Volkswagen Golf R versus Seat Leon Cupra 280 - which is fastest?

[@chakraUK]

2:50 "I think the Golf is just a tiny bit quicker in a straight line" 6:32 "I think the Seat might actually be a tiny bit quicker in a straight line"

[@JoJoJoker]

"The car I'm driving is faster, I drove the Cupra last. It wins!"

[@mitchyf21]

In the golf he was in front and so very difficult to tell whether pulling away from the leon. Whereas in the leon and behind the golf, it is easier to judge.

[@donfedesudek]

I love my Seat Leon, and in my opinion its looks way better, they have the same suppliers and chasis but Seat knows how to dress it better

[@ADDONRACER]

federico villar sudek the inside looks kinda boring from the seat

[@macr9647]

It looks way worst ,design from inside and front lights are ugly as hell on seat

[@muckspreader1able]

The golf is for those who do overated boring in large quantities.

[@jamesolsen2137]

@@muckspreader1able says someone who has more than likely never driven one. The same people who say it’s overrated and boring are the same people who can’t afford one

[@tonio7112]

@@jamesolsen2137 I have driven both and have a cupra cupra Is better

[@josefinkjellsson7051]

I bought the Cupra yesterday. I’m 40 and that car makes me feel like I’m 20 again. I took a spin after work and that car gives me a smile every time I drive it. 22.000€ and it’s value for the money. The electronic damping system is spot on and the “cupra” setting turns the car into a monster!! Harder shifts, full boost, stiff suspension and valve open in exhaust..I freaking love this little car..and I come from a B7 RS4😬

[@marciodaniel4570]

I’m hesitating between a Golf GTI mk7 or this, what do you think is the best option? (I think the golf has better a interior tough)

[@josefinkjellsson7051]

@@marciodaniel4570 Hello. If you are going to use it as your daily and one and only car I would go for the golf, but try to get a hold of the Mk 7.5 (facelift and even better interior). But if you want the most bang for your buck and can live with a slightly cheaper interior and cabin noise doesn’t bother you I would go for the face lifted Cupra from 2017-2018. I bought the 2015 Cupra since I just have it as a toy and wanted the lightest model (1400kg) and after driving it at stage 1 for a time I took it to the next level a month ago, now it’s stage 2 with 410hp and does 100-200 in 8.5 sec. How much I drive it? 100km/month 😞 😂😂

[@marciodaniel4570]

@@josefinkjellsson7051 410hp & 100-200 in 8.5 sec?! That’s crazy fast haha. Though, I really appreciate your advice bro. I’m planning to buy my first sports car and I didn’t know where to start, I was searching for something not too expensive that makes loud dsg noise too 😂 But this definitely helps, thanks👍

[@reventon555]

I've always loved Seats, really understated, the same as a golf but it looks better.

[@daveycmusic]

Why the hate for SEAT (in the comments)? Seats are very very good cars.

[@AidanMillward]

+David Johnson Because it's not a Golf. When really SEAT and VW are the same company and the cars have the same engines in them.

[@daveycmusic]

So why pay more for the golf when the seat looks better and performs the same? That's what i will never understand

[@AidanMillward]

+David Johnson badge snobbery. Put a Mondeo and an Audi in front of someone and they'll pick the Audi. Despite the Mondeo being, for me, the better car

[@LivingLifeSlower]

They use hand-me-down tech and have an interior made from recycled coke bottles. It's coming from someone that's owned 3 to date.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

+amillwardmusic Just keep telling yourself that.

[@sultanabran1]

so whichever car steve was driving was faster. logic would say that it's the driver not the car that is faster.

[@M50Racing]

Yep

[@ThaSytrox]

its about power to weight ratio, sure the golf r has more bhp but due to its weight, it lost. simple

[@ThaSytrox]

so apparently ur bias opinion towards steve, even tho the oher driver who was in the golf agreed, i have to learn. right....

[@sultanabran1]

Asher Harris it doesn't matter who agreed, what matters is the evidence that supports what actually happened on the track. so you do have to learn.

[@ThaSytrox]

to my memory they didnt actually race, they just reviewed the drive on each vehicle. changing turns and giving a parallax error in performance. although not an accurate video, my statement on power/weight ratio is correct, apply it to trucks and small cars for example. i think you need to learn how to read. sultanabran1

[@real_Sandman]

I´m so glad i got the Cupra 280 with manual gearbox, it´s an awesome car even in everyday driving. I also love the new Golf R, but to be honest it wasnt worth the extra money (for me), i nevertheless would love owning one...

