2023 Volkswagen Golf R (Manual) 20th Anniversary Edition - POV Driving Impressions
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- Опубликовано: 8 авг 2023
- Engine: 2.0 L Turbocharged 4-cylinder
315 hp @ 6000 rpm; 280lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm
4MOTION AWD w/torque vectoring
XDS Cross differential system
6-Speed Manual Transmission
Price (including destination) $46,485
MPG: 20 city / 28 highway
Curb weight: 3,404 lbs
Bridgestone Potenza S005 - 235/35 R19 91Y
Cargo volume: 19.9 ft³, 34.5 ft³ with seat area
No hood struts
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Авто/Мото
I’m convinced that Nurburgring mode was added specifically after James May complained about how all hot hatches and performance cars drove great at the ring but ruined his bum on regular roads
James should make this into a sailboat.
Honestly as much as I prefer the interior of the 7.5 this car is ultimately better. Great review as always guys!
Agreed. I have a '19 and I prefer a lot of things about it, though there's a lot to like here too. The haptic controls are a complete non-starter for me though. Wife has a '22 GLI with those crappy steering wheel controls and I cuss at them every single time I drive that car. VW already announced they're doing away with them - what are they waiting for??
The color is beautiful. The style is classic Golf. The interior looks a bit bland, but usable (minus the haptic controls) but most importantly they finally gave the car character! Something a lot of VW products lack in recent years.
Nice to see the two Topher's hanging together! I enjoy both of you guys interacting and comments. I think it's funny how alike you guys seem to feel on certain things 😂
Usable minus the haptic controls. So, not usable ✔️
The haptic controls are not bad at all. No complaints
honestly, the haptic controls aren't bad in fact I've even started to like them a bit. I feel like most people who complain are non-owners, not that's you necessarily
0:52 -- zf engineer here; sorry to let you know that the two manual transmissions you are comparing are actually the same transmission. The only difference is ratio in 1st gear is different due to low end torque dependencies. Otherwise, they are exactly the same. You may sense that the R feels 'tighter' only because placebo or aforementioned ratio. Gates and all else are exactly the same. Abschied!
Good to know. But the diff itself is different which explains the vastly different final drive ratios in each gear
Absolutely fantastic car and love the 20th Anniversary touches, it's a shame VW dealers in the US are still adding 10-20%+ over MSRP to what is supposed to be a decently affordable fun car.
wri v
My local VW dealer was asking 67 thousand for this thing!
Dealers are the death of cars that aren’t commuting appliances.
I wont be surprised if cars go the way of video games in general, like, “video games aren’t that fun- do something else…”
Eventually driving will completely become boring because so many automakers want to make money off of consumers instead of giving actually good cars. Just like the video game industry is doing with games.
They don’t make them like they used to.
People just need to stop paying over sticker.
@lawabiding2576 that's what I've done, would pretty much be ready to buy one in cash if one with a DSG was available around Boston, but the best I've ever found was +$5,500. I'm fine sticking with my civic with that kinda market.
Something fun to note is that the gear ratio on the R seems to be quite a bit shorter than on the GTI. I saw that 2nd gear takes the R up to roughly 50mph whereas in the GTI it's closer to 70.
Maybe, then the GTI is more suitable for most of us living in cities. Thanks for the heads up.
Late at night sometimes when I come home from work on the highway I go from 8 in 2nd to 65 and its insane, love the GTI so much. Mk7 6 speed
I hate the long gearing in the gti. After putting a larger turbo on it, it definitely exaggerates any lag. It's one of my only gripes about the car after driving it daily for 6 years.
@@silentvalue Not sure how it is on the Mk7/7.5 but the mk8 is not really that laggy. Below 3k is obviously going to be shit but I'm hitting 32psi by 3200-3500 and it pulls perfectly fine.
Chris, great video!
Seems like you've warmed up to this and I'm curious if you now prefer it to the S3. I remember in the past you almost leaned S3 which surprised me. Thanks!
Love it when both Tophers are in a video. So much passion and knowledge - you guys compliment each other!
This type of review is stellar! Felt unscripted yet very structured
I love my Golf R. It's the everything in one car. A sports car, a family car and can move a piece of furniture in it. It's a 80k car for half the price. Love the projection on the floor when you unlock your car at night.
I saw this at my local dealership yesterday while I was there to get my MK7 serviced. I love it, the car has grown on me over the years! This is my new dream car. I love the understated nature of the car. They had it for 46K with a 10K dealer markup. It blows my mind that it was more expensive than the $45K big Atlas on the same showroom floor. Only the Golf R and a GTI had markups on the lot. I know Topher has said it before that this the best product VW makes. They said I could get a "loyal customer" discount which would get it at the MSRP. I know the car industry is hurting but it hasn't tricked down to the dealerships yet. When that happens, the car prices will go down. I'm tempted but I'm enjoying life without a car payment for now. Lol!
