VW Golf R vs Golf GTI Clubsport vs Cupra Leon 300: Steve Sutcliffe track battle | Auto Express

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The 2021 Mk8 Volkswagen Golf R packs a serious punch. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot puts out 316bhp, and the chassis is more playful than ever - a torque-vectoring rear differential can send up to 100% of drive to the outside rear wheel, and there's even a Drift Mode. On paper, then, it should be the most potent hot hatch from the VW Group around a track, but the brand new Golf GTI Clubsport is here to cause an upset. With a 20bhp deficit and front-wheel drive, can the Clubsport overthrow the R around Llandow Circuit? And how does the 296bhp Cupra Leon fare, which undercuts both VWs on price? Steve Sutcliffe is at the helm to find out in this review.
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Read more at Auto Express:
VW Golf R review: aex.ae/2TEoncf
VW Golf GTI Clubsport review: aex.ae/3v0bc3e
Cupra Leon 300 review: aex.ae/3y8f8AI
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[@miljanivanko2312]

The whole world was waiting to see the track race between Golf R vs Clubsport and Cupra Leon too..Thank you for making this video...Great reviewer

[@nootnootasis1276]

We want more of Steve on the channel.

[@bbb12345]

indeed! He's awesome.

[@ARTHURCBR]

Definitely.

[@MayurJadhav-jt1pj]

He is the most passionate motoring journalist.

[@rjung_ch]

Second that!

[@jamsbasketball9676]

Here here!

[@REDOUTE94]

When the difference is just 0.2 0.3 0.5 the tires can make the difference

[@BlackFlag94]

Tyres can make more difference than that!

[@TassieLorenzo]

That's true. Yet strangely VW has a tyre lottery system where the Mk8 Golf GTI and R come on one of three summer tyres: Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Sport, Bridgestone Potenza S005A (Auto Express say Potenza Sport for the R, so maybe this has changed) or Hankook Ventus S1 evo3. So you don't even know which tyre you will get.

[@REDOUTE94]

@@BlackFlag94 more and less

[@snipers2914]

@@BlackFlag94 it is not just the tyres, the golf clubsport and gold R are all-wheel-drive and the cupra just front wheel. All in all i think the cupra is faster and stronger even with this "handicap"

[@BlackFlag94]

@@snipers2914 clubsport is front wheel drive

[@felixb9146]

What a difference can Steve make to a car review. A true legend!

[@GeordieAmanda]

I love all the Videos that are now appearing with Steve driving. He seemed to go missing for a couple of years to a large degree. It's brilliant that he is now back, showing us how it's done :)

[@eleiaandsteven]

Looks like you've lost weight. Great job.

[@ThunderGoatz]

like a whole bunch of weight holy moly

[@markomat666]

Steve Clubsport edition :)

[@YusufGinnah]

Helps the cars post better times too! Win-win..! 😆🤣

[@sanchilloz]

Always great to see Steve on this reviews! I'm tired of the 1/4 mile tests...

[@vladus..]

I've been waiting for this for a long time! Thank-you!

[@copperkeyracing6167]

1:20 Golf R specs 4:08 GTi ClubSport specs 7:03 Cupra 300 specs 9:25 results

[@jodyh4805]

Hero

[@MayurJadhav-jt1pj]

Whenever Steve comes he's just the best. Awesome!!! job man.

[@enrique1520]

Another brilliant test drive from the master Steve !!!

[@swansmeister]

Steve lost some weight huh, lookin healthy, good for him. One of the best reviewers out there imo.

[@IceKoldKilla19]

Yea I thought that too, defo lost some

[@Kingdonnerkebab]

More Steve please! Could listen to that guy all day. Really enjoyed that group test and Steve’s enthusiasm

[@hadlee89]

What a dude 👍🏼 love his reviews

[@philipc239]

Love this! More track battle please.. ✌❤

[@samjanko8946]

Lean n mean Steve! More of those videos,please!

[@richiebtime489]

Totally trust Steve's views

[@mercedakiask4359]

GTI Clubsport all the way...as said the difference maybe it’s on the rubber..and it looks obviously better than the Cupra and the Golf R. All great cars!! Nice comparison!

[@nathantaylor8804]

I agree, rubber makes a big difference

[@edgimson5706]

Agree re the tyres but golf better looking then Leon lol no chance

[@h4zzie146]

So it’s a golf vs a golf vs a golf!

[@BobK5]

So in the the real world all pretty much the same, great review 👍😎

[@herlandermorais4743]

Great video! Congratulations

[@ACS607]

Cupra faster around a track than a Golf R. The same thing happened with the last generation.

[@upload9595]

Tires.

