2022 Volkswagen Golf R (6-Speed Manual) - POV Driving Impressions
MSRP: $44,090
MPG: 20 city / 28 highway
4MOTION AWD w/torque vectoring
XDS Cross differential system
315 hp @ 6000 rpm; 280lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm
Engine: 2.0 L 4-cylinder
Curb weight: 3,417 lbs
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Bridgestone Potenza S005 - 235/35R19 91Y
Lapiz Blue Metallic exterior - Titan Black interior
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The only thing I don't like about this car is the removal of physical controls for almost everything -- other than that I love it.
Yeah, in their pursuit to make it more "modern" it just ends up looking cheap and has an order of magnitude less functionality. I guess the people who have been staring at LCD screens since birth will care less...
I'm hopeful that the Mk8.5 will fix the infotainment
@@opmike343 it's not about modern look - for manufacturer it's just cheaper to put $100 tablet instead of molding holes in the panels and putting knobs and buttons. As a result, it's all buggy and you have to be distracted from the road and put yourself in danger. Then these hypocrites talk about their active safety systems and crash tests.
Right, return to your blackberrys then 😂
Yup. It's almost the perfect car. Hatch, stick, high performer. Too bad the interior is a literal deal-breaker.
Nice to see a modern car with manual transmission
Man you put that R through it's paces, great vids as always.
3:08- The engine cover is gone because there is a recall on GTI and R engine covers. Apparently they would come loose during "spirited driving" and become a fire hazard. Right now the recall is just to remove the cover, supposedly VW is working on designing a new one.
This would make an awesome daily. That cup holder is definitely unique. You REALLY know how to get these cars right to the limit to where the tires start talking to you. I'm listening to this on surround sound and your microphone setup really helps hear everything. I see the infotainment as a big annoyance but not a deal-breaker. I love the noise it makes when hitting the rev limiter. The adaptive cruise control seems good. The price is up there. It's the biggest drawback minus the infotainment system to me. Great review!
I rather have your ZL1 than this Golf!!!!!! or a 1LE for the same or less price since these are being marked up so much.
@@closg9309 aww man. I keep forgetting about mark ups. I would like a fun practical car under 40k. The Corolla GR and Type R are on that list too. They’ll probably be hard to get. Then I throw practicality out the window and say BRZ
first thing off the lot you wanna do it get some actual good grip tires, and you'll be able to throw it hard without hearing
@@closg9309 Its a very different car. This is a daily driver. The 1LE would get annoying with its track suspension. Also i hate the visibility in the Camaro's. If you don't have kids, then you wouldn't have to compromise, get the 1LE.
Saw one of these on the road yesterday and it completely changed my mind about mk8. Pictures and videos don’t do it justice
I have a 2022 Tiguan and before I bought it I watched many reviews online. When I'd read the comments people would always bash the steering wheel (Basically the same as this Golf R) and I could never understand it. The wheel is wonderful. The haptic/capacitive buttons feel good and it's easy to slide across the volume bar to raise or lower without taking hands away from the wheel.
I’ve watched quite a few of your videos and the amount of laughs the R squeezed out of you has cemented how much you’ve enjoyed driving it!
It is a lot of fun to drive!
One of the best cars I have ever seen. This car is insane.
Thank you for the great video. I picked up my 2024 MK8R few weeks ago. Lots of fun 6-speed. The gearing is so good!
If they ever come down in price, I may consider one... but honestly, the Mk7/7.5 R with a manual is still the sweet spot for me, when it comes to the higher end hot hatches.
I love manual reviews 🙌💯
You are right about the interior. It is clean and modern. It impresses me a lot. Great video and great car !
I’ve been bouncing back and forth on whether I want to order the manual or dsg. This review has pushed me back towards the manual, I used to have a WRX and I miss the feeling of changing gears myself. I might go for manual because I want it to be fun at normal speeds and ultimate power doesn’t matter because this has plenty either way.
So true! And well said !!
It’s not that the DSG has more power but the car will more likely accelerate faster because the shifts are so quick in a dual clutch auto transmission. Like you said, the car has more than enough either way, but if you can shift fast enough in the manual the advantages of the DSG will become less significant. Me personally, I would ALWAYS go with the manual
You won't be as inclined to get in a stop light race if you have a manual and it's so much more fun to drive the stick. I just bought a 2017 GTI with a stick and I call it my "fun on a budget" car. Ya, I want a R, but the GTI is within budget for now ha.
