WHY GET AN AUDI S3?? THIS IS JUST AS GOOD!---2018 Volkswagen Golf R Review

Hello everyone! This week Volkswagen USA sent me the keys to the 2018 Golf R! This was a serious impressive car! I have driven everything except for the Golf R and it proved to be a worthy competitor against the Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R, and the Subaru WRX STI! Seeing as this is the only car available with an automatic, it may be the only choice for some people? Does that mean they are missing out? HECK NO!! Watch and see why this car is possibly the most perfect hot hatch to own and drive on a daily basis!
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(Forrest_auto_reviews)
Written Review below!
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[@scottmallard6297]

Quote from Car and Driver regarding the VW Golf R: "The punk kid sitting next to you at the light in the Civic with a fart-can exhaust will never know what happened." LOL Nice video

[@brianreardon7700]

Hahaha .. true my friend

[@brianej3500]

That was a kick-ass review! I loved the cornering at speed, the showing off what the unit really CAN do. That was a cool assessment and it sure showed how into it you are ... when you were laughing when kickin' the hell out of a corner. I laughed too. The lights at night were good too. Never saw that type of demo before. Well done.

[@YasumotoUS]

I'd love to see more reviewers feature the lighting systems, too. Seeing how the low and high beams illuminate a dark road would be of high value considering how test drives by consumers may not be able to take place during darker hours. One of my favorite flashlight reviewers does A:B comparisons with two (or more) different lights noting hot spots, color temps, distances, etc. That's a bit much for automotive lighting, but I could see a consistent testing on a road with known distances to objects. Over the course of time and many automotive reviews, there'd be a really nice collection of lighting data. A quick capture of the night time cabin and instrumentation lighting would be a nice-to-have, as well.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

First off, sweet socks. Great review, I could tell you had fun with it and awesome coverage of all the detail where it’s needed. I’d love to try driving one of these..super impressed with the paddle shifting responsiveness too. Keep it up!

[@PainDive1]

I will be torn between DSG or manual. Manual transmissions may not be available much longer.

[@YasumotoUS]

My eyes and ears say Yes! My wallet says whoa there fella!

[@728GT]

YasumotoUS FACTS

[@user-lh8ql5zr5e]

YasumotoUS Same here!

[@angrysocialjusticewarrior]

Then get a VW Polo.

[@YasumotoUS]

If only; the Polo is not available in the USA.

[@TheoryyPlays]

just get a gti

[@ivanlowjones]

I'm 53 and I would consider buying this Golf R. I consider myself "Slow & Irritated" as opposed to "Fast & Furious" so this car might be an option one day...lol.

[@DriveAndBeDriven]

Amazing review, as always, Forrest! The Golf R is such a good looking and good performing vehicle! Also, the design of the Golf is absolutely timeless. VW is constantly making adjustments to the Golf family, but they always keep that lovable and familiar design language that everyone has grown soo used to. Keep up the great work, man! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on the next vehicle you review! 👍🏽

[@SavagexRaccoon]

probly the best daily hatchback you can get its so clean and not out there and if you want to scream to the world you have a fast sleeper theres so much after market support

[@shaneh734]

The steering wheel pattern looks like it was designed with a spirograph. Neat detail!

[@Atlantamark]

We were all there and riding with you! Great video and even better commentary on the car. I just picked mine up yesterday - what a beast!

[@tymac3306]

Great review, you nailed it. I picked up my new R two days ago, I got the blue/purplish color it's known for. Had a 17 GTI, and this is head and shoulders above.

[@acchaladka]

I think you’re both right - I drove a used R this week and finally got what the fuss is about. I’d choose the R if I could afford it.

[@Moisi547]

The difference between most VW's and other competitors is the paint quality. Love the review

[@briannewman532]

I am about to pull the trigger on one of these, and your review was very helpful in my initial shopping stages. Subbed.

[@acchaladka]

How is it, a year later?

[@myfishwagon]

Great review of this gorgeous beast. Being a long time VW owner myself (mk3 gls, mk4 gl, mk4 GTI, mk7 autobahn), I can see your appreciation for this vehicle. My drawback to not purchasing the Latest edition R, is due to lack of sunroof (and foglights). VW almost had me sold !

