VW GOLF GTI VS GOLF R DRIVING POV/REVIEW // WHICH IS MORE FUN?

[@jubjub13483]

Golf Gti! I brought the GTI performance which has bit more power and its enough really in the real world. Not driven it quite like you yet but I like the style more aswell just looks bit more special then the R but of course everyone is different.

[@youraveragejoe1]

Never driven an R but they’ve always completely bored me. Find them dull inside and out. I love the GTIs more interesting touches- the red trim, the tartan seats etc. make it more special to me

[@lloydgriffiths1847]

Would be interesting to get the performance version with the diff and extra power compared to the R

[@nickhorne5493]

Tcr 🤷

[@gamingmadforever6363]

Amazing cars

[@LSD04]

Went GTI Performance myself, the extra power of the R would be nice but you’re at the back of a queue of traffic in no time and the GTI looks better all of the time.

[@ap6584]

I have a 2018 GTI Performance, got a Unicorn stage 1 map, 305 bhp / 369lbs/ft, made a huge difference and quicker than a standard R once you're on the move..

[@LSD04]

@@ap6584 I have thought about a stage one but I went manual and apparently the clutches are 💩 and don’t last long once you add extra power, maybe in the future.

[@snapperbread5589]

@@LSD04 My thoughts exactly! I am itching for a remap but the additional cost of upgrading clutch will be expensive 🤯

[@jackbarraclough4711]

@@snapperbread5589 I’ve just done it, my clutch let go so I decided to do the stage 1 software along with an upgraded clutch. Circa 2k🙃

[@snapperbread5589]

Thanks for letting me know, think I will save up to do it! Wish VW made better clutches for mk7 golf

[@ericcarson342]

The GTI is more fun around town/city. The gearing is different on the GTI and feels like torque comes sooner and feels lighter around sharp corners. The R has a sweet spot from 40 to 80 mph. if you're in sport mode. I like the fog lights and red stripe of the GTI but I like the exclusive lapiz blue on the R. I wanted the color so I picked the R.

[@Fritzleding]

The difference is the R has a bigger turbo than the gti, so it makes more power but with more turbo lag

[@richboy900]

Both are winners in my eyes. Mk7/7.5 golfs are one of the best cars I've had and I've owned 3 of them over the years

[@MrCaterhamr500]

@@richboy900 I’ve had my Mk7 Golf R for a few months and I’m utterly bored of it, the car is dull. It doesn’t feel special, I think I got to into how fast it could be with tuning etc that I completely bypassed the essentials of what makes a great car; character. The MK7 Golf us the equivalent of a German photocopy engineer, always on time, and utterly boring. If only the Golf R was given more character; wider arches, proper Brembo brakes, Recaro bucket seats, a better engine sound etc. Mines for sale, does 60 mph in 3.8 seconds but the rest of the car bores the tits off me, frankly. I should have stuck with my 90’s/00’s era cars, they are far more fun.

[@mharro88]

​@@MrCaterhamr500 get a i30n , way more fun

[@Birmingham_racing]

That's what I don't like about the golf r and s3. You have to drive like a complete bell end to have proper fun. Unless you're planning of going for big power 400+bhp I would prefer a gti

[@Tibs747]

I went for a TCR instead of the R. A bit more unique, looks better, same power as the R and I think will retain its value a lot better.

[@dimsoneill]

Good choice! Look the best too.

[@jimjamthebananaman1]

Less power than the R by about 25 horses

[@richboy900]

Great decision. I always liked the Clubsport S, but the car is so rare for a GTI I reckon it'd be more of a collector's car and many will be garage queens

[@richardjones9886]

@@jimjamthebananaman1 The 7.5 R has 20 bhp (306) more than the TCR, the 7 R (296) only has 10bhp more than the TCR.👍

[@albertocomesana1248]

Less power, actually (but less weight too, which gives the TCR a better power-to-weight ratio)

[@brasp]

the problem with the R is its still a FWD car until it detects slip.. it will always have the dynamics of an FWD vehicle. corner exit is obviously more forgiving as you can indiscriminately mash the throttle, but the tendency is always to plow

[@JustinStrife]

Get a haldex tune that'll help a lot with that.

