touchscreen, they don't want to do more than they have to.
Yes, but it's not really a that big of deal. Anybody who thinks this is a dealbreaker is no enthusiast.
Always, every time, NO exceptions.
Best, most fair and balanced review to date on the new R. Well done, guys!
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Unlike the mainstream and enthusiast wannabes on RUclips, SG didn’t dwell on the infotainment but instead dispensed more complete, honest feedback that provides layers of enthusiast-minded facts (ie in the garage tech talk with OEM slides). This is the channel I come to get informed, not just entertained.
Well stated
But what about that horrible treatment of S. Segal… not fair, nor balanced, my friend. AT ALL. 🤣
Unfortunately, the infotainment is going to get a lot more use than the performance capability, even for enthusiasts. This is the Golf is first and foremost a commuter car, the R is still that, just the best version of it.
@@layne4376 i know, funny huh.
@@rightwingsafetysquad9872 Was going to say the same. I can't imagine myself living with those shonky touch controls on a daily. I hope the sales are terrible so they rectify this situation in the .5
Jack is doing such an awesome job!!! I really appreciate the thoroughness of this review.
Yes, and when necessary, Mark brings him down to earth.
For sure he has grown in that
I remember when Jack first started, he was a nervous wreck. Now he's golden.
Jack - Your reviews are on point these days. Kudos for the awesome content
When will manufacturers learn that no one likes touch controls and one thing everyone wants in their cars is a volume knob
It appears they will never learn. All VW had to do was research "touch-sensitive controls in cars" on Google for about 5 min and they would have realized it was a bad idea. But VW makes many truly bone-headed decisions, so not too surprised.
Don't understand the whole volume knob issue. Never once used it it any car I have owned. I always use the steering wheel control to adjust volume.
And does anyone actually want to talk to their cars? I don't.
They don’t care - manufacturers create demand they don’t follow it. At least when it comes to saving money; they don’t create demand for cool stuff like station wagons or 2-door cars.
@@brianb7844 I use the volume knob every now and then on my MK7. I normally use the steering wheel controls, but I also like a physical button to push on my steering wheel, which the MK8 doesn't have. That's a big no for me. On top of that, its not just the volume control knob. Its the entire climate control system, and all the other tech stuff, that also doesn't have a physical button. Its a very bad design and I can see people trading them in once they get annoyed enough to not want to own the car anymore.
Jack is driving it like a Honda driver bouncing off the rev limiter in every gear.
Yea, that was a bit annoying to tell you the truth but otherwise great review as always.
Some cars shifting sound like that, I hope he wasn’t actually doing that
@@HeyhitmeBAM ofc he was
Probably due to the engine still making power right up to redline. Sadly it seems a lot of these newer small displacement high power turbo engines are tuned this way from the factory. The result is the rev limiter crash. Probably could do with another 500-800rpm.
VWs are meant to be used, abused and turned in for the next year’s model.
Nice Job guys!
Hi, can you do a tiny belt change DIY on a Audi UrS4/S6
agreed, DAP's a great channel! Very informative and funny
the golf r tears up the streets like mark tears up the arbys bathroom
Lmao
Totally misread this as Mark tears up the Sybaris room.
I think how the car feels on the road is more important than how it feels on the track, most people will be putsing around 95% of time with the occasional pull merging on the highway.
More like 99.5% of the time.
Tell that to the bmw tards, that always mention the track in every single discussion.
Yes but a car that does well on track, translates to a car that holds up to long canyon runs
@@fikes73 In the midwest, there are no canyons, only on-ramps. I love small sports cars but I totally get why people in the midwest just plod along in SUVs and pick up trucks.
You don't want the car to disappoint you in that 5% though, because that is really annoying. A Renault Megane RS or Civic Type R can still handle the shopping runs and commuting just fine, but when you do make a detour to your favourite mountain road they are proper lively, exciting and fun! :)
I’m not a VW guy, and watching this really boosts my appreciation for the Golf R. Thank you guys. Well done again!!!
