All-new VW Golf 8 R FULL REVIEW - the ultimate 2021 Golf with 320 hp and torque vectoring

This is our in-depth review of the 2021 VW Golf R. We're taking a look at Exterior, Interior and the driving experience.
00:00 Intro
01:11 Exterior
04:00 Engine
05:12 Interior
07:09 Infotainment system
13:02 Back seat
14:08 Trunk
14:56 Driving & 30-XX acceleration
23:16 Agile driving
32:00 Conclusion
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[@autogefuehl]

►Follow us on Instagram @autogefuehl and @thomas.letsgo ►Subscribe here: kzbin.info ►Subscribe to our 2nd channel with shorter reviews: kzbin.info ►Subscribe to our OnlyElectric EV reviews channel: kzbin.info/door/_KxbHUPuqC8JaUmDV9bGSQ ►Subscribe to our OnlyPerformance performance cars channel: kzbin.info/door/nCwkL-iC216vFpshnETUpQ ►Subscribe to our OnlyBimmers BMW reviews channel: kzbin.info/door/IUeo4Kjlq7F2XrTwyXUYcA ►Subscribe to our OnlyStars Mercedes reviews channel: kzbin.info/door/h5GGSZKr1ZjfSf-aR7pYSA ►Subscribe to our OnlyRings Audi reviews channel: kzbin.info/door/ofhjcRTDeuuJiwlXXSmQWQ ►Subscribe to our OnlyCurves Porsche review channel: kzbin.info/door/4F2jOoOuwYoZ4Mr4gpt1Eg ►Subscribe to our OnlyVeeDubs VW reviews channel: kzbin.info/door/-_EH5yFSn-abwU5Fs2LOnA ►Subscribe to our OnlyVLV Volvo review channel: kzbin.info/door/o1zEjT40C0ys4DAcNJ8nsg ►Compare the VW Golf 8 GTI: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH7Ro4Cfd8RsmKs ►Compare the new Golf GTI vs Golf GTD and Golf GTE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnmylnycirKae6c ►Compare our 1.5 TSI VW Golf 8 review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJSbfJWugNFrers ►Compare the Seat Leon FR hatch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZqZh56YgL6Io6s ►Compare the all-new Skoda Octavia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rHo5eKm9Cbnrs ►Compare the Seat Leon ST: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpbcc2eEaLulaKc

[@minimaleffort1374]

Warum keine Hintergrundmusik?

[@theodoret4556]

it looks lika rover MG :))

[@theojoziah4598]

instablaster.

[@Thane1607]

I want 3 things: 1: This car. 2: For VW to fix the infotainment 3: Those German highways

[@voltag3102]

Then you have to move to germany my friend

[@cengeb]

@@voltag3102 Driving in Germany, then ya come back here and we are 3rd world roads, Driving in Germany is what driving is supposed to BE!! Only got to 123 MPH in the unlimited in Audi A6 S line TDI years ago, FUN, wanted 155MPH, but too much traffic, I'm a tourist! Doing 100 in center lane, get PASSED, by Golf and a Porsche!!! all LEGAL, we suck in the U.S., horrible roads, that wipe out tires and wheels, no cars with shit falling off, flapping fenders like in the U.S., pride of ownership, what a concept! CLEAN roads, no garbage blowing around, gas stations are SPOTLESS, Jersey TPK is crap, with cesspool rest stops.

[@Alexandru-T.]

@@voltag3102 Am I welcome to move there?

[@voltag3102]

@@Alexandru-T. everyone is welcome 🙏🏻

[@voltag3102]

@Moto Guzzi Yes it is thank you

[@autogefuehl]

Transparency note: Autogefühl videos are independent and free from editorial influence on opinion and rating. But since manufacturers enable us to do the reviews in the first place, for legal reasons this video is marked as _advertisement_.

[@sofianesmail8335]

Toyouta hilux mako pliesse

[@piob9801]

Is that a law that applies only in Germany? Just curious.

[@ilovelol2642]

@@piob9801 no, EU

[@luciteck]

Thomas, the only car reviewer I know that does a door closing sound comparison :)) Good job as always.

[@mikewestwood567]

Have to agree it didn’t sound that great for a Golf. Maybe the door was out of alignment or the hinges need adjusting.

