2021 VW Golf R MK8: A Love/Hate Relationship - Full Review!

[@RemoveBeforeRace]

I love getting a new manufacturer on the channel! Especially one with deep history like VW! 👌🏽 What else would you like see on the channel from the brand? Let me know and enjoy the R: it’s a ripper!! 🔥

[@pak_number1481]

Great review as always 👏 ..... would you get the Golf R over the Merc A45s?

[@g60rahul17]

Great video 👍, spotted a little error though, the first 4wd golf was the Golf Rallye, built for the group A rally. Only 5,000 ever to be put in the planet

[@ftzondi5140]

Tiguan R next

[@jp_c126]

Please the Arteon R Shooting Brake :) as one of the last of his kind!

[@lenep9985]

Do you ever do retro reviews, on cars that popular 7-10 years ago? Eg ...hot hatch Cars that are affordable now...eg rs3 8p.

[@shaglioni]

I have watched dozens of reviews on the MK8R and this is by far, thee best and most thorough review I have seen of it. Very well done.

[@lenep9985]

Buttons and knobs need to make a big come back in cars....

[@krane15]

Whose big idea was it to get rid of them in the first place? Some pencil pushing geek looking to cut cost? Certainly not the consumers. I have yet to read a single comment or hear a single review where anybody prefers them. They certainly don't make driving safer or easier. If anything, just the opposite.

[@xordus]

dude.. its so ridiculous. I feel like I got the perfect GTI. 2017 right before the facelift. I have a tangible speedometer! No freaking lcd screen in my dash. idk why that's popular tbh

[@nealp885]

I am praying. lol

[@LiLgPnoy15]

Absolutely, well said.

[@technicalnonsense]

Has manufacture not learn from their mistakes? Hell, for a while Honda got rid of the volume button and people raised hell and then they brought it back; what makes VW think it was a good idea to remove them on the steering wheel all together

[@CarToneHK]

"Over 45 years" of not just VW Golfs, but the work behind the special effects as well

[@BurritoSenor]

Missed out the 7 tho

[@pt6134]

MK8 review finally starts at 12:30 Drive happens at 27:30

[@joseluix0]

thanks man! I really appreciate it!

[@brianfromthirty]

Thanks, the video is good, but I came for a car Review, not a history lesson

[@blanco325]

Good lawd too much filler and ads

[@p-manwecho8395]

Thanks a lot

[@janoycresnova9156]

Way too much unnecessary filler and ads in this "review"

[@oscarchang486]

still own a mk4 r32 and I LOOOOve the sound of the VR6

[@Daveyboy_RS3]

I still own a mk7 golf R and I looove the sound of your VR6

[@joep4224]

Love my Mk3 VR and Mk5 R32, I'd love a Mk4 but as above they're rare in Australia.

[@PieMK6R]

I have a mk6 R and I love it. I wish it sounded cooler

[@kottyking]

my man! 16 years and 205,000 miles later and im still ticking. Were married at this point.

[@RedondoBeach2]

I'm the original owner of a 2004 GTI VR6. A solid car. Although, your R32 is the collectors item.

[@Theurgicnick]

What a great review! Honest and to the point. Had the balls to say what didn’t work or felt needed improvement without fear of pissing the manufacture off but praised the good bits without arse diving. Subscribed!

[@jamesead9095]

Not overly harsh or critical in that regard either. Some reviewers go so hard on the interior that you would think it stops you from driving it, and would make them send a £40,000 car to the scrapyard. "UGH. Touch buttons!!!"

[@See.You.Soon.027]

I love this guy so much! He does PROPER history, even for people who doesn't know anything about cars! Absolutely AMAZING!!

[@THEG12EG]

He’s has the best formula

[@nithishjvj8736]

Man you're one of the gems automotive journalism has ever seen Only 3 to 4 out there currently and you're one of them Marvelous work, keep it up

[@ollolol7879]

This channel deserve million subscribers

[@LRS7B]

Jeez.. I didn’t realise it didn’t have millions of subscribers! Certainly deserves it 🥇

[@krane15]

Tell all your friends to subscribe.