[@Walter_White66]

Sunday enthusiast, there is no difference between a permanent 4-wheel drive and the Haldex in feeling. I'm on my 3rd car with a haldex, S3 8p, 7R, RS3 8v2... it's even much better to drive with this technology because lighter and more agile than a real Quattro so thank you for returning to your old Scenic and leaving the connoisseurs among themselves.

[@Kualeppi]

I have 2019 GTI performance that is now tuned 322hp, also I have Bilstein shocks with Eibach springs. So much fun to drive and ALOT of cheaper than R, at least here in Finland.

[@adr3510]

2017 facelift R's with 20-30k miles are 25k in england 2019 gti performance 20-30k miles are 25k too golf r launch and power and stability golff gti aggressiveness torque and fun i need nietzche or dovtoesky to help me

[@Walter_White66]

Yes, it's fun in the rain and snow to never shift the power to the ground 😂🤦🏻‍♂️ An R without electronic aids is much more fun.

[@carlrea]

Did you have to upgrade your clutch with that sort of power upgrade? Thanks in advance

[@Kualeppi]

@@carlrea nope, car has 7-speed automatic. It was programmed too to handle more power and get optimized gear change.

[@carlrea]

@@Kualeppi That's great to hear. So the dsg gearbox is stronger? Thanks for coming back to me 👍🏻

[@dominathor]

The Golf R is faster in every possible way(both on the circuit and the highway), and the GTI is more fun to drive because it feels more nimble and authentic, not as "robotic" like the R. The GTI with the Performance package is even better(bigger brakes, a bit more HP, and mechanical LSD). The Golf TCR would be the best choice, both looks and performance. Too bad the Clubsport has no 7.5 facelift :(

[@krez060]

The 7.5 has the TCR which shares the same engine as the Golf R, just like the mk7 Clubsport variant.

[@BobK5]

The R if you live in ice/snow area otherwise GTi all day long, much lighter, more fun and much better economy.

[@ap6584]

I went for a GTI Performance because I wanted the lighter car, the grip it has with the LSD is just silly, love it. A stage 1 map transforms the car and gets you pops and bangs if you want them.

[@HassanAli-zh7nz]

How’s traction on the stage 1?

[@ap6584]

@Hassan Ali fine in the dry, in the wet t/c just kills the power unless you're in 4th gear and up

[@dimsoneill]

Brought a Skoda RS 245 for the same reasons. Plus an awesome fast wagon. Waiting for the warranty to run out so I can give it a stage 1

[@ap6584]

@dimsoneill I would definitely suggest doing some airbox mods or induction kit, and turbo inlet pipe when you go stage one, I found they make a significant difference.

[@johngreen8693]

Same reasoning here. Rear ARB makes a big difference apparently.

[@Matty27]

I think the golf R has a much nicer front bumper. It’s just more simple and aggressive looking

[@michaeldoherty1287]

GTI is the best.

[@michaeldoherty1287]

How much do you need unless on a track.

[@mattyg135]

R is way better me old mate

[@BobK5]

@@mattyg135too heavy

[@JustinStrife]

Not if you're looking for real power.