This is a GIT though.
these guys have been my favorite reviewers for years and i trust their reviews unlike other people. I have a mk7 R and will probably get into mk8 R if they change out the infotainment and get back into physical buttons for normal stuff like music adj and heater etc. #1 reason why i hate teslas is that everything is done through touch and not actual buttons. good review guys!!
These guys aren't afraid to tell the truth. Too many other reviewers tend to focus on being entertaining, which is fun to watch but not terribly helpful.
@@bbartlow0307 or they sell out to the manufacturer/brand and lie about how great things are. doug demouro has lost me a long time ago with his delivery, too annoying
@@bbartlow0307 almost every reviewer has panned the Mk8 Golf’s infotainment system though.
Sounds like I'll keep my 7.5 until 8.5, at least. VW has gotten good interiors for too long to let that experience stand, every outlet has dogged it. I expect a big revision with 8.5.
Negative feedback was swift and unified on that dash, so VW will hopefully recant like everyone else has so far.
Lord, I hope so
@Rdubb That is quite naive to expect them to make significant overhaul of dashboard for .5 version. Do you have evidence of VW doing it ever before? They might come up with 9.0 generation a 1 or 2 years earlier though. But will it be ICE car at all?
@@XX-gg3mx No evidence, just my gut feel. Golf is the dominant model for VAG in Europe, they would be crazy to let that stand for long. They don't need to do that much, just add a row of buttons below the screen for Climate control and a TC button stashed somewhere and get rid of the capacitance buttons on the wheel. the screens by and large can stay. Automakers have done small refinements on subsequent years before for glaring issues. This is even worse for a selling/marketing point of view because it is something the consumer sees right off them, it's almost worse for sales than like a faulty engine component issue.
@@XX-gg3mx also, they did a Digital dash and enlarged the screen substantially from 7.0 to 7.5, Id say that was a pretty big overhaul.
Golf R is a beast of a machine from a performance perspective, especially with the DSG. It is nice of VW to finally add must-have features like a HUD and ventilated seats. However, their decision to implement this infotainment/touch control system baffles me. Basically, it makes the car a complete no-go.
Judging a competent sporty car on its infotainment system is what baffles me, to be honest, it’s like judging a whole house on its sink, really don’t get it
@@geronimooo260 bad analogy. When the Infotainment is how you access EVERYTHING, it is literally the interface to the entire car other than the steering and pedals. It's a fundamental part of interacting with the vehicle and for a daily driver it is vital to be usable. But the MK8 is not.
I have no problem with it. It's gonna be just like switching from Apple to android. Learning the new system and move forward
@@LordHolley People get hung up on the infotainment. Are you pressing and changing things constantly when driving cause i don't. If someone is constantly fiddling with settings and "playing" with the infotainment then their focus is not on the road, simple as. It isn't a deal breaker at all, folks just love to nitpick and complain.
@@geronimooo260 Reread what you just wrote, and think about it lol. You're going to realize how dumb you are haha
The interior of a car is where someone spends 99.9% of the time in, and every single time you get inside your interior, you are adjusting your infotainment, climate control, and all the other stuff. Do you spend 99.9% of your time at the sink in your house? If you aren't smart enough to answer this question, the answer is NO. That had to have been the worst comparison of anything I have heard all year long...
Always have to appreciate when a car reviewer describes rear end control in terms of toe angle. Best and most informative car review channel out there, no questions asked.
*tags Subaru
*attaches “how to tune a factory street car” power point
*clicks send
This thing looks awesome. Really well executed and maintains all practicality .
Canadian viewer. Another superb review. I work off two 24 inch screens at work, all day, I have a tablet, laptop and iPhone. I guess I am old school, I just do not feel the need to look at a digital dash, with a touch screen, when I want to go for a drive. I am on my third VW, and in market for a new car. The Mark 8 GTI and R seem like good propositions but I can not seem to get over the horrible dash, which looks to me, as an after thought. Bring back the knobs....at least.
I love how you guys have always been exceptional but still continue to raise the quality of y’all’s content. Great job guys!
The “snow tires” installed on this car are Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter performance tires. They provide great traction and handling on cold/dry pavement.
You forgot to add "for a winter tire". These aren't a performance replacement tire for even what good performance all-seasons can do, let alone proper summer tires.