[@prestigeworldwide1138]

Getting my Leon Cupra 290 tomorrow! Can’t wait

[@APCJunky]

This was the review that made me consider the Seat, test drove them both, I now own the Seat! Sure when i'm tip toe'ing along in the wet. snow or ice Golf R drivers will no doubt feel smug as they pass by, but when its dry and the tires are warm... or I catch my refrection as I drive through town, then I am reminded of why I bought the Seat :)

[@stewstube70]

Remember it's not just about weight with a 4WD system - the extra differentials will sap horsepower so power to the wheels will be reduced. Probably almost identical wheel HP on both cars maybe even slightly better for the Leon, PLUS a weight advantage. That said for real world road driving conditions haldex AWD is much more reassuring.

[@iantownsend5480]

Love the Seat. I'll take a 5 door please

[@wickedbruno]

I'll take a 5 door cupra too !!!

[@m2db772]

Ian Townsend im buying one tomorrow :)

[@delboy2596]

So the Seat is cheaper, lighter, better looking and steers better. Once again VW has released a lukewarm Golf R which isn't any better than a GTi

[@johnnyxp64]

Seat for ever

[@Doggepp]

And then there was snow. Good luck seat

[@Abzug0386]

Did u even watch the video.....? Golf R has awd, 70/80 hp more and a more aggressive bodykit. What are u smoking dude?

[@foxxmufasa]

the Golf R looks way better. and living in a place where it rains almost every day and snows a shit load... i think i'll take a golf r thank you

[@johnnyxp64]

foxxmufasa because isnt 4x4 doesnt mean the Leaon Curpa cant go on rain or on snow with the proper tires! also the quattro system not only is heaver but it will consume way more fuel as all 4x4! if you don't leave in Alaska or you don't do WRC rally every weekend, the quatro is simply an overkill and doesn't worth its money! .-

[@Kingdonnerkebab]

Much prefer the Seat.👍

[@MrEngland92]

Steven T. Don't we all

[@khyepatel9915]

They R both brilliant cars

[@MrManuel1329]

Love the blue on that VW!

[@dmob85]

I'd rather take the Leon over the Golf R. Better price-value ratio (they got almost the same performance) and with 5 extra grand in your pockets you can still make big improvements on the Leon to outrun the R. In my opinion it also got better looks, but that's totally relative. The only real advantage of the Golf R is its name anyways, and that's why it'll have better sales results overall.

[@ntshembo]

I can only conclude that the one driver is quicker than the other

[@WatchThatFast]

+Tlangela Ntshembo Mkhacane You are wrong.

[@numbereightyseven]

That was obvious. The presenter was the faster, whichever car he was in. Also, there's one shot where the other driver in the Golf got rather unstuck on a couple of bends.

[@MrElnuno]

I bought a Mark 6 Golf R new in 2011. Waited 6 months for it to arrive. Drove it for 3 months... got bored... tuned it... got bored.... and sold it. I then bought a 2004 BMW E46 M3. Wow, what a revelation. Drove it for 2 years and loved every drive I took. My advice? If you want a 'real' drivers car make sure the wheels that steer, and the wheels that drive are at opposite ends of the car!

[@santclause1]

really dude? around nurburgring E46 M3 has to move out my way in my little clio 200 cup with 210bhp and H&R suspension. it also cost alot less in fuel too. lol was the M3 a cock extension?

[@mariuszanfir2298]

santclause1 Don’t be silly... Just because someone has an M3, doesn’t mean he knows how to drive it. You were the better driver, the clio was not faster. Add the same spec H&R suspension to the M3 and then check results.

[@MrElnuno]

santclause1 You may have a point. It's funny just recently I've reading reading lots of articles from journalists and motoring experts who all say the same thing... "The E46 M3 is a great car, if fact one of the best M cars ever and always ranks highly as one of the best drivers cars ever... but it's not quite as good as the Clio 200 Cup though" LOL.

[@v_alexiadis]

The E46 M3 may well be the best of all time. But you need to be able to afford it and not everyone is.