[@gunstrucksbbq]

Saw this on a random device, came back just to comment on what a great job you did on this. As a GTI owner over decades and generations I truly enjoyed your works thank you.

[@moominpupa]

The shape has really grown on me. Looks better in real life. I saw a GTI in a beautiful silver. Very nice.

[@RickGTI2019]

Of course the car is beautiful, and state of the art. However, being older, and driving a 2019 GTI 7.5, I certainly would miss the manual controls. Too many touch screen controls takes your eyes off the road too often. Great video, thanks. RickGTI……

[@MrRonan3]

That is without doubt the most thorough Review anyone has ever done on any golf. Let alone the MK8. I have a TCR. And have had two golf R but the price of these are a big jump over the previous Models.

[@volkswizard]

Great video, I learned a lot! Just one thing, first AWD Golf was the Mk2 (not Mk4) with the Syncro, there was also a Mk3 VR6 Syncro for European market. I'm so glad you used the shortcut for ESC as not many reviewers have found that. With regards to Lane Assist, there is a button on the end of the left hand stalk to go straight to the option to disable it. The VW logo redesign was so it could be more easily reproduced digitially. As a Mk8 owner for 2.5 months, I have no issues with the steering wheel button operation, sure it took a few days to not press things in error but now I'd never go back to tradtional buttons, swiping up and down audio volume for example is brilliant.

[@edgarsdzerins]

Buttons and knobs must come back! These touch and greasy screens that need touching several times same function are dangerous and must be illegal because distract attention from the road!

[@DeadPixels_]

Quite simply one the best car reviews I have ever seen. New sub without a doubt. Mega work!

[@bmf5420]

The MK7.5 is pinnacle Golf imo. Not just styling, but the fact they perfected the R formula and made a daily car that even after a decade of being released (MK7 platform) , is still one of the best all round cars money can buy. What a thing 😍

[@ВРСРепубликаСрпска]

The 7.5 is not even 5 years old (March 2017) And yes youre right , 7.5 beats 8 in every aspect (Looks)

[@bmf5420]

@@ВРСРепубликаСрпска wow so next month.... which means it technically is a 5 year old design 🤦‍♂️😂

[@backseatdriver8902]

the mk7 was underrated as well. She did 4.3 stock all day long (DSG).

[@rlakhay]

Exactly.....

[@DeniJasmina]

Huh?? 4.3?????

[@backseatdriver8902]

@@DeniJasmina Yes, it was done by a car magazine test

[@davothegreat9990]

@@backseatdriver8902 haven't seen a stock mk7 r keep up with a mk8 r yet... It wins easily everytime!

[@MrVara411]

FANTASTIC Golf R review. Best one I've seen so far.

[@ZoogaZig]

Huge fan of your work. I love the history, so important to every car. There has to be an overlap between Golf fans and Porsche fans, the desire for things to be the same, but different, but freaking out over small changes.

[@Daveyboy_RS3]

That was BY FAR the best mk8 R review I've seen . 👍

[@jamesrichardson4604]

Carwow timed it at 3.9sec to 60, also a few companies have had it on a rolling road giving 340bhp.

[@alexandercooper8743]

They timed it at 4.03 seconds 👍

[@Kashban]

VW really mops the floor with the competition in terms of performance. Still ordered an M135i coming from a Golf Variant GTD, because I don't like the MK8 software and cockpit, also the quality of the interior isn't up to par. Really curious how the other manufacturers will respond. Good video, really enjoyed it even though I know my M135i is outperformed by the new Golf R.

[@TheBigdaddy9448]

I just stumbled on your channel and I thought this review was going to be like all of the others. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. I'm a VW affectionaldo and I found your review very interesting and informative. Nice job! I'm on VW# 6 waiting for the R to arrive here in the US.

