Rarely do you hear anyone that actually has lived with the car for a while complain about the touchscreen & the layout. Like me most get used to it and end up really liking it. Very easily one can set short cuts to the taps they need the most then once one sets up their phone to the car(Apple in my case) you rarely if ever go in to the deep stuff anyway. When you do want to check the “vehicle”status and such…IMO the system is GREAT. It’s only the reviewers that are in the car a few minutes to hours that have an issue with things like missing volume nobs, and Haptic Touch
Yeah, people really tend to complain too much about it. In some reviews I've watched, the reviewer actually said he would not buy the car because of the infotainment screen. 🙄
@@Rich944inSK yeah…prior to my my purchase reviews like that really had me🤔…I’m so glad I just rolled the dice & pulled the trigger. We also have a 2024 Acura Ingra Aspec in the family & it has all the analog knobs & buttons & I prefer the Golf R’s use ability & Layout
Very desirable car. Shame about the digital heater/aircon controls. Technology for technologies sake. The tactile nature of knobs/switches/dials is much more driver friendly and in turn safer because you spend less time with your eyes off the road. Safety should always be the primary motivation in design not the cosmetic look of the cabin.
Striaght up the first thing I noticed was the base model picture on the background of the infotainment. Come on VW how hard would it be to code a golf R on there?!
A little surprising that 4.61 is the best 0-100 time. I've seen some reviews hitting 100 in 3.9-4.1 seconds. Actually, most times seem to be hitting the low 4's.
@@davidniyi2483 Yeah maybe. But that was in Race mode - surely enough of a hint for the car? Too many cheat codes I reckon. If I pull the paddle it should mean, I want manual mode. Only a minor complaint anyway for an otherwise cracking hot hatch.
@@stevek7461 Ah ok. Thanks. Well that was in Race mode during that demonstration, but I didn’t specifically try redlining in Nurburgring or Drift modes. Even so, you shouldn’t have to be in a certain mode in my opinion. Manual shifting should be enough to let the car know you want the full control.
I don't think you'd get better performance than this for the money and next year's update will have more power and will address the touch screen complaints.
That 2.3 bar charge pressure it's the absolute pressure. The official VW technical sheet says max turbo boost 21.8 PSI that's almost 1.5 bar. A 2.0L petrol engine with over 2bar boost would make over 450hp (that's stage3 Golf R).
I was going to buy this mk8 but with a young baby I decided with a TIGUAN R instead . Both amazing cars basically twins performance wise I can live without the drift pack lol At least with my tig i can turn stop start off right away with a button on the console hehe
@@bradl6360 Thanks. That’s a difficult one. Civic is more engaging and more hardcore, whereas this is a great all-rounder yet very quick. I’d probably take the Civic in the end but only because I like the hardcore side of it. And I would totally understand why some would choose this instead.
I bought this car brand new, 2024 and it lemoned at 400 miles on the odometer. Entering the forums prior, I’ve never seen more complaints of various issues from tech to mechanical in my life. I was nervous when I bought it and it rewarded me by dying fast, VW danced around it and I had to sue successfully to get every dime of my money back. People, stay away from VW.
Hey Brett this or the M340i? I know the 340 is a good bit more new but second hand with 30k or so you can get a good 340 for not bad money. Just curious which you like best regardless of price. Cheers mate.
@@malsmith2012 M340i. This is nice but 340 is a completely different level. Smooth inline six, quicker, larger inside. Sound is awesome. Hope that helps.
If you're considering an M340I Have a look at the Pre-Facelift X3M's. Value for money for a practical rocketship, They're amazing. I was actually looking at getting an m340I until I took an X3m for a drive. Don't get me wrong if it's a sedan you're after you can't go wrong with the m340i. They're awesome, and the b58 Straight 6 will go down in history as one of the best made.
@@drivingenthusiastaustralia thanks so much mate that's awesome to hear.. I've had many operations on my back and struggle with really stiff cars so I'm hoping that the M340i in comfort will be ok for me. It won't be a daily as I have a WN Caprice for that so hoping comfort will be fine. Thanks again for the advice.
@@madrx2 Thanks mate.. Unfortunately the M cars will be way too stiff for me as I've had many back operations and can't ride in stiff cars unfortunately.. It won't be a daily when I get it, just for nice weekend drives/fun.. Agree with all you said about the mighty B58, legendary engine.... Cheers
Somehow it’s lost its glamour and the sensation or driving connection, perhaps the “Hot” hatch idea is not what it used to be + it’s a VW which has a very bad name for quality and other issues. Cheers 🇦🇺
Are you gonna be able to review the new BMW M135? i really wanna hear how horrible its gonna sound. Knowing BMW they're probably gonna make the shifts literally go quiet like the M340i.
