New Golf 8 R vs Toyota GR Yaris! Hot lap shootout...which is faster?

In this video, the new Volkswagen Golf 8 R takes on the Toyota GR Yaris in a hot lap shoot out around Aldo Scribante Race Circuit.
It's safe to say that the GR Yaris changed perceptions of just how fast and how much fun a Toyota could be.
We were grateful to get an early test of the of the GR Yaris last year and our in-house race-ace Ashley Oldfield set a hot lap time in that car, against the Golf 8 GTI.
This year, we had an early test of the Golf 8 R on the same racetrack and with identical conditions, we thought we would do the same in the new Golf R and compare the two times.
So...which is faster, the new Golf 8 R or the GR Yaris? Only one way to find out!
0:00 - Intro
0:59 - Golf 8 GTI and GR Yaris lap times
1:22 - Ash’s prediction
1:35 - Ciro’s prediction
2:32 - Ash starts his hot lap
5:46 - Ash’s thoughts on his hot lap
6:18 - The Golf R’s Lap time
7:50 - Conclusion
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[@marceldeckford5813]

Manual GR Yaris vs DSG Golf R just under a sec faster.....shows how good the GR Yaris is

[@matthewkennedy-smith991]

Plus how many extra kw in the golf?

[@MrGWAMPO]

Lmao no it doesn't, a second is really slow in racing and everyone knows it.

[@simmadotyeni2614]

Not to mention the power difference bro...damn u GR Yaris!!

[@krackastudios]

@@MrGWAMPO in F1, a second of difference is massive; like few 100 metres massive. But at the speeds these cars are going at, a second might be more like tops 30 metres??

[@theviewsproduction0149]

GR Yaris lighter than Golf and It is solely focused of racing. Shows how good the golf is.

[@teoigi3247]

Love Ash's driving technique, the constant steering pull on the turns, marvelous control. Ciro definitely had fun, reminiscent of the good ol' days of rally watching.

[@neomodipa3461]

I just love the Yaris GR 😌🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@handuukeme853]

Considering the GR Yaris is a manual and Golf R is an automatic i say the GR Yaris is properly fast.

[@andykaraba]

A nice stick on the open road is tons more fun than paddles

[@billshoe22191]

I really missed these track battles. Please do more of them. Great job!

[@miljanivanko2312]

You two are fantastic,guys !.Great vid!

[@quintissolomons5139]

Ashley is one heck of a driver 👍👏

[@CobusDerrenberg]

BRILLIANT LAP WORK, PRODUCTION & SUMMARY, as always... WORLD CLASS 😎💪✨ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@bitumen83]

Im Yaris GR fanboy, but I must admit that Golf 8 R is really impressive considering that it is family car with 4 seats and doors, without fancy 4wd system. It has simpler 4wd system than Yaris GR... Yaris GR is purpose build car and sharing very little with regular Yaris, while Golf R is base on regular Golf. Anyway good test.

[@gustavchuene7430]

Also with 35kw more and auto box. So with that in mind, it's not a big deal.

[@bitumen83]

@@gustavchuene7430 also 170kg heavier...

[@Jaredscott89]

The AWD system isn't simpler or less fancy.

[@zhongxina7834]

Pretty sure the golf has one of the most advanced awd systems out there

[@gustavchuene7430]

So then in the bigger scheme of things, the golf isn't any faster. If you slap it with a manual transmission and remove the extra power, we may have a different story altogether.

[@clearviz100]

Goes to prove once again the amazing car one gets with the GR Yaris... amazing little weapon.

[@alexanderedwards3675]

If the Golf has a 0-60 time of over 1 sec better than the Yaris, and that the test was conducted from standstill maybe the Yaris still has a better chassis by being less than a second slower around the lap. Great review still

[@snowfree52]

I was about to post the same ! on the second lap the yaris should be faster !

[@brapanda7247]

Great point. Maybe flying lap, the Yaris can match it.