[@santclause1]

Mzn T it wasn,t the only E46 M3 to move outta my way. there was 5 on track the same day. the only one that pulled away had 500bhp. and he had spent about 30k on the car without the cost of the car. i spent £13.500 for brand new clio 200 cup. then £2800 on little mods. [ suspension, exhaust, tyres, so on. and it takes the piss outta cars worth £30.000 or more on a track. i,ve never been a straight line guy myself i find it pretty damn boring. if i wanted to be fast in straight lines i,d buy zx10r. my friends M3 has H&R suspension. even when we swap. the M3 don,t feel nimble. it feels heavy. you have to brake way earlier than most hothatches. yes it,s fast on straights. but thats not fun. it has a great engine though. which in my case is why people rave about it. you have to go on PRICE VS PERFORMANCE. and i don,t think RENAULTSPORT can be beaten. why? because they don,t play at it. like all the other companies. look at these idiots VW/SEAT trying to make a great track car. but on the same hand making them comfy and easy to drive with DSG and all the electronics cutting in all the time. for me it either track car. or family car. you can,t mix both. it,s retarded.

[@grizzly9960]

This test is stupid. Why do you put the golf out front??! or any car for that matter. You should be judging on the best lap times for each car! The Seat cant pass and does not get a chance to open up and go putting limitations on the car. The car out front sets a pace. This is not how you fairly compare 2 cars

[@midgeywidgey]

Excellent point

[@lapamful]

They did put the Leon first at 9:00 but they didn't show it. However, Sutcliff did say the Leon turned out to be faster and they preferred it. But I think you're right, one driving trying for the best lap time in each would have been a better test. I still liked the video though.

[@joaotaveira5895]

Looks like you bought the wrong car

[@v_alexiadis]

What an amazing car that Leon is! And there will also be a more focused version (basically the one that lapped the Nord). Can't wait to see how much better that one is! If everything goes as planned, it'll be my next car.

[@monique6490]

So did you get it

[@matteomolon4334]

0:23 Leon: "Well, fuck this shit; why should i turn when i can go straight?"

[@CarToneHK]

It seems to me that VAG finally knows what to do with SEAT and give it a properly brilliant hot hatch to establish itself as the sporty brand of VAG.

[@Dome79nico]

This is exactly how cars must be tested!

[@TassieLorenzo]

vaw power Well they are meant to be performance cars after all. :)

[@adidasaddict]

Getting my 5dr 2019 Cupra 290 next week, so I'm watching all these videos on here, it's just making time go slower.....can't wait :D

[@JJJT-]

It's worth the wait. I got the 290 st and I Just love it

[@XXSNIPERUKXX]

By the time you take into account weight and how much power is lost through the transmission of the 4wd the figures are probably a lot closer,hence why this video shows how close these cars are, but I do think that the 3.2 vr6 lump should have stayed because the new mk6-7 2.0 is just a gti made more powerful, or should I say the gti is a detuned version of what it should have been

[@245thegreat]

The R is basically a pool car and are consistently involved in crime. The Cupra doesn't come with a chav rat tag, just a petrol head enthusiast.

[@trykkermike]

The Seat Leon's front looks sooo much better than the golf, i mean just look at the headlights of the Seat in comparison with the Golf ..

[@John_cupra290]

I drive a brand new 70 plate cupra 290 and my younger brother a 2017 7.5 R and in every respect the seat is faster apart from a launch. But that’s not to say the golf isn’t an awesome car. Suppose it’s just down to personal preference and the fact the cupra is soooo much more affordable to buy run and insure, both great but for me it’s the seat that’s all round the better car.

[@phiIip488]

Yeah until the road is a bit greasy

[@John_cupra290]

@ no absolutely the opposite actually. The diff is brilliant. I was absolutely hounding a brand new rs4 through 4 roundabouts in a row in the rain and we were both on it!! He easily walked away between them but i was rite behind it again as soon as we hit the next roundabout . Don’t sleep on a cupra bro, not the new model though its not near as good as the last 7spd dsg 290. Go drive one bro you won’t be disappointed. 👊🏻

[@boomerhgt]

Think I'm gonna buy a Cupra

[@Vral92]

get the 290 it has a crazy loud exhaust too. I just got mine 2 months ago, and i really can only recommend the car. Such an awesome allrounder and even cheaper than his competetors without loosing any quality to them. If youre interested check out my pov drive of the 290.

[@JaySee5]

The idiotic soundtrack is quite annoying!

[@Girtt]

It's Darude-Sandstorm

[@MichalMalpa]

James Hill no it isn't

[@nikitaind62]

MichalMalpa Yes it is

[@MichalMalpa]

Nikita Ind You deserve Fiat Mutipla for not accepting the fact that you are wrong

[@ivvic]

does any one know the song's name that is playing at the begining and at the end when the guy is speaking?

[@n8neiTen8n]

Imagine Cupra with 4x4 :D I like Golf, but Seat looks amazing!