[@BobK5]

@@JustinStrife power to weight Justin, the R is permanently carrying the equivalent of more than a very obese and large man in order that all four wheels can give traction for less than 95% of the time, the majority of the time sees the R using front wheel drive with a substantial weight handicap for nothing (unless you live in Scandinavia or North America etc where it’s very useful). That weight handicap also ruins the handling and suspension potential. The GTi on the other hand is livelier, more fun to drive, just as quick other than from a standing start, much better on fuel economy and insurance and much less likely to get stolen by thieving morons. If you want power buy an oil tanker they’ve got almost 20,000 bhp or you might want a cross channel ferry with multi engines over 22,000 bhp but they’re both very slow 🤣

[@TIM612826]

I ❤ it as I got both, standard r and mapped gti. The gti is definitely more fun 👍

[@loubonnett]

Interesting. I bought a MK7.5 GTI in 2020 at a steal $25,300 (dealer asked $34, 300), so i feel great about the purchase but I still wondered if I was missing out not getting the R. Glad to hear your experience.

[@TIM612826]

@@loubonnett both my cars are manual, I think the heavier clutch on the gti feels more connected. the r is a lovely car I use it for the weekend and holidays. It's only better in the wet and cold as u can put the power down all the time compared to the gti. I think it would be a different animal if it was tuned tho. Glad your pleased with the gti, I ❤️ the interior more aswell.

[@lefelamarunye4796]

GTI any day

[@Whiponized]

both incredible cars!

[@dominicpowell3867]

Most fun is the one you can afford

[@eppyz]

Watching this in 2024 haha, I really don't like it when people use the term "Better". That word is SO subjective especially in featuring a car comparo. Both these cars are essentially the same car. One is AWD one is not. So what it basically comes down to, do you NEED AWD, or not? That is the argument isn't it? In the "Real" world. The GTI is really all you "Need". Heck even a standard Golf is all you really need. In GTI form, you get a more sporty Golf with a nicer interior, better braking and handling over a standard Golf, but less MPG's. The R on the other hand has the potential for best handling amongst the Golf Line Up but only under certain circumstances. How often are you in those circumstances to justify the nearly $15k+ difference in price between a GTI and R and over $20k+ if you just buy a standard Golf (USA Prices). I paid $26,400 for a Base MK7.5 GTI with DSG here in the USA. The Golf R with DSG was $44k. I mean that is an $18k difference and that must be taken into account when you want to purchase one of these cars. In the end, the GTI is the best compromise of a standard Golf and an R. So the winner to me? Will always be the GTI.

[@shaunmarshall4504]

Guy is wanting a 4wd car to break lose on a roundabout. Isn't the idea of 4wd to keep grip?

[@OBELISK3210]

For something top of the line in the golf, it just doesn’t have a wow factor or premium factor. Dare I say the tcr with alcantara door panels & the red sport tartan seats etc with red trim, makes it look the better car inside. & outside stock it just looks better with basically the same engine as a golf R. Only thing golf R has over it imo is 4mition for our wet uk roads. But the tcr has more than enough to enjoy the roads & still has the feel good gti factor inside. While the golf R looks bland like a gtd 🤮

[@chad-go3eh]

absolutely love my 2021 7.5 GTI performance ticks every box best daily on the market imo great gas milage she's a keeper!

[@brunoalvarez3523]

I have both, golf r stage 1 is the best solution, so so much quicker and nice to drive, safer, much better in bad road or hard climate conditions.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

As a MK7 GTI owner myself, modded with an IS38 turbo, custom tune, and FBO, I will say the MK7 GTI is a very boring car stock. My perspective might be different as I came from owning an E46 M3 6spd, that I eventually supercharged and was FBO. So getting into the MK7 GTI, I literally was able to drive it past it’s limits handling wise the very first day I bought it. So as a stock car, the MK7 GTI, to me, is just boring. The Golf R is a much better stock car. BUT the GTI is the better car if you plan on modding it, in terms of price per performance. You can make the MK7 GTI very quick, and very capable in turns, with basic mods, and still come out cheaper than a stock Golf R. Yes, you can make a Golf R silly fast with mods too, but considering it’s MSRP price, it’s pretty expensive. The MK7 GTI’s biggest downfall is it’s FWD. Yes, it gives you drama, but it spins front tires and understeer a like crazy when flying through corners or when putting more power into it. To some that’s fun drama, and I get that, but having had a fast and very capable RWD E46 M3, the FWD just lets me down on my GTI. Overall the GTI is really good for the price. Would I like a Golf R? Sure. But for it’s MSRP price, it’s not a car I would ever choose. Now, if the Golf R had a bigger engine over the GTI then my thoughts on the Golf R would be different, but considering it has the same engine as the GTI, it’s just not that attractive to me when I can get the same exact power very easily out of the GTI, for a lot cheaper.