[@PapiAndrey]

@@upload9595 I wonder how these would do on cup 2’s. Tires do make a huge difference

[@MrRonan3]

but no one buys a cupra. and they will line up to get the Golf ,R

[@Tpviper]

@@MrRonan3 I bought one mate👍

[@MrRonan3]

@@Tpviper Excellent. i am not going to dis it.because i have not driven or seen one. if you get as much enjoyment out of it as i have with my 2 Golf R and my TCR then happy times for you driving it!,

[@LexiMae17]

I mean, I have the 1.0l 110hp 6spd manual Seat Leon and even that feels fun and light on its feet. It’s responsive and when it’s safe to, you can really throw it in to a corner. Granted the electric power steering really doesn’t give me too much feedback but it’s really fun to drive and for a 110hp 1.0l 3 cylinder turbo, once you’re on boost, it’s just gets up and goes. The only bad part of the whole Leon range is the infotainment as there are a number of errors and bugs and glitches that occur

[@goddersgti]

Steve loves a surprise result, so do we!

[@lewisjohnson7260]

Wow was not expecting that result!

[@cupair]

Thanks Steve!

[@williamk1800]

Had to pause the video and also comment on how trim Steve is looking nowadays. Great job mate!

[@faustinaadu2284]

Great video

[@jandromariabarrio2229]

The Cupra is the real drivers choice

[@gordoredpb9]

Might have missed it, but would have been great to know if the Golf R was equipped with active dampers, or not and what “mode” it was placed in. I’m sure Steve would have set it up as best as possible, but mentioning its state of config would have been a good addition to the vid. I wish VW South Africa had not bungled the Seat offering in SA; it was never going to sell well against the VW Golf / Polo equivalent at a similar price point. Such great handling cars.

[@roadreg1820]

Did the GTi CS have Good Year Eagle F1 Super-sports on? If so, they’re an incredible tyre. They are on par if not better than the Michelin 4S in terms of feel/grip (from all the reviews I’ve seen).

[@JDSFLA]

This is the best I have seen you in a long time. You have lost 10 years.

[@bat33.12]

Steve the testing beast One thing to note the Civic Type R and Sport Line Type R - no big wing - have become almost impossible to order new in the UK since Honda Swindon closed it's doors. Does this make the Cupra Leon the new benchmark hot hatch?

[@michal.laskowski.]

That Cupra is a stunning hothatch

[@bbb12345]

such a cool car. And more unique.

[@Joshua-uq9zw]

Would be perfect if not for the interior lacking any buttons.. shame

[@felixnobauer769]

@@Joshua-uq9zw bro you want them Touch Buttons on the Golf steeringwheel?! You serious?

[@malanjacques1]

Looking trim Steve 👏 When I have the money... Clubsport will probably be the one.

[@deeplato5647]

Wow. Great. *Steve* Looking *Lean* and Mean. More Suttie!

[@3bhady]

Please test the octavia vrs on this track

[@davidknell9676]

Track battle of the week

[@robinmarples5198]

And this léon has got the sun roof 😂

[@superthierry1]

The three amigos are back..😎

[@andrewmooney9966]

Good stuff

[@jeanm27]

You just like your dark horse which is the SEAT. I've always like the respect you give the car. Great test you had with them... At least the SEAT wasn't the best lawnmower today lol.

[@scunnerdarkly4929]

Yet another Golf-beating Golf from Seat. I could see why Seat were given better options in the early days with the original Leon having the 180bhp 20VT lumps from the TT compared to the GTI’s 150bhp (in non-Anniversary form) to boost their reputation, but even with exactly the same engines Seat show they’ve got some kinda engineering voodoo. It’s all money in the same pot to VAG but it’s still slightly surprising given the GTI’s status as a “halo” product.

[@escos0410]

Seat make the TCR chassis it comes stock on all fast seats

[@roycropperthetopshottamore2666]

Weird to be watching a car review and then him name the track like 5 mins from my house haha

[@DrNitin14]

Stability control off button on the middle console is an option the UK does NOT have access too. Instead start stop is on the centre console. FYI

[@BertyBogTrot]

Hold tight Sutcliffe, been pumping out quality automotive content since I had hairs on my sack.

[@patrickduffy94]

Ok then big boy.

[@marcushumphrey3010]

What sort of mpg do people get from golf r?

[@RTWUROTTS]

Steve is the best , His style, is his own , Dont ever change ......

[@kerpoise]

A few tenths between each car? Doubt you can say anything conclusive other than they're all about as fast as each other. It's not that the CS is better than the R, and the Cupra is better than the CS on the track - it's that they're all pretty good.

[@jryalls]

Wise words

[@dannb0dge]

but considering the R is supposedly running more power than the other two says a lot as well (I don't believe for a second that A. the R has 360 (people reckon it's more) and B that the Cupra is 296 (I bet it's almost the same as the R)

[@kerpoise]

@@dannb0dge the R has been on rolling roads and comes out 340 - 350. It's rated at 316bhp.

