2022 VW Golf R Review: Now *THIS* Makes SENSE... (Mostly)

It's no secret - I DID NOT LIKE the Mk8 Golf GTI. It was just TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE!
Volkswagen has FINALLY brought the new Mk8 VW Golf R to Australia, and spec-for-spec it's only about $7,000 dollars more. So why does the new Golf R make sense? Let's talk about that!
⚠️ Watch me next ⚠️
- The EXPENSIVE Mk8 Golf GTI
• The 2022 VW Golf GTI M...
- It's no secret why, my favourite hot hatch!
• Hyundai i30 N DCT 2022...
- Golf R power in an SUV? Check this one out:
• 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan...
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Here on Matt Brand Cars, I review every new car on the market. We are a community of sauce givers and we'd love for you to subscribe and join our community!
I give every car "the sauce", test their 0-100km/h, and see whether or not they are worth purchasing and spending your hard-earned cash on.
From time to time, I'll also buy a weird and wacky car and take you on the journey with me!
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#volkswagen #golfr #carreview

[@rvanstar]

Top review guys .. both make an entertaining team - thanks for the smiles and laughs

[@FaceliftGT]

Nice Review of my Car! ;). BTw in special mode it don´t upshift!. That is the first time in an VW and it is Awesome ;)

[@geronimooo260]

The smile speaks more than words, no other previous R were that exciting !

[@leonted4290]

I like the, "Jacob mate, what are we driving today..." intro just awesome n as always 🔥 review.

[@CarSauce]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@mkaye097]

Great review!

[@slavstojnic7279]

I love to hang out and help with this guy , Matt you crack me up 🤣 I think next you should do if you can the Jaguar F - Pace SVR and give that some sauce! You guys rock!

[@slavstojnic7279]

Btw where can you buy merchandise

[@ten3353]

lol! 🥹😅 @2:12 the Rrrrr thing, I just knew that was about to happen! your review & presenting style is a welcome reprieve from all the seriousness in the world. thoroughly enjoy your reviews every time. as for the GolfR, I mean I love it, just dunno if I’d part with that many dollars for it… that said, I do want one 🥳

[@richardbarnes2609]

Took delivery of a Mk8 golf r Wagon on Friday. While the infotainment doesn't feel great to start with, once you spend a couple of hours with it and get everything set up it's really quite good. There are some short cuts you can set and some gestures to get around more efficiently. And for the most part once it's set up you really don't need to deep dive into the system again. Start stop on by defult as well as lane assist is my biggest gripe with the car so far. But both can be set to off as defult with a good scan tool apparently. If you hold the down shit paddle it will go into manual gear box setting and won't auto upshift. Hits a limiter which will wake you up if you think it's about to auto up shift. Then hold the up shift paddle to return to auto.

[@BM-235]

Agree. Me - an R hatch a month ago. Once the car is set up as you want it there's not huge need to play with the systems. Have never accidentally turned on the seat heating. Two finger tap gets your seats heated. Overall quite a step up in ride quality and much quieter generally than the 7/7.5. Feels more rigid too. Happy with the decision ... and a very good trade in deal on the old R clinched what was a purchase on impulse.

[@dmax-ux6sn]

I am very confused at why almost every reviewers hate the haptic feedback buttons. I actually think they work really well and are very sensitive. It is not hard to adjust temperature on the touch screen and with volume control and channel selection on the steering wheel. The driving mode selection is also pretty easy to use while driving. I guess they always have to find something negative to talk about in the reviews? BTW, I love your videos Matt. Keep them coming!

[@taavip9312]

It is negative because it is so shit. Absolutely hate those buttons

[@richardbarnes2609]

Same system used in range rovers and s class Mercs. Apparently it's not an issue for people shelling out over $250k

[@CTF33]

The tech is garbage, botton line.

[@richardbarnes2609]

@@CTF33 from lived experience? Or just your opinion based on others opinions that you have seen online? Granted it's not going to be for everyone, will be more accepted by people below the age of 45 I think.

[@CTF33]

@@richardbarnes2609 I test drove a GTI and an R both had same interface with no real buttons, the ones on the steering wheel were the worse because you inadvertently touch them while driving. It's just cost cutting BS on a car that's already over priced. VW has completely dropped the ball. ☹️

[@stuartanelay4725]

Jacob’s face when you were accelerating 😮😂

[@Hunter1Lane]

You owe Matt a high-5! Keep the bromance 👯‍♂️ alive haha

[@simodthebod4256]

Best and most entertaining review of the Golf R on the net 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nickgentile4574]

Great review. The Golf R doesn’t quite hold the same GPK (giggles per km) as the Hyundai N’s …. But having driving both …. I can forgive the info/haptic spew as really you don’t use them enough really to warrant not buying. And for some reason. This just drives hard and soft so much better as a daily than the N’s. Just need to sell a kid or something for the $72k+

[@marcusoostenbroek3647]

Do you hit the R button with your palm? I would assume you would if you're hitting the equivalent on the other side.