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@mikewestwood567 maybe the door is lighter then on the normal golfs

[@botis3104]

Redline Reviews has always done a door closing sound rating :D

[@richardsealey3626]

@@sv_cheats1970 Bodyshells are all the same no matter which Golf 8 model it is.........

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@richardsealey3626 probably but think about it, its the top of the range performance oriented model. You need to remember that VW did crap like this even back in the 90s (as in G60 shells and pssat B3 shells having the Syncro floorpan even if not specced with Syncro running gear). Thats why G60 shells were banned from cup GTI racing since they were considerably stiffer then the normal GTI counterpart.

[@mart_en]

I haven't seen Thomas having that much fun in a long time 😃

[@GRfourfun]

He seemed to have even more fun in the GR Yaris 🤔

[@richardsealey3626]

@@GRfourfun I agree............

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@richardsealey3626 both are awesome car. I am a big VW fan but honestly I'd buy the Yaris as a new car and the R as a second hand 1yr old car (better price)

[@valeriodomjanic8126]

Thanks Thomas...and Jonas🎙️📷 Another great test rewiev...great sounds>Harman/Kardon+Akrapović😯❤️🎵🎶🎼merry Christmas and a happy, much more better year than those.. Greetings from Hrvatska.

[@valeriodomjanic8126]

Will it be also an Golf 8Rkombi version?! I"m sure the Autogefuel team will test it... 🤓😎

[@docraineyIII]

Your English is EXCELLENT with a bonus very cool German accent. I can understand your vocals better than way too many of my own countrymen. You choose your commentary so carefully I am rarely left with a single unresolved question, and your delivery is always calm, cool, and collected. Your thoroughness deserves special mention. You know what enthusiastic drivers want to know and you can’t possibly suffer a single disappointed viewer. Thank you for such great automotive journalism and video production.

[@5amH45lam]

I love Tomas' reaction to the exhausts _pops_ and _crackles_ more than the _pops_ and _crackles_ themselves! Great to see you having such fun, Tomas! ✌️😎👌

[@hiiiofficial8306]

Best sounding OPF car

[@tuhafenigeorgedasilvahishi2958]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@tuhafenigeorgedasilvahishi2958 what u lagging at name

[@hiiiofficial8306]

@@tuhafenigeorgedasilvahishi2958 * Laughing

[@tuhafenigeorgedasilvahishi2958]

@@hiiiofficial8306 His reaction got me cracking up man😂😂😂😂

[@garygregg9707]

This guy is the best car reviewer ever. Very informative and he has a pleasant soothing nature about him and a voice that is clear and understandable. You will learn everything you need to know and then some. Keep up the great work and thank you.

[@autogefuehl]

Thanks Gary!! ☺️

[@ThomasSmithTechArtist]

great work from the editor on the door closing sound comparison 10/10

[@Venturi11]

i'm happy that "drift mode" isn't copryrighted by a particular manufacturer. They really had to work to get a fwd biased haldex to drift.

[@richardmcfarlane-cen6132]

Even if we can’t fully appreciate the pops and bangs, the expression on your face Thomas tells us all we need to know and it is priceless! 🤣

[@augustinedennis4865]

Just loose k 7.5 kg weight ,fart,and save € 7 kg.

[@ejicon3099]

Great review. Nicely done. And thanks so much for doing it in English. We really appreciate that.

[@GUITARTIME2024]

German would limit the views big-time.

[@l.e.i.4111]

A lot of fun on your side but a responsabile one.😀 Excellent review for this beginning of the weekend. Cheers 👋

[@pistolpete6321]

Fantastic detailed review! Love the upgraded exhaust!

[@hafidrodarte3135]

always great content! cheers all the way from Texas!

[@jett8225]

Best vehicle review I’ve seen, thank you!

Thanks for sharing! Very nice and in-depth review. Much appreciated.

[@jeremyjs8863]

Brilliant Thomas ! Great car, great fun. Thanks

[@conscious__creators]

Thanks so much for this review! Many channels don't do a thorough and detailed review of all aspects of the car. So big thank you for explaining and demonstrating everything!

[@autogefuehl]

🙏👌

[@pedroterra6991]

You gotta love this guy. My favorite car channel.

[@sao007]

As usual one of the best review on the net ! 😉😇

[@richardsealey3626]

THE best.......

