We have a 2023 Golf R 20th anniversary edition with DSG. I agree that this is a great car. It is extremely fast for a 4 cylinder. It is a German autobahn car, so it's hard to say how fast you are going unless you peek at the speedometer. I have clocked 0 to 60 in less than 4.2 seconds, not bad for a 2.0 liter engine car. AWD is great. I also agree that the infotainment system is great, and every reviewer has made a big deal of it. I just think they all tried to find something wrong with the car to beat on, and that became the go-to. Some of those reviwets get paid to sell other competitive brands, so they harp on whatever everyone else is harping on to sell their brand and make money. I give our Golf R a 9.5 out of 10. We love it and enjoy driving it.
Appreciate this review, very solid and great perspective from an actual owner. I’ve had mine since last summer and would agree with pretty much all of your points, both positives and negatives.
I’m looking to get into something manual, so I appreciate the comparisons between this and other options (WRX). Also, sweet footage at the end. Utah has some great open roads to have some fun!
And you can drive 100 mph on those roads all day😃 the cops don't even look at you bro, but don't tell anyone we don't want this getting out of control🤫
So... you can pick a generic commuter car with a little more power than most, or you can pick a future classic with luxury interior, dynamic suspension, valved exhaust, etc., etc..
Solid summary. I recently traded in my 2023 MK8 GTI Autobahn for an FL5 Type R, but I had it for about 8 months and it was my second GTI. I agree with pretty much everything you said. The tech as a package was good, but I had my fair share of issues but I didn't let it bother me too much. And yeah the hill start assist was total trash. I stalled during a test drive 2 or 3 times on the hill just because I was so damn confused. Main reason I got rid of it was because I just didn't see it aging or lasting very long. The interior looks great now but down the line will look, feel, and function terribly in the future. I miss my MK7 because of how beautiful it was inside and out but I was just looking for more performance. But my new FL5 reminds me a lot of my old MK7 in that regard, except it's got boatloads of performance to keep me satisfied in its stock form for years.
Nice video, I have a '24 (DSG) in Lapiz Blue and it is a great-great car! Also, owner to owner, I completely agree 100% with the infotainment, it is totally good!!!
Love my '16 Golf R 6MT. Just set money aside for a new clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate even on stock power before you hit 40-50k miles. Known to be a weak point on all manual Rs.
I have driven MK6/7/8 R, and all are good in their own way. Regardless of the generation, once I am behind the wheel of any of them, there is something special, they all are a joy to drive in their own way.
All great points. 2 things i also hate about my mk8 golf R is the pedal placement isn’t very friendly for heel toe, and when cold starting the car, it has this elevated idle rpm that casts for several minutes. This higher rpm pulls your car forward so aggressively that it’s impossible to roll slowly without using the clutch to control your speed.
@@lronSausage I haven’t done much if any heel toe down shifts so I haven’t noticed pedal placement. Clutch feels very weak. Idle I haven’t noticed a ton as my Wrx fever high too for awhile.
Thanks for the breakdown, Austin. A Golf R was one of the cars I was looking at back in 2018 when I was researching getting a new daily driver, but ended up going another route instead. Thought about it last year briefly when replacing the Fiesta ST, but went with the Mazda3 Turbo Hatch instead. Not as many tech features, and definitely doesn't have the performance of the Golf R, but arguably more reliable and also quite a bit less expensive.
@@Gonin60 A manual option would be great, but in my case I couldn't have gotten it (even though I prefer a manual) just because my wife has had to drive the car at times and she doesn't want to drive a stick.
great video brother, this is my dream car, plan is to get one around age 25, insurance is shocking for young drivers :( if you don't mind me asking, how old are u and how many years you been driving for, i'm 19 and getting 3.9k a year for a golf r, only been driving for year and a half
Bro take it drifting up in the mountains🤪 Cool story for ya. I was stationed in Italy in the early 8tees and had a Fiat Brava and the base was right there at the mountains, so one day we went up in the snow covered mountains and I was drifting the hell out of that Fiat🤠 that snow was deep too, we had a blast that day got out of there just as it was getting dark, just in time to go drink beer😝🍻
@@Gonin60 Oh it was heavenly there at that time.We would go to Lake Barcis up in the mountains and the water was freezing cold and it had a one lane bridge and we would jump from that bridge into that freezing cold water, if you weren't in good shape you would die for sure🤣 Look it up on YT there's some good video of the bridge and stuff.
