2022 Volkswagen Golf R 6-Speed Manual - POV First Impressions

[@crumbybooch1851]

I didn’t think they were going to sell this in a manual. Very happy to see they are!

[@vojtechbatelka8581]

Not in Europe tho

[@jeetsupa4362]

Also it's limited in torque

[@kaiglembocki4601]

@@jeetsupa4362 what’s that mean less fun?

[@JoeDeezy]

Ofc they were lol

[@jacobarechiga9069]

VW says they only make it optional because owners keep purchasing them in a manual saving the true feeling of driving

[@K1dPhresh1]

Respect for the foot clap before getting in the car. This is a car guy.

[@bassandtrebleclef]

The teslafication of cars is a terrible trend. Minimal car interiors removing buttons and easy access to functions is anti-safety. It's making it harder to use controls, distracting drivers and increasing risks. It's foolish.

[@steveroe7083]

As a thinking human being, I think you're spot on. Hordes of young consumer sheeple raised on touchscreens however, will go "oh cool!" and lap the foolishness up.

[@instasingingvids3529]

@@steveroe7083 I’m young and it’s not even cool. Some things don’t need to be reinvented and changed. The old design works great. Somebody needs to fire these designers.

[@scottanthony3426]

And then they have to add back in a bunch of nannies to compensate for driver's who are distracted while trying to scroll though a stupid menu to change a setting that could be done easily with knobs and switches. Now we have lane departure, automatic braking, auto wipers, auto lights, warnings to remind you to take your kids out of the back seat, etc. Any wonder why a car with this exterior dimensions crests 3400 lbs and costs $ 44K?

[@conorf8091]

The future is now old man

[@conorf8091]

@@steveroe7083 “sheeples” cringe…

[@andreybrovkin1294]

You're like less classy but more emotional Topher, love you both, you compliment each other perfectly

[@hellcat7394]

Both?

[@heliumhunterr]

i love the giggle at the cup holder lmao

[@andreybrovkin1294]

@@hellcat7394 at the beginning of the vid he says substitute Topher

[@hellcat7394]

@@andreybrovkin1294 who is the substitute?

[@andreybrovkin1294]

@@hellcat7394 I'm not sure, but he's been on the channel for a couple of months now I think

[@JuniorJr...]

Driving a manual Golf in this mesmerizing scenery was certainly perfect! What a fun day, huh?

[@tyler9703]

Looks like a fun car, such a shame that the interior is an ergonomic nightmare

[@MarkPharaoh]

It’s incredibly frustrating. How could they screw that up so badly?? I want to punch one of their interior designers.

[@loadthebowl]

I think it looks cool

[@tempestsquall5882]

@@MarkPharaoh it's an interior. chill

[@alextrofin]

@@tempestsquall5882 Which you literally sit in all of your driving...if anything the most important in a car is the interior

[@tempestsquall5882]

@@alextrofin yeah and this is just a simple interior like you’d find anywhere else just with extra flair, the most important thing in any car should be the DRIVETRAIN. Ya know, the part that actually gets you where you’re going?

[@brewcrewmanu]

Very nice review man. It was a genuine reaction, which is always a good thing. I’m a big Topher fan but will not mind at all when you fill in. Also I want a golf R now.

[@auggith]

not sure if it’s just me but that shifter looks damn cool! the shape of the knob and how clean the area around it looks just makes it look super futuristic like an airbus side stick or something

[@cosmic_gate476]

Agreed, it even looks better than the new Z shifter lol

[@dariopiovani5077]

VAG group uses that shifter everywhere, even in 100-odd horsepower bog standard Audi A1s over here in europe LOL

[@tarquin2trappybro]

@@dariopiovani5077 haha even the little Skoda Fabia gets the same gear knob

[@pascutia]

As with the MK7, the Golf R has seemingly shorter gearing than the GTI. I think that’s really cool.

[@schakalicious6023]

Is this due to a shorter final drive? I can’t imagine they made a new gearbox just for the R.

[@jaioncebollero1168]

I hope it wasn’t purposeful though... A “you want better gearing for more shifting action? Pay more money” type of deal. Kinda like how you have to get the type r if you want vtec. They’re paywalling the things they know you want.