[@Lumalee-]

i cant wait to test drive it! i am curious as to what the touch/buttons feel like.

[@spinnetti]

That rear diff is the most compelling thing about it, though I won't give up my S3 for it. I hate the touch controls. Need real buttons for HVAC and Volume at least. I never play with all the gadgets. Make the car work great out of the box and I don't need all that personalization of the electronics. When will they learn that all they need is a screen and an amp for our phones? Our phones will always be more up to date than any car.

[@jroobz]

i grew up with golfs. my family had a mk2 and mk3 that i learned to drive in. classic cars i will always love

[@Moody-Media]

Dude you’re editing is an example of a 250k subscriber channel working like a multimillion subscriber channel, the editing is awesome keep it up!!

[@scottkuyawa67]

I almost got a regular GTI a few years back when I first started my current job, but was a bit short on money. I think this time it's time to go big with the R and this video definitely pushed me in that direction.

[@chrismelisse1284]

Love the exterior design, love the improved awd, love how much better of a driver's car this gen should be, hate the new interior.

[@krane15]

Hit the nail on the head. The interior looks like a step down. I find the front buckets with the integrated head rests particularly hideous.

[@therambler3713]

Meh, most people will get used to it

[@chrismelisse1284]

@@therambler3713 Possible. Probable. Maybe they'll change it a bit on the half-mark refresh. If not, we'll have to deal with it.

[@chrismelisse1284]

@Bryce Czirr Yeah, for sure. Just don't know if I can personally get past that interior design and the step-down in quality of materials. Think I'm going to hang onto my 7.5 GTI for now and wait and see what the half-mark update looks like. Also hate that they zap a ton of torque from the car if you choose manual.

[@katiecannon8186]

@@krane15 That’s my only complaint. The rest I really like. But integrated head rests are just really ugly

[@X10Cfotograaf]

This channel....spot on! The very best i have seen so far. Historical, good in detail, explanation and understandable. BBC should make a international tv series of it.

[@nkosinathi7645]

MK7 R is the best ever made, the MK8 is externally beautiful. Internally I don't like everything about it. It looks boring and dull. Touch button concept isn't practical on the steering; especially on temperature adjustments and also they don't illuminate at night. Overall great review 👌🏽

[@vandrosia]

Of course, this Golf R will upshift for you since it doesn't have the performance pack. You can tell by the smaller rear wing that it's the "regular" R. The performance pack version won't automatically upshift for you and you can redline it to your heart's content.

[@kerpoise]

Yeah, but I'm not paying £2000 for the pleasure! I'll wait until it's been jailbroken and get someone to open it up for pennies.

[@Xenon0000000000001]

That's what he said in the video.

[@opencarry3860]

The MK 5/6 was the best of all the generations. I hope VW looks to the 5/6 for the MK9 design when it is developed.

[@mikeburton8426]

The definitive golf r review! Chapeau.

[@Pmjs]

My VW Corrado 2.0 16V 94M had the same engine as the Golf GTI mk3 16V. I loved my Passat 1.8T Sport 99T&Passat 1.9TDI 130bhp SE 4 motion 03 as they were based on the Audi A4 with Longitudinal engines.

[@shahidrainudeen5640]

You are not only a reviewer you are a teacher for us also.Thanks for the clear explaination.

[@karelesterhuizen7117]

Just love the example of the R now. I had a 5 and what a change.

[@m-a-mirza]

One of the best car reviewers. A great deal of content and top editing. I think the Mk8 gets a lot of negative press but I feel you've definitely given a more balanced view. VW have a winning formula 👌

[@wcboggs]

It took me weeks to find out but there is a button at the tip of the left stalk that turns the lane assist off rather than having to go into the menus 👌

[@krane15]

Did you read the manual?

[@wcboggs]

@@krane15 Don't be silly, I'm a bloke!

[@SSSDDDOOOGGG]

So much knowledge of history and carmaking, this is awesome, I wish you 20 million subscribers ;)

[@vincentletnom]

MK3 Golf already had a V6 engine with 4 wheel drive in the VR6 Synchro that was used in the Golf als in the Corrado. This was the VR6 2.9 litre engine.