I have the same car! 2024 r manual. Question.. how do you feel about the gear box? Its so tricky for me to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly .. some times to third even and shifting from 1-2-3 doest feel as so smooth on the shifter as it does on 4-5-6
@@Gonin60 doesn’t grind at all. But maybe i just haven’t got the hang of how to drive it smoothly like when to give it gas as i release the clutch etc.
Surprisingly, you are the ONLY person that says not bad "Hate" points about the Touch screen and slider buttons... and the 2 buttons that almost everybody says they HIT BY ACCIDENT... the R button and the Steering wheel heater button.... I had a Mini Cooper JCW 6 speed, with hill assist, it was super fantastic.... but everybody says same about the Hill assist.... I am scared that the clutch is weak too? and the STEREO... so, I guess you're stuck with a WHOLE pile of SHIT you hate.... but somehow you keep the car? Oh, cause it gets to 60..... REAL F F FAST...... I'm on the fence still... too much Hate for them vs... LOVE it no matter what.... I had no gripes on my JCW 6 sp... 2013, just that I traded it in... too early in its life...
We have a 2023 Golf R 20th anniversary edition with DSG. I agree that this is a great car. It is extremely fast for a 4 cylinder. It is a German autobahn car, so it's hard to say how fast you are going unless you peek at the speedometer. I have clocked 0 to 60 in less than 4.2 seconds, not bad for a 2.0 liter engine car. AWD is great. I also agree that the infotainment system is great, and every reviewer has made a big deal of it. I just think they all tried to find something wrong with the car to beat on, and that became the go-to. Some of those reviwets get paid to sell other competitive brands, so they harp on whatever everyone else is harping on to sell their brand and make money. I give our Golf R a 9.5 out of 10. We love it and enjoy driving it.
@@TomShirazi I think people just like jumping on others opinions. In owning this I have loved the infotainment.
Appreciate this review, very solid and great perspective from an actual owner. I’ve had mine since last summer and would agree with pretty much all of your points, both positives and negatives.
Thank you so much! This meant a lot!
I’m looking to get into something manual, so I appreciate the comparisons between this and other options (WRX). Also, sweet footage at the end. Utah has some great open roads to have some fun!
You got it! Much more to come! I live in a great place!
And you can drive 100 mph on those roads all day😃 the cops don't even look at you bro, but don't tell anyone we don't want this getting out of control🤫
The WRX will fade away in automotive history. Meanwhile, Golf R32s from the 2000s are still going for upwards of $20k.
So... you can pick a generic commuter car with a little more power than most, or you can pick a future classic with luxury interior, dynamic suspension, valved exhaust, etc., etc..
Solid summary. I recently traded in my 2023 MK8 GTI Autobahn for an FL5 Type R, but I had it for about 8 months and it was my second GTI. I agree with pretty much everything you said. The tech as a package was good, but I had my fair share of issues but I didn't let it bother me too much. And yeah the hill start assist was total trash. I stalled during a test drive 2 or 3 times on the hill just because I was so damn confused.
Main reason I got rid of it was because I just didn't see it aging or lasting very long. The interior looks great now but down the line will look, feel, and function terribly in the future. I miss my MK7 because of how beautiful it was inside and out but I was just looking for more performance. But my new FL5 reminds me a lot of my old MK7 in that regard, except it's got boatloads of performance to keep me satisfied in its stock form for years.
FL5? Congrats! I would make that move too!
Nice video, I have a '24 (DSG) in Lapiz Blue and it is a great-great car! Also, owner to owner, I completely agree 100% with the infotainment, it is totally good!!!
Thank you!!!
Love my '16 Golf R 6MT. Just set money aside for a new clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate even on stock power before you hit 40-50k miles. Known to be a weak point on all manual Rs.
Good advice!
I have driven MK6/7/8 R, and all are good in their own way. Regardless of the generation, once I am behind the wheel of any of them, there is something special, they all are a joy to drive in their own way.