[@24bergman]

I like the interior, a lot. Almost looks like a futuristic EV inside, only it’s not. That’s a beautiful hatchback.

[@pascutia]

@@jaioncebollero1168 I think it’s done due to the larger turbo on the R. Improves responsiveness.

[@sonypd9842]

@@24bergman quality is a big downgrade from the mk7 and 7.5 though.

[@cifumedley]

BMW guy here. Always appreciated the Golf line. Looks a little weird from the outside, but not in a bad way. I bet this one will do well since the only real competitors will be Honda Type R & Hyundai Veloster N. Sick car and still very true to Golf heritage!

[@MistahLogi]

I don’t know why the Type R is even a competitor. Should be the GTI since the R is AWD

[@basselalami8246]

what about the cupra bro?🙃

[@MistahLogi]

@@basselalami8246 usdm bro

[@Dylanbellz]

Don’t forget Subaru STI 🙏

[@Mike-kr5dn]

@@basselalami8246 same car bro

[@basithph8958]

Good to see the manual still in the Golf R even! Glad that VW is keeping that option I’m sure this is a great car to drive

[@dzk6714]

@Paw EL or low skill drivers

[@theonlyfridge8376]

@Paw EL But in Germany the VW Golf R are only aviable with Automatic transmission.

[@Teddingtin]

I'm not even in the market for this car but if I was those "buttons" would be a dealbreaker for me.

[@shraderwizardingbro]

2016 golf r driver here and really really love the drive on these...my first ever 6 speed and took it to the mountains as well was an extremely fun drive

[@johnkclyburn]

Honestly, I'm 63 and looking for my last "new" ride. I was thinking suv or even pickup but after seeing the reviews for the Mk 8 GTI and R (I had a 86 GTI and it was one of, if not best cars I've ever owned) I'm thinking about one or the other. And what got me...that very interior everyone's moaning about. Not worried about no buttons, my 2007 STS has plenty and still you'd better pull over to make adjustments. Especially here in NYC. I'm retired now and will have plenty of time to read the owners manual and learn stuff. Quite a few adjustments can be made through the steering wheel. Real talk, it's GTI or R on the high end and Civic SI and a used pickup (to tow a small fishing boat) on the low end. Great review!

[@federal6616]

Hyundai has a nice elantra N 4door. Should compete well.

[@doloresberry3144]

my dad and I have a MK8 R and GTI. such fun cars. I got used to the infotainment system quickly, and it's not as bad as people make it out to be. Though it could be better.

[@goldentrucker7921]

Well what did you do ?

[@AdamKlingenberger]

Beautiful wheels. The Golf R for this generation looks way better than the GTI for some reason. Maybe some difference in front fascia makes the headlights less awkward. Looks really good!

[@simonkane9589]

The interior looks good I love the blue accents but yeah who keeps telling these manufacturers to get rid of buttons? It's really stupid!

[@DEVILTAZ35]

Way too much plastic though for this price range. I wish they offered a luxury version of the Golf R with a full leather interior.

[@domefford864]

I’ve had one for 6 months, I love the interior, buttons seem so out of date now.

[@nikolagregic7709]

@@domefford864 Buttons are much more practical.

[@domefford864]

@@nikolagregic7709 really? Just like they are on mobile phones?

[@husariaproductions4240]

@@domefford864 love the back and forth. Lol about to get mine in manual this month how are you liking it ?

[@robertrishel3685]

Nicely done. This car is always in my top 5 to potentially buy….at least for the past 10 years anyway. Definitely among the best on offer in the American market. My oldest son has a Mk7 GTI with DSG which is a fantastic car.

[@maximeparent3004]

The manual Golf looks so much more fun to drive than the DSG one, and i didn't even test drove one yet. I think it would be a nice upgrade after my Mazdaspeed 3.

[@catchawave21]

I miss my Speed3🙁

[@maximeparent3004]

@@catchawave21 they're really awesome cars and quite underrated. I have mine for 4 years now and still puts a smile on my face. I will certainly keep it to go along with my next car.