[@AB-nv7bz]

I think i'm going to chose the DSG(we have the option in the states). I really want a manual, but there are too many downsides for daily driving(I have had 3 manual cars). Plus the launch control is quite the party trick (especially once we start getting ecu tuning mid 3s 0-60 mid 11s 1/4 mi).

[@AngelValdovinos]

It'll break

[@AB-nv7bz]

@@AngelValdovinos the dsg? It’s hasn’t been a weak point in the past as least with mild tunes. They used basically the same transmission in the c7 s6 and rs3 which is way more powerful

[@JCTiggs1]

​​​@@AngelValdovinosActually it's the manual clutch that's the weak link in the R. The DSG can handle a lot more power so if you're looking to run a tune that's the transmission to have. Car and Driver tested both and the DSG is a full second faster 0-60 and in the ¼ mile (and 5 mph higher trap speed too). 0-60 of 3.9s vs 4.9s and ¼ mile 12.4s@111 vs 13.4s@106. That's a substantial performance difference. I've driven manual cars my entire life but if I'm paying $50k for a Golf R I want the fast version.

[@AngelValdovinos]

@@JCTiggs1 why are you asking me 🤡

[@AngelValdovinos]

@@layne4376 I used to like vw audi then I grew up. Toyota lexus make far superior vehicles 🤡👑👑

[@xxclusive8380]

Wow the editing on this is unmatched... better than most BBC productions.

[@simonfuller7331]

Great test ! I'm even starting to like the front end ! Greetings from a Golf R (2016) owner in Australia

[@mikeyg8585]

Nice video good knowledge and history Of the VW I have been buying VW for last 20 year now have the MK 8 Love it brilliant

[@henryespinosa9283]

I notice that there’s only two separate seats in the rear of the Type R with no middle seat. I didn’t see a center armrest either. And I think that probably the rear seats don’t gold down in order to increase cargo space. I suspect that there’s maybe a torsion bar behind the rear seats (like in the Hyundai Elantra N) and therefore the rear seats don’t fold down. If that’s the case then I think that would be a deal breaker for me and I would buy instead the more practical GTI, which the rear seats do fold down.

[@Loopsrainforest]

Having no physical volume/power or AC controls is unacceptable & an example of hubris from out of touch enginerds & stupid focus groups.

[@drewhoffman1461]

I completely agree. Developed by people who have no idea what a driving enthusiast wants and needs.

[@jo8737]

It’s Definitely the biggest drawback from mk7 to mk8. It’s happening across manufacturers and I hate that they over engineer economy cars. These are vws... I don’t want to pay for these interior touch controls and led headlights/taillights . Not everyone likes them and I certainly don’t want to pay the premium for them. I like to keep my cars and I do my own maintenance/repairs. LED headlamps are expensive to replace...can’t imagine also replacing the lcd gauge clusters and the touchscreen. Needle gauges should never leave the ICE vehicles interior. I Recently Had a rental car, a turbo Honda accord with the lcd gauge, and it felt Sluggish in response and it was lame looking. Hubris indeed. Cars costing more and more. Repairs costing more and more.

[@tiko4621]

@@jo8737 pretty sure it’s actually cheaper for them to implement touch screens over actual buttons and dials..

[@aerodynechambers]

“it reminds me of 911” i was not expecting that😂😂

[@ericcampbell3365]

He is referring to Porsche 911

[@aerodynechambers]

@@ericcampbell3365 ik, it was just funny. he always removes the “the” when referring to specific models

[@ericcampbell3365]

@@aerodynechambersYes. I enjoy all his reviews. Very solid in his delivery. Thanks for the reply.

[@toooes]

He is referring to 9:11PM

[@aerodynechambers]

@@toooes i think he meant its like calling 911

[@juanr.rodriguez3109]

That timeline presentation was gold. But I’ll keep my 2018 Golf R till MK9 comes out.