[@TheLukey21]

Stick a 600 quid stage 1 remap on the leon which takes it to between 350 and 370hp then try it again, still £4400 less

[@AwAiS786M]

+TheLukey21 same price for golf r puts it into around 386bhp on my friends. they're both beasts but id rather have a golf r personally.

[@TheLukey21]

+AwAiS786M ye but the golf r is already more expensive and they are comparing price and performance. Personally i would have the Leon as golfs are to common.

[@claudiocampi4561]

It's the same exactly engine so in terms of power.... as the journalist said the front end of the Leon is better probably because seat team spent 60 days and 400 laps of the ring to finely tune the handling of it.

[@AwAiS786M]

In terms of real life id want to win. I wouldn't care if seat spent 2 years in the front bumper. Winning is winning. Awd is just the future. Respect to the seat but to say it's better is not on to me.

[@ACS607]

@ AwAiS786M OK, you have the exact money to buy the Leon Cupra but no where near enough to buy the Golf R. Would you buy the Leon Cupra or stick with daydreaming about the Golf R's 4wd haldex 5 system and R badges? A simple answer would do here.

[@pianomirror4833]

But in wet weather the golf would have the edge every time, and in the UK it is wet over halve the time.

[@NZsarge1]

I'm not that surprised given the specs, lightness is very handy on track less so on the road. The horsepower gap is not big enough to give the VW any advantage taking into account the added weight of the of the AWD system and also based on the same chassis so this all adds up to no surprises. Take these cars away from a track where you actually live with them and the advantages of the VW will become apparent over time. Both well sorted machines though and would be nice to have. Got to say though looking at both the dashboards in this video you can immediately see where the extra £5k is going..

[@neil1jnr]

yes you can see where the £5K went, but I wouldn't pay that money for a'nicer interior'. When you are actually driving any car you are never consciously aware of the interior.

[@Malc180s]

neil1jnr A car that looks good and has a nice interior is just as desirable as one that looks shit and has a 90s ford interior. You draw enjoyment from all sorts in a road car. I think the golf is a far more desirable machine, and it'll doubtless make you back that £5k difference over a couple of years of ownership. Of course both being automatics I wouldn't touch either.

[@Horrligan]

Idiotic... the Gold blocks the Seat all the time. Let the Seat drive first and see if he is quicker or not...

[@TheDormonid]

absolutelly WONDERFUL blue color on the golf.

[@andrewmartin6633]

used to have a ibiza cupra bocanegra in white with the black front loved it then sold her for a e 92 m3, I saw one those leons the other and thought it looked amazing and after watching that review think I'm heading now to order one lol can't wait

[@cornelcon5267]

I drove normal versions of both not sport but Seat it feels more sporty, in my opinion categoric i would choose Seat Leon

[@hindeshotelra]

Simple generic remap on Golf R will take it to 360bhp/370ft/lbs which its 4WD system can put down and utilise all of. The Seat one the other hand is probably already nearing the power limit of its FWD drivetrain.

[@JoJoJoker]

Exactly. The R is hitting 3.8 0-60 stage 1. The Cupra could handle the power but not a launch. That's my answer to "why AWD+DSG?"

[@niceboy60]

There is a few things which have not been taken in consideration in this video such as wind resistant ， the car behind needs less power than the car in front as the car in front is cutting the wind and suffering from Drag a 2004 Civic Type R is perfectly capable of keeping with a 2004 RS4 provided the same stays in the Front cutting the Wind

[@HesteBremse]

Would have liked a lap time for each. For me I would actually take the Leon since in my eyes it is a more beautiful car - The R is solid but perhaps it should be more radical - It certainly should be able to be with the 4 wheel drive system.

[@Dr.Stacker]

If the performance difference on wets or whatever was really going to bother you i suppose remapping the seat cupra would also be cheaper to do than the golf. If i had the money i know what i'd buy!

[@LivingLifeSlower]

Sold my R after 10 months. It's overhyped and bot very well built.

[@ivvic]

does any one know the song's name that is playing at the begining and at the end when the guy is speaking?

[@fikes73]

Wish they sold that Seat in the US. We dont get many hot hatches. We have, I have a small dick big trucks, and I like to waste fuel SUVs

[@huberheinrich3921]

I live in Europe and have both :-) 97 F150 4,6l cs i love V8, a Bmw 535D for daily driving and I bought my wife the new Cupra... and its awesome. got the old one 2009 before but the new one is an other exp. hope you get the hothatch over there... and we get the mustang :-) AT THE FORD DEALER, not backyard dealers with dogs you need a weapon licence :-)

[@nielsboex]

Huber Heinrich Good for you.

