2023 Volkswagen Golf R 6-Speed Manual - Tackling Backroads in VW’s Hottest Hatch

The MK8 R & GTI have caught quite a bit of slack for being untraditional. In this video we tackle a backroad, not the infotainment :)
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[@bradclark96]

“What else do kids have these day? Spot for your vape” 😂

[@KrazyWorldWars]

💯💯💯🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pofrof4910]

You're right, is a nice car for kids.

[@iphysicz6985]

bro earned my sub for that

[@thebiggestoneyouveverhad]

Kids can't afford it. I waited 8 months for mine and have driven it for a year and a half. This car is excellent. There are a ton of features not discussed here and many ways to set up the car better than this video. This is not a kids car but, figure it out for yourself. I love mine.

[@ericvonp]

Some kids don’t drive or have license. None drive manual. Most drive SUV’s or pickups. No muscle cars. I ask my kids to confirm, plus I don’t see them in the hs parking lot.

[@johnh.heartland7952]

I have the same model delivered yesterday. The 20th edition with six speed manual makes this car a great hot-hatch.

[@panaroux]

Enjoy man!

[@rich2579]

I didn’t know the 20th came in manual. If you don’t mind me asking, how much you pay for yours?

[@johnh.heartland7952]

@@rich2579 I managed to pay MSRP plus 1K for a service the dealership couldn't get rid of. Beware the R 20th edition has no sunroof.

[@quandale2648]

@@rich2579 did you not watch the video holy shit

[@culley65]

I briefly owned a mk8 gti before getting my Integra and I have to be honest, the infotainment + steering wheel controls etc etc all felt really good to use for me. Wireless carplay made using siri to adjust music etc super easy, and once you set the climate to auto, you essentially don't need to adjust it again.

[@kezman82a]

not to be rude or anything but if I would guess you are an Android user based on you liked the steering wheel controlls :D I've drove a golf for 3 years and still flipping the wrong buttons and never finding what I search for in the infotainment system. Before that I had a BWM and never miss clicked scence day one :D

[@amiller2121]

Why did you get the Integra?

[@culley65]

@@amiller2121 Well it's a Type S.

[@culley65]

​@@kezman82a Not rude at all and I can see what you're saying. But the truth is, I actually work for Apple so iPhone all day!

[@hassyg4083]

why did you down grade to a honda?

[@henryi9738]

VW needs to redesign the center console, add knob buttons, and redo the cupholders ; otherwise it's a great little hot hatch.

[@droptopkennedy]

Ive owned one for 3 days and i already love it, wasnt a fan at first

[@NoxisYT]

I've had mine for 5 months. I got used to it in about 2 days coming from a car without a screen at all. Honestly the 1 thing I wish the car has is a sunglass holder up by the sunroof switch

[@JFinns]

@@NoxisYT My Mk7 GTI Manual has a sunglasses holder, what a bizarre thing to remove.

[@NoxisYT]

@JFinns yeah, its annoying. Thankfully the doors cubby is massive, but it's a pain to have to take my glasses out of the case every time

[@hassyg4083]

henry you drive a honda civic relax

[@G82Watts]

This and the m240i are the beat little cars u can get. So fun and unique looking

[@scottmcpeek4132]

Ended up with an Mk 8 R20 6MT. Really like that it's a slick top, have no use for a moon roof in a car that has sporting intent. The Golf had a much smaller mark-up in my region than the other cars I looked at (ITS, Type R, and GR Corolla), to the point where it was actually the cheapest of the four by some margin. I previously owned a Mk 7.5 R 6MT and one week in with the new car, I can confirm the 8 is better in every meaningful way except for the infotainment interface; it accelerates harder (APR dyno'd a Mk 8 at 314 whp on 91 octane, nearly the 315 hp VW claims at the crank), turns in much sharper, suspension less brittle, interior amenities are better, etc. I see no degradation of interior fit/finish, everything still feels well screwed together, and you have a lot of soft-touch plastics that don't grate on your nerves when you touch them. ~$50K is a good deal of money, no question about it. But you get what you pay for, and in my specific case, against the other cars I cross-shopped, I got a bargain.