I've really enjoyed SG reviews over the past two years for me, as an auto mechanic and auto enthusiast I enjoy the effort in talking about the technical (hardware and software) of vehicles. Shows work has been put into these reviews and adds value in my opinion. On a side note don't have to worry about the shift linkage if you get the best option and thats the DSG, I've been a purest forever and driven stick my entire life, bought a GTI with a DSG last year and will never go back. Keep up the good work guys.
I love it. Performance increases across the board, not a huge price increase compared to the previous gen, manual transmission still available. Someone call Subaru and tell them this is how you properly conduct a redesign.
At least, an exterior redesign. Have you seen the Outback interior? Only thing VW has on the newer Subaru interiors is the steering wheel. And potentially the seats; Subaru seats seem to be very "love it or hate it" regarding seating comfort
Subaru:
Makes an sti with 307hp and a cvt
@@LawrenceTimme To make things worse, they've been drinking Toyota's kool-aid the last couple refresh cycles. "Let's make this rally car reliable by utilizing Toyota's approach. Nobody will mind all the extra weight, plastic cladding, unimproved power and CVT when we have daddy Toyota to tell us how good our SYMMETRICAL ALL WHEEL DRIVE(tm) is!"
Subaru gave up on their own performance long ago (non-shared). But hey, lifted Outback!
@@richardnavratil9661 lifted outback with a CVT
I cant wait for the next generation of this car where I have to put on my VR headset and Powerglove to adjust the cabin temperature
Lmao dude im fucking dead top comment 😂
Showing a Hyundai while describing how he’s a ‘Japanese car guy ‘ has me dead 💀😂. It’s the subtle jokes that make this channel so funny.
Folks are missing the big picture. This new R is a quantum leap ahead of the GTI and old Rs. I've driven the 7.5 a lot. This torque vectoring and suspension updates has made it far far faster in corners and rotatable. It's like the Focus RS, but much better built, refined, riding and looking. Few cars, even 6 figures ones will keep pace in mountain roads. Most will get you wrapped around a tree.
Thank you Mark and Jack for another excellent review. The most comprehensive, knowledgeable and bloody entertaining channel and duo on the internet!
I am a huge fan of the Golf R and an even bigger fan of the channel. You guys do fantastic work.
"This car is no joke, man" Love it
I've been waiting for their review. Wish the track portion wasn't delayed til Spring. That said, as a daily-driver of a bolt-on modified Mk7 GTI, this is the car I've been waiting on. Given the platforms accessibility to tuners and the large forum presence, I expect the support to be there to fine tune this car. Can't say enough about the honest review you get here. Echoing what others have already said, you do a phenomenal job with your reviews.
Replacing the rubber shifter bushings and plastic bracket with Delrin and billet stainless aftermarket greatly improved the shifter feel in my Mk7.
Thanks for the tip!
@@bbartlow0307 no prob! I think I went with 034 Motorsports and APR respectively. Changing gears now makes a nice 'k-snik' feeling when the desired gear is engaged
Good tip. The soft clutch and imprecise gearbox is the only weakness of the Mk7. I love all the rest of it.
What's the trade off? Most aftermarket mods increase NVH i've been told
@@smiddysmidton8313 generally yes, but no NVH worries for this specific mod. The stock rubber shifter bushings were a little more forgiving in how accurate your shifter throws need to be but aren't responsible for isolating much/any vibration. Replacing a plastic shift cable bracket with billet stainless one theoretically could transfer more vibration through the cable to the shift knob, but it's imperceptible.
On the other hand, stiffer drivetrain mounts make a hilarious difference in NVH because those directly connect the greatest source of vibration (engine, transmission) to the car chassis. The NVH difference going from stock to high durometer ("stage 2") polyurethane engine and transmission mounts in my Mk7 was kind of insane. 30k miles later now, I'm switching to "OEM+" rubber mounts to somewhat regain my sanity. I had my fun lol
Wow i've been watching the more popular channels like "Throttle House" etc. But This channel is wozers, very informed and honest while providing the manufactures perspective and reasons. And still entertaining. Bravo for literally taking the car to the streets, sheesh.