[@001barca]

Its a dual clutch DSG and Yaris is manual. I'm sure when you match it with Manual Golf R the story would be different

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

The GR has a much better 0-60 that Toyota states. Itl run 4.6 in stock form, nearly a second quicker than advertised time 👌

[@Andy-2022]

@@relentlesspursuit6894 I guess it didn’t do that in this test then

[@Mzwandile_Makhowane]

This was very impressive. I may not be a VW fan, but...that looked indeed quite fast. Well, at least, in my eyes. These always make for great viewing. I am eagerly awaiting the Toyota Corolla GR times as well. Thank you for the superb content.

[@yaboiyosef7640]

Is SA getting the gr corolla?

[@metsanemosehlane7891]

I doubt we will get the GR Corolla maybe a once off press car like that GRMN Yaris, chances are slim.

[@cheaterspartan3775]

I think the Gr Corolla is gunna be slower

[@cnrspd6969]

Great video. As mentioned by others i think the 1 sec would have come down to the launch and DSG, timing the 2nd flying lap would have been a more accurate comparison. And one would expect the GR Corolla to be slower being almost 300kg heavier than the GR Yaris with exact same drivetrain, but would still be fun to see :)

[@g4tlan]

This video really stirred a conversation

[@stopspin]

On back roads and tarmac rallying the Yaris will win hands down but both equally good cars in depending what you want out of a car. Great 👍 video comparison guys. Cheers.

[@milanreznicek7335]

Nice comparison, it would be interesting to add the Leon Cupra. Anyway, a Yaris with a three-cylinder and a manual is incredibly fast.

[@amenmoipushi8821]

Nice driving Ash! Who's coming to the M Fest this Saturday?

[@Mostlycars888]

Why do a laptime from a standing start though🤔 any other hot hatch lap times for a better reference point????

[@thabnatics2881]

Manual GR Yaris being slower just under 1 second is a great achievement compared to the Golf 8R, considering the fact that the Golf 8R has DSG and much more power and is much more expensive. Well done Toyota 💪

[@Bertha076]

Toyota is expensive asf to

[@sillimilli3802]

The GR is designed for track use, the Golf is not. The Golf is more impressive in my opinion

[@nhojadnab383]

@@sillimilli3802 lol, golf's R line are designed for what fam?😅😅

[@sillimilli3802]

@@nhojadnab383 its not R Line, its just R. R Line is a design package for a regular Golf. With that said, the Golf R is not a track performance car, the GR Yaris is built ground up for track use

[@metsanemosehlane7891]

The GR Yaris is built for rallying.

[@Southghost5997]

Both are great cars and I doubt less than 1 second between the two measured from a phone says much. Golf R is definitely track focused despite what others say - everything done to it over the "family" golf are to make it better on track, whether it uses the same platform or not. What do people think the R is for? What I take from this test is they're very well matched despite their differences so it makes choosing either one easier when you prioritise other aspects (like a manual gearbox, or more bootspace...)

[@mqbr22]

Impressive for a more comfort oriented hot hatch

[@elkat2282]

Good race. Can you guys do a bmw 128ti vs hyundai i30n dct race?

[@thabangmatsimela8877]

What a driver.. Ashley... Impressive 👏👏

[@vollcare4076]

Does the R has the optional rear diff ? Which tyres did the Golf R had on this test ?

[@vc7855]

i think that second goes to the automatic dsg. i would bet that the gr has a faster time then a manual golf r on track

[@durbanpoison8622]

Forget the cars. That helmet is amazing!

[@banele972]

Great driving! Would be really cool if you guys had a POV for the hot laps

[@TheVigilante572]

Impressed

[@Niob2302]

Why didnt you drive another lap with the GR Yaris under the exact same conditions and compare the R's time with the GR time from last year? Makes no sense for me....sorry.

[@MrObiWanKenobi8999]

Exceeded track limits on the final corner. F1 says that's a 5 sec penalty.

[@levernnaicker4142]

And who thought of the day that a Yaris will be competing against a Golf R.

[@izoyt]

its light strip down 4wd rally spec yaris for street (which probably is much better for this kind of track than bigger and heavier golf). play fair

[@ytsux9259]

The GR Yaris eats a manual Golf R for lunch. The GR Corolla would do the same.

