Having just driven a 2015 Subaru WRX STI, Matt Farah switches to one of the Japanese model’s newest (and most menacing) rivals: the 2015 VW Golf R.
Naturally, comparisons with the Japanese performance sedan start being made. The driving position in the Golf R is better, the interior feels more upscale and the engine more refined.
On the road, Farah finds the sound of the Golf R’s engine more pleasant than the STI’s, but the Golf’s ride is harsher. The DSG transmission (the only one available in the US for now) changes gears really fast and seamlessly, although many people will prefer to wait for the manual model for a more engaging experience.
Overall, the 2015 VW Golf R is found more refined than the Subaru WRX STi and better than all performance Golfs built so far by the R GmbH division. Scroll down to find more about the Golf R from the video review posted below.