I love my 2016 Golf R, and would love to get another Golf R in the future, but that lack of buttons in favor of the haptic crap really would make me go elsewhere. Even if they made a different steering wheel with buttons, that would be enough for me as I rarely touch the center stack in my car. Who in their right mind thought haptic buttons on a steering wheel would be a good idea?!
And they’re not even haptic.
Remember this is the company that thought cheating on diesel emissions was a good plan. By that standard the ergonomic failures are minor issues.
@@morstyrannis1951 you say that if they are the only company to do that.. do you have any idea how common it is? VW is at the top right now, of course they will get some heat for it. A lot of other automakers do this, we only know the ones that have been caught so far
You could swap in a Mk7 steering wheel (which has a nicer, flatter bottom on the rim, has buttons, looks really nice), you could swap an Audi steering wheel or you can swap in another Mk8 steering wheel. The Mk8 Golf has real buttons, you can also swap parts of the steering wheel onto the Mk8 R wheel, but you won’t have the R button
@@PapiAndrey straw man argument. I didn’t say anything at all about any other company. No idea what point you think you have made.
Love your reviews - the consistent use of humor and sarcasm (Lite!) always make the deeply technical reviews enjoyable. I do have some comments referring to the infotainment aspect of the car. I actually own a 2022 manual Golf R - and, yes, it is a superb vehicle! However, I have to say I don’t understand the negative nonsense about the infotainment system in the car. For me, it is incredibly intuitive and very easy to use and every touch point on the steering wheel is where VW have had them for years. The slide controls work fine and after a short initial learning period I actually love them - VW engineers are not stupid and this is a step up - not, in my opinion, a step back! Incidentally, I am 66, and have owned every generation of the GTI, so even at my age I have to say the perceptions are not accurate!
The interior of this is quite literally the only reason I didn't wait & get this car. I would simply not enjoy being on the inside because of all of the little annoying things you've mentioned. Got a '21 Mazda3 Turbo, very happy.
Those do look like a good option, I just can't push myself to go auto yet. I feel like we are on the brink of never having a manual transmission offering again, so it seems necessary to take it while it's still there.
Mazda seems like a great choice! I want a "driver's car" but without losing reliability and safety, or spending an armleg. The only thing is only VW seems to be sticking with this archetypal hot hatch shape I crave.
That red/orange color they have is sweet. How's nvh on the highway?
I too bought a 2021 Mazda 3 turbo premium plus and I can’t recommend it more. Even more surprised everyone wants a Civic SI over the M3 turbo. I don’t understand the US market I guess
Your humor is so underrated. I think you can legit fill up a room with car guys and have a solid 50 minute stand up sesh
The touch controls are a dealbreaker for me boss
To me personally all modern cars are dealbreakers.
Just here for torque vectoring, but also loved the plaid glitching intro.
I used to own a 2015 VW Golf R with the DSG and DCC. Great killer shoe box. 😁 I sold it to Carvana because it had close to 100K miles and and started to have electrical gremlins. I do miss the power and the handling. Love tossing it around on mountain roads.
Love how you saved him when he messed up the breaks great connection
Jack hosted an entire episode while Mark played a 2nd fiddle 🎻
I'm a Japanese car lover myself MAN that Volkswagen got a beautiful sound drivetrain
One thing to note. The MK8 GTI and R look much better in person than on video or photos. Personally, I like every angle except the rear. I like the rear of the MK7.5 better. Interior? Subjective, but I prefer the 7.5 interior. I realize EVERTHING is going digital these days, but for some of us out there that just like a simple mechanical gauge cluster, and buttons, dials, simple like that in the MK7.5 GTI S. When I had my 7.5 GTI S in at the dealer for service last week, I saw the new 8 GTI in the lot. It was an Autobahn version and the MSRP was $38,700 on the sticker. With tax and fees we are looking at $41k for a GTI. I paid $26k for my MK7.5 S. Do I see a $12k better car?? Again Subjective. It comes down to what you can afford. For people like myself that want something fun and practical to drive without breaking the bank, the new car is almost getting out of reach.