All great points. 2 things i also hate about my mk8 golf R is the pedal placement isn’t very friendly for heel toe, and when cold starting the car, it has this elevated idle rpm that casts for several minutes. This higher rpm pulls your car forward so aggressively that it’s impossible to roll slowly without using the clutch to control your speed.
Thanks for sharing!
@@Gonin60 do you experience the same thing with yours?
@@lronSausage I haven’t done much if any heel toe down shifts so I haven’t noticed pedal placement. Clutch feels very weak. Idle I haven’t noticed a ton as my Wrx fever high too for awhile.
Thanks for the breakdown, Austin. A Golf R was one of the cars I was looking at back in 2018 when I was researching getting a new daily driver, but ended up going another route instead. Thought about it last year briefly when replacing the Fiesta ST, but went with the Mazda3 Turbo Hatch instead. Not as many tech features, and definitely doesn't have the performance of the Golf R, but arguably more reliable and also quite a bit less expensive.
Yeah I think those are fair reason to go with the mazda 3 turbo. Just wish they made it in a manual!
@@Gonin60 A manual option would be great, but in my case I couldn't have gotten it (even though I prefer a manual) just because my wife has had to drive the car at times and she doesn't want to drive a stick.
great video brother, this is my dream car, plan is to get one around age 25, insurance is shocking for young drivers :( if you don't mind me asking, how old are u and how many years you been driving for, i'm 19 and getting 3.9k a year for a golf r, only been driving for year and a half
I’m about 15 years older
@@Gonin60 Ah that makes sense then. It will be easier for u to get insurance 😁
I loved mine last gen model. But compared to my current S5 the seat bottoms were hard.
S5s are so nice!
Bro take it drifting up in the mountains🤪 Cool story for ya. I was stationed in Italy in the early 8tees and had a Fiat Brava and the base was right there at the mountains, so one day we went up in the snow covered mountains and I was drifting the hell out of that Fiat🤠 that snow was deep too, we had a blast that day got out of there just as it was getting dark, just in time to go drink beer😝🍻
Dude that sounds like a fun time!
@@Gonin60 Oh it was heavenly there at that time.We would go to Lake Barcis up in the mountains and the water was freezing cold and it had a one lane bridge and we would jump from that bridge into that freezing cold water, if you weren't in good shape you would die for sure🤣 Look it up on YT there's some good video of the bridge and stuff.
How is the power In comparison to the WRX?
It’s quicker but don’t have figures yet
I have the same car! 2024 r manual. Question.. how do you feel about the gear box? Its so tricky for me to shift from 1st to 2nd smoothly .. some times to third even and shifting from 1-2-3 doest feel as so smooth on the shifter as it does on 4-5-6
Right on! I haven’t had issues. Does it grind?
@@Gonin60 doesn’t grind at all. But maybe i just haven’t got the hang of how to drive it smoothly like when to give it gas as i release the clutch etc.
@@kiergumiran9969 How many manual cars have you actually owned before the Golf R...... I've had 9 different 5 and 6 speed manual cars so far.... So ?
I thought i was the only one who hated the hill assist
Man it’s brutal lol
@@Gonin60 I just hold down the clutch peddle until the hill assist releases the brakes
@@RicardoCruz-kw7nh it holds it way too long most times
You have to get a Z car next😃 I looked at one but it was automatic 👎
I would love one!
Surprisingly, you are the ONLY person that says not bad "Hate" points about the Touch screen and slider buttons... and the 2 buttons that almost everybody says they HIT BY ACCIDENT... the R button and the Steering wheel heater button.... I had a Mini Cooper JCW 6 speed, with hill assist, it was super fantastic.... but everybody says same about the Hill assist.... I am scared that the clutch is weak too? and the STEREO... so, I guess you're stuck with a WHOLE pile of SHIT you hate.... but somehow you keep the car? Oh, cause it gets to 60..... REAL F F FAST...... I'm on the fence still... too much Hate for them vs... LOVE it no matter what.... I had no gripes on my JCW 6 sp... 2013, just that I traded it in... too early in its life...
Touch screen is so over blown
MCM has a positive video exclusively on the infotainment, including a scene of him trying the buttons with his toes, 😂
😊 Promo'SM
Huh