[@marcg611]

This is why I bought a 16 GTI SE Performance pack, figured id wait 1-2 yrs for the R with sunroof... But that never came. Apparently their are more sunny days in the UK than US. GTI was great but want something AWD or RWD, FWD is no fun in rain or snow. Going to test drive used b8.5 S4, stinger GT2, focus RS..

[@burqueboy07]

The fog lights were replaced with intakes for heat exchangers on each side.

[@marcg611]

@@burqueboy07 while I do like the lower light fill my GTI fogs add, their not a deal breaker. No sunroof on a long roof hatch that is also intended to be the most liveable of the bunch is a deal breaker!...

[@s.baldwin1840]

The privacy shade in the trunk will fit under the floor mat in the back where the sub is located.

[@kyp6004]

S. Ballswin that's right

[@billyhughes9776]

I didn't think I'd like this in red, but with all the black accents it really looks sharp. I see myself in an R in the near future.

[@porfiriato84]

Im just realizing this dude used to upload full videos and not just YT shorts.

[@Mycryptospaceuk2127]

This has been the best review on youtube for the Golf R 2018 by far!! great detail I want to buy one!!

[@Mycryptospaceuk2127]

The BEST GOLF Review still love it

[@ArcadianGenesis]

Cool, I have a 2018 GTI Autobahn and love it.

[@theMushuFriction]

ArcadianGenesis currently going back and forth between the autobahn and the golf r 🤔🤔🤔

[@ArcadianGenesis]

Anh Ly Can't go wrong either way. They both have pros and cons. The GTI is lighter, more fuel efficient, less expensive to maintain, and the Autobahn has all the amenities of the R minus digital gauges and electronic parking brake PLUS a sunroof and fog lights (which the R doesn't come with in North America). I also love the Dark Iron Blue paint option, which is a GTI exclusive. Of course, the R is faster and has better traction off the line (AWD). It also has those quad exhaust tips. (FWIW, the 2018 GTI has larger dual exhaust tips compared to previous years.)

[@maximefraisier1010]

Just bought a GTI 2018 Autoban with manual transmission ! Dark iron blue is the color ! Jeez I’m having so much fun with it ! My last car was a Veloster 2012, its such a great update ! Could have taking a Golf R but the rate is highter on the R with the VW bank. 3% is the rate and the GTI is 0% and its a big difference. Car handle like a charm and the interior quality is too notch, by far best of his class.

[@jtkent28]

Got an ‘18 GTI SE. Honestly would have loved an R but for the price I feel I got way more for my $ with the GTI.

[@jtkent28]

Honda Type-R my 2010 GTI had only one issue, a failed intake manifold (replaced under warranty) in the 6 yrs I owned it. That was literally it. No complaints on my 2018 so far either.

[@gureno19]

I looked at both last year...used 2016/17 models. For the exact same money as the golf R's i was looking at, same year/mileage etc. I got a misano red 8V sedan with performance pack..bang and olufsen stereo, LED headlights, rs4 wheel package, RS3 wingback nappa seats, magnetic dampers, black out package..everything minus sunroof basically...And all with an audi approved plus 2 year warranty. S3 cockpit is a much nicer place to be day to day imho. But the R felt stiffer in race mode then the S3 in dynamic. Buying either one new, and optioned up, the golf R makes more sense....but 1-2yo used models, the S3 should definitely be considered.

[@3653john]

Would love to see a comparison between the new LED headlights to the previous HID lights

[@93455Driver]

Worth the extra over the GTI?

[@burqueboy07]

Worth every penny over a fully loaded gti for sure

[@TQDRUMMER07]

Great review! This review didn't come up in my original search results but I'm glad I found it! I am 90% I am going to get one of these in the spring. Everything about says dream car to me. It checks off all of the boxes. I know its expensive but when you see that the Audi S3 has an identical powertrain and similar quality interior, it seems like a no brainer.

