2022 VW GTI or Golf R - Which is the Best Hot Hatch for you?
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- Опубликовано: 19 ноя 2021
- The original hot hatch GTI and its AWD sibling get kicked up for 2022. Based on the Golf Mk8 platform, these 2 hatches are definitely different from the previous generation however the one thing that remains is the FUN factor!
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I actually think the body styling on the GTI looks cooler but that R performance is hard to pass up (if I actually had the money to buy one).
Kudos for being one of the only reviewers to mention the shortcuts on the touch screen instead of harping on how many swipes it takes to disable traction control without it. Nice review :)
good point; I don't know whether the rest of them are oblivious, or whether they felt being a drama queen about the UI was going to get them more views.
Very enjoyable video to watch due to the cars and second your style of presentation. Thank You!
Thank you for the thorough reviews, I’m debating between the two vehicles right now. You pointed out some great things and helped me decide on… the R!
It’s really hard to go wrong with either. They’re both super fun.
Which ones
If money is no object….the R.
For those on a more constrained budget….obviously the GTI.
Brian, I want to congratulate VW . They dropped the regular Golf (including the very popular Golf wagon) but they did, at least, bring the enthusiast models to our market. I wonder why Toyota did not do the same with the Yaris.
Because that Yaris would cost 45K to be here - and is so small it likely wouldn't sell well.
@@IvanBosnjak89 Where do you get your numbers from? The first batch that went to Australia were priced in the low $30K range.
@@rightlanehog3151 Maybe because Australia is A LOT closer to Japan vs. the US?
We get the GR Corolla !!
Because Toyota is gay. They made an automatic only Supra to say the least…
I'm tempted to go GTI in that color! Good review too.
Great review.
I currently drive a 2019 Golf R in one of the Spektrum colors. And I love it...BUT I cannot wait for the new R that I have on order (with manual transmission). For what it's worth, I've spoken with two Canadian owners of the new 2022 R and both have said that the haptic/capacitive touch buttons are just fine once you get used to them. Granted, they both would prefer at least a real volume knob, but they both think that all the negative hype about the infortainmenbt systems is overblown. Furthermore, both have customized some buttons for themselves that let them get to exactly the settings they want in just one touch. Most car reviewers fail to mention how easy this is to do.
They're overblown because the auto journalists spend no more than a day driving these cars. If you live with it day to day you'll get used to it.
The customization point is a good one. Thanks. I have been hearing too much of the complaints about the infotainment.
As an owner of a 23. GTI I agree with this. It really isn’t bad. IMHO I don’t miss the knob, because in my last 2 cars that had button on the steering wheel, I alway used the knob on the dash. Now I use the slider on the steering wheel exclusively.
I will get that R one day even though like my ex so many red flags. Love your review good solid explanation.
You should
GTI all the way
Bought a 2020 GTI , I am so happy with this car it is practically indescribable. Had a Jetta many years ago. It had the VR 6 motor, nice, but not the fun of the GTI. GTI cars of any trim level are the transportation of the mellinnium.
Has VW still put the Soundaktor in the MK8s ?
Winter driving in an R is amazing. Where all the FWD cars (even with great winter tires on) are getting stuck on the hills.
The R just sails right on by. The 4Motion does a great job in the most treacherous driving conditions.
In a mild climate , occasional snow fall, I'd take a GTI.
Golf R all the way! No doubt!
Waiting to get one in white.
Thanks for a great review btw.
Really not a fair comparison here, AWD vs FWD, hp difference, price differences.
Two different categories IMO.
Both great rides though, just the R is so much more to purchase and operate.
I just recently traded my 2019 gti for a 2018 golf r, best choice ever. It performs so much better in so many ways. Only downfall do far is premium gas only. But still worth it, and a bonus is I got a volume knob...
Since I live south of Buffalo in the "snow belt", I would go for the type R. All wheel drive in the bad weather is a must. Great Review! Cheers!
The “R” for sure! 😎
Nice comparisons!! Thx. Where did they built MK8 for Canada? Germany or Mexico?
Built in Germany.