[@orbytl2799]

@@High_Octane_Hero golf R is not boring it just handles its std 300 bhp with ease, like its nothing it needs at least a stg 1 to really bring it to life i went from a gti to R and the R is a far more capable car in every way tbh, im in the peak district and ive given both a real good beating on some proper roads in all conditions

[@OBELISK3210]

@@orbytl2799tcr is just as better car though

[@orbytl2799]

@@OBELISK3210 still fwd though so if you want some decent power its pretty useless

[@OBELISK3210]

@@orbytl2799 nah in pilot 4’s they put the grip down well especially with the front diff put in. I’ve seen stage 2 tcr on dig keep up or beat golf r’s. Literally same engine, lighter & more rigid for better handling, better breaks & better cornering. Much prefer to have fun. If I had kids I’d go for the R for practicality of uk wet weather & family.

[@orbytl2799]

@@OBELISK3210 i drive mostly on damp uk A roads and like lots of power, so like i said FWD is not much use. see if a stage 2 TCR will keep with a stage 2 R from a dig 😅 ive had GTI`S , last one i had i stupidly spunked thousands on fully forging the engine but realised FWD is a no no so got rid and brought an R. you cant launch a big power FWD car and i enjoy launching tbh i can kinda understand it if wheel spinning and torque steering up the road is your idea of fun but ive been there and done it and i prefer grip

[@N911GT2]

Imagine buying a car at Paragon... You know it's been trashed by its owner...

[@Wayzor_]

The one you want is the one you can afford.

[@DudeThatsBirch]

I know my comment is late but ive only just recently found this channel, I used to own a mk 7 Golf R and changed to a Cupra, and the cupra is 100x more fun and just faster (unless its from red lights) and now my cupra is stage 1, its another beast, keeps up with M3s, RS3s cars in those realms. youre more than welcome to review it if you wish :D

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

i recently owned a stage 1 cupra so know exactly what you’re on about. Reviewed it a while ago, if you search our channel you’ll find it.

[@joeyschmidt7546]

sadly no cupra available in the usa

[@jb123564]

You should do one of these with the m140i and golf r/amg 45, theyre around similar prices now and after driving them all i was blown away with the feel of the 140 in gear it feels so rapid and thats coming from a cupra 290 which felt quick

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

Might be able to do golf r vs 140i. 140i is quicker than a golf/a45 by quite a bit in stock form.

[@jb123564]

@@ParagonCarsLondon yeah I thought that but if you search on Google you get a lot of people arguing the r is quicker due to awd, I'd imagine it'd get gapped 30-70

[@seaya3593]

GTI look more aggressive than the R 🤨

[@benh8944]

I think where the R has a bigger turbo, it takes noticeably longer to spool. When i time 30-70 starting bang on 30, my manual R does 4.8. If i start from 20mph and the turbo is already on, i get 4.2. My friends new skoda vrs with the 245bhp engine, if he gets a start on me, it takes a while to get past him.

[@dimsoneill]

I have the RS 245. With a tune and that front diff it's a weapon.

[@dariorodriguez68]

GTI !!!

[@chroniccrypto75]

That’s why I love my mk6 Ed35 over the mk6 golfR it keeps you on your toes.

[@alexanderscott665]

I had the 245bhp GTI for 8 months take it from me the Golf R is better

[@psiturbo]

I tested a few Mk7 GTis and Rs, and the R felt with so much muscle, a good suspension setup and it is one pocket rocket.