[@greatwhitenorth3717]

I am thinking of this car to replace my beloved MS3 gen..mildly modded with a BRS3 on E33. I had it since 2007

[@Xixu.co.6]

The dsg is fun in its own way. You can’t go wrong with either one

[@27Zangle]

My father's final years were spent not far from that area of NC. I had only visited twice before he passed and loved driving through the mountains and our little trip down to Helen, Ga. for Octoberfest. Good memories and have talked about moving to the area on several occasions. My problem is I love the Pacific Northwest region down into Montana so much. Anyways, great video, and thanks for refreshing some memories. 🙂

[@P4SDetails]

Having the “R” modes is incredibly fun. I really like fun.

[@jbm0866]

I can't be the only one disappointed. I mean, likely the last true GTI/Golf R ever, best engine-drivetrain/suspension VW has ever put under these things...yet that interior🙈

[@aadi8568]

Ikr

[@dickbrown3196]

I like the interior

[@jbm0866]

@@dickbrown3196 If it were just the look of the interior vs the MK 7.5 I could easily get past it, but the haptic feedback buttons on the steering wheel combined with the non back-lit sliders underneath the infotainment screen are a step too far for me.

[@dickbrown3196]

@@jbm0866 Don’t get me wrong, I like the minimalistic design they took, but ergonomics are not so good… I wish they put manual dials for the AC instead of the weird flat button sliders :)

[@Hikenights]

Driving a manual in the curvy roads of Appalachia. Gotta love it

[@italaugh83745]

Loved driving around here - awesome vid!

[@timw2083]

I loved the review. Seems like the perfect sporty daily driver. This checks a lot of boxes for me

[@shinybaldy]

Say you're driving and enjoying the miles then someone decides to roll coal or you drive by a particularly stinky open farm pond or a dead skunk... how quickly can you switch to recirc?

[@TheTopher]

3 inputs on the screen at a minimum 👎

[@matheus_ps]

i know the DSG is faster and all but the manual looks so fun. good review!

[@Silbaru]

Man I’ve been waiting for another Golf review!

[@kontroverznibiznismen2498]

I didnt know there was a Golf 8 manual, im even more suprised there is a new R with manual its amazing they are still making them

[@charlesharpe6861]

Maaaaaan Asheville native this is the shit!! Great drive, great car, great location choice. Some of the best driving in the country out here. Solid!

[@tjittekamminga5170]

gorgeous, so sleek, no thrills etc. amazing colour too!

[@thinc2272]

The capacitive buttons are the main thing pushing me to a 2023 Type R

[@Hunter-si5bg]

Both are incredible platforms, the Type R FEELS like it’s AWD. Handling is superb on both, and I don’t think either would disappoint you.

[@jasonpeckman472]

I've been patiently waiting to replace my 2002 WRX wagon and the Mk 8 R is the next car I will own. My interior is so old it doesn't matter what I buy I will have a steep learning curve and frankly the minimalist interior layout is appealing. Time to start saving my nickels!

[@S2kalvinh]

One of the cars I’m considering for a new daily !

[@6rathe]

theres something so lovely about new manual cars

[@StormAutoAdventures]

Wow, what an amazing machine! That was such a great video guys! Thanks for posting it!

[@jeffsiemens4485]

For everyone complaining about the infotainment, most people who have actually DRIVEN this car or the GTI say it’s not a deal breaker (including in this review). I’d still take this over a mk7(.5) because of all the other improvements.

[@kevinnorris6558]

I couldn't imagine driving a car with such few buttons. It's incredibly inconvenient

[@pronto7362]

very

[@supertrooper4353]

Tesla: "Allow me to re-introduce myself" 😂

[@georgesr8979]

Better imagine it because it’s the future…

[@bfboobie]

next model year, they'll remove the steering wheel, gas, and brake pedals

[@supertrooper4353]

@@bfboobieI get the impression they have the technology and the know-how to do that today if they wanted - but would you get into a car which you cannot control yourself or have another person control it? Also the roads are not filled with all geniuses - so i don't think they'll remove the steering wheel, brake and gas pedals anytime soon lol....if anything the term "gas" pedal will probably be replaced with actuator or something funky lol

[@babygroot8023]

Him:*hears actual gun shots* “woahhh listen to those cracks and pops”😲

[@AndreThompson925]

Watch out, TheTopher...Topher2 is going to steal your channel ;). I'm so glad you have a mini-you to get us more reviews. Bring on the GLI!