[@jamesking7946]

Another thing that's annoying about the screen and digital display is I'm 99% sure they're the exact screens used in the i30...

[@shaglioni]

It does not auto upshift in Drift and Nürburgring modes when manual shifting.

[@benhubert8925]

Carwow tested the 0-60mph and got 4.03 seconds - this car is unbelievably quick!

[@johnwjeromejr]

Car & Driver: 3.9 seconds

[@FaceliftGT]

But that is to 60mph ;) Mine is doing 4.43 to 100km//h everytime :)

[@JustMe-pq7je]

That is miles per hour. Not km per hour. lol. Besides. You need to factor ambient temperatures in. Obviously, it was some what colder in the UK than in Australia.

[@JustMe-pq7je]

​@johnwjeromejr What with? If you are thinking of a standard Mk 8 then your glass is over flowing. Iii

[@JustMe-pq7je]

​@johnwjeromejr Glass half full, but over flowing? lol

[@sunrise7236]

Nice outside .but inside infotainment ??? Cant the not make the screens wider and connected

[@parkvoranaparit1873]

"It would be even better if we both werent in here" Empty car: 0-0 in 0 second 🤣

[@krane15]

@12:07 why are the rear wiper on with no rain?

[@miggz2020]

This or the Kona N? In the market for both. Does it make sense to spend the extra $10k here in the US? Probably like $15k after mark ups?

[@johnwjeromejr]

The "lowly" GTI beat the Kona N in a quarter-mile drag race on a different channel

[@CTF33]

Get the Kona N DCT, it has real buttons and is plenty fast, plus you save $10k and get a 100k mile warranty.

[@gfiddy5188]

Jacob is definitely the better looker, as for changing temp amd other things just talk to it. Hello Volkswagen 👋

[@gfiddy5188]

And in the manual individual it won't change automatically

[@CarSauce]

Nah never liked blondes

[@BM-235]

Tried that, just tells me voice can't control A/C.

[@robertmorgan2219]

6:50 Doug Demuro hand gesture over the door pocket

[@PJL10100]

Awesome!

[@quadcoreQ]

Please review the Audi S3 hatchback next

[@rickigloo1561]

Rs 3 please

[@GreenDiesal]

Ima steal that line ‘I’m not an engineer I’m an idiot’

[@abarthspider3479]

the 7.5 is the best model.

[@shanec8224]

So lame it’s a 10k mark up everywhere… lot of other cars to consider at 57k USD

[@THEAC83]

Not interested in this car at all but still watch your reviews as they’re fantastic!

[@angiegritternails7464]

My husband have 2017 JTI I love it I have 2018 Honda Accord in red but I love this one so bad I want to buy it but I don’t know if is worth it because I don’t drive to much I work from home and I don’t drive more then 80mph you think is good to buy it just love it but I will sell my honda to my son but I still have to paid $30,000 more I’m very confused 😩

[@alwaleedbboy]

Why when he rev it up the sound doesn’t sounds like US and Europe reviews? I mean there you clearly can hear the pops and bangs

[@paulhumphreys8500]

The Australian version isn’t currently fitted with the PPF/GPF found in all Euro vehicles..

[@richardbarnes2609]

US and Eruo had a titanium Akrapovic exhaust as an option. A very expensive $7000 option!

[@richardbarnes2609]

@@paulhumphreys8500 the wagon in Australia has the GPF and euro tune with added nm and wider range torque curve.

[@paulhumphreys8500]

@@richardbarnes2609 yeah so unfortunately will be quieter..

[@richardbarnes2609]

@@paulhumphreys8500 yes but all the us and euro ones have GPF as well. The louder ones just have the Ti Akrapovic exhaust option.

[@martinbezak8644]

put it into the nurburgring mode and it wont shift up...

[@darkfool74]

I'd never spend that much on an amazing car with such a terrible info display. What were they thinking slide buttons for air con that don't light up at night time.. heart breaking..

[@Dave-gg6vl]

For me I couldn’t justify paying almost 80k for the mk8 Golf R wagon so went for the mk4 Skoda Octavia RS wagon. It’s damn quick and a lot faster than the previous VRS. obviously wouldn’t hold a candle to the Golf R from a dig but hey I have 20k in my pocket with imo a better interior and infotainment system. Great review mate hit all the points I thought were important.

[@juliuscesar9864]

Agree 100% the cost of this thing is just ludicrus! Its insanely fast but $75k fark that! I'm not a VW/skoda fan but the Rs wagon version looks bloody nice. A you said you ended up with something that is still pretty quick and very practical and pocketed 15-20k for mods that would destroy the golf R 😁😁😁

[@Dave-gg6vl]

@@juliuscesar9864 well said, though I spent 20k on mods on my mk3 Skoda Octavia VRS wagon so I told myself not this time! The VAQ diff does a lot to help put the power down. The mk3 didn’t have a LSD and 400hp to the front wheels didn’t work haha

[@JustMe-pq7je]

Or you could go for the better MK7.5 pre loved. I did. Never looked back. Added stage 1 and dsg tune and it pulls 370hp.. 500nm 0 to 100 km h in 4 sec at 22c. In winter, it's probably quicker still.