I'd prefer getting the base GTI. The amount you pay for the refinement of the ride just makes sense.
That’s what I chose. The only thing I wish I had is keyless entry. But here in FL, I really don’t like sunroofs so really didn’t want any of the other trims. Plus the base trim is just amazing value
I get a kick out of Brian. “ I love Blue” “That’s why I chose this car” LOLOL
Had the R on order since March 21 in the uk still not here due to some of the issues with them getting components for the car
If I had the money to buy a Golf R I think I would still prefer a GTI because I don’t need all wheel drive in Florida plus I really like that metallic yellow paint on the Autobahn trim. Another advantage that the GTI has over the Golf R is the little extra cargo volume and I think that the spare tire is not available on the R, if I’m not mistaken.
You don’t even need AWD in the snow either, top notch dedicated snow tires will work on a GTI.
When I was a kid Dad had horrible bias ply winters on RWD 60’s and 70’s big sedans……we never got stuck.
Bravo, Brian! Nicely reviewed. Great T-Shirt! 👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻
Dumb ?: if you're wearing gloves, will the touch controls work??
Hmm… good question. I know the steering wheel ones you need to press so those will work. Not sure about the climate control. Anyone else know?
My guess is if it's haptic, it won't work. If it's a physical button with travel, then it would.
I asked someone who owns the European model about this and he said the touch controls were not an issue.
Finally a fair review. The infotainment system is pretty good in day to day use imho as a owner.
I actually really love it.
Good review.
Just traded my 7 base S trim for an 8 S trim. The base trim is amazing value. Probably best value out there right now save the Mazda 3. But not really quite comparable cars.
The R is really something
I’m leaning towards the new Subaru BRZ, but I really like the GTI! I guess it will depend on what kind of deal I can get! Great review!🇺🇸✌️
LOL none on either and none are available unless you want to pay $$$ over MSRP
I think the new BRZ is as underwhelming as the new STI they never announced.
Really seems VW catering to Canada over US market so I'm puzzled a bit there.
If money wasn't an issue, I'd take the R. Mo power.😜 But, in real life, I'd take the base GTI and tune it.😁
I've always been a fan of the Golf R. Despite that everything is now touch screen and many other reviewers complain about the infotainment, I think Golf R is tough to beat. But one big let down is why do they only offer such an amazing car with just 3 colours? That's pathetic! They need to bring back the 40+ colors they offered on the last Golf R.
I forgot to mention that in the review but my thoughts exactly.
VW. bow down to America will you they need 40 colours.sod the rest of the world!,
What are the 3 colors?
@@raymondamoroso2049 black, white or lapiz blue....
I got mine in iridium grey.. kinda like bullet grey... and at dealership it shows the top colors only, if u ordered yours to your liking from dealership you could actually pick different colors in their catalog for extra money, like 2 or 3k.... the dealership will tell you this if interested in ordering a car you can't have right away.....
Using the same logic as you, I would spend the extra 6 grand and get the Golf R, hands down.
I wish the R had leather delete option.
The R fabric seats available in Europe are beautiful. Too bad it’s not an option here.
The difference in total cost between manual versions comes out to about CAD$11K after taxes and interest (assuming you ar financing a fair chunk). Plus the R is about $700/yr more to insure, and costs 25% more for fuel (so about another $700 more per year). That is the cost difference you have to consider when cross shopping these two cars
They need 4 short cut actual buttons, ac with knobs and volume and tune.
Boycott. That's what I'm doing.
@@krane15 it's like when tech companies cheaped out and took away ports headphone jack upgradeable memory and storage to get you to buy at purchase for super high and made the products hard to repair if possible at all , to give them a limited time is use through operating system upgrades that leave old products behind, and retail took away customer service in the store you now do it yourself with your phone and kiosks, and cashier's and baggers and hired you for customer service cashier and bagger without paying you.
I wish there was an after market upgrade path, but they made their infotainment systems vital to the car working at all, they see it as another cash making system that they can make money own after purchase, never mind they sell and or use all your private data like Tesla without your permission to benefit them.
Hopefully a third party will figure it out and make a replaceable system with knobs and buttons.