Lots of inventory now. Boy, have things changed in such a short time.
There’s even some very lightly used certified ones available
Yeah I noticed that the prices are dropping! the dealers are starting to feel the squeeze. @@katiecannon8186
@@katiecannon8186 yeah, im waiting until around july- august to get a GR Corrola. Dealerships have them sitting on lots if its not a Circuit and even then those sit for a little bit.
You did the look around right by my school at Willow Run Airport, That’s awesome!
Good video! The Golf R looks damn good!
In the EU, if you get it in white, it comes with blue wheels which looks awesome.
Oh yeah, and an Akrapovic titanium exhaust
Unfortunately no Akro in NA. Cobb is coming out with a comparable titanium exhaust soon
And 333hp and a VMax of 270Km/h.
Test drove yesterday buying tmw. I agree with you guys on this. I have no idea why other reviewers knock on the clutch/stick. It was super easy to operate and although not as tight as my previous type r, I like that the clutch was a bit heavier. Other reviewers mentions some numbness… maybe compared to a gr corolla??
Hello Pilots: your video is a little manual of Sport passion! I have The Golf 8 GTI manual: another planet! Apr ecu 2 stage, 100 octane, Apr intake air filter: The ground to ground missile 😊😅 Congratulations for your Golf R 20th anniversary "manual": the fantastic Sport Golf, what else! Greetings from Italy 🎉❤
two feet tap = true car enthusiast!
God damn you guys. Now you have me questioning replacing my ND2.
Not a fan of hiding all the climate controls in the screen. I like physical buttons but that's all up for opinion.
Still great looking car though and it definitely whips!
My coworker got ahold of one of these. It's still in it's break in period, but seems like a fun car.
Nice video! I'm really digging my 20th AE MT. How did you get the boost gauge on the right side? I really want to have that one plus the oil temp always shown, but they're both on the left side in mine.
The mk8 is a great car. I think owning one has me believing it's much better than all previous generations
I can personally say its a Fantastic car owning one myself.
I was wondering after watching some of your videos, what cars do you guys have personally? dont know if you already have a video on it
I know Topher has a hybrid Highlander, a lifted new BRZ, and a new Type R
Hey man great video as always, when are we going to see a night drive in your highlander? We have seen a summer one a winter one would be nice to see a night drive 😊👍🏻
Gear ratios are just right
The Wizard of OZ shoes taps before getting in the car. That’s good etiquette combined with habitual respect.
Whenever the 8.5 comes out and they fix the UX I'll have to take a look at this and the GTI.
Obviously this is a little more money (before markup) than a GR, but it looks like you are getting a lot of flashy looks and higher quality of life features. This is a better experience for passangers than the GR with heated back seats and rear climate, with the seat pockets too. The stock exhause on this has much more noise. Infotainment seems far less intuitive. Various tradeoffs, and I might be baised in saying this, but I'd rather save the 4-10k and get the GR (MSRP) which is going to be hard to do for either car. This is already sold out if I am corret. So the tradeoff of getting a GR is not that big, unless you are a huge VW fan and want somthing more luxurious.
Another difference is the sunroof - the 20th anniversary deletes the sunroof.
Perfect!! Thanks for reminding us
In Canada the sunroof is actually added to the 20th ann. @@vipermoon_
I dropped my GR dep for the Golf R. It's a more grown up hot hatch. The GR Corolla looks too mid life crisis for me.
So the question now is, even with the interior controls, does the Golf R still maintain its title as the ultimate fun daily? Or is it too compromised?
Mk 7.5 R Spektrum still the best!
Do you prefer this or the Type R
His money made that choice.
In Canada, I would love to own the AWD Golf, but god damn I am not able to spend 51 to 60k on a new Golf. What a world we live in. Only the GTI and R models are available here
I really don’t understand why you guys (car reviewers) are having such a difficult time with the interface. I’m a 60 year old female who doesn’t even turn my tv on because I hate tech. Yet I find the 8 interface super easy & intuitive. And, yes, there’s ways of creating short cuts which I also had no trouble doing 😉
Seriously, the interface is great. And as a former 7.5 owner, I love the new interface. It’s a vast improvement.
Finally, I have never accidentally turned the steering wheel heater on. And considering you do have to actually push the buttons, I’m not sure how anyone is managing to do so.
Anyway, I love my 8. I think VW has done a great job.