The final thoughts was magic
I wish you guys taught a class on how to create truly amazing works of art like this
There are some how twos on production in Savagegeeses very early backlog.
I wasn't expecting the steven seagal reference but it was very welcome
I fell in love with VWs for their 2dr GTIs, Diesels, AWD station wagons.
The Golf just isn’t for me anymore. That’s a good thing though, moving on is natural in life. The Mk7 is peak VW Golf in my eyes.
It looks like an improvement over the MK7 in terms of driving dynamics, I think they will fix the lackluster cabin in 7.5. Honda made the same mistake of removing the volume knob and what not, then put it back in the revision.
@@s3er0i9ngthe interior is an issue but not *the* issue for me. VW has always been known for offering cars for people who want something a little different, dating back to when they advertised ugly and slow as a selling point for the Beetle.
The quality of materials has decreased on the Golfs since the Mk5; the 7 was a decline from the 6 but made up for that by offering most of the previously forbidden European options for the first time to the US. The 7.5 got less content still (ex: removal of lights & sound deadening) .
Eventually, though, there is a tipping point.
I do appreciate that the Golf R gets a sunroof again and a radical change to the AWD system.
@@JoJoJoker The sound deadening seems to be better in the MK8 according to this review. Over all the car seems nicer. I really hope they fixed the issues with the sunroof though. I just wish they left some basic buttons that are used a lot like the volume and climate stuff. Other then that the car does have some cool tech upgrades.
@@s3er0i9ngoh I meant like felt in the glovebox & doors, the pad under the hood…stuff like that. That pad is still gone from the Mk8 along with the gas struts. The Mk7 do with being even louder in my opinion.
Long time viewer and commenter here. I’ve always appreciated the extra effort you all put into your production, but today was the first time I decided to sling your vids onto my living room television. Wow! The image quality is outstanding. It looks better than many big budget shows with dedicated camera crews. Bravo.
I love this gen Golf, especially since NA is the only market to get the 6MT. Kudos for you to not give VW a pass on the terrible infotainment system which is a deal breaker for me. In the olden days you could swap out the double DIN head unit with an aftermarket one but not with these modern cars with non standard HU that can't be easily replaced.
As a perspective buying of this, the type R or whatever else I can find. This review was by far the most informative about what I care about. The other 3 I watched has a little bit of what I wanted to see. But this one has absolutely all of it. Great job the format is perfect. I knew it was good but until I was actually interested in a buying a car I didn't realize how much sense it made.
I've had three VWs, 8v Scirocco, MKIII GTi VR6 and my MkV R32. I'd love to get this in a manual but $44k? Sheeet.
I hear ya! Got a feeling most of us will be milking our current rides!
lol that guest star croissant during the Final Thoughts segment cracked me up
I am in the market for something to replace my aging 2006 Cooper S, and the Golf R (with a manual trans) is at the top of my list. Unfortunately, I think the lack of physical controls in the center stack will be a deal breaker for me. Who in the world wants to deal with a laggy touch screen to adjust the climate control? I don't have to take my eyes off the road to adjust the HVAC or radio on a vehicle with physical controls. Maybe I'm a bit old fashioned, but I don't care for having a screen as an instrument cluster, either. I could live with the instrument 'screen' a lot more easily than I can deal with the lack of physical controls though.
Get the previous gen. I love my 16 R ;) I hate screens too and mine is essentially black 100% of the time thanks to bluetooth audio having a black backround with white letters for audio. No blaring light at night and the old one still has physical controls for everything you use on a daily basis.
Agree 💯. I dislike screens everywhere. One in the center is plenty.
It has voice control - you just tell it what temp you want!
@@tedjones403 too slow. It’s much easier to turn a dial like before and be done with it.
@@AKJeeper I have ordered an R through my VW Dealer - I'll judge 100% when I drive it! Would agree that you can't master from a first drive; so, I will see what time does to my opinion!
The best auto-review site on the internet. it's not even close. Then there are the rest... I may not always agree with the subjective stuff, but you have integrity, and do not come off as shills for the manufacturers. And I should also mention the production values, awesome!