[@yakaboutdownunder8966]

I'm thinking of going the same way, only thing holding me back is the unknown i.e the skoda brand. How have you found the RS in general? I'm in no rush so probably looking at the 8.5golf R wagon at this stage or facelift RS

[@Dave-gg6vl]

@@yakaboutdownunder8966 I really rate it hey. A lot of car for the money and very fun to drive. Imo it looks a lot better than the mk8 R wagon too. Don’t get me wrong I would like an 8 r wagon but for me I couldn’t justify the price and I also get an extra 2 years warranty with the Skoda.

[@latte1648]

They need to move the button for the heated steering to the dash so that the press is intentional. On the steering wheel itself is a poor location choice.

[@geronimooo260]

Don’t listen to one-day testers. As a R owner, it’s impossible to activate the heated steering wheel by just touching it. You have to really press it. Who presses the wheel’s branch while driving ? I cannot say honestly…

[@CTF33]

The cost cutting corners is disappointing but the garbage infotainment system and lack of real buttons is an absolute deal breaker☹️, especially considering I do most of my driving at night. Hope they get it right next time MK9.🤞

[@johnnelson9742]

My friend has one and it looks good and drives great but not worth 50k usd imo

[@JustMe-pq7je]

Glad I got the Golf R MK7.5 It's just a better Car. Especially when you add an APR stage 1 tune of 370hp 500nm coupled to a tuned DSG for quicker shifting and better gear drivability. I can pull 4.1 seconds 0 to 100km on mine. The MK 8 just hasn't got the right stuff for me.

[@dan__________________]

The hood is ugly the stupid wing is horrible and those haptic buttons....wow, that is just dumb. I will keep my 7.5 and fix it until it dies.

[@WarmwaterBliss]

I just dont understand why manufacturers feel the need to put everything on a display. Buttons/dials/knobs are so important because you need that sensory touch to change things

[@jhref]

I recommend you watch the SavageGeese episode where they talk to Toyota about electronics in cars etc. It's a good insight.

[@CTF33]

Totally agree, we need real buttons!!!

[@purplehazeffc]

Hahaha cost cutting on a car that's $70k. When the other one was $55k. Cost cutting with price hiking

[@timmarks8941]

I was triggered when you demonstrated the touch buttons on the dash and steering wheel. Mannnn that is bad bad bad. If I was considering this car I wouldn’t even bother with a test drive having seen that abomination of a control suite.

[@CarlG95]

I have one and can confirm it’s absolutely nowhere near as bad as people are making out, literally just become a thing all reviewers feel the need to say.

[@husariaproductions4240]

Have had mine over 5k. Not an issue. AT ALL. Some folks have had issues some haven’t. It’s a new year with a ton of tech. would I like more buttons. Honestly no. It’s stream lined af. Waiting for shit to malfunction is a little meh but driving wise best car I’ve owned

[@CTF33]

@@CarlG95 I know your trying to justify wasting all that money but the truth is the tech is absolutely garbage on this MK8.

[@CarlG95]

@@CTF33 I’ve literally had no issues, nor do I have to justify anything, I love the car! The people complaining are either old, or don’t have one!

[@pauld6556]

$75k for that! Forget it!

[@motektomek]

Better than Most American crap Cars.

[@CTF33]

Ha ha, that's not saying much, and it's worse that Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota, much worse.

[@akramdesigns3354]

It loses its car feel when everything is screen touch, no Sharm, i wouldn't even consider it tbh, i already have a phone you know.

[@geronimooo260]

Let’s just be honest, you can’t afford it period

[@akramdesigns3354]

@@geronimooo260 of course i can't hh

[@1lime1000]

80 k 4 a golf ,,seriously

[@henrikkoukku2896]

VW Golf R, R GTI looks really good, BUT...👎🏼.

[@craigelliott2524]

Scratchy plastic and no bonnet struts in a 75k car…. VW has lost the plot. Look elsewhere

[@SINGH-ing]

Wow it’s ugly

[@paulhumphreys8500]

I just picked up a 2020 mk 7.5 Golf R for $50k with 25k km’s no way is this worth $25K more, and that infotainment is a big no..

[@BobsBrotherSteven]

So in total everyone... Buy a 7.5. This is well over priced and that interior is just gross.

[@mharro88]

Infotainment is horrible. Why would you pick this now over the Hyundai n products?

[@CTF33]

You nailed it, VW has dropped the ball and the N division has picked it up. The 74 vision concept is insane.