Even the seats gloss black and plastics are much cheaper quality.
@@Tigerex966 You are so right. The list for this style of product placement keeps getting longer and longer. The infotainment is going to obsolesce your car quicker than anything. This is what the masses don't consider when they're in the showrooms being dazzled by all the wizardry of gadgets and gizmos.
Even the most advance system today will seem primitive in just a few years making your car age a lot faster than they used to. At least there are some car makers that allow for some degree of firmware update. But to my knowledge, none are making any guarantees on for how long, or to what degree. Autos need to have some way to upgrade the display. Just look at the displays (first generation of displays) of cars from the early 2000s. They're laughable by today's standards.
You just have to depend on the benevolence of the car maker to keep your car's electronic current, which they can decide to suspend at anytime to force you to buy an entirely new car.
Lol, like that makes a difference.
Ordered a gti, if you live somewhere where petrol is dirt cheap get the R but in the UK hellll naw I ain't paying thay
Good review but I think a defense of the GTI's and Golf R's dual clutch DSG is called for. First, some background. I own a MK7.5 Autobahn GTI (2018) with the DSG and a 2012 VW CC with an earlier version of the same EA888 turbo 4 cylinder engine and a six speed manual transmission. (Yeah, that's right. My CC has a stick.) And since I've owned at least a dozen MT vehicles over the years I think I can speak with some experience.
As far as the DSG is concerned, it's important to understand that it is NOT a conventional (i.e. torque converter) AT. At its heart it is a manual transmission with automated clutch engagement (when desired). My GTI can be driven in "auto" or "manual' mode. In the former case software determines the shift points for gear selection while in manual mode the driver can select a gear that the transmission holds until the engine reaches redline or the car slows to a stop when the transmission automatically downshifts to second and then to first gear. (A simple software "tune" even eliminates the software controlled upshift at redline.)
Some indisputable facts. First, all DCT transmissions are not equal. VW's DSG is among the best. Not as advanced as the similar PDK from Porsche but close. Second, DSG equipped vehicles are quicker than a comparable vehicle with an MT simply because gear changes are virtually instantaneous. No human being can shift as quickly as a DSG. Third, VW's DSG is more fuel efficient than a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission. Better performance and better fuel economy is a win/win.
But what about driver "engagement?" Doesn't the MT's combo of manual shifts and a third pedal make up for a stick's deficits? In some environments perhaps so. On the other hand, I live in the Seattle area where urban driving is isn't just "stop 'n go." Around here a daily commute consists of stop, then go, then stop and creep before stopping and creeping again and again before "go-ing" for a block or two before going through the entire sequence over again Driver "engagement" quickly loses its charm in 10 miles or more of that sort of driving.
I enjoy driving my MT equipped CC on largely empty mountain roads near Seattle. Just as I enjoy selecting gears manually in my GTI. But the "engagement" of my MT equipped CC is closer to torture than pleasure in near gridlock where my speed varies between 0 and 40 mph. In that environment I'm more than happy to let my DSG handle "engagement" while I wonder whether reaching my destination is worth the frustration.
I do enjoy the old school feel of driving my CC but if I were choosing a GTI or Golf R as my sole vehicle it would definitely be a DSG equipped version.
Thanks
I also have a DSG MK 7.5 2018 GTI and I couldn't have explained it any better than you did. I work in Toronto and commute an hour in the mornings and anywhere from 70-90 minutes commute home in the afternoon, especially in the summer when everyone and there mother are heading up north on the 400 highway to cottage country.
As fun and engaging as Manuals are it's not worth the frustration from stop and sit then go a little then rinse and repeat heavy traffic, so I ordered a 2022 GTI Performance in Moonstone Grey yet again with VW's awesome DSG. IMO I'm getting the best of both worlds.
@@strker99 Nice to hear from someone else who appreciates the flexibility of the GTI's DSG. You have my sympathies for your commute but the DSG equipped GTI makes is as bearable as possible.