[@donjohnson2428]

Unfortunately if you paid anything over MSRP you didn’t get a bargain, you paid more for the car than Volkswagen themselves think it’s worth.

[@scottmcpeek4132]

@@donjohnson2428 if you ignore the caveats within my post (as it seems you have), then ok, sure, you got me. But as a riposte to your seemingly intentional, overly simplistic distillation of my point: I've had 3,500 miles of nonstop smiles since I bought it, and saved thousands of real-world dollars over its competitors in the process. And so on both objective and subjective balance, my nuanced take stands. Bargain.

[@donjohnson2428]

@@scottmcpeek4132 I’m glad you’re enjoying the car but paying over MSRP is by definition not a bargain lol

[@scottmcpeek4132]

@@donjohnson2428 we'll just have to agree to disagree, I think!

[@Chivo931]

If VW didn't want people badmouthing their infotainment system, they should have made it better, if not plain good.

[@xiondFirst]

People hate what they don't get. There are people bad mouthing it because they think the interior is unliveable. But, it's overall not bad on the steering wheel it's capacitive buttons meaning you have to press it. The only thing that's kind of annoying is climate control and even that is okay. Overall it's not as bad as " Hagerty" says it out to be. He absolutely hates it.

[@katiecannon8186]

I’m a 60 year old female. I find the entire interface easy, intuitive & I really like it. I honestly have no idea what the reviewers are on about. Especially the younger males. I mean, if I find it easy, I have no idea why a young male struggles. Honestly

[@adamg6849]

I have had the car for 2 weeks. Learning curve was 24 hours. I am 50. Everyone knocking this info system has not used it but are basing their comments on others who have also not lived with this car. If you own any type of phone or tablet you can use this - period. The controls on wheel are touch with feedback so it feels same as clicking a button - one can argue even easier. Again love it. Also - the screens can be switched by waving hand and not even looking This car rocks. Plain and simple it is a blast to drive around and checks every box.

[@unclebob1478]

Incredible looking car

[@mcdermottelvis22]

Love the video! Very informative. Just ordered a 24 R. Crazy how close you are to where I used to live in Tecumseh MI.

[@VisionCityMayor]

17:30 i feel you and tedward, bro. as someone who's been living in SoCal my entire life, these people can't drive for the LIFE of them.

[@doctorrobert60]

Purchased the exact car few weeks ago so breaking it in. In Race mode the sound entering the cabin is somewhat annoying not like exhaust note. Maybe it is piped in sound but not pleasing to me. I am going to try the Custom mode that allows customization of settings. There is a setting for engine sound called Pure and give that a go next time out driving. The manual in some reviews gets bad marks for imprecise gate, clutch pick up point. I find it not issue and did not want to get the DSG. I know DSG is faster car but not all about speed with driving engagement. Nice review!

[@nah3193]

When you tapped the badge on the B pillar I thought it was going to be a touch sensitive unlock button lol

[@leokerz]

I like how those wheels look! great video bro

[@Joes_Aquatics]

Golf R is classy and true German experience. Honda and Hyundai can’t compete.

[@Kamukix]

There is no front LSD in the R, it is an open diff up front and LSD in the rear. The GTi has an LSD in the front...and obviously no drive in the rear haha. In the previous generations some people would modify the R by putting a wavetrac LSD up front which made an big difference in how the car drives.

[@F80zcp]

I have this exact car but w/ the DSG. Jumped on opp to buy 4 months ago at MSRP w/ no dealer add ons. I've had 25 cars in my life roughly including an S2000 years ago and this handles the best. Unfortunately outside of the amazing handling and weight of the steering, I find myself missing BMW (F80, X3 M, M340, etc).

[@adamprielipp7228]

That corner around 10:20 I spun out my 01 Boxster S into the yard of the White House…

[@katlehostebu1549]

It's very rare to find one of these cars in a manual gearbox

[@thevduber]

Not really. I have one.

[@pofrof4910]

Have you tried in Jupiter or Saturn?

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Im a new Dad looking for a fun car to zip around in and I love the idea of this car. I have a truck so this would be a second "cool dad" ride. Still cant decide. I miss my miata and think this is got the same personality. As far as price, our Outback was mid forties and its boring and slow.