@Jayscee the auto has higher torque
You got a new sub. I appreciate: *the absence of a catch phrase *your use of clear and simple explanations *your calmness. Keep up the great work. Ps - I want this car!
One of the quickest cars in twisty roads as it's easy to drive fast without the front washing out or rear snapping
Sport traction makes our family Tiguan is amazing. I am so impressed by it that I might get the golf R. So refined and sporty at the same time
Hi bro, this is my dream car. May not be a Lambo or McLaren… but I work towards this daily. Thank you for this video.
I was literally JUST wondering how the manual driving experience may differ in the R vs the DSG, and having watched your reviews covering the DSG, I can have those questions answered using you as my “control” 😁 Not the easiest trying to compare different YT reviews between models when each reviewer has their own personal preferences and background experience with driving different cars influencing their opinions.
I think good reviewers (like Topher) will articulate the things that they like and don't and why, and whether it's based on personal preference or not doesn't matter as much since they've justified their position, and then it's up to you to sift through whatever noise is present and make the decisions. An example is that he didn't just say the infotainment is bad, he explained why it was annoying to live with in his experience, so the viewer can decide how much that may impact them based on the facts. Same with the driving dynamics, albeit those are a little more abstract, but as I said a good reviewer will be able to be descriptive in that capacity as well. Finally, I'd say find reviewers that you regularly agree with and therefore relate to their preferences, and that will also minimize that nuance, though it's still good to get a variety of opinions just to have the most information as possible for an unbiased decision.
In my opinion the DSG is the trans better suited for the R. I completely disagree with Topher’s comparison to the S3 on all fronts even. I’ve been in both. If you wanna bang gears I totally get that, my Trans Am is stuck so I have both, but the DSG shifts fast, smooth, and is very capable. It may not be “engaging” as in its void of personality of exciting, but it’s just efficiency incarnate. Plus when tunes come out… 😎
@@AntFragale ya personally I’m on the fence between the two transmissions. Part of me loves the added satisfaction that comes from shifting your own gears, but the other part of me is reminded that there are actually times I get in my car almost specifically not wanting to think and just use it as boring transportation haha. 😅 I daily a motorcycle and also use that most times I actually want to hit the mountain roads and yearn for driver engagement, so that’s likely a big reason why I’m also not automatically sold on the manual option like many others might be.
@@benwells2338 I get it man. I’m fortunate enough to own one of each type of car but for me, what sealed the deal was that the DSG holds more power. I plan to mod it moderately so; that and it is just very noticeably quicker. Plus paddle shifting gives me that experience “lite” should I yearn for it lol
Got to drive one today. This car is freaking awesome man.
Love the second gear bouncing off the rev limiter
Excellent video 😊
Yup, I agree with you on this car. For whatever reason, I vastly prefer this to the GTI. That shorter gearing vs. the GTI is very noticeable, and you could tell that the handling is more neutral on this one. It absolutely flies. Very much love the blue on this car. Edit: Not only does the gearing make it more fun because there’s more shifting to be done, but it just makes it feel more responsive at all speeds. It’s worth it over the GTI for this reason. In the GTI you can tell there’s a little rev-hang, and the gearing is much longer. It’s interesting how well optimized the manual is to the Golf R, because it’s DSG only in Europe. Awesome stuff!
The GTI has pound for pound significantly better down low torque and that’s why the gearing is taller.
@@dedricthere this r has awd and the gti is front only? That's the major difference between these. Front wheel is really borderline even considered a sports car and I had a sweet 24v GTI years ago
@@tomsmith2215 bigger turbo on the R and the engine internals are not the same. Not even taking into account the R is a fully loaded GTI which brings the GTI price way closer to the R.
This is honestly the most underrated best hatch of 2022. 12.1 second stock. That’s Supra level performance
I’m a big advocate for these cars and always try to show people how great they really are (I am an owner) but I don’t think they’re *quite* that fast. Most slips I see put it at about 12.4/5 at 110ish. Very quick still for what it is and when tunes come out they will be 11s cars easily. Which is outstanding.
Excelente reseña, con cual caja de cambios te quedarías?, con la DSG o con la manual?.
Nice golf R the manual looks sick real drivers drive manual
Jeeeeeez! Just how I like my dream(potentially next) car with those Bridgeston Potenzas!!