[@kerpoise]

The other problem is that Steve doesn't have the performance pack on the R. Which gives proper manual control over the gearbox

[@mangewide]

Agree that is like a miss shift ;)...But next time they must use the same tires, between the 18 and 19 is probably 0,5sec.. :)

[@DonLee1980]

Steve, you look younger and more clubsport yourself too

[@AndreasHamberg]

Hello Mat Watson here from carwow, I recon you should go right ahead and buy the Cupra Leon.

[@shauntompkins5061]

Goes to show, it's not always about AWD...or auto for that matter: Steve set a faster lap in the Type R than all of these and that's FWD and Manual.

[@yusafmalik5171]

Add to that the engagement and “fun” factor. That’s what makes people love cupras. At least here in the uk. Too bad they got rid of the lux option and instead used vz configuration. The cupra with a vz2 is now over 40 grand 😢

[@sleepwalker31]

So considering the R weighs more it's only .2 secs slower than a gti. Very impressive id say

[@davycavelier6794]

It will ne interesting to compare with golf R with R performance pack!!!

[@aspiratedaloha2946]

More Steve he’s the Car guys, guy.

[@fuhrerpolizei86]

Hope your health's alright Steve...ok I'm getting the Golf R nonetheless!

[@nathandepasquale9571]

I'd take the Cupra

[@chimble2451]

Goodyear Eagle F1 is not a specific tyre. It is a family of tyres. Eagle F1 Asymetric 1 to 5 or Eagle F1 Supersport are all specific tyres. Poor reporting!

[@gumpy4960]

Cupra is slightly faster but looks a lot better which would be the reason I’d have it over the vdubs.

[@protopigeon]

Interesting comparison! I still wouldn't swap my 7R tho

[@NickG24]

Interesting - love the fact the Cupra feels more fun, sick of hearing about the Golf R! How does the M135i compare?

[@TassieLorenzo]

How come the Golf R's torque vectoring system doesn't seem to be working in this test? Seems odd. :)

[@robertsoulstar]

I love the Cupra Leon... just a very nice powerful car!!! 😉👍

[@2728Alexis]

A Mk1 Cupra R v Mk2 v Mk3 v M4 feature would be great.

[@YusufGinnah]

From many previous generations too, the Cupra's always seem to be the sharper instruments for carving up the track when compared to the equivalent VW models. The general VW focus tends to be vanilla and middle of the road, while the Cupra models are a little more eccentric and special. Thanks for a great comparison! 😎👍🏼

[@adcha1]

The difference is negligible and the question that I have is : would the lap time improve on the 3rd lap given that you would know the track better on the 3rd time compared to the 1st lap - therefore would the result have been different if the Golf R went in 3rd place?

[@Autoexpress]

The result would be the same - our lap times are set after extensive testing of each car around the track, and Steve knows Llandow like the back of his hand! The Leon was the quickest car on the day.

[@johnv4866]

I think Steve is very underrated. I enjoy his videos a lot

[@jryalls]

Who’s underrating him?

[@MayurJadhav-jt1pj]

He is not a social media maniac just honest reviews.

[@thor10047]

what goodyear eagles f1 asymmetric 5 o supersport?

[@TassieLorenzo]

Confusingly, it's a custom Super Sport with Asymmetric 5 tread pattern! It says Eagle F1 Super Sport on the sidewall, however.

[@chrisjones4863]

Waw I didn’t expect that from a VW fan. There’s something about the R though and let’s face 99% of people drive on the road and have a bit of fun at the traffic lights with mates or strangers doing a drag and the R would rip them apart. I know because I have one 😂

[@johnkisch240]

Kids do drag races because they only know how to launch a car with launch control and push the gas pedal. Thats all. My grandma can beat everyone in a car like that. Real drivers race over 10 km of road full of corners. There you can see real driving skills. Not in a stupid drag race.

[@Awson50]

@@johnkisch240 Totally agree, finally some common sense words 👏🏻👏🏻

[@johnguidetti5839]

@@johnkisch240 in the real world with your lil 10km road full of corners the R will start ahead and finish ahead. 99% of people will not track their hatchback.

[@robinmarples5198]

As the previous generation, the best sporty golf is the léon cupra. This one will remplace my 5f in few years for sure. It is what tudor is for Rolex. 👌

[@jonnyjones1292]

Great to see Sutters back more regularly! So there we have it, Golf R for 95% of the time (as a daily), Clubsport or Cupra if you do track days (or even better, a Type R or a Focus RS)

[@tamtdc]

Shame they are all on different tyres, suspect the results would be different if they were all on identical tyres.

[@robtoogood2860]

Leon looks a good value.