[@katiecannon8186]

Might consider the GTI S trim. Best value in a new car in my opinion

[@miguelosterroht]

I kinda of feels in this generation VW is behind in terms of cabin quality. I remember the mk4 being super impressive, and actually better than baby BMWs and Mercedes (well, the first A class isn’t even a hatchback). The mk7 was super cool as well, but now the Golf is more in the league of Hyundai and Peugeot again. (Kind of what happened to the Touareg, it started shoulder to shoulder with Cayennes and X5s. Had a W12 more powerful than any X5 or ML back then and now it’s just a regular medium SUV).

[@dannyo3317]

MK IV is one that I skipped. Now, I am glad.

[@katiecannon8186]

I like the 8 interior better than my former 7.5. I literally see no difference in quality. The seats are way better (despite me not liking bucket seats). And I love the minimalism of it, including the interface

[@supercarloverbutnosupercarsad]

I think you will get a better launch if you put it into first gear, put the clutch in, rev it to 3-4 K RPM and then let the clutch go off. and then start shifting. Idk its my opinion and i do launches like that. But great video overall

[@dannyo3317]

22:58: Wowzers "Chieftain".

[@scotthilly5653]

Chris, so happy to see you liking it more after a week! Like I said, they’re so awesome. Really happy to see this video and you did a great job per usual.

[@exeninja7416]

drive with much throttle to 3,5,/4 rpm and then let go from it, your exhaust should pop always :)

[@Traviscycle]

Great video. I agree with you about the gauge cluster in sport. It looks the best. Can you have that display in race mode our is its default the top tac??

[@larphraulen]

How does the rear diff feel in this? Are you able to get it to rotate or even get a bit tail happy at all?

[@rabbitracer8323]

I own one and yes in drift(with ESC off) you can get the tail out also in Race you can get it to rotate around. Key thing is to get the ESC fully off(create shortcut and it takes no time to do that). Also, the infotainment while a miss in daily use is not as bad as some reviewers have made out. They should have put the GLI interior in there and it would have been a non-issue.

[@joeluriarte3263]

Beautiful and as it should be standards to enjoy it 😍😍😍

[@flavioblasi8327]

I didn't know that they make manual 6 speed version for USA market🤔. It' very fun! 😍😍😍In Europe there isn't😔.

[@mcveigh1983]

Still can't believe VW cheaped out on the hood rod...

[@milesfathi]

I almost like the Golf R better with the DSG. It's what sets it apart from the competition IMO

[@Silverwarhawk]

why do you want to turn it any more NPC?

[@milesfathi]

It's not NPC though. My daily driver is a MT GR86. So I appreciate manual shifting. But I've test driven AT and MT Golf Rs and I think the DSG matches the character of the car better. It's the most responsive transmission in anything below 70k and has that proper racecar feel. The manual was just way too computer game like for me to enjoy.

[@adamg574]

Sure but think of the anti-theft benefits of the manual

[@duginashley3199]

I live in approximately the same part of Michigan you do, what are your go-to spots for fun backroad driving? Lots of twists, no one to disturb you, etc?

[@abbanosman1846]

How does it compare to the ITS? I would love a proper comparison of these two.

[@ThatJaxsonGuy]

Is the RS stock? Throttle house ran the two and the R edged the RS out in both dig and roll. I came from the ST/RS community into an mk8r. Stock, the RS dies on top-end pretty hard. The R doesn’t.

[@theredsalmon612]

That’s what german engineering will do

[@marccyberwiz]

It's interesting but the 2023 model came with different steering wheel Airbags. On my 23 Gold R20th My logo is flat looks like it came out of the ID4 where this has more classic round VW logo.

[@RushroyaleAddicts]

Hey! What camera are you using for this video? It's great! Please get back to me. :)

[@ze_german2921]

The 2004 R32 looks the best.

[@basslover352]

I hear conflicting things about the gti being more edgy, tossable and playful with steering. So is the golf R really that much more fun? Maybe it's a different kind of fun with the golf R in that you can floor it around tight corners/launch from a standstill well?