[@samk9661]

Best review out there! Excellent information throughout.

[@autogefuehl]

[@percymq]

Finally a review from Autogefühl! Thank you! Finally the R appears to be the sweet spot in the Golf line up!

[@SenszR]

Also the top spot lol

[@percymq]

@Phil Fair enough

[@Network-Mike]

Great review! I'm loving the new R!

[@jenksvh1]

Fantastic review as always, thank you.

[@Burgeritr]

In Canada we are getting only the Performance Pack so it’s $51K CDN for the DSG version (€34K). It’s a no-brainer at that price point for a daily driver with this much potential

[@ewald3730]

Great review! Love this Golf!!!

[@dimitrispoupoulis4888]

Great review as always and awesome all around car!! Greetings ftom Greece

[@OnePotMeals]

Thank you, I enjoyed the review very much

[@glc-vt3yq]

Perfect review!

[@Graham_Shaw]

The first Golf I've really liked for a very long time!! Very nice!!

[@MrDarrenNice]

This was a fantastic review Thomas 👍🏻 I'm so excited for this car. Looks like a lot more fun than the previous Golf R. Although I currently own a GTI TCR (which I love), I cannot wait to test drive one of these when they arrive in the UK 🇬🇧

[@fashionablylate888]

They’re on Autotrader.

[@pierredavies7064]

Looks like a truly amazing car, loving the design, exhaust pops and those gear shifts are crazy fast!

[@LeafyLumens]

Sad for people that get scarred becouse of that sound...and Animals too....people are thinking only about our self

[@eyeeyeoh]

Semi-professional racing driver Tomas in full length. Let's go!

[@tuhafenigeorgedasilvahishi2958]

🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@autogefuehl]

►Compare the VW Golf 8 GTI: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH7Ro4Cfd8RsmKs ►Compare the new Golf GTI vs Golf GTD and Golf GTE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnmylnycirKae6c ►Compare our 1.5 TSI VW Golf 8 review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJSbfJWugNFrers ►Compare the Seat Leon FR hatch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZqZh56YgL6Io6s ►Compare the all-new Skoda Octavia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rHo5eKm9Cbnrs ►Compare the Seat Leon ST: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpbcc2eEaLulaKc

[@Lukas-pg4pl]

Die Video machen einfach Spaß! Danke für die tollen Reviews!

[@autogefuehl]

schön dass du dabei bist!

[@67philipo]

Great review, and I especially enjoyed full door closing comparisons, also in full screen and HD

[@buzzpedrotti5401]

Nice review. Thanks.

[@_b_k]

Nice review 🙂👍

[@JohnPadgett]

Active driving lounge- Love it!!

[@lucytherottweiler79]

Really superb review. Just the facts. Great.

[@Jojo201253]

I must say, the more i see it, the more i like it. Especially the front side. If there wouldnt be the bad usability with the Infotainment and the touch buttons, it would be a perfect hot hatch. Thanks for the great review 👍👍

[@cengeb]

My Golf R 2019 Stick of course is GREAT, this is getting better!

[@raoufmehenni7747]

the best review ever about the VW8R very astounishing content

[@autogefuehl]

🙏🙏🙏

[@Alan-N]

Beautiful review 👍🇬🇧

[@pedrovanD]

Man.. what a car looks very fun to drive.. def on my wishlist 😁

[@chrisgee2616]

Great review

[@OOsoul]

Excellent review.

[@yes8032]

I’m liking this new golf

[@j.shussain7528]

Please do Golf 8 GTD! I have one coming in a few months and I really want to see your review on it please Thomas. You are sublime!

[@noushindowlatshahi6221]

Thomas is amazing! The best reviewer, so detail, objective and well, very easy on the eyes :)

[@autogefuehl]

🙏🙏😉

[@noushindowlatshahi6221]

👌❤️

[@johnnysmile01]

This is a really nice Golf R and the sound it makes and also a fast car nice vídeo Thomas

[@aboosalie9025]

My favorite part of your video the door closing sounds keep it up

[@autogefuehl]

=)

[@dorstefan]

It was really nice. The difference is obvious.

[@alialbloushi4823]

Best channel ' I follow you .. You do great job .. I get more information about VW . That's a lot .. Need more and more .. About volkswagen Golf R ..