I've been saying this too. After the initial setup of getting the everything to my preferences I leave it in Apple Car play without ever using the build in system. Plus all the climate and seat heat/cool is automated in the settings so I never really need to touch it other than adjusting the temp. Which brings me to my biggest complaint in that they didn't add a backlight to the volume/temp bar. Makes it impossible to see at night in an area without street lights. However this is still a very minor complaint in the bigger picture. I absolutely love my 8R and would recommend it to anyone.
@@alexalex543211 I just use the steering wheel volume control. It took me awhile to do so, but now it’s just second nature. And I use the screen for temp. The little unlit sliders should just be deleted - or back lit. One or the other. This is my favorite car I’ve ever had. And will be my last ICE. I’m short, so am waiting for the first small electric car to come to the states.
I’m hoping the Mini isn’t as bad in real life as it looks like it’s gonna be 😬
Glad you like the mess of an interface, but I assure you, you are in the minority. Enough people have bitched at VW that they are fixing this stuff.
Only some reviewers have done so. And, again, being an older female it’s a hoot that young bucks can’t figure out what’s very simple tech.
The other segment that has complained have never driven the car.
Whats more fun, this or the KONA N?
28:42 - that's...that's respect bro.
i want one the Ambiant lighting the new awd it looks awesome love the new digital gauges and i jus tryna find one decently priced i believe these will hold value especially if u get 6spd since they will be just auto after this year
Put some knobs back into the interior, start with a volume knob, and I’m back in the market for one.
Anyone knows if its possible to knock off that touchscreen and get back the buttons and dials back Like in the old cars
Great cars!
9:22
The caveman "HooHOOohOOOOO" from hearing the sexy pops and burbles from the exhaust
10:58
The synchronized brotherly laugh.
Y'all aint fooling anyone. Either Topher #2 is your son that you had at a VERY young age, or he's your little brother, and I won't be convinced otherwise. 🧐🤔
This or the JCW clubman and Countryman? would be a good comparison too
"No hood struts" - description
Call em out!!
We would be much thankful for review of Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line.
The question is: for the Mk8 is DSG the superior choice or manual?
Guys I want golf r manuel to come to Turkiye. Do you have any ideas what to do?
Seems like a blast to drive and a chore to own. If the Mk8.5 includes a full interior refresh this would be high on my list but the downscale finish and crappy UI is a dealbreaker even at MSRP. Considering most dealers are tacking on $5-10k ADMs, the only compelling argument for this car over an S3 is the stick, and in my opinion, you're better off spending an extra $10k and just getting the new M2.
lmao
Why would you pay for a fully loaded S3 that is down on power, missing luxury features like heated wheel, heated rear seats, etc... and worst of all: missing the rear diff that gives this gen actual character? The logic boils down to paying $10k more for a couple buttons and a worse driving experience.
Its nuts seeing the ADM pushing these cars closer to mid/high 50s/60s. I cant imagine paying over 45k for a Golf.
"Downscale finish" sounds like a MK7 owner with copium. The interior is at or near top of the class.
Don't take my word for it. Read the reviews from every auto journalist and blogger out there. There is almost universal agreement that the Mk8 interior is cheap. As for your accusations of "copium" (cringiest word around, by the way), I have a deposit down for an M2 that will be arriving early next year. The Golf R is sweet, but I promise I'm not jealous.@@mikeromano453
Quality has been dropping every gen after Mk5@@mikeromano453
The problem that Golf R has is the price. 50k Canadian is a huge chunk of change especial considering this is a new body style. I think it would be better to find a MK7.5 Golf R used with low KM than biting the bullet on a new MK8 personally.
Have you looked at used car prices lately? Low KM 2018 Golf R can be seen near or above 40K. 50K is a lot don't get me wrong, but it is a significantly better car (I owned both), and you'd get a new car + warranty along with that. Those 7.5's are almost selling for the price I paid for mine 5 years ago lol.
Hi, does in America the T Roc R exist and if so does it come with a manual transmission. Kind regards.
I wanted a manual but they were done building them when mine was ordered in March. So it’s a white dsg. Oh yeah, no dealer bull on mine, msrp and no add ins.
Huh, they still got manual around. I got a 24 in OCtober
@@bucknut2000 I meant that they were done with manual 20th anniversary. I got rid of it after 4 months.
It was killing me you didn’t make any comparisons to a gr corolla here.
Lunar pilot or Omega speed master?
Is this a good highway cruiser, with regards to wind noise? I drive a MK6 Golf-R, and at 70 mph, the wind noise is quite subdued. Can you somehow compare?