[@toledotoledo7297]

i can only compare my 2015 GTI and my 24 R, I did drive a MK8 GTI as a test drive. It does handle a lot better at higher speeds becasue you can feel the rear power you through. The gearing is much shorter on the manual so it revs faster and your shifting more in regular day to day traffic.As far as the GTI being more playful, I think it did feel lighter and on day to day normal driving . The steering I dont remeber with the MK8 GTI but the MK8 R I noticed the steering is detached.

[@Doc1310]

GOOD show!

[@VinceFung]

I feel the same way about city/town driving..

[@ramonvasquez3503]

What's a faster hot hatch? This one's got the quickest 0-60 from what I've seen

[@vigneshvivek364]

I just have one question. Where is this road in Michigan lol

[@easyE0287]

Does this mk8 still have the notorious water/rain leak? In the back vents and speakers

[@insaneomatic34]

Id love to see you drive the new WRX

[@edwinchen7729]

Less piano black and get rid of those touch buttons this will be a perfect car!

[@thebiggestoneyouveverhad]

I didn't realize they were offering the 20th w/ manual transmission...

[@5uhai6]

Im going from a focus rs to mk8 R manual. Do you find a big difference? And is his RS tuned?

[@lr6187]

Imagine paying $50k after tax/title in this market, not including some dumb markup by dealership, that's not even thinking about what your payments are even with excellent credit. I think that's hilarious.

[@rich2579]

In my area, there are a few dealers selling R’s without market adjustment. Lots of competition in the $50k price range, and it’s not cheap whatsoever but literally everything has gone up in price. Gotta work hard to play hard

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Meh, even a base Corolla is going for 25k. 50k for a true performance vehicle that doesn't just pretend to be one, isn't so bad.

[@lr6187]

@oldtwinsna8347 keep telling yourselves that as you work day in day out to make those payments. Lols

[@thebrassbandit]

Granted I'm in Canada, but I just signed the papers for a brand new 24R with DSG, extended warranty, and a handful of dealer extras for the equivalent of 46,000 USD all said and done... You guys get fucking shafted down there.

[@hkfan4596]

how does this compare to a Type R at autobahn speeds? Which feels more solid?

[@williamk1800]

Does it pop and crackle more/louder than the Integra Type S?

[@bryanramey2438]

Only issues I have with the touch controls is the sunroof. Sometimes the Sunroof doesn't want to close.

[@carlwinslow4175]

GTI,s were always great because you could be on a modest income and afford something fun this doesn't make sense as a 50 K car !

[@EndeavorsDnB]

Not a GTI… this is the Golf R. Golf R’s have always been way more money than the GTI.

[@carlwinslow4175]

@@EndeavorsDnB Give me 400 HP for my 50 grand at least

[@rich2579]

@@carlwinslow4175a tune and some bolt-on’s should get you there no problem

[@hassyg4083]

@@carlwinslow4175 people pay 50 grand for civics in usa

[@benjaminboutwell5174]

12:11 Can’t say the V-word in a MK8 Golf R? What’s Voldemort got to do with this?!

[@UncleSam884]

Снимаешь на Go Pro ?

[@ricktrue8441]

Why do you take the transmission out of gear and flip the shift lever around ? LMAO.

[@LondonHasFallin]

I'm one of the few people who would take the Galf R over a Civic Type-R😅

[@hassyg4083]

yeh civic is fwd sucks lol

[@thebrassbandit]

I took the Golf R over it as well. Mainly for AWD, because Canada, but also so my mid-life crisis stays on the inside, and doesn't scream it loudly to everyone who watches me drive by 👍

[@yasser9350]

How can it have eco and sport modes when it's manual transmission ???

[@vhateverlie]

By varying the Fuel rate, timing, and throttle valve lag.

[@audriusg1536]

Brand new golf r in my country is 81k eur :DD.. f00kin hell. Why would anyone buy for this price.

[@UncleSam884]

На какую камеру снимаешь?

[@hllboi817]

Bridgestone potenzas are by far the most garbage tire they put on it, my gti camw with them and its a skating rink in snow

[@deathadder1977]

DSG !!!!

[@umbraydn]

"Vapes...spot for your vape."