Great driving
Great video. Question: How does the ride comfort compare to the new Z? Significant difference?
Nice drive !
Recall on the engine cover is a strange one, i took my R in to the dealer in March for its 7 day check up and they took it off. I was able to test drive the DSG and the Manual and i think the driving experience was far superior on the 6spd, maybe not as fast but im not planning on tracking it yet anyways so i like the 3 pedaler.
This car looks and sounds sooo good especially in that blue. The headlights work on the R much better than the GTI this gen. Shame about the infotainment, but I’d probably forget about it in a week of ownership.
You guys have taken this one out quite a bit. You must be a fan. I know I am.
Man you really ripping this car, love it
Any plans to drive the Mach 1 with the tremec manual anytime soon?
great video
I wouldn't mind if you talked about gearing for 100% of the videos. It's an important topic!
As a Focus RS owner, I might buy one of these one day. If I did, I'd take the DSG in a heartbeat. I've had a manual DD since 2012 so I'm ready for a change. I just wish the infotainment wasn't so terrible in this model 😔
While using the car, do you accidently interact with some of the touch sensitive buttons? I used to turn the volume up while using the screen and it was annoying. I have never used capacitive buttons on the steering wheel. Thanks!
About the engine cover, there was a recall for them because it would fall off and catch on fire. I was instructed by my dealer to just take it off.
I’m not sure if you’ve covered this, but seeing you drive a Camry TDR 2022 would be great!
Thanks for an excellent review. Not in a position to update. I prefer the manual. We have 2 TDI Golf Wagon one manual and one DSG. We had to get a tune for our DSG from Kerma and that made it shift better. We also got the engine tune on both and upgraded the suspension. With a good clutch upgrade, you can shift quickly on the manual as well. The older generation Rs with a tune will bring it to the HP level of the new one. My concern is how good this LED displays are because on our 2015s the display are flickering and as per VW it is because of the heat here in the southwest and the expensive replacement is no guarantee, VW is the only car in our extended family that have broken LED displays. The R has some dead pixels as well. I was expecting you to drift in drift mode though.
Strongly dislike the fake buttons and the interior is lackluster for the price but once you've driven a GTI/R you can forgive it because by far the best part of the car is driving it like a maniac, especially in a manual. Had a 2011 GTI and the car would've been half as fun with a DSG
I enjoyed that pov because i listened with my headphones top volume those 8gen Golf R with mt gearbox. I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF SAYING "THIS IS THE BEST HATCHBACK IN THE MUNDIAL WORLD!!!! There are others like RS3, Focus RS, AMG 45, M135i. But for me THIS IS MORE EQUILIBRATED. BETWEEN PREMIUM QUALITY, BEST POWERTRAIN OF VAG GROUP, THE PRICE.
It doesn't matter how much faster the DSG is, the manual is always the go-to for driving enthusiasts. Your average manual driver will run laps around the average automatic driver in the DSG. Big skill difference.
Nice reveiw lemon 🚙
This sounds pretty good if it has some piped in engine sound, they've got the balance just right i'd say.
Did you guys know the USA (maybe CAN, too?) is where the manual option is offered. Europe doesnt get a Manual. All DSG. That should make it even more special #SaveTheManuals
Hi! You have been to michigan i have seen. in your other videos, do you live in florida by chance??
I like the grey interior its like a modern 90s vibe
Finally I like Golf since Golf mk4
I test drove a 2018 type R when it was new and I turned off the traction control but it didn’t fully turn off. Has that changed with the 2022? But the infotainment/looks cumbersome and looks like a driver-distracted.. but no buttons is likely a dealbreaker for me.
Hey where can I find you reviewing some times? I live in Dexter and would love to meet you some time!!
Re: 3:01 What happened to the engine cover? It got recalled. Recently Golf GTI and R models were recalled because the engine cover could come loose while driving.
I really like this car! At this price point there is nothing better than it. As for the infotainment system, it’s not a big deal. They know what they are doing. Apparently, they won’t give you the best electronics for 45K. It’s luxury brands will take them. They do it on purpose to distinguish their normal products from their high end ones.
I agree, they should tweak the infotainment with volume/tuning and illuminated controls etc... they should also add power liftgate. Even Hyundai Elantras get it
Manual available only in north America?
3:07 the engine covers caused the cars to get recalled because they would come loose and catch on fire
Why even keep those ugly plastics in the first place
@@NoobZword Debris.