I just can’t get past the interior in the mk8. The lack of physical controls just drives me insane. The one thing the previous Golf and had Audis going for it is the modern yet contemporary interior from an ergonomic perspective.
My favourite automotive channel. The quality of these videos is outstanding.
As someone in the market and wanting a Mk8 R, I’m so glad there will be availability because everyone prefers the buttons to the 8’s screen. Great job VW and as always, thanks SG for the review.
Lemons < Lemonade.
Actually, nobody ever asked for haptic controls, so the button in the 8" is just a state. I think most of us wish they'd all come back. At least I've never met anyone that said there were too many or that they didn't like them.
This comment did not age well haha.
I'm so grateful for what you guys are doing with the channel. I look forward to every new video, and I frequently go back to watch previous videos.
When you guys lifted the trunk did it have trouble opening all the way up do to the spoiler weight? Throttle House had noticed that between the GTI and the R, the R couldn't open the hatch properly without help
Love when I get home from work and I get a new Geese vid. Hello from the WI/IL border
I drive a 7.5 GTI manual and absolutely love it! With regards to the infotainment system, I believe it is not such a big issue as everyone makes it to be. Once you enter your desirable settings, you rarely go into the system at all. I have my wireless apple car play and only change the volume and the temperature on a daily basis. The volume could be adjusted on the steering wheel and the temp control should be a shortcut. The pluses of the new interior: heated wheel, ventilated seats, more settings on the gauge cluster. The back seat gets temp control, which I don't have now. Plus, there are 4 USB C, as opposed to the one I currently have. Overall, I think the pros of the interior outweigh the cons. It's a matter of time till I get mark 8 R manual. Luckily, my GTI performs great meantime.
New Civic's a few weeks ago and a Golf R now, both Mark and Jack got their Christmas presents this year.
I have been waiting for this car for so long, and it's beyond my expectations in so many ways. That said, the significant miscalculation on the execution of the infotainment system is meaningful enough to prevent me from buying this car, which I am truly disappointed about.
Maynard is really diversifying his portfolio. Music. Wine. Juijitsu. Now cars. Good for you
I had a mk7.5 for a while. it was very competent, well built (better than my BMW), and quick. But it completely lacked personality even with 6mt. Good to hear this one is better but... that infotainment. It's not even a gripe, it's just unsafe. IAmRoadsmart did a study with these sorts of interfaces in partnership with the National Institute for Highway Safety and found these interfaces to be worse for your reaction time than being at 0.08. It's a bad idea to build interiors like this. It needs to stop.
Yeah “too well-rounded” is my only real criticism of the Mk7. My Mk6 had a more natural playful feel to it while my Mk7 has a more engineered playful feel to it. It’s as capable as I need on the streets but I’d like some drama. In VW’s defense, they did make the Clubsport for that.
It's the DSG that actually gave the MK7 a personality.
agreed, this should be illegal. important controls should never be infotainment only. there are too many people who will have their eyes less on the road
@@pettersaethre electronics also fail at once. Not that the other stuff wasn’t electronic but they’re saving pennies on the steering wheel here.
I worked at a driving lab in university (12-ish years ago) and we published numerous papers warning against touchscreens. Drivers got into more crashes, made more mistakes and saw fewer obstacles than those that were both drunk and high at the same time! The statistics are terrifying and I'm shocked that we keep going further down the rabbit hole.
Love the video! How could you guys never really review a Mercedes Benz GLA45 AMG? I really want to hear your opinion about this car. Thank you and keep up the wonderful work!
4:45 I died laughing. Another excellent and fair review.
Great car reviews and in depth analysis I’ve been waiting for your golf r review for ages
Also: I think saying something like the Mazda three and the civic hatch have just as upscale interior is kind of damning; that used to be one of the things Vw did really well, making you feel like you had a much nicer interior space to occupy than your average car in the segment. They felt like budget Audis. I’m glad they lessened the amount of glossy dark material, because I couldn’t stand how dirty and scratched it got on my mk VII, but it comes at the expense of a lot of bad design choices elsewhere.