[@Da__goat]

My chief complaint about this car is how cheap it feels. For your money, it screams cost cutting. Cheap plastic is all over the place and the haptic buttons equally look cheap and are solid plastic. At some dealer prices, the car just doesn’t compete. Honda’s Civic Si, which isn’t even in the same price category, has a much better interior. The Mazda 3 has a significantly better interior as well. This car is essentially just the engine. And even still, you can get the exact same ea888 engine in the Jetta GLI, which is a lot less. And you can even get the same transmission in the Jetta as you can in this car. At its price point it makes the S3 look much better by comparison and if you are between the two 100% get the S3. Integra Type S just walks away compared to this car. Better interior, better engine, more usability. Even the Toyota Camry does a much better job, and its cheaper. All the needed to do with the Mk 8, is give it the 7.5 interior, and it would be excellent. And if that’s the only difference between the two, then just get a 7.5 and tune it. It will be worth it.

[@SoniaInternational]

Spend $15k more and get a M240i. I like these, but not for $50k.

[@vhateverlie]

$15k seems like a lot of money above $50k, no?

[@donjohnson2428]

Yeah just spend 30% more bro no big deal

[@frontagulus]

Infotainment and bling is a total waste in any car of mine - zero interest in it. If I could make a deletable option, I'd do that for sure

[@GhadSpeed]

Why cars gotta be so expensive nowadays lol

[@porfiriato84]

Yeah even with it being a type R, I don't feel like it should still cost more than a Civic type R.

[@BryceCzirr-jz7ju]

You'd be very dumb to pay 50 grand for this car. It is still a turbo 4 banger Golf at the end of the day. 50k can get you a lot more car.

[@porfiriato84]

LMAO It's obvious you've never driven an R

[@BryceCzirr-jz7ju]

@porfiriato84 I obviously know for a fact 50 grand can buy you more car. Like a used C6 Z06 Vette. If you seriously wanna sit there and claim a Golf R is better than a Z06 then we need to have you committed. Also 50 grand is knocking on RS3 territory.

[@Stoixodetiss]

I didnt know that has manual. I have the info that is only dsg

[@mzubuki]

Matthew 13:18-23 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

[@jimmys_mk8209]

You look silly with your weird fog lights Edit: Nothing in the infotainment system is 40 clicks to get to. With that being Said it's really over hype hate. Theirs alot of customization personalized to your everyday needs after you set them up. Sorry you have to set some things up to cater to you.

[@RobHTech]

I thought this was a driving vid, not a lecture.

[@dannyo3317]

WTF is "auto rev matching????

[@youtoobe169]

Seems like my Elantra N would be a more engaging driving experience

[@hunterkiller9991]

Golfs have lost their soul over the years. Imo it's the most boring hot hatch to drive. I've tried a Golf R, Civic type R and a Focus ST. Ended up with a Hyundai i30N that arrived 2 days a go.

[@chasex3747]

In wonder how you americans feel about not going over 120 kph

[@Druezer]

Ugh. More black wheels.

[@A-Mistake-21]

again... overpriced

[@jetro7349]

This whole generation of GTI/R is a big L

[@johnm5131]

pathetic...a $45K car and not even an engine cover. Makes you wonder what other corners they cut.......

[@lancraft]

This guy drives like my grandmother and should stick to testing Camrys.

[@tonymcflattie2450]

No auto rev match? And I am out

[@Flysh24]

Imagine having to learn something yourself. Then again that takes some skill

[@JFinns]

Why would anyone want that with a manual? The whole point is skill and driver engagement.

[@bbkangs]

I loved auto rev matching when I had my manual MINI

[@RickStarzz]

I thought the same thing, put a deposit yesterday and picking tmw. Really easy to rev match this car and I am a beginner. And I came from a type r with rev maych

[@Tom-zp1rp]

I had an MK 7, MK 5, 2 MK4s (R32 and VR6 24v), and an MK2. This MK8 is the biggest piece of garbage finally destroying the GTI pedigree. The interior is absolutely the worst part but the overall cheap, bland and soulless spirit of this car is what carries. Audi and VW have sold out and become just like everyone else.

[@poverivoi5438]

di Tesla non se ne vedono piu' e VW torna a mettere il manuale .... wow l'età delle scemenza sta passando...