[@stenson1353]

I really enjoy this guy as a host

[@Kay_3b]

Beautiful car with a perfect scenic road ❤

[@submissions72]

This is perfect for those of us who want a manual and are desperate for an upgrade from our outdated wrx in so many ways. Because you know, the new wrx isn't it and no sti soo ya.

[@AFGMirMir7477]

I actually love the interior, it looks hella sleek. VW always does the interior right

[@Polletross]

I just want to live there and enjoy those roads every day.

[@bluezklewz8351]

Every time I see a mk8 review it just reinforces my decision to get a mk7.5 I think in 20 years people will see how dumb all these touch screens are. They wont age well.

[@Chopper153]

Car companies have now realised that it's much much cheaper to make capacitive touch screens than proper real buttons and switches. Tesla cars have the worst interiors ever and others are following that.

[@nixc71]

Seat Sniffing Crew Checking In

[@Someone-ib3iw]

Good thing they made a manual Anyone agrees with me?

[@carking1043]

“but the Dual clutch is faster” IDGAF. Long live the manual!

[@dgokmph2167]

Very good video. A very busy road. The road is beautiful all around. Thanks

[@alien_raider464]

What’s even better is that there’s no fake noise with the manual! In the dsg I kinda hear a fake noise for some reason.

[@_.crzzyy._]

substitite topher is just like topher!

[@TheMstwntdLMSV123]

It was really cool to hear the car win you over as the drive went on

[@charlieherring8458]

The mk8 golf gti/r may seem like great cars to drive, but the capacitive touch buttons don’t sit well with me and I know it doesn’t sit well with a lot of people either. The mk7 is the best

[@theshmoe9513]

i disagree

[@jessechen724]

40 THOUSAND!? I have no doubt this may be a good car but WOW. That is EXPENSIVE. Also, shout out to fellow North Carolinians

[@EazyTheRecon]

The options for that price makes it not worth it

[@RatedKwong1]

the interior sucks, im sure this isnt a hot take

[@dickbrown3196]

I think it looks good

[@craigyirush3492]

Good to see enough people stateside still want this with a manual.

[@AndreThompson925]

Dude, I thought a tree cracked. I can't wait to buy one of these used.

[@seanehly-yu4384]

I enjoyed the different energy that substitute-Topher (Fauxpher?) brought to this video.

[@Chienmsu]

Can we get more of subtopher? I love both of em honestly so if you're doing a comparison maybe a dual pov?

[@houlester]

I’ve had access to so many cars and the golf r in that setting is the best.

[@KrisprzGarage]

The MK8 is starting to grow on me more now. Even though I still have stuff I dislike about it like majority of buttons are not actually pressable and the front end looks like a Toyota Corolla Hatchback lol. Has some cool features. But I’m still very happy with my MK7.5 R 6 speed 💯

[@strivingtogrow8612]

The whole car looks very similar to Corolla hatchback now that you mention it. Even the interior

[@BoshPony]

Can't wait to get mine! I have watched this video 5 times haha

[@joejoe2974]

beautiful car but the center console looks so empty, and i agree it needs a handbrake

[@oscarguevara8402]

Having a mk4 Golf as my first car, I’m glad I have the Civic Type R as my first new car.

[@anthonyb9364]

Looks fun. Great daily driver....quick and you can swing by Lowes and put a bunch of needless crap in the hatch.

[@derhaddi]

*NICE!*

[@TommyAngelo1337]

Of all the things that should've been a button, of course it's the handbrake.

[@jaime5711]

I remember my 92 GTI 2.0 , had no cup holders. Love these cars

[@aehmerchant]

Such a beautiful hatch, amazing performance, would like to lease this soon. Unfortunately, I've had bad luck owning VW/Audi due to maintenance/repairs.

