VW Golf R Mk8 vs Mercedes-AMG A35 vs BMW M135i | Who makes the best hot-hatch?

#GolfR #AMG #BMW
The Mk8 version of VW’s Golf R has some big boots to fill. Its predecessor was massively successful to the point it outshone the GTI and won millions of fans worldwide. Question is – how do you repeat that, especially when rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG A35 and BMW M135i are circling? Watch our in-depth group test review of all three cars to find out which one we reckon is best.

Chapters:

00:01 – Intro
01:25 – BMW M135i interior
03:38 – Mercedes-AMG A35 interior
05:56 – VW Golf R interior
08:25 – BMW M135i driving
13:50 – Mercedes-AMG A35 driving
17:52 –VW Golf R driving

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CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[CARmagazineTV]

So, Golf R, AMG A35 or M135i? Which gets your vote? Let us know!

[MarkEardley]

We’ve had the M135i for a month now and it really is sensational to drive. As he says, you can drive around town smoothly and quietly in Comfort mode when off to the shops, but get on a smooth flowing country road and put your foot down in Sport mode and it absolutely flies! The media system is great, and the manual controls for the aircon etc are easy to use. Very comfortable and supportive seats, great visibility and solid interior. I doubt I could live with the VW horrible interior and touch screen system, and the AMG is probably a bit too firm and focussed. We’re super happy with our choice of the BMW!👍🏻

[petemayes]

Really enjoyable and informative this channel deserves more subscribers

[williamk]

Severely underrated reviewer and channel. Another great vid!

[MrBryn]

The cabin of the beemer might not be the flashiest, but it's by far and away the most solidly put together.
The BMW interior game is on par with Lexus at the moment.

[sleepwalker]

Very good review and unsurprisingly, the R wins again. The mk7 R was revolutionary

[deenoc]

Nice review, keep these up and you'll definitely carve out your own niche. Personally would have liked some information on fuel economy (i know they are hot hatches but still) also cost of servicing and replacing consumables i.e. pads and discs etc. Then you'd definitely have your own informative niche on YouTube.

[backseatdriver]

Golf R's are amazing cars, so understated and underrated. I loved the mk7.5. So I can only imagine how good the mk8 is!

[jamesrooum]

Very thorough review and very enjoyable, however not completely balanced . The price of these cars at the specs tested vary hugely and I can’t understand how it doesn’t get mentioned enough in these reviews . Am I the only person who cares about the showroom tax above £40, 000 !!! ?
I went hunting for my next car months ago and I wanted a premium hot hatch with a few extras for under 40k .
Off to Mercedes first after seeing pictures of how good the A35 looks inside and out . After asking the Sales executive a few questions I realised that a decent spec A35 would cost nearly £45, 000 and nearly £500 in road tax .thanks but no thanks .

Volkswagen was a similar story . I will be honest here, I think they have near ruined an almost perfect car when replacing the Mk7.5 Golf R . The looks, the heater controls that don’t light up and are dangerous to use while driving ( the main reason I sold my brand new Tiguan ) and again the fact that you want Lapiz Blue like every reviewer uses you are immediately over 40k . Then add the adaptive dampers, akrapovic exhaust and performance pack you are closer to 50k than 40 . And again nearly £500 road tax for the first 5 years . I had to wonder if a used NIssan GTR might be better value .

Then not for the first time in my life I’ve ended up in BMW, although I’ve never actually bought one …. Until now . I fell in love with the drive of the M135i, it really made me smile . Back in the showroom I’ve managed to spec a White one with 19s, tinted glass, Harmon Kardon and reversing camera parking pack within the 40k showroom tax threshold . Add in the £3, 250 discount I managed to get without too much hassle and the M135i seemed like a bargain . Having bought new VWs in the past that sort of discount on the R would have very difficult to imagine . £150 a year road tax also means I might even be able to afford to drive it properly every now and again .

Only time will tell if I have made the right choice and I dare say that in my Twenties the decision would have been more emotional than financial, but now in my Forties and not spending much time Drifting, street racing or risking everything on track days I think the baby beemer will be just right .

There is no right answer to which is the best of the three, its all about the matching the right car with the right buyer at the right price .

[bshah]

What about the highly unfriendly infotainment system if the Golf R?

[philippebeinaerts]

I actually own one of these cars (hint: it’s the most understated one 😜) and I can tell you it’s a fantastic daily car that goes like crazy - in all safety - when you’re in the mood. It all depends on what you’re looking for... Great review, as always

[GT-Diaries]

Great in depth analysis of this hot hatchbacks.

[gheng]

The grin on your face when you drove the Golf R was sublime. Almost look you were about cry with joy. VW take my money now haha :) great review... really enjoyed it.

[danilorodriguez]

Complaint about M135 lack of engine drama and also complaint when transmission kick in the back changing gears providing some sensation, bit contradictory

[King-Chub]

BMW has the best cabin and thats why Iv just got one! Love all 3 of these cars though 💪🏽

[johnedds]

As a biased VW owner I'd always go for the Golf. Thanks for the confirmation James.

[rivaterrier]

I subscribed to your mag for decades and was thinking that you had been overtaken as we have entered the video age. But this review is a great example of how you are making your way back to the front of an ever more crowded pack. Keep up the good work. And it’s nice to see some of the roads around here being put to good use.

[Pete.R]

Great review and the Golf R clearly impresses (apart from the soulless cabin). . . be interested in your thoughts on how the new gen compares with the Golf 7.5R you tested last year?

[cklam]

Wow! that must be a long day for James, without costume changed, tested and reported all three top models of hot hatch car currently on sale in that market segment. Very useful information provided here on each brand in less than 26 minutes. Taking unbiased, straight-to-the-point approach to test and review all engineering and aesthetic aspects of each car. But some of us may have noticed already that his facial expression says it all. One minute delighted, then frustrated the next. Quite enjoyable to watch as if I was sitting on the passenger seat all along. Indeed, as for all things in life, relationship in particular, when come to a point of choice, it is all about "feel" that portrays first impression right in the first ten minutes. Of course, there are exceptions - love at first sight!

[gordonjenoure]

R, I've had mine for a frw months and absolutely love it