@@NoobZword I think pedestrian safety?
😬 yikes
Damn, there are so many sweet cars out now and coming this fall.
I know it's a bit "apples to oranges", but as a pre driver's car, do you prefer this Golf R/6M or your '22 BRZ?
I've got a 2013 GTI with the DSG transmission. For an automatic it's the most fun I've I've had since I sold my 1988 911. I've been looking at the R but if/when I update it will probably be an GTI. My big concern is all those touch screens and driving options seems distracting.
just make a custom option and and use that for the rest of the cars life, except for those Saturdays when you wanna have some fun and drift around the track
What would you rather daily drive, this or a Mazda 3 Turbo?
sounds like a lot of belt sequel or rattling coming out of the front end; is this just the way it sound when recorded?
great test drive and video! whats better - Golf R or Miata for driving pleasure and fun?
Golf hands down if you’re a backseat passenger
@thetopher - I would LOVE to see a heel/toe video of you in a MK8 GTI or R. I've had my MK 8 GTI since December and I can't heel/toe this thing to save my life. The pedal placement just isn't working for me.
I struggled a bit with my MK6, gotta work on that foot mobility 😄
As someone who has actually bought an R in the past I wish they had an option to get them with all season tires. To spend this much on a daily diver and then have to spend 1200$ more to drive it after October SUX! Does the manual have a hill hold? Asking for a friend.
How is the ride comfort in the softest setting compared to the Type R?
What do you prefer the Golf R manual or the GR Corolla??
8:38 Actually all of the DSG individual gears (except 1st) are shorter compared to the manual. It's especially noticable in 2nd and 3rd gear pulls on the DSG. It's one if the reasons why the DSG accelerates faster (and has higher trap speeds in ¼ mile) vs the manual.
Recipe for future classic.. big rear sway bar will fix that off throttle understeer.. fun-machine
Quick question, the Audi S3 or the Manual Golf R? Thanks
Just sold my WRX and I’m looking for something new. I love the Golf R but man it’s impossible to find one in California
How did you get that manual????? They are not selling not even one manual in germany or my country
Holy shit travel assist is badass
Please do a gti manual review
Going to look at one of these this Saturday, hoping I can get my hands on it! $60k in canadian dollars 😭
I just wish they put the same amound of attention into the Jetta frame, I love everything about this car but I just prefer the new Jetta GLI's frame over the hatchback.
Plz do a driving impressions video on the 2022 Hyundai Elantra N-Line 6 speed 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
The though of Drifting a hatch back brings the good old m135 rwd hatch back ...a rwd hatch back that it very manufacturers made ....
I wanna try out one of them vulkwagenz!
Maaaan I wish we had this gearing in the mk7 GLI. Doesnt make any sense that the car can do like 70 in 2nd gear and hits electronic limiter at 125 in 4th gear.
I can't afford the 2022 model, but I'm happy with a 2018-19. I prefer the analog climate/audio controls.
I had one of this following me the other night, i had no idea it was the new golf r because from my rear view mirror it had those horizontal lights connecting the headlights, i was driving my audi s3 tuned stage 1+, would of been nice to test it against the new golf r, but i had no idea it was the new one following me
Congrats on getting stage 1, wish more people would
Will they make a mk8.5? If so, I’ll probably get that.
This is my favorite spec for the Golf R that blue looks great!
Which was more fun to drive, the VW Golf R or Nissan Z?
The infotainment system is a bit buggy but very easy to use once you know the interface
Does a golf bag fit in the trunk? Looks really tiny...
I order a Jetta GLI with the Mk7 , so awesome to get such a deal..!
100% about the display even though it looks cool. Basic controls physical buttons! Lights. 🙏
I really enjoy watching your videos! But was annoying to hear (as many KZhead reviewers have said the same) -the S3 is "almost the same price". It's not, to option the S3 remotely the same as the golf R would be up to 10k more. Also no heated steering wheel option and I believe no vented seats. Or trick rear end. Not even close to the same car in my opinion. Also since you rave about the manual being amazing - S3 has no manual option. When you look at the S3 the golf actually becomes a huge bargain on paper
S3: $45,800. Golf R $44,090. Premium plus S3 is only a few grand more. You’re right in that they’re not equal in features but I’d be willing to give up a few options for the more premium S3, and I think the S-tronic gearbox is better to drive than the DSG 🤷♂️
@8:40 helps with what in the long term?