[@youraveragejoe1]

So have I. A Golf is the only car I’ve ever had major problems with (my mums car actually, but it was rattly inside and so unreliable at 18 months old even)

[@syrus1233]

@@youraveragejoe1 thats why i got a suzki swift sport instead. Ngl the Golf was much more appealing but my dad said the cars not gonna last me much long anyways.

[@FZERO20]

It's not that you have to slam the drivers door. It's more of that the interior is so air tight that it creates pressure. If the windows were rolled down I'm sure it'd close easier. G-wagons do the same thing

[@benwells2338]

I’m put off by the interior so much so, I’ve been leaning towards holding off until the next generation or hopefully, their mid cycle MK8.5 version for them to put back many of the buttons and knobs VW removed. This is like Honda all over again except that VW’s interior designers seem to have been in a black hole throughout development and didn’t see the backlash Honda got with their infotainment woes.

[@MuffinMan0521]

Thank you for putting the power specs in the description. I'm surprised at how often I have to do 3 google searches for a cars power specs. Some manufacturers websites hide it away on a fuggin performance oriented car. So stupid.

[@Scorpio29Degrees]

I owned Golfs, one was my first car. But, honestly -- the Nissan Z will blow this away and you will spend thousands less.

[@aadi8568]

Nissan z is not cheaper…

[@RABDS]

I feel like the 2022 GTI is the better bang for the buck. I don't mind the swapped touch features as I would most likely use them when I'm at a stand still. If they do however make things difficult even when sitting at a standstill they could be a deal breaker, but it's a car. It's for driving.

[@GoBrand0n]

I will wait for the 2022 Subaru Sti instead.. Fyi the actual HP is 340 from recent Dyno run.

[@stevenyia2778]

If you like the look of the new version then go for it..😏

[@GoBrand0n]

@@stevenyia2778I was disappointed when I saw the new 2022 Wrx Looks.

[@8kdrei]

The coolest thing about this car is the cup holder 😂😭

[@gns942]

How did you find the clutch feel, is it heavy or light? What about the feel of the shifts, are they notchy or rubbery? Also, do you like the new shift knob style, or would it have been better with the golf ball style instead?

[@yujianli610]

I want to ask same.

[@Jdicjsbciendufieb]

I already miss the golf ball style shift knob.

[@Online_ToughGuy]

Every VW I’ve driven was light clutch and super rubbery shift action.

[@dogchainsaw3923]

@@Online_ToughGuy older Audis the clutch is pretty heavy

[@nikola1885]

7:35 "wow its green!"

[@im.weasel]

For some reason I was under the impression that the Mk8 Golf R only came in a DSG transmission.

[@TheSkullknight12]

In Europe its DSG only.

[@AndreThompson925]

In Europe, that's correct IIRC

[@im.weasel]

@@TheSkullknight12 Ohhhhhh okay gotcha. Thanks.

[@ninj4mouse]

i think this is the first VW i have ever wanted.....

[@martink7945]

Can't wait for the Mk8.5 with an upgraded interior and more buttons as there has always been. VW will call it innovative and super ergonomic. Just like Apple did it with the plugs on the new Macbook Pro xD

[@mandar1nka658]

it's really cool to ride on such a mechanic

[@YasssStitch]

This car will have stupid-high mark up. Even at MSRP it's too much. With mark up, it will lure around $65K - at that point you'd be crazy to spend that amount on a VW hatch.

[@ArcadianGenesis]

Rs don't usually get marked up. You can't get any discounts, but you can get MSRP.

[@070074810]

Not if if you live in Canada

[@piercetonmazell9402]

I disagree, most are sold at MSRP and happen to hold their value like crazy. 19s are still selling at 39k plus with low miles.

[@dawsonbartkus7992]

You’re under rated bro

[@thefriendlygamer101]

Exterior looks great and probably a blast to drive but… almost everything about that interior is horrible, much prefer the previous gen interior

[@03markimark]

North Carolina looks absolutely beautiful, I thought it was Switzerland!