[@toddchristyMV]

Love this car. One must test drive to be thoroughly reassured that this will crush back roads and rip ling highway drives, as well as easily run to the grocery for some quick pantry essentials!

[@macca2760]

Can’t think of a better rear end on a hot hatch , absolutely stunning

[@steelbreeze2682]

I really love the history portion, but would it be possible to flash the dates on-screen somewhere? Like a quick 1980-1986 to give us context while you speak.

[@teacake6941]

Mr. AMG reviewing a car I can actually afford... it is a good day.

[@hardchemist]

Just purchased a 2023 Golf R 20th anniversary edition with the 6-speed manual which is only available in North America. The best of all worlds! And every other option, including the DCC. Nirvana!

[@sanjaystuart]

Cut costing in the interior cabin, sensors suck. I own a mk7 R still going strong👍

[@alang13]

Glad I just bought a 2021 Golf GTI SE (manual trans.) It's fast enough, handles really well on turns and curves, and still has at least a few knobs. That all-digital display? Looks like you're driving a video game or cell phone more than a car.

[@Digitalstar3]

First time I find the 8 good looking since it came out. Pumped that they dropped the Haldex

[@bshah4831]

Terrific review. So much relevant detail. Shame about the lack of buttons and no back light on touch buttons for climate control.

[@MarkBeresford-w1b]

Love the editing , showing internal parts of the car as you are talking about them ❤ , ps love the Porsche in the background 👌

[@tharinduwijayasena309]

Love these informative reviews with a dash of history thrown in. good stuff!

[@jrushen4235]

Fantastic mature review with excellent graphics. Really appreciate your work. Thanks.

[@Nickand19]

If you want to turn off the lane assist in an easier way, there is a small button on the side of the left indicator. Push it and then a menu will pop-up which will have the lane assist as the first choice to turn off. I do it every day :P

[@AllOutNoobHater]

I really didn't need a history lesson for 13 minutes. It's appreciated, but we all know the history.

[@zosuliwegula6401]

I drive a VW polo vivo but at some point I want to get a better car. I am pleasantly surprised with how the history of VW was incorporated. This was fun to watch but it was still educational

[@The.car.guy221]

Respect for the work you put in your videos, eid Mubarak 🙏🏽🎊

[@assadlak9964]

The editing tho is on point.👏🏼

[@D0wNhiLL]

I prefer the 8th gen design as it is keeping the car modern!

[@nithishjvj8736]

It's becoming a new trend for car makers to understate performance figures So your personal impression would be even better, silently compelling you to buy on it

[@fancycavegaming620]

looks just as good as the Mk7 to me, I like them both.

[@konacyclist]

Amazing production values and fascinating historical Golf information.

[@robertwieczorek5838]

The info delivered is beyond amazing

[@mojar2680]

This golf looks so good, a white body with ocean blue calipers :O

[@richardbixler]

@Remove Before Race Top notch video! Your selection of talking points were on point. I never knew about the Mercedes Beetle or that the first golf was a Giorgetto Giugiaro car. Also, your breakdown of each generations history was nice and brief without any poetic nonsense. I’m glad I found another quality automotive channel.

[@sl8094]

I hate the golf mk8s... But this is the best looking mk8 specs ever..in colour and specs 🙌... Looking at it makes me wanna go get 1.thanks RBR for giving me hope that this car could actually look good in certain specs and colour.

[@JDDD33]

The previous Mk7 interior was FAR superior ! Bring on the Golf R Mk9 ! (everyone knows the odd numbers are best in these cars)

[@ВРСРепубликаСрпска]

Mk 5 Was the worst golf ever from Looks

[@JDDD33]

@@ВРСРепубликаСрпска but it was one of the most technological advanced jump in engine technology in the lineup. TFSI . Agree on the shabby looks tho

[@jessetswana765]

Thank you for sharing the history of the brand.