[@nazmo_za9654]

great lap! good video. take away the launch advantage though :)

[@niriheeralall3069]

Hey cirao do you know when the Toyota 86 gr is coming out and if it dose come out could you do a video of you reviewing the car thanks regards nirin 😃

[@orbytl2799]

the VW is a far better looking car too and i dont even like the mk8 that much yaris looks like it belongs on a maccy Ds carpark on a sunday night lol

[@boitumelobee3994]

Beautiful Driving

[@tumisomarebane2536]

This was funny as hell

[@naeemsamodien4209]

Awesome comparison thanks, but pls get a Mini Gp3 on your show.

[@keegenchetty5331]

Why no i30n DCT vs the R? Will VWSA nkt allow that?

[@kuganshiv]

What is the 2017 Clubsports S time around that track

[@wesa101mapena9]

It's the second Golf going up against the Yaris that small car is super good

[@vc7855]

i would like to see a manual golf r laptime so i can tell if the of being faster is for the car or transmision

[@Motor1Argentina]

[@ashilr8]

I love the GR yaris❤️

[@brodiebracher3796]

Really hot the new GTI R except the price... Would be interesting if VW offered a 'Track' spec option of the new GTI Jacara to loose some weight & hopefully drop the price a bit further e.g. no back seats, maybe 2 door set up, a 6 speed manual, extra torsion bar front and back, delete the innovision cockpit & centre media set up, manual aircon and possibly an overboost option...

[@kjph7438]

The golf is doing 60mph a full second before the Yaris anyway no? Surely time it from the second lap

[@sazi7294]

Would love to see a comparison with the ford focus rs. I think now they fairly matched

[@bidensuckandeez6748]

Rs3, A45 and 140M too

[@tebogomaphafo3241]

Das Auto❤️‍🔥

[@vollcare4076]

Considering the Golf R is a 55-60k € car, so 15k more expensive s the Yaris, the R has to be quicker than the GTI

[@afrikengunner]

Would love to see the i30N DCT on this track

[@thabohlalele3125]

Lmfao..the humour is appreciated guys

[@markomarin3414]

I love how the GR Yaris have more hype and recognition than the GR Supra. What a time to be lived in.

[@ThebeSeodigeng]

Can you please do the gr Yaris and the i30n

[@qayiyabenya8806]

Please compare the 8R to the new RS3

[@arlensmith3717]

That GR Yaris 1.6ltr motor is monstrous! Wonder what VW will do when the GR Corolla enters the ring...😬

[@vc7855]

lose

[@mcohec]

Why compare a DSG and a manual from a standing start???

[@teem1803]

No Golf 8 Rline for South Africa?

[@balintk.9373]

Yaris GR all day, every day. Gonna be a classic collector's car, not like the Golf R.

[@johanbarnard3435]

Comparing a GR Yaris to a Golf R is just testiment about how good the GR Yaris is. ot punches far above it's weight in terms of engine size

[@ravenstylea2]

A flying lap would be more accurate to take the launch equation out of it.

[@baneletwayi8036]

Can we have 8R vs the RS3

[@daanyalkamish2133]

Is this what it’s come to comparing a golf R to a GR Yaris that really says a lot about how powerful that little Yaris is Just Waiting patiently now for the GR corrolla to put that R in its place

[@jamesmedina2062]

but Corolla may be heavier car even with the carbon fiber roof

[@ytsux9259]

Manual vs manual please!

[@wanitagrace4040]

Just as I was going through your page to see if you reviewed Picanto X line😢😢😭, I need a car and I think picanto I can afford

[@phawupowerhousesakwe7897]

Have you looked at the New Suzuki Celerio? I’m a Suzuki salesman, let’s chat

[@bobbybooshay5854]

Just remember the yaris was developed for WRC... not track racing. It's like a Subaru Wrx sti. If you want to do a track comparison, try the civic type r vs the golf 8R

[@lesleythobeka]

It took the big brother to dethrone the Yaris but now I'm hoping we will be getting the GR Corolla soon and let's see what happens then.