[@nikb6528]

+Huber Heinrich uhmm and what doesthat have to do with fikes's comment?

[@krudmuphinstudioz]

+fikes73 100% agreed. Tired of our neglected market that gets no 3-door hot hatches. When I first saw the new Leon Cupra, I nearly cried, because I knew it would never come to the US. Shame because it is probably the most beautiful hatchback in recent in history and an amazingly good deal for the money. I'm really upset that we can't have one.

[@NeilMagill]

The video mentions a £5,000 difference many times. However the advertised prices on the cars are £28,530 and £31,315. Admittedly I used a calculator, but I work that would to be £2785.00. I wonder how much of that price difference exists after three years when the residuals have kicked in?

[@ACS607]

Why does anyone care about residual value? Cars are not investments anyway and you loose about 20% in the first year alone and if you crash it, forget the residual value it was going to have. Why buy a car if you're going to sell it a couple of years later. Might as well lease instead then and avoid the hassle of selling later on. And if you're so worried about residuals, buy a car when it's one years old. Arguments for better residuals make no sense. You buy the car that's faster and better, not one that's going to loose the least money.

[@NeilMagill]

ACS607 LOL!

[@NeilMagill]

basgetz You said it!

[@ACS607]

basgetz How do you work that out? I'm so intrigued. Going on humour me, you sound so clever despite your grammatically incorrect sentence.

[@Dgannt]

ACS607 Don't bother. Some people see everything in numbers. They have no idea what you're talking about. It's almost sad.

[@cacca8]

Can you please test the alfa romeo Giulietta quadrifoglio verde Vs the Leon? It will be amazing

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

I'd go for the Golf R based on practicality of all drving conditions - dry, wet, snow, ice. That sort of power needs 4WD to save drivers from themselves. It's a 5 grand premium, but the reassurance of the 4WD, and resale value, is worth it.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

There are A LOT of Mk7 R's out there and it's starting to impact residual value.

[@LukeStoneman]

@@LivingLifeSlower hello from 2021! Got myself a Cupra 280 earlier this year and you hardly see any cupra's on the roads in the UK. Whereas the R is extremely common...but used car prices have gone crazy these past few months so hard to tell until we are in a post covid world...whenever that may be

[@tortugoman]

I have some stuff to comment: - It is always easy to follow another car and it will look like you could drive faster. -It is harder to be the one on the front because you have to push it harder. - If that was their first time on that track, obviously you get more confident with more laps, so the second car you drive will appear to be faster

[@ArosaMike]

Two separate drivers.....not exactly scientific! And it shows from the fact that Steve was faster than the SEAT in the Golf and faster than the Golf in the SEAT.....

[@purdles314]

Impressive car SEAT

[@5cmpersec]

Do they have the same tires? My experience is different tire absolutely affects the turn in characteristics on a VW group hot hatch.

[@MAXXOZIC]

pleas what a camerra on board from vw golf ? thanks !!!!!

[@CASIUS242000]

this video shows that steve is a better driver than the other guy

[@Adam-ql1vz]

£5,000 for badge snobbery? I'll take the Seat thanks.

[@Digi20]

the 75something kilogram definitely make a difference, but i guess its the front diff that makes the real difference, the golf will have more traction in the snow and on wet or simply bad roards - but on a dry track, that extra grip and better turn-in in the seat outdoes the 4 wheel drive in the golf.

[@ethron8979]

What's the song at the beginning???

[@Augustus222]

You can soon get the Cupra with a performance pack which includes bigger brakes (370mm discs and four piston calipers in the front) and lighter 19'' wheels. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres are also optional.

[@PeakTorque]

Anyone who buys a Golf, of any variant, needs an imagination. There is a fun and fruity life beyond the Golf, just reach out and grasp it. Free yourself!

[@markstevenson1891]

Golf R without a doubt. I drive a Golf R and having test driven the new 2016 Cupra 290 recently I am going for new Golf R again. Quality of interior and the Golf body lines are much better looking in my opinion. At this level performance is very similar so it is just a matter of personal opinion. Remap argument is pointless as you can get same performance from both engines with remap. Price on VW is always going to be premium on Seat

[@a5amr2]

I like both cars but the golf looks better and the interior is definitely better.

[@sergiuguler]

one of the best video of autocar

[@Hafenkasper]

Drive Mode: Comfort Sport Cupra KAMIKAZE @ 07:53 :-) Ordered Cupra 280 in white...

[@givemeajackson]

love the look of the seat.