I would probably get one, but it has leather seats. Leather is so damn uncomfortable. Hot and sticky in the summer. Cold in the winter. I will get the GTI because of the cloth seats alone, comfort is king.
24:10 literally, my green gti is yellow a few days ago and is plastered with pollen XD
do these things still suffer from the notorious crank walk issues?
I have a mk8 GTI for about a year now, within the 1st week I was used to the tech.
Manual?
@@Hrdechamp yessir
Driving right by my house!
Love the short gearing. But for $45k, VW has no excuse in cost cutting measures with deleting every button inside, no hood struts, and on top of that, the hood is steel? The significantly cheaper Si has an aluminum hood. Quite weird too since VW invested back in the aluminum subframe like the Mk5’s had.
Don’t put the SI in the same sentence as this beast
@@najminmalcusis15 I’m just making a statement. The cost cutting is real. I’ve had VW’s since 2004 and my 2006 Mk5 I just sold was just before VW started really cost cutting on things I felt like. For $45k, there’s no excuse not to put hood struts on when they’ve had them since at least 2006 (not sure about Mk4’s).
@@g60corrado91 same goes for the civic. Don’t even talk about cost cutting and then bring up the civic to compare. At least this car jumped from preformance of 13. Quartermile to 12.1 at least this car went from 0-60 5.0 to 3.9 at least this car went from trapping 107 to 112. Now let’s talk about the civic, it has a cheaper interior than even the GLI, it costs more than its previous Gen while having less features in the USA and while having a slower performance. Imagine paying 30+k for a car that does 0-60 in 7 seconds and can barely trap 95MPH. Imagine paying for a sports oriented sedan that will cost you well above 30+ and being passed by a minivan. Golf R may have cut some corners, but there is no justifying how horrid the civic went
@@najminmalcusis15 speed and power don’t mean everything from a sports car. You could argue a minivan is faster than a Miata or a GR86, but those are two of the purist sports cars in today’s market that aren’t out of reach. I was simply stating that a $45k car should have hood struts and ideally since it’s a hot hatch, an aluminum hood. A significantly cheaper car that it doesn’t even compete directly against at least has an aluminum hood. Hell, a base GSW S had hood struts in Mk7 days. Yes, it’s unfortunate the US market Si doesn’t have all the extras, just the way that marketing in Canada goes where the Si is the top level Civic short of the CTR. Nicer interior in GLI? That’s an opinion. I feel the Civic has one of the nicest/best balanced interior with a range of physical switches and touchscreen that the Mk8 desperately needs/had in Mk7’s. If/when the Si is available at MSRP, it still maintains a good value this day in age. The now Autobahn spec only GLI is $34-35k out the door after taxes. I’ll take that $5k saved for a slower car that’s more engaging to drive out of the box even if it doesn’t have heated seats, etc.
@@g60corrado91 “ speed and power SONT mean everything in sports car” yes but it means a LOT of it which the civic is lacking. It does not matter how much you use the power or not, but there is no JUSTIFYING paying 30+k for a car that does 0-60 in 7 seconds, Quartermile in 15.2 and can barely trap 95. MPH. Just because a car is engaging it does not justify being over priced, under powered, and having a cheaper interior to a GLI from 2019. Further more the GLI is better than the SI in every way, from power to handling, to tune-ability, to class to COMFORT the list goes on. The SI LITERALLY has a 1.5 soulless engine that matches preformance to a Corolla. Imagine paying 30+k for a car that’s sports orient yet it has less power than last year less features is more expensive and gets absolutely battered by everything. There is no justifying that. I much rather have a 35k car that can tune to 350HP safely, have way better performance, DSG option, better interior and exterior, higher class and be better just about everything. Next time you want to talk about an MK8 golf R cheaping out compared to a silly civic when it offers so much more In performance compared to last year, so much better handling, so much better driveability, just because the interior is lackluster, while you are talking about a civic that has less power. Less features, has had some of the worse consumer feed back in terms of actually consumers, has 0-60 of a minivan, and all you can say is “ it’s engaging”
THe engine cover is gone cuz of the risk of it coming out of place and potentially melting which would then cause a fire. If anyone reading this has one of these cars, DO THE SAME AND REMOVE YOUR ENGINE COVER!! (I am not sure if the same thing goes for the GTI models)
The race mod gauge is weird. The tac is so much easier to see in standard.