[@Toyota4Life]

The Corolla MORIZO edition should easily eat the VW

[@binskee677]

See the video from throttle House

[@Corvolet5]

The Corolla still loses. No comparison. In fact no one even got a better 0-60 time than 5.4 seconds which is abysmal for a 300 hp hatch

[@lesleythobeka]

@@Corvolet5 going around a track takes more than a 0 to 60 time. Don't worry, the Honda civic humbled the golf and the Toyota will do the same!

[@ytsux9259]

@@Corvolet5 LoL! Many reviewers have gotten way under 5s in the Corolla.

[@MzwandileHarmans]

Golf vs Yaris. Who would have thought 😂. Polo 🚶🏽left the chat

[@jaemate21]

Yerrrr,how does Ciro pronounce Xebekga so well,I'm Pedi and I'm still struggling to pronounce that name,LOL

[@mss531]

isnt the yaris the competitor of the polo?

[@mikeormond7883]

A proper lap time (ie: flying lap) would have been a different story

[@TheDiger32]

you can clearly see the difference between a crap chassis (the vw) and a good chassis (the Toyota).

[@MainMagician777]

We want Polo R now

[@sibusisomagwaza7597]

Drag race??

[@davothegreat9990]

Why? Yaris would get destroyed.

[@mpolokengmalatji6288]

Can't wait for that Corolla GR, wanna see how much faster it is than the Yaris GR, wonder if it beat the Golf 8R

[@jamesmedina2062]

400 pounds (175 kg) heavier than the Yaris

[@cheaterspartan3775]

Consider the track Looks more damp than it did when the GR yaris did it’s lap is say it’s a easy win for the golf r

[@k20dude41]

Different day, can't compare LAPTIMES.

[@michaelanderson2689]

Do away with the standing start! And use a better lap timing tool!

[@luthandosilantshi7304]

I feel like Golf 8 R with the Performance pack and Diff would've been a better candidate.

[@mkandy5447]

Diff is the same in both but the pp has the special mode which is better for the track

[@nhlanhlamagagula7467]

let's admit the GR is Hot ..GTi lost against it and top range Gold R is just sec faster...

[@MAH-id3sx]

@@nhlanhlamagagula7467 vw fanboys will never admit it.

[@neilmcguinness4422]

@@MAH-id3sx This Golf R owner happily admits that the Yaris GR is a brilliant car but I bet the Corolla GR will dance rings around it and give the Golf R a much harder time.

[@MAH-id3sx]

@@neilmcguinness4422 Not hating on your car. Actually owned a polo Gti and would like to get another 1. It's just some people hating on the toyota just because it has the a yaris badge.

[@jackyhe7202]

The new Honda Civic Type R FL5 will be ready to destroy this lot.

[@memeguyTM]

The Clio RS was also almost as fast as a GTI on a hillclimb.

[@motorfab7014]

I love lap race ...drag is stupid race

[@bantuhani9062]

Like i predicted...but Yaris is a manual box and with just s second faster!!! Well done Toyota Yaris 😎

[@jonathanpillay7774]

2.0 vs 1.6 the Toyota is a winner

[@one_eleven]

Where’s the Yaris? 🙃 interesting shoot out with only one car on the same track conditions

[@fariedroopen5441]

😆😁,and a year older model??

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

There’s a manual Golf R MK8, exclusive to North America.

[@mohaumokhethi8625]

There hasn’t been a manual golf R or GTI in South Africa since 2013.😢

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@mohaumokhethi8625 And in Europe, they took out the Golf R with the manual. Here in Europe, and over in North America, we still have the GTi with a manual.

[@beerstein7137]

I really hope you are using more accurate ways of doing the timing than the human hand held method

[@hipetwa]

The bigger brother the corolla gr is a match for the golf 8 r on the track

[@clevernduruza8624]

Doesn't it use the same engine as the Yaris?

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@clevernduruza8624 Yes, but makes 224kW and 370Nm.

[@davothegreat9990]

@@DaveDVideoMaker but heavier too. It'll be no faster than the yaris.