[@detmer87]

Off course the Seat Leon Cupra 280 is faster, I have seen multiple videos confirming that. The Leon is more precise and has less under steer than the Golf R. The Megane RS is still the king tough.

[@MrEngland92]

Seat all the wAy

[@shogunjosex]

have a leon tdi 140 plus repro: 200 hp. 5 years with her, NEVER GET A TROUBLE, NEVER, ONLY NEED GAS, AND TIRES.

[@richycoles]

any chance of the same with the Audi S3????

[@JoJoJoker]

So they're equal on track and the R better in wet. At 3:57 you are several cars in front. How can it be slower?

[@13twp24]

The golf R is so much better then the GTI I have both currently and it sounds amazing. Just try this test in the wet then we'll see who has the better car.

[@altern8ive]

how it sounds? really? ok, go disconnect the Soundaktor that lives under your rain skuttle then see what noise it makes :)

[@jjmatteo]

Why do you hate Seat so much? I don't understand. We all know that a Seat is a Golf with some downgrades on it's interior/exterior for making it more affordable to the people of my country Spain (for example) because we don't earn so much as you. What is really sad in this story by watching the video is that a Cupra can face a Golf costing 5000£ less, and being capable of going quicker than the R. And that's no luck: it's better on its weight and aerodinamically speaking. Is it uglier than the golf? Yes. But still the cupra is a great great car for its price (more than the golf). And people of Germany knows that too that buys lots of Seats. If you have the money go for the golf but don't cry later if a Cupra can face you on the road. At the end is the same car. Sorry for my english friends.

[@ACS607]

I'm with you on this. I'm Spanish and a lot of the time I have to explain to people that I drive a Leon which is the sister car to the Golf. But whilst these sheep in the UK go for the VW badge because it's German, I drive my Leon with a grin knowing that my car only has a slightly inferior quality and less recognised badge, but I paid a lot less than the equivalent Golf. People who drive SEATs have the last laugh.

[@GeorgeX.]

My family recently bought a new car,a Leon 1.6 TDI and we are very satisfied.The new generation is a huge step forward from previous ones both outside and inside.Beautiful car in my opinion.We made thorough research before we buy and after considering some serious alternatives(Opel astra,Golf,Nissan Pulsar,Ford focus)we took the Seat.Considerable price difference with all these models...

[@Youtupe69]

I think the Seat looks much better ;) Thinking of buying an Ibiza Cupra

[@user-xh3wr1do7k]

Well, my 2010 Cupra R easily outpaces a Subaru Imprezza STi because it doesn't have a heavy 4wd system - Mr cocky in his scooby didn't like the fact he was beaten, no matter what move he pulled. He might get away quicker in a standing start but my boost comes in a lot sooner than his.

[@jonny5777]

I'm not sure if I'm biased as we've just ordered pretty much the same spec golf but that seat doesn't compare in my eyes it's like a boring looking chav car. £5k is a lot of money but get a proper manual and with the higher residuals the price difference doesn't really matter.

[@altern8ive]

at 9:00 steve said "i'll go in front", shame we didn't get to see the outcome because it would've been a more honest review had he taken the lead in both cars. mauro doesn't seem able to match sutcliffe's speed. he either falls back in the Seat or holds up in the Golf.

[@peterbennpan7288]

Would rather have the golf 7 r dsg simply because of the 4WD

[@InitialDAmine]

5:21 that's what the seat driver is doing to keep up when steve is not looking at the mirror :p

[@SwPiotrek]

You should compare those two to Focus ST and Megane RS Trophy.

[@lapamful]

Since you wrote your comment, that's exactly what Evo did for their car of the year test :)

[@VirusTornado]

I'll be completely honest, I think that the 5K difference looks more like 10K when looking at both cars back to back. Upfront, the Golf R just looks way better, with that aggressive body kit, that awesome color, and those quad exhausts. Then comes the interior... There's no comparison there. You're getting a VW/Audi interior in the Golf, and that alone is enough; just look at it!!! Don't forget all the tech (not performance tech, but day-to-day tech) that the Golf is packed with. Finally, the golf has AWD, meaning it launches better (something I'd happily keep doing at every stop-light) and has better traction in all conditions (something you should keep in mind, depending on where you live). Yes the Seat is absolutely awesome, but that 5K price different isn't much when looking at what you get in the R... just look at the seats guys. Either way... I'd MUCH rather have a BMW M135i or M235i loooooooooooooooooool. cheers. EDIT: I just finished the video, the Seat seems to be the better driver's car, and is faster... lol

[@greengoblin2347]

Can I point out that at the time of this review the 3 door version of the Cupra has 265ps = 261bhp and the 5 door had 280ps = 276bhp .................so makes it a bit more interesting !