[@autogefuehl]

Awesome 😎

[@Mindseas]

Thank you for yet another detailed review Thomas and Autogefühl people! Unfortunate the 8th generation is suffering from software issues after the systems in 7.5 seem to work flawlessly indeed - even if they're not that pretty it all works quite well. I hope they manage to patch up those issues because I do find the 8 R is the most appealing of the pack. Stay safe, and keep up the good work :)

[@daliborg]

As soon as Thomas started the engine, he was smiling some 96% of driving time 🤣

[@kutlwanohlongwane8661]

Amazing quality video

[@neilwatson5864]

Thanks Thomas for a great review, as usual. Lots have been waiting for this in the UK, who are considering Mk8 R ownership. Costs lots but offers on several fronts. I’ll stay with my 7.5R for some time yet tho😀

[@dasautogt]

Likewise 🇦🇺

[@troystein2404]

I love it! Had my Scirocco for 5yrs now it’s discontinued in Australia. This Golf R is a beast

[@ginoderdaele9293]

Great review !! You were noticeably enjoying the car a lot. Grossartig ! I wonder how it would compare to a GTI Clubsport.

[@ScenesThroughTravels]

Some great sounds from that exhaust , A Real Snap Crackle and pop 😂👍👍

[@davidj9804]

A real Dodge Neon

[@bogdanobogeanu5758]

Great video. I am not a Golf fan, but this new car seems to be something very good 😊

[@cameronstirling7970]

Great review, hope it comes to Australia with the same options.

[@krane15]

Now you know Australian legislature would never allow it.

[@vette6600]

Great review, sub’d!

[@bongakhumalo3095]

You're the man Thomas

[@autogefuehl]

👍😎

[@davids.9707]

You are having too much fun Thomas.

[@nikostzinopoulos7736]

Excellent! Just Excellent!

[@QuickmixProductions]

Amazing!

[@oomstu]

Awesome, thank you guys. This review was well overdue.

[@autogefuehl]

cheers!

[@Nismo400RGT1]

That drift mode surprised you Thomas! Haha. Looking forward to trying that mode myself 👍😂

[@MarcAntoineBvl]

Thanks for the review, this looks stunning 👌

[@anoopko]

Nice to see Clark Kent doing proper auto journalism for a change

[@autogefuehl]

Way to go 😄

[@thegolfdiaries1123]

Can’t wait for my test drive

[@nigel8484]

Thank you Thomas I've been waiting for this review. You are a legend in full HD, full screen and full length. 😅🙏🏾

[@billx4266]

Wow the new golf R review by autogefuhl with Thomas! Lets watch!! BTW which camera do you use, your 1080P footage is very good....

[@livc444111]

Not a VAG fan but...😀 Well done Thomas, the driving part is awesome to watch

[@CyAn-S]

Hi Thomas just a quick update if you are interested. They have been updating the software on my Golf 8 regularly, about 5 times now and all over the air, so no dealer visits. It is pretty snappy now. At least it now responds quicker than most mainstream competitors, it is no iDrive or MBUX, but at least mine reacts as quick as my smartphone. The mapping could still use some work though. But I had an e-Golf (loaner) with the old system (discover Pro 9,2 inch one) and it felt slower than the Golf 8's system. It feels a bit more choppy in the menus and the map is about as fast or slower in response. So they are getting there. But definitely still room for improvement.

[@Perseus568]

Love the door closing sound test :D

[@richardsealey3626]

Excellent......

[@yettymonkey4027]

I fairly impressed by the new Golf R. I still believe that the GTI 8 is the better value for anyone who is not going to track it. Even the GTI 8 top trim is much much less expensive then the R.....

[@ceeze9923]

that was a fantastic in depth review. I am a true fan of all Volkswagen AG vehicles. Mainly... Volkswagen since that is what i can afford at the moment :-D

[@andrewmontague2636]

Another great and detailed review, Thomas. I always learn far more from your tests than I do from those in the magazines. I think the car is fantastic, the only bad things really are the infotainment, some of the material quality and the price... Even without the Akrapovic exhaust, in the U.K. a Performance Pack R with a decent specification is around £45k, my high spec 7.5R was under £40k less than 3 years ago. Looking forward to your test of the GTI Clubsport!