[@Somewondude]

If u buy the OBDeleven you can change the tail light flash patterns and open the windows by holding down the unlock button on the key as well as closing all windows by holding down the lock button on the key

[@bansonb1386]

Locked in and Subscribed. Thanks for the wonderfully detailed review. I love the 'R' even though my preference turned out to be a 2017 GTI Autobaun. I couldn't live without the Sunroof. And, VW incentives were much greater on the GTIs than the Rs. It is currently APR Stage 1 and is a little beast on wheels. These cars are crazy fun.

[@NANGSGARAGE]

Beast! Love the wheels!

[@yel75]

The plastic tab right next to the driver’s door handle pops off. That’s where you can insert the key to open the door.

[@DaNeShady90]

It's the same on all Golfs.. nothing new

[@PainDive1]

True, my VW CC is just like that.

[@break_it_bill]

There is a plastic piece (cover) behind the door handle that pops off where the physical key can be used. If your battery dies this is how you unlock/lock the vehicle. Flip out the switchblade, use it in the little notch in the bottom of said plastic cover (kneel down and look, you'll see a little indentation where the key goes). Also; if you say, have pets...you can leave the car running and set the 2nd key inside the map slot or someplace else that is hidden. Then, get out, pop the plastic piece off, lock the doors, snap the piece back on and viola -- locked car, running so the AC can stay on for your pets. Due to the proximity system in the FOB you can't lock the doors with the engine running. Forcing you to use the physical method mentioned above. As far as the review goes; try and plan out your information/talking points a little bit (better) beforehand. The "ums" and "uhhs" aren't found in the more polished/professional reviews. Just something to work on is all. Good job.

[@sirluke7]

Just found you. I thought Sofyan did detailed reviews. Watching this I can skip the owner's manual. Subscribed and rang the bell! 😜.

[@brianreardon7700]

Love all your reviews Forrest . I agree this is a wonderful motor! Vw /Audi group has been doing 4 poppers for so long .. they have got the formula down.. especially in there high preforming cars like the golf r .. s3 and so on...

[@sinatikonwiagbe7098]

As long as they keep making the car in manual I will keep loving it.

[@longbowdt]

Nicely done. Thanks for the presentation. No RS for an old dog like me, but an R? All day long. I like to drive long distances more than I like to race. I take back roads whenever possible in my MK6 R. But the new 7 is better is almost every way (except styling, maybe, but that's a personal thing). It's the package that's killer. and less than an Audi too! :)

[@scollyutube]

What he didnt say, because he probably couldnt without owning both, is the 7.5 has the extra gear in DSG which makes a big differance to fuel consumption compared to the 7's 6 speed too.

[@Spinal2111]

The key goes into the glovebox, and in the event the fob died and you needed to get into the car, the end caps on the door handles pop off so you could get in. And the resistance on the arm rest is likely due to the ratcheting mechanism so you can adjust the height on it. Previous generation the console was locked closed, this time around they decided to add it in.

[@ovathere93]

Great review. Thank you for highlighting the difference between the 17. Personally, don't love the digital speedometer. Audi's is much nicer. But love the R.

[@tradingsgmail]

The virtual cluster on the R doesn’t look as cool as the one in the S3.

[@brianreardon7700]

Yea I agree to some degree.. I have an r my uncle has an s3 .. but its not that far off..it’s pretty close

[@matthewoesch2364]

Great review and great shots! I’d love to drive one of these and maybe own one! I’m really into the red and also like the clean and subtle appearance of this car. Good exhaust sound from the quad exhaust!

[@deancogburn1689]

Picking up one this week can’t wait! Thanks so much for the review brother!

[@sam67uk]

Fantastic review. I’ve one of these 7.5’s in UK spec, 310 BHP, 3 door Lapiz Blue with Black Pretorias 👍🏻

[@PainDive1]

I love this car. I hope I can afford taking one next year.

[@loltam]

Just had mine in Lapiz Blue! In love with it, very excited to floor it in the upcoming winter

[@oo7Grexx]

I drove both cars back to back and the Golf R is more of a drivers car but there is something about the S3 that i kept coming back. I like interior of the S3 more and the virtual cockpit is a lot better than the golf imo. Love both cars but wanting more so I opt for the RS3. :)

[@danperson1]

Great review man! I watch a ton of reviews on youtube and you do a fantastic job.