[@sophiawoods6748]

I subs because of this pro driver.

[@seanfancourt4344]

The uk spec cupra doesn’t have the brembo brakes, dcc, that paint, or the switchable drive modes on the steering wheel. No wonder they sent over a left hooker

[@lewisvincent7479]

Really annoys me every journalist hasn’t done just a bit of research on this. They rave about the brembo brakes and traction button but they don’t exist in the UK! Although we do get the DCC

[@dbquek]

Steve Sutcliffe is the best....together with Chris Harris....absolutely top class.

[@mathieucossette9019]

A few tenths... Is an epic gap ! Wow Cupra! Not available in North America (Seat also)

[@karamsoki6529]

WE NEED A DRAG RACE

[@escos0410]

Why?

[@omanideiumm]

it would ve been fair for clubsport to have a sunroof aswell. Maybe the time would have been the same as golf R.

[@samuelkmaina]

There seemed to be more enthusiasm for the GTI and Cupra over the R, hence the results.

[@n8n8n8n]

Leon Looks so much better. And performs better too :o nicely done SEAT!

[@davidhayes4814]

Golf Rs have almost no discount. The Clubsport does offer decent discounts, hence the difference in cost new is possibly £6K. The Clubsport also avoids extra tax as even the list price (which nobody should pay) will come in (with sensible options) at under £40K

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

Cannot believe people are paying 45k for a Golf 😀

[@gaycha6589]

@@relentlesspursuit6894 can’t believe people are paying £35k for Yaris. But I did - on both.

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@gaycha6589 because it's not a Yaris is it - The Golf is just a Golf

[@gaycha6589]

@@relentlesspursuit6894 I have both and see no probs with the man maths. The 7.5R is a special car

[@relentlesspursuit6894]

@@gaycha6589 it's a Golf = nothing special

[@andrelima5124]

Leon 300 is a GTI with some flair

[@timwinchester2366]

Too bad they don't give us the cupras here in the states !😡🤦🏾‍♂️

[@joostiii1517]

What suspension does the Cupra have? The standard or the optional adjustable one. I would like to know wich one is more efficient.

[@JingleBombzz]

I'm fairly certain it gets the adjustable dampers as standard.

[@thewoodone1103]

If you drive the golf r after than the cupra again probably you will improve the lap time

[@Murphy252000]

Get the pcp deals out lads........

[@valentinorossi7771]

Steve, it would have been interesting had you also included the GR Yaris. Sure it is down on power being only 1.6 but at 1280 kg it is 181 kg (almost 400 lbs) lighter than the GTI clubsport.

[@mangewide]

That was a but unfair, the R miss the Performance Pack, that the other two has standard. That include the 19" with the "same" tires. With that the R would be as fast....In rain 10sec faster ;).. But great Video :)

[@vollcare4076]

Clubsport on F1 Asym5 or F1 Supersport ?

[@PureLeeful]

Good question, he said they weren't that special so maybe the Asymmetric 5's?

[@MarkCalica]

Great comparison. Also looks like Steve lost a lot of weight

[@mituc]

FWD FTW!

[@dannb0dge]

So once again the Cupra is faster. Probably like the previous gen, the book figure power of the Cupra is less than the R but in reality it's not.

[@rickleigh6263]

Sutters is a ledge no doubt.... but you need the 19's on the golf r with the Goodyear eagles... the standard 18's have Bridgestone which aren't up to the job on track. And ideally either all pan roofs or all non pan roof... alot of weight in the worst possible place that for the R and the Cupra. And yes.. im biased...i have a Mk8 R on 19's with no pan roof.... But when there's 100ths in it its gotta be a level playing field. That said... top vid

[@kerpoise]

Absolutely!

[@gaycha6589]

Bottom line is on same Tyres with similar spec, there is nothing in it. In the dry at least.

[@chapman1991]

New top gear - Chris Harris, harry metcalfe & Steve sutcliff

[@leefoster8015]

When you consider that you get a Cupra fully loaded for under 40k which is same price as Golf R stock.... wow.

[@Autoexpress]

It's certainly great value!

[@philipc239]

Now it's the Cupra vs Type R vs the facelift i30N and find out which one most fun 😊😊

[@PureLeeful]

Plus the Megane 300 Trophy.

[@Wargwarn]

Clubsport for me

[@olley1ify]

Great video ! Just think the leon doesnt look as good as the other 2.. i currently have the last gen leon cupra and love it looks far more aggressive than the new one

[@tan9640]

As with the previous generation the Cupra is the quickest and by all means the better car. Especially when considering the price, spec and the vanishing interior quality difference after VWs cuts. However, the CS still is the Best Buy I suppose? The badge and heritage cannot be underestimated

[@user-gi4uz5rc6u]

nice..so let's see cupra vs type r!