Those are not facts in all cases, especially if you take computer launch control out of the equation and a human can still get better gas mileage the an auto with a manual all things being equal because a human is smarter at when to shift for the condition and is not programed to do the same all the time
And once going depending on gearing car and driver skill and weight difference the manual can actually be faster with slower shifts, because on many tracks not oval we shift ahead of time for the next turn and other variables.
This is why in the recent past the lighter manual cub sport was the fastest golf around the ring.
Now it would lose to the computer launch control in a straight line no doubt to a dsg version or even a track with few turns.
.but once you add the turns and length the track is the manual will usually catch up and eventually win.
In lower power cars like this and under.
@@Tigerex966 I can see you put a lot of effort into making your case. Unfortunately, it doesn't wash, especially in the case of a VW DSG. That's because a dual clutch transmission isn't a traditional torque converter automatic. It's simply a manual transmission with an automated clutch in which shifts are performed more quickly than any human being on the planet.
As for your claim that "a human can still get better gas mileage with a manual...", that's simply nonsense. And I'd challenge you to provide any documented test of such a claim. A skillful "hypermiling" driver may be able to to come close to the mileage of a DSG but over an extended course under a variety of conditions a DSG with programming from the factory will deliver better mileage than a comparable vehicle with a manual transmission. And that's because the weight difference between an MT and a DSG is only 77 lbs. and the DSG is a 7 speed unit compared to the six gears in a manual GTI.
As for performance on the track, you apparently are unaware that a GTI's DSG provides a manual mode (by pushing the gear selector to the right) that enables a driver to select and hold a gear at any time up to the engine's redline. Thus, the practice of shifting "ahead of time for the next turn and other variables" is no more difficult (in fact less so) in a DSG equipped vehicle than in one equipped with a manual transmission. And if you want to bang the engine repeatedly against and over the redline without the transmission upshifting automatically, a 30 minute transmission tune from APR will provide it.
I'd be interested in seeing evidence of your claim that "in the recent past the lighter manual club sport was the fastest Golf around the (Nurburgring)." As far as I can find the "recent past" test of GTI Club Sport was in 2016 when it set a record (since broken) with an extensively modified MK7.5 GTI and it was not run against a comparable version of the GTI with a DSG. For the current MK8 generated VW has so far elected not to challenge the lap times set by other FWD vehicles in recent years. I have no doubt that a stock Club Sport would be the "fastest" GTI among the MK8 generation but the only informal test I can find for that is a Club Sport equipped with a DSG. In any event, it is not the transmission choice that makes the Club Sport so quick. It's the temporary overboost function for the turbo that's responsible for its performance.
I happen to own a MK7.5 GTI with a DSG and (oddly enough) a 2012 VW CC with a manual gearbox as well as at least a dozen other MT vehicles over the last few decades. So I'm not unfamiliar with the charms of a car with a "stick." But in terms of both performance and fuel efficiency the dual clutch DSG is superior to any manual transmission.
I would(and will) choose the golf r dsg after my manual mk7 GTI with a stage 1 apr and 26mm anti sway bar dies.
How/why will it die?
Did they illuminate the volume buttons on the centre with the 22 model?
No
Does everybody track and race these off the line?
Too many stats on these items.
As an enjoyable DD with some sportiness and comfort would be more what I would be interested in knowing how these compare.
Getting kind of tired of the
references to 0-60 analyzed to the tenths of a second with compromises in real world driving.
Current CAD pricing
$40k GTI DSG Autobahn
$49k R DSG
$9k plus tax is pretty significant. And realistically if you can actually find an R the dealer isn't selling it for MSRP.
And dont forget an R will cost you more in insurance , had a worst MGP and only drink premium. Pretty significant, yes.
Nov 2023 current pricing advertised BT dealers in Alberta,
R $60-66K, GTI $42-52K.
Ugh.
@@richardmichael59 Seems the MSRP has gone up for 2024 models too.
$53500 CAD for a 2024 Golf R with DSG and sunroof. Hopefully the supply issues are now resolved and inventory will improve over the next year.
It is impossible to do anything with gloves on in this car and the
gloss.
black means finger prints everywhere.
It also means almost every adjustment means taking your eyes off the road .