[@andreestes184]

the key slot is on the door handle if you look under it there is a little slit where you put the key and it will pop a piece of the door handle off exposing the real key spot

[@Silas_cv1]

They should make a Jetta r not a gli like a r line for jetta lol make it 4 motion and aggressive looking

[@zizijili4149]

American Golf R are limited! No rear fog light? Infotainment screen looks so tiny. Excellent review!!

[@3653john]

But at least we still have a volume knob.

[@joelj.9406]

Like the review and use of the coolers to show actual rear room. Thumbs Up!

[@lmac275]

Excellent vid 😀 video quality is brilliant. Going to be ordering a UK spec one this weekend. Thanks for posting😀

[@acchaladka]

This is one of the best reviews of the R out there, and this is possibly the perfect car for me, but two things bug me. First, how is the digital dash on long night time drives? I could see that being QUITE tiring if they don’t turn down to near zero in brightness. Analogue still better? Second, does this have auto-dimming side mirrors? In my previous Golf that’s been the one thing that made me nuts, paying real money and getting nailed in the eye by passing cars at nighttime. With all the tech and attention to detail I’m hoping I won’t need to pay another thousand dollars to swap mirrors.

[@darrenbrown-alternativerou359]

Excellent review

[@wooddogr6275]

Great review from your own personal viewpoint. Really enjoy your style, feels like we're right there.

[@frumpd63]

You get the S3 to get vastly better seats, a sunroof, and a car that adequately projects it's price point.

[@brianreardon7700]

It’s a box of fun on big wheels lol..

[@MrCacaseno1]

I would take this to the track if I got it! Good Vid!

[@ABCD-uj6gd]

Such a nice ride. The lack of directional wheels is absurd.

[@majorcalvary6515]

Totally agree. Why can’t they built a Jetta R? I would be all over it.

[@McGee1879]

109°F and you've still got on your socks 😓😓😓😓

[@Appletree-db2gh]

Now I want a Tornado Red.

[@Oscar-tl2le]

Great Review! Hoping to get one, one day..

[@ezywin_matrixoutsider]

I just bought a leon cupra 2016 265 and it is amazing

[@Cutlerypotato]

Looks like a nice ride but it would get destroyed on the roads where I live. Those low pro tires don't look too pothole friendly

[@mauroparete2945]

Kevin McCallister yup. Had my R for a month and already bulged the sidewall on my PZeros. $500 bucks later I'm all good... just waiting for my next hit...

[@IceWilly1]

Thank you for showing night and headilight/tailight views and night time behavior. Sometimes this is hard to find and hard to find the differences between years because of it.

[@CLEEN50]

The no sunroof is a deal breaker on the Golf R for me. I can't for the life of me understand why VW's chose to remove the option in the US on their top tier Golf.

[@lordpicho]

Very good high quality video. Thank you!

[@marvi2941]

I only watched this to see my car without going outside to see my car lmao

[@1white_rs399]

Get that thing tuned by APR, the car turns into a different animal.

[@vily6425]

I love it just got my 2018 golf R

[@dgo85TV]

Awesome review

[@FreshlyBaked13]

Just traded my 16 golf r for a brz, the r was just too boring for me despite the gobs of power. Great car though, most refined one I've owned to date, I could see myself getting another some day as a daily.

[@castlekeeper2124]

A Sirocco R would be nice

[@iquattro5331]

I wish we could get it in the U.S.

[@gregpark6601]

Great car, but the S3 cabin is SO much nicer, the Golf is a fairly plain place to sit, the Audi feels like a special place.

[@moisesdorantes5095]

I’m going to buy me one right now 🚗🔥

[@SWATBOY21]

Nice review

[@chibianh7700]

hey Forrest, always enjoy your reviews! Been thinking about trading in my ND Miata for one of these for practicality purposes. Think I'll regret it? Or should I just get a used crossover and keep my Miata?