I had an MK6 GTI, but I had a RAV4 2023 in between. The RAV4 was kind of noisy at highspeed because of lighter materials, for better MPG I assume. As far road noise with the windows up, I think the MK8 R is great on decently paved roads and the HK sound system doesn't need to be on full blast to overpower the outside. I've only had the car for about 1000 miles but the cabin feels very nice place to be. I listen to podcasts at 70MPH without issue.
@@latte1648 Thank you for replying. Good points to know.
The ultimate comparison would be golf r vs integra type s
How well does a Golf R do in very severe winter conditions?
Only thing keeping me with Subaru is the full-time AWD, as I live in a region with over 500 inches of snow every winter. Last year we got over 900” and my Impreza was flawless! Don’t know if Haldex can handle plowing through 12-14” of fresh powder.
I always use Blizzaks but I need a car to push through over a foot of unplowed snow, often up to the hood. Subarus just never get stuck in the fluffy powder.
I would also like to know this
@@layne4376 Is it not fwd, until slip is detected? Haldex doesn’t do full-time awd, I believe.
Not that it’s bad, quite the contrary. Just that full-time AWD is so much better when it’s really, really bad.
Like, I drove down the canyon last year before it closed for days and went over a small slide (avalanche) that took out the road.
I need my AWD to handle that.
Awd is sht, winter tires
No problems with my MK7.5 on AS4+ tires in blizzard conditions between Glenwood Springs and Vail last year....scary, but the Golf was never an issue. As for height, that may be more of a limiting factor.
Hey so Subaru already kind of acts like a haldex system, but is a more reliable one long term. I have owned three Subarus. The only true Subaru with symmetrical AWD today is anything with a manual transmission, otherwise, the rear engages when slipping occurs. The new Golf R no longer uses the haldex system as it now uses the Magna torque vectoring system, which I believe is what Audi puts in their RS3. Both are considered all-time AWD, however.
the infotainment isnt that bad if u jus sit and go through it all if u own one ull kno everything quick its really not that bad
TheTopher makes the best videos ever :)
Yeah and no yelling ever like raitis rides. Guy annoys me
These guys are all about the drive and feeling.
@TheTopher What do you think is a better buy? 2023 Golf R or 2023 Acura Integra Type S?
I'm wondering the same thing.
Haven’t driven either…but for long term ownership I’d take the Acura. VW reliability is so so.
I have driven the 2023 Golf R DSG and it's a great daily driver, I'm just wondering is the Acura Integra Type S worth all the extra dough and considering it's only FWD......is eeeeeee...lol
@@nosenugg3ts626 what’s the OTD price difference, around 5-8k I’m guessing? Might be worth comparing what insurance would be for each.
I think you can really only answer that question by driving both if you can. It’s probably a PITA to try to test drive the Acura right now, lot of places or waitlists.
Within reason…if I’m buying a fun car, I buy the one I enjoy the most that fits within my budget….daily drivers get beat up no matter what you do. Would you feel on edge driving the more expensive car every day? Neither is cheap…but the Acura is nearly in another tier of expensive lol
Hope that helps…
This is a great deal at 36 grand! The only thing that sucks are the haptic feedback controls!
This or a CPO Base Macan? I'm debating...
Drift mode is for parking lots in the winter!
6 mos into ownership and I have yet to accidentally hit any buttons on the steering wheel.
How about now?
Also, what was a factor that made you buy this car? Considering a golf R or integra type s... the golf R just offers more but idk.
@@TryingYourLvck Still the same experience here. No issues with any of the buttons. No issues with the car, period. Living in Michigan, I wanted an AWD car, and a true hatchback - as such the CTR/ITS were never really on my list. The infotainment takes a week or two of getting used to, but I've certainly owned much worse and it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of the car at all. Zero regrets.
@@trentguild6086 I'm coming from a 2019 f150 work truck and a 2006 Mazda Miata. I think anything will be a huge upgrade for me haha. Thanks for your input. I love VW and owned them most of my life before the truck. The infotainment really has a bad reputation but I'm hearing more and more people say it's not that bad. You have a manual?
@@TryingYourLvck I do, indeed, have the 6MT. It very much reminds me of the clutch/trans from my MK6 R. I have no complaints. I'm glad I ended up with the manual, but I would have taken a DSG if it would have been the first car I could have found. It took me 6+ mos of looking and the willingness/ability to travel multiple states away to find an MSRP R. In hindsight, I could have paid about $2K-2.5K over and come out about the same for a dealer I could have day-tripped to/from. By the time you add up plane ticket, hotel, gas, food, vacation day and extra miles on the car, it makes a small amount of ADM much less offensive.