[@normansoh]

I wish all reviews are like this - unbiased and fair. Go the dark horses!

[@Trumppower]

1st world problems.. i would take the M235 over those.

[@MrElnuno]

Me too. Anyday!

[@pavettto]

MrElnuno I would take my naturally aspirated Volvo 850 with 144 hp any day. Ok who am i kidding.. m235 all day every day!

[@crimnlbt1349]

they are all three nice cars in their own way :) the golf is the best in practicality, the seat is the nicest to look at and the 235 is the most fun, but least practical

[@soupondaroof1]

Where can you get the golf for that much?? Not being a dick genuinely interested been looking for a while, I'm finding them for like £500 per month with low deposit

[@soupondaroof1]

Cheers for the info! Just booked an appointment at my local vw dealer to see what they've got going on, you got me all excited lol

[@eaglemihnea]

four years later, i actually know who "mauro" is. good guy

[@AnHRTBus]

People up here seem to forget that Volkswagen Group, or Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft in German, *owns and produces* vehicles under Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda, and Volkswagen. So you bought yourself a SEAT Leon Cupra 280 because this video convinced you that it's better than a Volkswagen. Funny thing they forgot to mention, it is a Volkswagen. In fact, most of the technology that makes the SEAT fast was developed and shared within the VWG; the DSG that graces the GTI's/GLI's and Golf R's has the same mechanical design as the ones found in the Lamborghini's and Bugatti's. The AWD in the Golf R is based off Audi designs, and comes with all their experience in rallying and off-road racing. Hell, the differential in the SEAT comes *straight* out of the MK VI Golf's and GTI's. I will tell you one thing though: the VW will *always* be cheaper to repair and maintain than it's SEAT cousin. only because the numbers that VW produces them at means parts are everywhere and easy to come by.

[@richboy900]

5:21 deserves a stewards enquiry

[@thelarry383]

music was loud as fuck

[@EbonixD]

darude - sandstorm has to be loud mate!

[@TheBucketOfTruth]

I wish you would have done some timed laps with the same driver to actually compare at the end.

[@thanosacab795]

SOOOO WHICH ONE CAUSE I WANT TO BUY LEON SOO BAAD !!! ??????? OPINIONS FOR SCIROCCO R ??? PLEASE HELP GUYS OTHER SUGGESTIONS OPEL ASTRA J OPC???

[@ChevroletastragtcOPC]

thanos ACAB None, wait and buy the focus rs.

[@thanosacab795]

Mar Dema i also think of focus rs but i think its coming next year?? and bro cupra is cheaper than focus rs mk3?

[@ChevroletastragtcOPC]

Yes but i think later this year it 'll be on sale. VW group cars are more than the same but with the ford is different. You have the feeling that there's no one more car for the brand, just THE ONE. More passional, focused on the enjoyment (think the new golf gti and R, have lost even the e-brake). And at the end of the day when you will resale it, it's going to make the difference. Under 45000 euros they claim the price.

[@thanosacab795]

Mar Dema mate u re right cars are getting self-drivable over the years such the ebrake dsg and stuff i dont think of buing a vw cause cupra is a lot cheaper and it worth it money but i think until focus rs go on sale it will be too late over 1 year and i cant wait .. i ve been through a lot of thinking and dealing with the car buing i was thinking of s3 but its not worth it so i think i am gonna go for cupra and later may a new 4wd came out an evo or something ...the new type r sucks so i think cupra is the only way and i will make it all wheel drive by a modificasion almost 6000$ and a program wouldn be bad and cupra will be a nice result with all these ...thanks anyway mate appreciate it good luck too ur picking options about cars :)))))

[@naeemaalkiyumi1568]

thanos ACAB if i am not late buy the Volkswagen with no thinking it has better body more safety and it won the competition of the best hatchback sport car and its German car so no need for long thinking u wouldn't regret it but its up to u friend

[@WiseGuy02]

Now do the same test on a wet track.

[@user-xh3wr1do7k]

WiseGuy02 Of course the Golf will be better in the wet......but for all the money it costs, it should be better in the dry as well.

[@madant7777]

x I'm more interested in why VW won't allow SEAT to have 4WD. My guess would be that it would be quicker after some Cupra tunning ;-) Maybe now that VW is boasting that 400 hp Golf frankenstein, they will give them the go-ahead.