Why would a car like this have stop/start, it is the worst feature ever invented for a car and it’s so pointless having it in a high performance hot hatch. Crazy quick times, I wonder how this would go lined up against a Kia Stinger GT, would be a good comparison even though both cars don’t really compete, can you get a drag race sorted out mate.
@@russell3436 Stinger is slower, closer to 5.5 seconds to 100. Due to RWD . But stinger is much more fun and dynamic. EA888 is fast, that’s it, not much else
These hothatches became too expensive. The fact that there are EVs with near supercar performance at a similar price point makes this car even more irrelevant.
True, but by 'supercar performance' I guess you're only referring to 0-100? Because those EVs don't offer anywhere near the same character or charm of something like this. No gears to change, no narrative from an exhaust note. And often A LOT heavier which ruins cornering dynamics. I would much rather drive one of these along a mountain route on a crisp Sunday morning than any EV. From a driving enthusiast's point of view anyway.
VW have burned many billions of euro the last 4 years chasing the electric dream. After owning a few I have gone to the dark side with Skoda and the Octavia.....
Rarely do you hear anyone that actually has lived with the car for a while complain about the touchscreen & the layout. Like me most get used to it and end up really liking it. Very easily one can set short cuts to the taps they need the most then once one sets up their phone to the car(Apple in my case) you rarely if ever go in to the deep stuff anyway. When you do want to check the “vehicle”status and such…IMO the system is GREAT. It’s only the reviewers that are in the car a few minutes to hours that have an issue with things like missing volume nobs, and Haptic Touch
Yeah, people really tend to complain too much about it. In some reviews I've watched, the reviewer actually said he would not buy the car because of the infotainment screen. 🙄
@@Rich944inSK yeah…prior to my my purchase reviews like that really had me🤔…I’m so glad I just rolled the dice & pulled the trigger. We also have a 2024 Acura Ingra Aspec in the family & it has all the analog knobs & buttons & I prefer the Golf R’s use ability & Layout
Very desirable car. Shame about the digital heater/aircon controls. Technology for technologies sake. The tactile nature of knobs/switches/dials is much more driver friendly and in turn safer because you spend less time with your eyes off the road. Safety should always be the primary motivation in design not the cosmetic look of the cabin.
Striaght up the first thing I noticed was the base model picture on the background of the infotainment. Come on VW how hard would it be to code a golf R on there?!
They corrected this on the mk 8.5. Sadly, we mk 8 owners are stuck with the regular Golf picture....
Just found the channel. Enjoy the content. You have driven the r and the type r what is your preference?
A little surprising that 4.61 is the best 0-100 time. I've seen some reviews hitting 100 in 3.9-4.1 seconds. Actually, most times seem to be hitting the low 4's.
@@Rich944inSK Is that 0-60 with 1ft rollout? I can’t imagine it doing 0-100 in 4.1. Even the official claim is 4.8.
Great review although if you put the car into nurburg ring mode you can bounce the rev limiter
@@davidniyi2483 Yeah maybe. But that was in Race mode - surely enough of a hint for the car? Too many cheat codes I reckon. If I pull the paddle it should mean, I want manual mode.
Only a minor complaint anyway for an otherwise cracking hot hatch.
Hi Brett
Im quite certain if in Race or Special mode, the gears won’t up shift automatically when in manual mode.
@@stevek7461 Ah ok. Thanks. Well that was in Race mode during that demonstration, but I didn’t specifically try redlining in Nurburgring or Drift modes. Even so, you shouldn’t have to be in a certain mode in my opinion. Manual shifting should be enough to let the car know you want the full control.
How were you able to engage launch control with the ESC fully off? My car will only engage launch control with ESC sport. 🤔
I don't think you'd get better performance than this for the money and next year's update will have more power and will address the touch screen complaints.
A Model 3 P isn't much more than this. These once were extremely good in that mid50-60 range, at 70 plus on roads its way too expensive.
That 2.3 bar charge pressure it's the absolute pressure. The official VW technical sheet says max turbo boost 21.8 PSI that's almost 1.5 bar.