[@stevencowie1540]

Prefer the R over the Gti purely for grip,I don’t get why people say its more fun being fwd it’s not fun sitting spinning front wheels or wheel hop when trying to put power down I like going from A to B as quick as possible when in mood

[@gmoney5437]

So your scared

[@stevencowie1540]

@@gmoney5437 nothing scary about a Gti mate

[@mr.adventure559]

I guess get the regular GTI and save a few bucks.

[@marksheridan8444]

What would you choose from the Golf GTI and the Cupra 290 both very similar price.

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

i’d go for the cupra 290 lux pack. More power and you get all the options you want.

[@johngreen8693]

Interesting review, thanks! I've bought a 2016 GTI PP despite there being more Rs available locally. Similar price, lower running costs, lighter, less of a theft magnet, more fun and a runaround.. Planned minor improvements are a remap and stiffer rear ARB if I feel the need. Hopefully I'll be happy.

[@Walter_White66]

Much more fun in the rain and snow to stay on site? 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MRjesseNL]

The rims on the R should be banned

[@lobster8009]

While the GTI might feel faster it is definitely the R that is the faster car, in some situation by quite a lot actually. I never cared for "drama" in a car, i want it to be safe, predictable, planted and ungodly fast and the R is all of that and more. Blasting B roads they might feel the same because they both have well enough power that you cant use all of it but to me personally, a key feature that makes a car feel silly fast is the 0 - Vmax. No need to say that the R slays in this category even in absolutely perfect road conditions. Add just a hint of moisture on the road and the GTI just falls apart, you are up to the 7-8sek range for the 0-62 with the GTI and that looks embarrasing in comparison to the R.

[@nelcas01]

GTI all the way!

[@ksing44]

Just put really bad tires on the Golf R and it will be at least "as fun" as a GTI. Same tires on a GTI, you could have even more fun sliding into a ditch in the rain.

[@Jon-cu4kv]

Torque per ton isn’t a thing. A gearbox is a torque multiplier, ratios change torque at the wheels.

[@f20aru98]

Gti looks better

[@scottmacmillan3042]

Tyres tyres tyres…. Looks like the gti had shitey Bridgestones hence the back end coming out. Driven both.. the gti is sweeter at slow speeds, the faster you get the r comes alive when the gti starts to run out of ideas. Tbh you’d made your mind up before driving 😂

[@Rob_who]

❤ GTI wins because at the end of the day its all about fun and the driving. Oh and i think a white gti performznce just looks so cool

[@thedilznick]

I got the mk7 GTI, Went stage 2. I complained about traction for about 3 years until finally just getting a damn R. NO REGRETS. I 100% understand that the GTI required much more skill to drive, you had to be more involved. But bruh I’m flooring the R around turns in the wet and it just hooks every time. The 4th gear feels like the GTI’s 3rd gear. I think the MQB community likes to diminish the difference between the two, but I was shocked by the difference in handling.

[@notyourgrandmasgolf8950]

Did your GTI have the VAQ diff?

[@dimsoneill]

​@@notyourgrandmasgolf8950very good question. It's brilliant.

[@thedilznick]

⁠​⁠@@notyourgrandmasgolf8950I just saw this… yes sir I had the front LSD. Only seemed to help with corners, not spin.

[@lethabokhanye1864]

The Golf R has more of a built for racing on tracks whereas the gti has more of a feel for road use if you put the R on a track the R will feel much better

[@dimsoneill]

I chose a Skoda Octavia RS 245 wagon. The running gear of a Git clubsport, with as the practicality of a huuuge interior wagon/estate. Love it

[@tipps2390]

Should have gone with the performance gti

[@jajantona]

Does anyone know how i can get dsg farts on my ‘19 gti performance

[@IcyUtd]

Res delete

[@Ivorbigaone]

I am looking to buy a golf r or a gti. Both great cars, but what is the point of 'getting the back end out' ? Its a road car i dont want it to go sideways