[@user-xh3wr1do7k]

***** It has always been like this - VW owns SEAT and won't let a cheaper SEAT potentially upstage its flagship Golf

[@madant7777]

But you must admit they rattled them really good with this new Cupra :)

[@user-xh3wr1do7k]

***** They did mate......and rightly so!

[@beeeneee]

steve is just the better driver...

[@holotropik]

I made the mistake of buying a front-wheel drive hot hatch once...never again. The most frustrating experience of car ownership I have ever had.

[@winzfeld1]

holotropik same, tip toe the throttle or it spins to hell and back, torque steer, power understeer, hate it

[@TheWretchedWorld]

Learn to drive within the cars limits. By the sounds of things it doesn't matter what car you'll buy. AWD understeer mid engined snap oversteer into a tree etc etc.

[@JPWest020]

I reckon the answer to which is fastest is quite simple: the Cupra had the Ring record for a while. I don’t remember the Golf R having it. I like both cars btw - don’t read this as a dish on the Golf (I own a MK7 GTI;-))

[@peterbennpan7288]

£5000 cheaper. Could get the seat remapped for say £500

[@MrEngland92]

James Landale you're right shitttt

[@abdbach379]

if you think about it, 5000£ for AWD, better insulation, better materials, quality and seats. it's not bad at all. And you could get the Golf remapped as well for 500£ and get 350hp/500nm.

[@infidel900rr]

great review!

[@meady200]

Those dubstep musical interludes were absolutely dreadful, but you can't beat a hot hatch head to head!

[@jpi9802]

I have driven GTI PP and R. Road was not wet, but slightly moist. Even with that low 230hp, GTi constantly tried to spin the inside wheel with half throttle when you had small corner in town. Or the surface was slightly uneven. Wheels started to jump and shutter at the road and you could feel torque steer. I bet in Cupra it is even more present. In Golf R you can be in full lock, floor it and it just goes like stink, leaving Cupra driver think which way it went. GTI and Cupra are very good at price, but imo R is better car and worth that extra 5K if you have to drive on wet or moist roads occasionally. If you don´t see much rain, go for GTI or Cupra, no question.

[@ATeamPerformanceCupraStage2]

Leon Cupra 280 is the best i wait for Leon Cupra R

[@clio2rsminicup]

The fastest in this category on real roads with corners and corners the only real roads of course and on tracks? Neither one nor the other but the Renault Sport MEGANE 3 Trophy 275R or even the "classic" MEGANE 3 RS 265hp BUT if i must choice between the both there, I prefer the Golf I think, but I'm not sure, I must try the Seat for that! ^^

[@MaximilianvonPinneberg]

Both seem to be bouncing around quite a lot on the track. The Golf less so, perhaps because of the extra weight over the back. I'm not sure the Golf is worth the £37,000 it is likely to cost once you spec it up to a car worth £30k. The only thing the Golf manages to do is show how good the Seat looks in comparison. The Golf has a terminally dull cabin with hard plastics in the rear and anywhere below knee height. I just wish Renault did a sport tourer in the RS Cup spec. I'd take that and the savings anyday.

[@justsaying1769]

Seat is faster not just because it’s lighter but it has no drivetrain loss, and the diff pulls you into the corners iv had both seat and golf r and the seat was a lot exciting to drive.. the Golf felt too safe it didn’t bring enough drama for a sports car where as the seat you have to be more of a driver

[@IDF4TW3501]

I'm not sure struggling to keep it on track, makes the Seat a better or faster car.

[@d0colb]

what struggling? remember seats is 2wd and golf 4wd is going to be a difference of course. Top speed does not relate to handling ....

[@IDF4TW3501]

@5:22 couldn't make the bend.

[@d0colb]

that is just a driver mistake, are you really going to blame it on the car? Didn't you notice the brake lights? Obviously he was going too fast , still I saw no things of struggling, even on the grass that Seat drove by like on rails...

[@IDF4TW3501]

Possibly or the brakes weren't up to the job. Still the Seat is good for a fwd, but I would still have the Golf.

[@d0colb]

brakes not up to the job? Even in the grass they did a flawless job. You can see in the whole video that Golf was holding the Seat and had the advantage of better road visibility. That Seat will eat that Golf on drag race and the track if you put it in the front any day. The Golf will be the option if looking for a awd, I had a 07 Seat FR and I loved, no regrets . All comes to your need and budget. Golf is a great car but I will put my money on a Subaru if going for a AWD.

[@LLLLLLLLLucas]

This track in Lincolnshire really is awesome :)