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

@@davothegreat9990 Toyota hasn’t confirmed the 0-100 time for the GR Corolla just yet.

[@davothegreat9990]

@@DaveDVideoMaker just looking at the power to weight we have a pretty good idea.

[@curtistino2603]

After it's all been said and done, the winner is........ VW Golf R!

[@vc7855]

if you want to pay over 20k to lower a laptime for 1 second go for it!

[@lueeynaicker3885]

If Toyota put in a 2L engine, then it was game over for VW

[@vc7855]

its because of wrc regulations

[@muhammadkara8736]

I reckon ,I could shave off 3 seconds in the GR Yaris. 🤣

[@efrainvelasquezlemus2072]

Manual v automatic, I will take the manual everytime.

[@riccoocuban1169]

We must not forget How VW group is trying to save the RS3,s championship by making the gold r being under RS3 in terms of everything

[@sillimilli3802]

The golf R has never ever been comparable to the RS3. The RS3 is leagues ahead.

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

The RS3 was always a class above the R

[@orbytl2799]

@@WaseemKhan-iu4bh you dont seem to understand what he is saying, VW have to keep the Rs performance figures below the RS3 due to the RS3 being the premium car of that range in the vag group the Rs, especially the mk7s handle their standard power with ease, if it werent for the RS3 i reckon VW would have made them a lot naughtier as standard :P

[@riccoocuban1169]

@@orbytl2799 exactly my point 👌

[@WaseemKhan-iu4bh]

@@orbytl2799 yes then we would have probably had a 300kw golf 8R to compete with the A45s if there was no RS3.

[@jobeboys744]

Toyota is coming back Imagine if they did that on that Supra/Bmw🤔🤔 a GR Supra that would sound good

[@Verschiedenes]

Toyota Yarış Japon Türk Kardeşliğinin Üst gururudur. "Ne mutlu Türküm diyene..."

[@InfoHubZA]

Drag race please. I'm so not a fan of track races 😅

[@ek8571]

This video is for the dig

[@lehlohonolotsenasi6457]

three seconds faster than the GTI is absolutely crazy, that 8 R is really fast. 3 seconds on a race track is a lifetime.

[@escos0410]

But it isn’t faster round a lap than a mk8 CS GTI

[@heracleopangilinan8497]

try gr corolla

[@toyotagaz]

its only fair to give the GR Corolla a shot

[@justmax3095]

Come on Yaris win it

[@masediseshoka475]

I think the GR is the better car of the 3 in terms of performance. If it had an automatic transmission we would be talking a different story. 1 second win is not impressive at all. I honestly expected the golf R to win by 5 seconds or more

[@KP-xi4bj]

Using your logic, a stripped out Golf R without sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and other creature comforts that are not found in a GR Yaris would be 20 seconds faster. Bottom line is the Golf R is a semi-luxurious hot hatch that is faster than a basic econobox GR Yaris, period.

[@MAH-id3sx]

Stripped out😂😂 Ofcourse the Golf R should be faster. It has more kw and torque and it's dsg. The yaris is not stripped out. You sound like a heartsore vw fanboy.

[@KP-xi4bj]

@@MAH-id3sx So, you're telling me the Yaris has sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, phone charging pad and mood lighting? Yeah, didn't think so. The Yaris is as basic as it gets. BTW, I'm no VW fanboy (never owned any VW products) but I call it the way I see it. Stripped out like the Yaris and the Golf R will be way faster is my point.

[@MAH-id3sx]

You forgot to mention that the Golf r has 4 exhaust tips and not 2 like the Yaris making the golf heavier. If the golf also had 2 exhaust tips it would make it 25 seconds faster than the Yaris...

[@vc7855]

@@KP-xi4bjyaris is20k cheaper and overall same track preformance as golf r. and btw how many wrc titles does your golf have again?

[@alvarobonetti927]

impressive what?! the gr yaris have 70 cv less than golf R... so 1 second faster isnt impressive!

[@erezyoal]

the audi RS3 will be faster thanks to the new dif