2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen

No vehicle is perfect, but the Golf R comes close.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

More comfortable than Focus RS - not difficult, let's be honest. Less ridiculous than Civic Type R - again, not hard. Believe it or not, quicker 0-60 than Subaru STI WRX. If you want a well-rounded, fun daily driver, every press article you read will tell you to buy the Golf R for the reasons above. I haven't driven any of the others, but everything they say about the Golf is true. Almost luxury-car comfortable, mature styling inside and out, loaded with features. Launch mode is a blast; beats a Mustang V8 away from the lights. I've owned this one for 3 years, since 2500 miles. Reliability - no complaints; it needed a new drivers window regulator under warranty - the one-touch up/down stopped working. Back seat is a little tight, but I don't have a need for one. Cargo space is impressive with the seats down. Doesn't come with a spare tire. Android Auto can be a little glitchy sometimes, but I think that's true in all cars. My average mpg is 22, but can get 25 when you behave. Requires premium fuel. I can't think of another car I'd rather be driving right now. I love it.

VERY Sporty, yet still a practical car

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

I love my Golf R. Purchased used with 10k miles, Ive put another 10 on it and it is holding up great. Its solid enough that Ive had no concerns taking it to a track event one weekend and then on a 300 + mile trip the next weekend. The interior quality is superb, not flashy but clearly nice, like an entry level luxury car which really makes this car feel like an even better value. After having driving a GTI for 3 years before upgrading to the R, I can say that the R is a much more solid and comfortable feeling car (when in comfort or race mode). It could have more power, like its rival the Focus RS, but it is a much nicer feeling car and a much preferable daily driver. And if you wanted to, there are aftermarket ECU tunes that supposedly dont reduce the reliability because the engine is already overbuilt that can put the car in the 370hp range for less than 1k. Awesome car. And it appears to be holding its value very well, which I am please to see. Highly recommend it.

This is MY perfect car

Sunday, July 08, 2018

The Mk7 Golf R is my perfect car. Whatever other comparable car I compare it against, the R always wins. After a 800-dollar ECU upgrade this car has equivalent 0-60 and 1/4 mile performance to a BMW M240 or a Porsche Cayman, which are arguably the class leaders in small to medium sports cars. Given the equipment that comes standard on the Golf R (adaptive cruise, lane assist, parking sensors, auto emergency braking, adjustable suspension, high end stereo, leather, automatic transmission, Android Auto) you are paying about 30-40 k less than those aforementioned cars similarly equipped. So the Golf R gives you high performance for a lot less money than BMW or Porsche, which covers performance and value. Im taking off 2 points for reliability because Ive had some niggles in the first year of ownership; hatch wouldnt unlatch and the lock had to be replaced once. Drivers window wont always auto up/down; thats still hit or miss today, but it always moves manually so its a minor annoyance. Android Auto is 90% reliable, but I suspect Google is as much to blame as VW. Build quality is as good as anything Ive driven for this money. Driving experience is awesome. In race mode it is quick, no wheel spin whatsoever on normal surfaces. Beats stock V8s all day. In comfort mode with adaptive cruise control, road trips in traffic become much less stressful, as well as the daily commute. Loves going round corners, I havent yet felt it over or under steer. The ride is firm without being brutal like a Focus RS. cabin noise is good considering 19 tires. Design is grown-up and unflashy. but that can be a matter of taste and might seem dull to some. Comfort and convenience; I really wanted a high performance small or medium wagon, but theyre not available in the US anymore unless you want to go 100k on an E class AMG. Hatchback is the closest I can get, and so far its fine. My kids have keft home, but I can ferry 4 adults to lunch and back in comfort. No car is perfect; I wish it was a little bigger in the back, I wish it was 100% reliable, I wish the transmission overhaul isnt going to cost 1500 in a few years, but compared to any other car the Golf R is perfect for me. Its less money than BMW, Audi or Porsche. Its more comfortable than a Focus RS, and has more standard eq. its more grown up than a Civic R, and has more standard eq. Its faster than a Mustang GT, and a lot more practical. It gets 25 mpg on average, and I push it plenty. The insurance is the same as my wifes GTI.