[@AlexanderDornbracht]

they have lost their mind with pricing. Behindtheglass had a cool discussion about it. 10k more you start looking at the new RS3 probably.

[@andrewmontague2636]

@@AlexanderDornbracht I agree, it’s too expensive. They’re trying to recoup money from the emissions crisis and pay for the electric car programme so although the car is good, infotainment and material quality have suffered. I’m not totally convinced by RS3. New one has to be better than the old one. A friend replaced his S3 with an RS3 and was disappointed. Yes RS3 sounds nice and fast in a straight line, but S3 nicer to drive overall.

[@dacmm]

@@andrewmontague2636 How come the S3 was nicer? In what aspects?

[@andrewmontague2636]

@@dacmm His view was that it handled far better on country roads, steering was sharper and the ride quality better. He also thought that the S3 engine was more eager, RS3 may be quicker on paper or in a straight line, but not in practice. Sometimes less is more. For example, many would argue that Mk5 Golf GTI was a better car than the R32, lovely though it sounds and looks. Engine is just a bit lazy compared to the 2.0. Point is we’re all different. You pay your money and take your choice!

[@mariapires7170]

Mr Andrew, in Portugal, a Mk 8 Golf R with the very same spec and options of the car tested by Thomas, costs today, plus Euros 70 000 !!!, for God sake, I also have one Golf R mk 7.5 / 2018 with the normal exhausts ,DSG and a white pearled color I payed in new, about Euros 48 000 and love it, and I´m gonna keep it as far as I can. Thank you.

[@alexhunt2334]

Great vid Thomas. I like the car door closing comparison and key shape similarities within the car 😀 In your opinion how does this compare to the latest BMW M135i ?

[@EricMultiCartman]

15:39 that dacia sandero i think it was something like " where did that come from? " :))

[@OKeefeist]

This looks good

[@MrBratnip]

Thomas, Thanks for the in-depth views. Follow you from Canada -always envious of the variants Volkswagen has in Europe. I did manage to get a Golf R -4 door and I also have a Alltrack to balance things out. No Variants or Diesels here :( Cheers!

[@autogefuehl]

Cheers ben!

[@edwardpickett574]

V Good review.............

[@marcusdavila5437]

I can't wait until this car comes to the US. I currently have a MK7 Gti (which I'm keeping)

[@XQUADRA1]

They made it good enough with trinkets to pass as a R model,if I were to look at this in the future I would chose R over GTI

[@ShanerHulk]

Have say my 2017 golf R has aged really well. I like it more!

[@JDDD33]

I have a 2016 and agree! Hang into it, it will be a classic, as it is the final model which transitioned from nice manual push buttons to the awkward touch buttons

[@Gizz9Ard]

As a former racer (25 years and IMSA license) I like the new dynamics. My 2018 R plows on the track a bit too much and is also not crisp enough on turn in. Pushes in autocrosses. The new rear diff setup should help a great deal.

[@ShanerHulk]

@@Gizz9Ard congrats on racing! Yes it will

[@j.r.3664]

Great video, as always. Are you planning to review the GTI Clubsport?

[@autogefuehl]

thanks! yes of course

[@gregmorgan8350]

Will look forward to that. Have to decide what to replace my 7 Clubsport with!!

[@tariks926]

I don't the base model but man this looks beautiful

[@mbuch1138]

Thats my boy in the blue!

[@GMWMW]

I appreciate your detailed review, can you do a similar review of the refreshed Renault Megane RS?

[@akl22]

Hey Thomas it would be cool if you review your personal collection in the future!

[@matthspaeth]

Hi Thomas, Thanks, nice car, nice video and nice sneakers! Unusual question: Do you have the name/model of the shoes you are wearing here? Sorry, but all other questions were answered in your Video😉 Matthias

[@tipazas]

Pure engineering.

[@MiniEggs1999]

You said something very interesting in this about the infotainment. Does it really need a 4G internet connection for the navigation to work?? Thanks

[@seanfancourt4344]

So you can get pops and crackles in an Particulate filter world. Well done VW. Only thing that was coming across and maybe just the mic was the heavily synthesised engine sound. Fantastic review, refreshing a you tuber not making the video more about them, all about the car. Can’t wait til it goes up against my fk8

[@HolysauceStreams]

Golf 8 is really cool

[@tracer689]

Very nice Thomas blue