Civic isn’t upscale at all. Mazda blows both put of the water in perceived luxury
I agree. On the previous generations a big selling point over the competitors was that you got a hassle free, logical, upscale feeling interior. Now thats just gone. There's a great video on youtube comparing the interior quality of the MK 7.5 and MK8 and the difference is astounding. And i know Jack said that it has a characterful motor, but to me it sounds like every other 4 cyl DI turbo... The VR6 powered R32, now that was a characterful motor!
This is the review ive been waiting to see man. Made me feel better about my preorder
I'm driving a mk7.5 R and at this point even with all the great reviews, hp and handling upgrades I have no urge to replace my current R for the mk8 R. The infotainment is a not something I look forward to.
I certainly wouldn’t, it’s a step backwards from a usability standpoint
Mine arrives in February after an 8 month wait, I’m very excited. The infotainment doesn’t really bother me as I don’t change a lot of settings as I commuting into work, radio volume and that’s about it.
We’re some 47 years into the GTi and almost a decade into the R, how has VW not perfected the long throws and sloppiness of the manual gear shift? This should be a fun car to manually shift. And the infotainment is egregious. Do they ever listen to feedback by buyers?
To be fair, the manual is not a high priority on VWs list. It was on the list to be cancelled by now, so why bother to perfect it?
That's a different issue. The shifter was on its way out so there was no reason to continue to develop it. The did a satisfactory job of holding onto it.
For 47 years the shifter was not on the way out.
I like VAG but they are also one of most arrogant car companies when it comes to listening to anyone. I accepted to be happy they get it right most of the time.
Does everyone remember when Turbowski crapped on the previous generation VW GTI in the shop? Man those were the days haha
What happened to Turbowski?
Everything you said when you talked to the engineers explaining the “tablet” design layout, about the infotainment, confirms everything I have been saying about this atrocious interior!
First off, do drivers use their tablet while driving? The answer is NO! So why the hell would you design the infotainment to be like a tablet? 🤦♂️
Secondly, these younger kids, who are all about tech, and less about driving dynamics, either were VW’s prospects for this car, or are the very ones who designed this interior. It atrocious, and I would put my $$ on it that VW changes the interior for their re-gen MK8 model. The S3’s interior is very similar, but has touch buttons on the important buttons. I can see the GTI/R going with that interior on the re-gen.
I really like this show, definitely one of the best car reviews out there.
Please test the Audi RS3 on track, PLEASE. I want to see how the under steer is on the RS3 and Golf R. Even with new rear end I believe the under steer will still be there on track.
Good video as always.
The rear diff on the new RS3 is the same clutch-pack as the one on this Golf R, so I'd imagine it behaves similarly to how they explained in the video. That is, effective but rather unnatural feeling.
@@pan4632 yes, I am aware. I just like their weight chart they do. I also figure close to 60% front weight as well. Also like to see how the 2.5l 400BHP performs getting grip in and out of corners with possible extra car weight. Also I don't think they mentioned it, but I think Audi engines are mounted forward front sub frame that also makes the cars push in corners. Also want to know if stock Audi camber can be adjusted.
This is the most sophisticated informative video of this car and we appreciate your guys efforts and directed video
Don't worry bro they brought back the piano black for 2023 lmao.
Much better review than when you compared it with all the others. Still think you need to drive the DSG Mk8 R.
Jack and Mark do amazing reviews.
Enjoy the wait times..... I've been waiting nearly a year for one in the UK!
One thing that came to mind, and I know this might sound crazy, but given that Porsche falls under the VW conglomerate, I'd really be interested in seeing Porsche come out with a Hot Hatch... a mini Macan if you will; complete with aluminum parts and Porsche's focus on performance in transmission and dampers. It would be hella expensive, but could be an "entry" level Porsche.
Mark/Jack, perhaps you could bounce that idea off them and see what they think.
Porsche doesn't do hot hatches. The closet you're going to get is Audi's RS3.
You know that golf gti is basically an Porsche hatchback?
Everything you guys make is wrapped in solid gold. Thank-you so much!
The centered R logo on the hatch bothers me more than it should.
Something cool is the rear ring and pinion is 1.588 to 1 and if I’m not mistaken, It can slightly overdrive the rear axle.