[@Straightarrow213]

Show us how to turn off Stability control

[@Ton-uy1xd]

The digital gages aren't as nice as the older analog ones. The design is just bad. Audi does a lot better.

[@stevenbarth7502]

Great video, thanks.

[@TheWallaceshow]

Great video good gob 👍

[@VirtueAce]

Nice!

[@floyd_mph]

Bummer bro. We get the sunroof on the R in South Africa. Worth it.

[@lind3237]

Floyd Mphaka Can you also get the coupe instead of the four door?

[@floyd_mph]

Craig Dabney nah. No 3 doors man. Bummer

[@randallsguaranteedsold6361]

Very good review, thank you..... the golf r runs on the same platform as the a3/s3 variant - albeit not with same panache as the Audi, but thousands less. Have you driven the gti? I’m hearing it’s more fun than the golf r....?

[@brandodurham]

Been enjoying mine! Have lapiz blue, but wishing it was red now..

[@Bioplast6]

You'll use the key blade to turn the airbags on and off.

[@smellycatgamingofficial]

I want one...in oryx pearl white😼!

[@peterbennpan7288]

A golf r with a stage 1 remap what more could you ask for!

[@dry509]

We have an Avalon and are looking right now for a second car. Looking for something different like an suv and or fun? What would you get with your own money? An suv like the CX-5, or a hot hatch ...or? Or wait?

[@aymennhadji7285]

nice video but i have 2015 golf R370 i live it

[@smalluniverse]

i like it because it's subtle..

[@lind3237]

Two things keep me from getting one: 1. Price, 2. Two doors too many.

[@mrmani8619]

Thanks for the review. A couple of questions for you - 1. Are there ambient lights on the rear doors and door sills like the front? 2. With the 19" rims, do you usually drive in "Comfort" mode or "Normal" mode? (Dynamic Chassis Control for the Comfort mode is an 850GBP optional extra in the UK!). Thanks

[@mrmani8619]

Sorry should have clarified - If you dont select the DCC optional extra in the UK, the car does not have Comfort mode - it only has Normal and Race mode so my question was - is the ride too firm in normal mode with 19" alloys.

[@TheRetlaw54]

M Shah I have one and was worried about the 19’s as well. I was very surprised how good it felt in normal mode. Only time I’ve put it in comfort was going through a long stretch of construction the road was wash board and suspension crashed a bit

[@mrmani8619]

TheRetlaw54 Thanks

[@petersothern2909]

I think it would look better with the performance pack alloys

[@theMushuFriction]

Between this car and the autobahn, which would you recommend?

[@gingerbreadman5756]

Always liked the Golf R, would love one with RS3 power but perhaps VW will deliver more power to America MY019. 290 for 41K is unacceptable

[@dry509]

Would you get manual or dsg for fun? I like the Audiesque feeling? Love the fast shifting F1 trans experience. That is what I am looking for. Do you think this would be more fun than a Mustang V8? I am in Houston btw.

[@armin1977]

if everyone would have a car like that. nobobody needs more

[@douglaspuglas6888]

Firstly the s3 is a nicer car, better quality inside nicer design but the main issue with the R is everyone has one the s3 is way more exclusive.

[@douglaspuglas6888]

Forrest's Auto Reviews really? It's the exact opposite here lol I picked up my S3 yesterday I've just done 100 miles and it's been amazing

[@payasofeo69]

Another DSG Golf R... in 10 years we won’t be able to buy manual transmission cars... sad. And the right section of the door handle pops out and reveals a key hole. When your remote battery runs out.

[@CarolinaCarVideos]

oh they just send you cars to review? how do I get them to send me cars to review? I have to go to the dealership and film them.

[@enfantterrible4868]

It's better.

[@coolwhip2]

Hmmm, my center console box is locked on my 2018 Golf R; similar to the mk7 models. How is it that your model has the functional glove box? I thought only the euro models have the functional center console box and it was bolted shut on US models due to US regulations?

[@joew4125]

Depends on the time of year yours was built. I think I remember something about vehicles built after November got the opening center.

[@burqueboy07]

It was locked in previous years due to an obscure DOT law in the states. It's an easy fix using zip ties.