A 2.0L petrol engine with over 2bar boost would make over 450hp (that's stage3 Golf R).
If it was still available with 3 pedals and if it wasn't a Volkswagen I'd love to have one if those in my garage.
I was going to buy this mk8 but with a young baby I decided with a TIGUAN R instead . Both amazing cars basically twins performance wise I can
live without the drift pack lol
At least with my tig i can turn stop start off right away with a button on the console hehe
Nice car! Great video thanks mate
Great review. Would you choose this or the Honda Type R?/
@@bradl6360 Thanks.
That’s a difficult one. Civic is more engaging and more hardcore, whereas this is a great all-rounder yet very quick. I’d probably take the Civic in the end but only because I like the hardcore side of it. And I would totally understand why some would choose this instead.
@@drivingenthusiastaustralia yep I have driven both and am struggling to choose. The Golf is fantastic but the Type R is magic.
I bought this car brand new, 2024 and it lemoned at 400 miles on the odometer. Entering the forums prior, I’ve never seen more complaints of various issues from tech to mechanical in my life. I was nervous when I bought it and it rewarded me by dying fast, VW danced around it and I had to sue successfully to get every dime of my money back. People, stay away from VW.
Hey Brett this or the M340i? I know the 340 is a good bit more new but second hand with 30k or so you can get a good 340 for not bad money. Just curious which you like best regardless of price. Cheers mate.
@@malsmith2012 M340i. This is nice but 340 is a completely different level. Smooth inline six, quicker, larger inside. Sound is awesome.
Hope that helps.
If you're considering an M340I Have a look at the Pre-Facelift X3M's. Value for money for a practical rocketship, They're amazing. I was actually looking at getting an m340I until I took an X3m for a drive. Don't get me wrong if it's a sedan you're after you can't go wrong with the m340i. They're awesome, and the b58 Straight 6 will go down in history as one of the best made.
@@drivingenthusiastaustralia thanks so much mate that's awesome to hear.. I've had many operations on my back and struggle with really stiff cars so I'm hoping that the M340i in comfort will be ok for me. It won't be a daily as I have a WN Caprice for that so hoping comfort will be fine. Thanks again for the advice.
@@madrx2 Thanks mate.. Unfortunately the M cars will be way too stiff for me as I've had many back operations and can't ride in stiff cars unfortunately.. It won't be a daily when I get it, just for nice weekend drives/fun.. Agree with all you said about the mighty B58, legendary engine.... Cheers
It's no Focus ST let alone Focus RS.
VW includes atmospheric pressure in the meter.
Somehow it’s lost its glamour and the sensation or driving connection, perhaps the “Hot” hatch idea is not what it used to be + it’s a VW which has a very bad name for quality and other issues. Cheers 🇦🇺
Cant decide which to get this or the A35…
I faced this dilemma a few months ago. In the end went with the Golf as the interior of the a35 was a bit flash for my liking.
Both good cars though 👍
The a35amg is beautiful but servicing costs etc would be through the roof compared to a VW .
Are you gonna be able to review the new BMW M135? i really wanna hear how horrible its gonna sound. Knowing BMW they're probably gonna make the shifts literally go quiet like the M340i.
Yes, I'll see if I can line something up asap.
@@drivingenthusiastaustralia on your time my broer💯
4:17 🐑 🐏 🐑
Why would a car like this have stop/start, it is the worst feature ever invented for a car and it’s so pointless having it in a high performance hot hatch.
Crazy quick times, I wonder how this would go lined up against a Kia Stinger GT, would be a good comparison even though both cars don’t really compete, can you get a drag race sorted out mate.
@@russell3436 Stinger is slower, closer to 5.5 seconds to 100.
Due to RWD . But stinger is much more fun and dynamic.
EA888 is fast, that’s it, not much else
These hothatches became too expensive. The fact that there are EVs with near supercar performance at a similar price point makes this car even more irrelevant.
True, but by 'supercar performance' I guess you're only referring to 0-100? Because those EVs don't offer anywhere near the same character or charm of something like this. No gears to change, no narrative from an exhaust note. And often A LOT heavier which ruins cornering dynamics. I would much rather drive one of these along a mountain route on a crisp Sunday morning than any EV. From a driving enthusiast's point of view anyway.
VW have burned many billions of euro the last 4 years chasing the electric dream. After owning a few I have gone to the dark side with Skoda and the Octavia.....
v6
@@PrincessBeeRelink Well, technically VR6 but you know what I mean 😀