[@tobyyoung1797]

may as well buy the base model then lmao

[@yaboyg2049]

Its not really about having the back end kick on you its more of just the raw feeling of a drivers car which the gti delivers more then the golf R. Me having had the back end kick out on me on hard corners makes me enjoy it more because it gives a bit of a challenge to conquer rather then the car just doing it for me. Basically its just more fun

[@kevins8386]

What one did you go for

[@KC-lg8qf]

Fun.......it's not about spinning out. A neutral handling car that starts to oversteer at it's limit is fun. Having those limits be approachable on the street is fun.... You literally have to go insane speeds to get any fun out of the golf R

[@seanhole7314]

I have a 2012 gti, had the stage 1 computer and i put a new motor in it because that one was blown. No regrets. I may be more of a obs chevy kinda guy, but that gti up in ontario kicks out when you punch the gas around a corner, and with esc off shell tear the fronts apart until about 100kmh, i prefer the gti. Rode in a 40th anniversary golf r, but my ruby red wolfsburg gti definitely gives butterflies, I wish i could afford the golf r ahaha

[@RB12377]

Stock mj7is faster than stage1 mk6

[@MrCaterhamr500]

In the UK the Golf R is better as it rains all the time. I have amazing B roads where I live but it’s always wet and muddy, in the REAL world, the Golf R on a wet muddy B road would spank a Gti, no question about it.

[@KC-lg8qf]

Yes the R would be faster....no one argues that the GTI is faster. The GTI is more fun to drive.

[@MrCaterhamr500]

@@KC-lg8qf yes I agree the GTi would be a bit more fun, but let’s face it both are quite dull cars, nothing feels particularly special about them. I’m looking to get rid of mine, I don’t have the ‘glance back at the car as you walk away from it’ thing, I’ve grown bored of it very quickly. Neither are real sports cars either, I really hate the steering, there is no feel at all.

[@KC-lg8qf]

@@MrCaterhamr500 All those issues you have with the driving experience is because you have the R. The GTI has much better steering and is not the least bit dull to drive. Chris Harris drives and reviews everything..... He recently did a podcast and was talking about the Mark 7 GTI He has been driving belonging to a family member. He goes on and on about how stellar it is to drive and how much fun it is. That it actually made him reevaluate the value of a ton of other cars. There's a reason Volkswagen uses the GTI to make the club sport and TCR models.... And why Honda leaves its outstanding Civic type R as a front wheel drive model.

[@MrCaterhamr500]

@@KC-lg8qf I don’t rate him at all, he hates Northerners and likes to be poncy. He also reviewed the MK7 R vs M235i and thought the R was amazing!! I trust proper motoring journalist like Harry Metcalfe. It was a mistake to get my R but I don’t think a GTi would make me feel any better. There is a blandness to the car, I can’t describe it, it’s just very safe and dull, I prefer something more exciting. Looking for a supercharged Lotus Exige next. 👍

[@KC-lg8qf]

@@MrCaterhamr500 a supercharged lotus is a whole different style of car lol. I do think the GTI would have scratched the itch that you were looking for. I did see his review of the R against the BMW.... His sentiment was the same. The BMW was more fun although the R was a fantastic car. A GTI is very very far from dull car..... You should see if you can go drive one

[@GaryMitten-dr4bg]

Would you get a manual or a dsg? Does the gti suit manual as opposed to the r suiting the dsg?

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

I'd get a DSG for both honestly. The manual box isn't anything special in these plus the clutches are made of chocolate haha.

[@Theferrariguy]

Looking at 7.5 gtis and rs in Ireland but there's about a 5-6k difference in them. Is the R really worth that extra cash and running costs?

[@ParagonCarsLondon]

in my opinion, no. The GTI is better bang for buck.

[@Theferrariguy]

​@@ParagonCarsLondon cheers I actually just bought a gti earlier this week with the manual appreciate your advice!