[@EUC-lid]

There's a tiny town North of Asheville called Little Switzerland for just that reason.

[@YudraKudra]

What were VW designers high on while working on the ergonomics dynamics. I mean why would you take away physical buttons. Evolving tech is understandable but not at behest of logical and required options such a physical buttons.

[@EUC-lid]

They pumped $50B into developing the iD.3/4 cars, and the result is they saved money on switch gear (over the next 50M cars!), made a terrible infotainment UI, and made some of the lamest new EVs on the market. Sunk cost fallacy has taken over and they think their switch gear faux pas needs to be everyone's problem now.

[@adammarkowitz7944]

Excellent video. I just inquired of my local dealer. It's $5000 over sticker, or $10,000 over if you get the anniversary edition. Then you have to wait till they get their allotment, and he said I'd be #3 on the list. So that's a year? Times have changed. You can't buy the cars you want anymore.

[@SebPineda]

Nurburgring being green. Maybe a reference to its nickname: Green Hell?

[@Comradpetito]

THANKS VW FOR PASSION

[@williamlong2682]

As great as it may be to drive and as cool as it may be that it offers a manual, I could never live with that interior. Classic example of mindlessly following industry trends without any critical thought as to whether it actually makes for a better product. Real knobs and buttons, then we’ll talk.

[@po.russki]

Okay boomer.

[@Chopper153]

@@po.russki so you really think that touch controls are better?

[@po.russki]

@@Chopper153 no, but people complain too much about it as if it’s a deal breaker to not buy the whole car. Just live with it imo. People mention it everyywhereee it’s pretty annoying to read about at this point

[@Chopper153]

@@po.russki I love the big infotainment display with touch, but would've liked analogue switches for stereo and climate control.

[@MikeyD64]

To be honest once I get android auto up, I don't touch anything except audio and I use the steering wheel.

[@sanzwastaken]

man, what a relaxing voice

[@319vegeta5]

man I wish I could afford an R, they should take out all the luxury bells and whistles and shave 10k off the price.

[@1209MArky]

You would have a WRX

[@DEVILTAZ35]

Lexus is luxury this is definitely not lol

[@1209MArky]

@@DEVILTAZ35 the interior of an R is better than a Lexus.

[@NubletPie278]

This is way better than I expected to be honest. I was expecting an engine downsize, bland sound, awful interior and auto only. Turns out we've still got the 2 litre, manual gearbox, better sound (not even fake) and apart from the touch buttons, quite a nice interior! Edit: whoops spoke too soon, if I want a manual I'll have to import a LHD from the USA yaaay thanks VAG. No doubt it will sound like garbage in Europe too.

[@HarryG98]

What an awful idea to sell autos in a country where people can’t even drive them…

[@ccecchini8355]

i love the minimalist look of the interior, but living with it must be awful

[@kwillee93]

After driving one for over a month the interior isn’t as bad as these people make it out to be. I think yes there’s refinements in the processing speed that can be done to smooth things out but all in all the sheer driving dynamics and usability of this new MK8 is hard to beat

[@jeffmiller810]

I wanted this car so bad when they first announced it, but the interior is so bland and cheap looking. That combined with the lack of physical buttons is a show stopper for me. I ultimately decided to order the new M240i instead.

[@070074810]

I would see the car in person first though... I own a mk7.5 R and saw the MK8 R in person here in Canada and the interior is 10 times better in person than those pictures and videos (reminded me a lot of the Audi A4 design wise).... definitely prefer the design of the new mk8 over the 7.5... though you do need to get used to the haptics... but if you can afford a new m240i I think that is a lot better

[@jeffmiller810]

@@070074810 Even if it looked better inside, it's still a hard pass for me because of the haptics.

[@ЕвгенийГерасимов-я5н]

Никогда не думал что мой Golf 6, будет лучше чем Golf 8!

[@paulallen4086]

Almost 44,000 dollars not with that interior.

[@stevenyia2778]

Professional consumer opinion 👌

[@climatixseuche]

it is mind boggling that the cockpit for the golf is far more practical and intuitive as the one from any new Mercedes