I have about 30 track days with a modified MK7.5 R and there is no getting away from the fact that it's just a better street car, even with a big rear anti-sway bar, -3 camber in front, etc. It's incredibly fast and potent, but it's not exactly fun. I wonder if that rear diff is enough to change the handling at the limit on the track. However - again, if you have no intention of tracking your R, on the street it's amazing.
Even on the street, it's too competent to get your hair to raise or feel like you could get in trouble. Selling mine was hard as I went with a less capable, more irresponsible vehicle. If they can find some way to bake more fun into it, I will come back. Sounds like mk8 facelift could be it.
@@cwx8 i did too! I traded it in for a manual, RWD M235i. I’m slower around the track but the experience is on a whole other level. And since I’m not making a living with faster track times, I don’t care being a bit slower :)
@@sephiros9883 That's interesting, so the modified mk7.5 R is faster than the M235i - but did you modify the BMW to same extent? I'd imagine the M235i being faster? Is it too heavy and being rwd gets you into more oversteering situations on corner exits?
@@bokiNYC M235i omits a limited slip differential which doesn't help! Unsure if sephiros one has one though.
I fell off the chair when Mark mentioned shoeshine for greatness🤣
When you showed the interior of the Mazda I was blown away how nice it looks. VW really needs to do something about the styling of this car though, it is depressing.
It’s VW, they save the nice materials for Audi. Their SUVs look nice, until you sit in them and start feeling the plastics everywhere.
That said, this Gold R is the best thing that they make.
Best description of how the drift mode works that I've seen. Great job guys!
I watched/read somewhere that the lane keeping defaults to ON every time you start the vehicle, that alone is a deal breaker for me. Found a 2021 GTI after seeing the Mk8 GTI at the dealership, a step backwards in my opinion.
My Mk7 has one tracking. It’s awesome. HOWEVER…it can be permanently disabled off in less than 2 seconds.
It does not, (I have a 2022 GTI) and btw, all the complaints about the infotainment are over-blown, it just takes a little bit to get used to, sure they need to fix some stuff, and a couple critical knobs would be better, but don't let those small things overshadow what a huge leap fwd the mk8 is in every other aspect, if I was in a mk7.5 I'd def trade into a mk8.
I'm sure there is or will be a way to default it off just like the engine start stop on 7.5.
@@sabresys45 good to hear. I wanted the new platform after watching savagegeese's review and the improvement in dynamics, but at the end the Mrs didn't like the styling and it's going to be the main car. 3rd Mk7 we buy, these cars are pretty amazing daily drivers.
@@sabresys45 reviewers also rarely point out that most drivers use the steering wheel to control volume. Anywho…more capable, built with flimsier materials. Par for the course since the Mk5’s high point of build quality.
Love how they talk about Mark loving Japanese cars yet have some B Roll of a Korean car. Classic
Huh this actually makes me consider a Golf R for once. I always struggled with appeal to Golfs due to how *clinical* they seemed but this seems pretty entertaining
This is the funniest review yet!
The fact that it comes with an automatic is something to celebrate. Let's face it, rivals from other brands in this class come ONLY with a manual. Honda in particular, where not only the Civic Type-R but the Si are both manual only. Meanwhile both the GTI and the R come with optional automatic gear boxes for those of us who don't want to arrive to work, with one arm and one leg already exhausted. Thank you VW.
Seriously, the only way you can get the Honda Si's engine and turbo with an automatic is to buy an Acura Integra. Ironically, while that would have been fine if this were the 1990s; nowadays it doesn't work. Acura is tight-lipped about the automatic CVT's performance in the Integra. But realistically, you're getting 0-60mph. times of 8 seconds. The Acura is now a bigger, longer, Near-Luxury vehicle. And if that's the point of it, you might as well just get a Honda Civic Touring with its 20 horsepower less turbo charged 4-cylinder instead. Save a huge chunk of money and get a better-looking interior than the Acura Integra.
Man that cinematography
Chef's kiss
Before I buy a potential car, I watch savagegeese video about it first.
Jack's contribution is superb.