First drive review: 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI versus 2012 Golf R

( http://www.TFLcar.com ) The 2012 Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the best and fastest all-around small cars that you can buy today. But it needs all-wheel-drive, more power, and better suspension. The all new 2012 Golf R has all that and more. So which Golf hot-hatch is better?

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[TetleyBBB]

Nice review, Roman. If I were street racing and was concerned about winning those races, I might lament the lack of the DSG in the US. But from a driving enjoyment standpoint, it's gotta be the manual, every time. Driving a car with an automatic (DSG or otherwise) isn't driving, it's steering. At least with a manual you're more involved with the driving experience, it's more about driver skill than computerized mimicry. Just my two cents. Thanks again for the review!

[romanmicagearguy]

@TetleyBBB Thanks for the nice and thoughtful comments. Very much appreciated!

[hotmike1978]

I have read several comments on street racers on here....blah blah....the gti is a good car...no...great car. If you wanna build a 4-banger racer...yeah, go with honda...lots more stuff for them. If you want a small sports car right out of the box...gti is the winner. The civic si is not well mannered enough for people over 30 or people with kids. People need to stop talking trash...not everyone wants the tricked out honda.

[choosebing]

Great review. I've always loved the GTI & have been looking at 09's, however I might have to take a look at the 2012 models this spring. Exciting stuff!

[bitumen83]

I think that new generation of Golf "R" should have 300 HP, it can handle with that power easily with 4wd. I mean when Ford manage to put 300 hp on fwd why not Golf to have 300...

[bitumen83]

@TetleyBBB 100% corect, nice said .

[4knucklehead]

I had the original 1983 1.8L and it cost a whopping $10,000. Boy, do I miss that one!!

[iwousa]

In Europe loaded GTI is 45K, so I guess 37K for R is not that bad...

I'll still take GTI and do stage 2

[hllywdundead02]

@5h4d0w990 no they dropped the "32" because the new golf "R" is only a 4 cylinder turbo instead of the 3.2 6 cylinder non turbo. Yes a lot of dedicated "R32" drivers and enthusiasts are upset about that but Volkswagens reason for doing so is because the 4 cylinder turbo is much easier to tune, more fuel efficient and as of now produces the most horse power of any vdub.

[gghostrrider]

Wow, that was confusing. I missed the differences in models and I think I missed the review too.

[trlalli92]

@5h4d0w990 the R replaces the R32

[saabaeroman]

So if you were going to buy one with your own money, Which would you choose? Becuase I'm looking a a 2012 Autobahn GTI that is 28k but the golf R they have is 37k, Personally I dont really think that the R is worth that much more, I just dont see it.

[W8tuning]

No DSG in the States? Why not?