@@trentguild6086 that's awesome. I kept reading things about the MT feeling cheap but I think that'll be a thing I decide for myself after a test drive. I love MT. The DSG is amazing too, especially it being much faster.
Mark ups have been insane lately. Fortunately, I haven't seen too many mark ups for the golf R or the Integra Type S here in my city. Hopefully it stays that way once I'm ready to pull the trigger. Thanks again for your Input.
I would like to know which you would chose: a manual Golf R or Audi S3? I’ve been driving manuals for over 30 years now. I’ve driven the S3 with both suspensions. I guess I would have to go with the adaptive type as the standard didn’t feel as good as a standard GTI S/SE suspension to me.
Keep in mind that the new S3 doesn't get the new Magna rear diff that the new 8R has. It still uses the old Haldex system from previous generations. If performance is your priority, the R is superior.
@@RicHSAD2 really, fun daily driver that doesn’t beat me up. I’m 51 and selling my Camaro SS 1LE due to the ride. Probably not doing track days anymore than once a year.
Bring back the two door.
This or the CTR?
Golf R or Integra Type S?
Beauty car
@thetopher do you prefer the Integra Type S or the Golf R?
Integra Type S 👍
No Akrapovic in the US?
that homeless guy gets a good treat each week when you guys come flying by 😂
No sunroof on this one? I thought it was standard.
The 20th anniversary fake engine noise sounds amazing
How do you know it's different?
Wow so nice a car.
Almost as fun as a Veloster N
🔥🔥
The lack of climate controls and the AWFUL slider controls kill that
I'm glad that stupid engine cover is off it creates too much heat, so im glad it came as a recall lmao 🤣. There's no need to cover the engine at all.
It's the 20th anniversary of the 40th anniversary US GTI that neither of which will be found at a VW dealer near you 🤷
Honestly the only good part of this pack is the sunroof delete
No 3-door, no deal.
The interior 💀
Care to elaborate more on this? It is the lack of buttons, design, or interface? Just out of interest
It’s digesting I hate Volkswagens it’s computer commercialization slop
If I wanna change the HVAC controls I want muscle memory buttons, not feel like I have to play angry birds 2 feet away. Imagine designing car interiors as if you never actually drive it lol. The bean counters at VW should be forced to commute in these cars.
@@tims3065100% Why is it so hard to understand that's all we want. They should be forced to comunute in a snow storm where you have to adjust the hvac every 10 minutes while you can't remove your eyes from the road.
@@civicb16a3 the #1 driving reason (haha get it) for these interior and interface choices is cost. Theyre trynna cheap out. If they can save even a buck or two in build cost, their finance department will force them to. That being said, it is strange that VW shouldve witnessed companies with the likes of Honda getting crucified by consumer reports a couple of years back for these capacitive controls, and still implementing it years after all the other car companies reverted back to regular hvac and dial controls.
The interior looks like 2010’s hyundais with all the blue
Haha That takes me back to my old elantra
No physical buttons => no deal
Do they even make cars anymore without the huge laptop computer glued to the dashboards geezus!
What a great looking car. When the refresh happens FIX THE DAMN INFOTAINMENT AND ERGONOMICS AND THIS CAR IS AMAZING! C’mon VW…
Great car its to bad dealers are assholes and marking them up and the consumer can't buy one. Maybe manufactures will see the light and get rid of them all together and just have repair shops.
The wheels on the "regular" (non 20th anniversary) trim are much better.
Agree 💯 %
Everyone has their preference in wheels but I chose the AE because of black wheels and it's sunroofLESS ... oh and it lights the with "20R"
I'm here watching the video and I'm thinking, why does this car seem so slow? and then I realize these guys are from the US and they use MPH instead of KMH
"Zesty exhaust note" - lol
I like my GLI.
If you like slow 🦥
Always drive in Nurbegringmode
Apparently you adore on carbonfiber❤😂
Wait so this channel is run by two different people as it might appear? I’m so lost.
bro your driving skills are dope!!, can you give a tutorial video of how to drive manual car bro please and tips on how handle different cars bro!!🔥🔥🚘🚘🚗
He has a great video on heel toe shifting / rev matching if you search his channel
32:10-11…..👌🏽🤣🤣🤣🤣
VW is obsessed with black wheels these days. I'm not really a fan. They always look like they're dirty or something. Just not a fan. Otherwise, I like the mk8! I wish they had a standard Golf version here. I'll be hanging onto my mk7 until it dies!
Awesome, can't buy one....
So sick of black wheels. I want to like this car but I think the UI would be a dealbreaker for me.
It's a good car, but I don't understand their hype behind the exhaust. It sounds like a generic 4 cylinder.