Question are any companies planning a steering wheel controls AC radio infotainment replacement with real tactile controls
Something to cover the cheap gloss black and cheap hard plastic?
This is false, it work pretty good with gloves on. And it’s really easy to get used to. I find that I use the steering wheel controls way more often than in my last 2 vehicles.
@@TraceyAllen sorry as i heard others say they could not use gloves.
It may be what type of gloved.
If VW actually made good shifters I’d be interested in the sticker but it’s just a rubber stick.
The R any day.
I’d get either the base or autobahn gti. Or possibly veloster n instead. :)
Ahh yes the Veloster N is quite the car. Will be testing that in a few weeks. I do like the looks of the Golf over the Veloster though but that’s just me.
Does the manual in both cars feel the same?
Yes very similar.
Both are amazing track weapons but the interior design in the mk8 cars makes me think don’t bye one because the cockpit is horrendous, maybe next year
You are missing out. It works great.
If people can afford R, why would they pick GTI? R for me every single day
The GTI is a more nimble car. Cheaper to maintain, drive train is not as complex and expensive when it breaks. Also more fun colors and options styling wise for some people. Plenty to love about the GTI over the R.
@@Rachman01 The gti is not more nimble. The R does everything the gti does, but better. Gti is more affordable and looks maybe more appealing to some. Although some actually prefer the subtle looks of the R.
@@amaximus5753 I drove both (up to MK7s), the GTI feels lighter and more playful in my experience. The R was faster and more capable but there was no drama, no chance to screech tires it just went. Just personal opinion, I know many others that share the same. And yes, everyone will have a different opinion lol.
@@Rachman01 yeah I know what you mean, even though they are both very nimble, the R handles better. Front wheel drive will always under steer when pushed hard. Push the R the same and the 4WD in the R will prevail and out perform the Gti.
@@amaximus5753 If R = 10, then GTI = 8.
I'm interested in a GTI. Are they reliable?
No. German cars are known for rock stable, high-speed performance, not for their reliability. If you want reliability they you'll have to give up the performance and choose Japanese or Korean.
Depends what you call reliable , if you want something to last 10 years + no lol
Take good care of it. Do regular oil changes & other maintenance.
There’s a few 10 year old plus Volkswagens in my family
You guys are lucky to get manual
I'm really surprised that the GTI takes regular fuel 🤔
Been like that’s for a few years now.
@@gs98999 I had no idea! I always just assume German car with a turbo would be premium.
If I had the money golf R, if I dint have the money GTI, if first car then GLI
No, not just about money, rather, its can just as well be about need. Lots of drivers won't even push the GTI to its limit. Its also the car for those that would otherwise have chosen the now discontinued base Golf
AAAAAND the answer is a used mk7 sport with a stage 1 tune because more power and buttons
Yes!
The mk8 gti is underrated by vw. Real life numbers are 250hp and 300 lb ft torque at the wheels on the GTI from numerous reports and various Dynos.
Hey we have to change? Don’t think so. We can buy cars with knobs so these automakers understand Haptic Touch buttons in cars are not better than knobs.
R!
Jetta GLi Tired of Golf look Good review, tho'
Nobody buys sedans anymore.
What a shame Volkswagen put that tiny stick for the dsg.
It auto, and totally drive-by-wire. Its just there for tradition.
Integrated head rest seats: big mistake. One size does not fit all.
Anyway, as for "change sometime"...wrong. Change for the better fine. But change for the sake of change is never a good philosophy. Nothing about haptic buttons and controls makes the driving experience better. In fact, it makes thing more complicated, especially considering driving alone is a full time job.
Instead, maintain intuitive controls, that means traditional buttons and knobs, which everyone is used to. If that's not enough of a good reason for not trying to reinvent the wheel, no consumers asked for touch controls. Until VW and other car makers realize that, their cars will sit idol on the lots as monuments to the forced change to one-size-fits-all mentality.
One more thing, have a cup/bottle ready next time. Water bottles are everywhere.
So disappointed in Volkswagen's infotainment system. Do they not listen to consumers about what they want? This is a deciding factor in not buying this car. Just give us buttons. Why make it so difficult?