[@scobymanthegamecat8130]

Nice review. But makes me love my manual mk5 gti all the more.

[@stevecotterill7981]

So pleased I went for the 7.5, 3-door, manual, 310bhp (pre-particulate)... a keeper... 👍🇬🇧

[@ryanhurst1504]

Is the R-Performance pack worth the money? I'd say so, assuming you're already committed to spending more than £40,000 on a hot hatchback and you like the added visual aggression it brings. We think the wing, in particular, looks great, and the 19in wheels alone would otherwise set you back £825. The best bit is that Special mode, though. Not only does it suit British roads very well indeed, but those detail tweaks move the Golf R closer to being the car its own test engineers wanted. The R-Performance package isn’t by any means essential - but it does unlock the full Golf R experience.

[@OliverS2006]

I don’t like that there is so many black gloss plastic around the screens but the side skirt is lovely! Looks like the one from the MK5 R32

[@jimbrown4456]

when using the cruise control its very good but, when driving past junctions on motorway it will see the different speed limit on the road leading off the junction and try slow you down to say 30mph when on a 70mph motorway. surely this can be fixed by a system update

[@ChR0nos_7734]

Gotta respect the designer of mk8 for not putting fake went on the rear of the car. Looking at you A3/S3. I hope RS3 doesn't have them

[@haze1123]

Getting rid of the volume knob is always a mistake. Always. Haptic buttons and sliders are terrible.

[@peterw616]

You deserve much more followers than you have. Your videos are excellent!!

[@ryanhurst1504]

I believe the performance pack takes your top speed from 155 to 168!! Mph!! And comes with the 19 inch alloys and the spoiler on the back + drift mode like u said.. (not just drift mode) Performance pack is a must

[@deanpedley]

I've got to be honest at first I hated this car but with the bigger alloys and not the other horrible 18 inch and the car in white it looks absolutely stunning

[@justinlopez2665]

First time watching your video 👍👍 I already love it the editing is perfect.

[@stevehuk902]

It's funny the way this comes in Canada leather seats. Full wing, all performance pack features standard, adjustable suspension. The only option here is do you want a 6 speed manual or the dual clutch. The only really problem is the one I've ordered won't be here until summer 2022

[@jacknimble1]

No stick shift, no thanks. I think I would try the VelosterN and I own a MK1 and a MK6 GTI's.

[@carrots5733]

He wasn't calling robbie and Josh for backup. He was gonna ask them if they wanted to meet up for some beers, so he could tell them about his crazy day.

[@KaidoSamurai]

Never been a golf fan .. But this here looks very good, I would consider buying one of these if I was in for a hatch for sure.

[@rdruivivar]

the MK7 that you mentioned is the MK7.5

[@cjb8993]

I fixed my MK7 Golf R understeer with a stage 2 tune among other things.

[@davothegreat9990]

Tune doesn't fix understeer. Must be the other things.

[@cjb8993]

@@davothegreat9990 A 100 HP from stock, certainly does fix understeer.

[@davothegreat9990]

@@cjb8993 wrong! Doesn't make sense.. To fix under steer you need to do many things but more power isn't one of them. Tire pressure, wider tires at front and narrower at the back, sway bar links, softer front springs and stiffer rear springs and soften front shocks. 🤔

[@harrisj2278]

Excellent review Raz typically with VW they release the model like this one the 8th gen and like BMW they later release a facelift model which really improves on the original Im excited to see the 8.5 gen I also wonder how the manual is.

[@Lonely_Goat]

if this is the shape of things to come in car design then count me out. i still driving my mk5 eddy

[@JoJoJoker]

A DSG MK4 R32: now that’s one I want for the garage.

[@MrTARIQSs]

The editing is top notch!

[@moa6324]

That spec makes it look good

[@jermainerobinson7098]

Great video very well done and very educational which l love l no am a massive vw fan and there’s things that l have learnt watching this l am definitely going to subscribe looking forward to watching more videos 👏🏽👊🏽🥂