To them this is part of the path towards electrification, where (according to them) you use voice commands to operate the various things while driving... its not just vw, you have mazda displaying holographic controls on one of their concepts... you have tesla using a touch sensitive gear selector on their model S... you have the Hyundai Santa Cruz using touch sensitive climate and volume controls inside, and so on... it seems like the car industry is slowly shifting to this new set up... whether we like it or not
All good points!
@@070074810 and then you have Honda recognizing this move is a mistake and going back to buttons and knobs. And actually bumping up the tactile feel of them.
No, but they do listen to your pocketbook. Give it a solid pass until they give you what you want. Like I'm doing. Actually, I want the Tiguan R, for its extra utility, but that one isn't American bound. At least not at this time.
Anyone who decides which car to buy based on the infotainment system is not an enthusiast.
Neither. The touchscreen infotainment and the capacitive buttons are absolutely terrible.
Have you ever been in a MK8 Golf?
No we shouldn't have to change for the worst. All those touch screens are terrible, voice doesn't work either most times, all these are just unnecessary and a distraction. Then they add all the annoy safety stuff, further making bad drivers worse. Whole cycle of dumb! And I wouldn't get any MK8, staying with my MK7.
that sounds stupid, the screen is fine
@@normagale6543 Not its not, and no its not.
You are incorrect, all Golf R’s come with a sunroof.
Not in Canada 🇨🇦
No, it's optional..
Wrong.
No comparison whatsoever
As a long time VW/Audi owner and fanboy I am ok with the exterior styling of the new GTI and Golf R, but that interior is awful, the shifter looks clunky, capacitive touch controls everywhere that are only partially back-lit and in gloss black plastic fantastic... my OCD is going crazy 🤪.
Thankfully, VW has (yet) to ditch the rear wiper like I've seen on Hyundai and Toyota/Subaru EVs.
An example of OE cost cutting being promoted as "you need this feature" #capacitivecurse
No turn off for me here, it’s still an excellent hot hatch, which I rarely judge on their interior anyway (and I use steering controls for volume and never touch climate controls)
Me too. I just can't picture myself adapting to those haptic control every day for the next 4 years.
I've loved GTI's my whole life, but I'm disheartened with the MK8, and many in the community are as well. It was already behind the Mazda3 and A-Class in interior quality near the end of the last cycle, and now it's even further behind. It used to have features and quality that was in vehicles classes above. This generation no longer is the case.
And worse yet is it's going to be (very) annoying to use thanks to the central controls now all being in the head unit, a feature never before seen in a Golf. VW has been stubborn historically, but I really hope they reverse the setup on the infotainment and climate control pairing. Get a Mk7.5 while you can, it's close to perfect.
I’m a 60 year old female. The entire interface is easy, intuitive, and filled with short cuts.
The silly male gear heads are being silly.
@@katiecannon8186 It’s not being silly to expect functionality, especially considering the Golf was class-leading ergonomically since it was first made, but no longer. Respectfully, your and gender are not a factor in this.
Having to wait for an infotainment system to boot to adjust climate controls is an incomprehensible decision, and they haven’t even illuminated the controls to adjust volume and temperature. They take even longer to boot in Canada when it’s cold.
They’ve made choices like placing puddle lamps on the mirror caps instead of making an ergonomically sound head unit. These decisions should be lambasted, as they are borderline dangerous from a functionality perspective.
If they’re going to try to use an iPad on the dash, they better do it properly, and the fact is it’s less intuitive and responsive than the first generation iPad.
1st
I hate that out of focus shooting, so disgusting for eyes. Good bye.
Manual, no thanks.
You can get the Dsg as well😎
@@EverydayReviews2022 Yeah, I prefer the dsg in the Golf and the standard in the Type R.
100% agree, manual is so old now. DSG is brilliant. DSG for me.
@@amaximus5753 I agree, I grew up on manual but I over it now.
@@Typicalobserver Same. But the Gen Xs love the nostalgia.
Neither as they are both unreliable Junk
And you know this because you have a crystal ball? They're new cars.
Your advice is unreliable junk.