2016 Volkswagen Golf R Review - Quick Take

This is the first year the 2016 Volkswagen Golf R is available with an automatic transmission. How does the R do with this new DSG? Is the hot hatch just as hot without three pedals?

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[davesecx]

She's fine. I don't get the hate of this woman. I liked the review.

[ddoroslovac]

I think she did a great review. It sounded like a honest point of view.

[golfbuddy]

Are driving snobs still complaining about DCTs??? No professional driver can shift as quick or perfectly as a good DCT. I love shifting myself, but cannot argue with technology. Plus if you have more than one driver, I'd rather not have a manual.

[Countryguy]

Honestly, the DSG is stronger than the stick that comes with the R. And the clutches in the stick have been known to crap out as low as 8, 0000 miles

[miklar]

Great review! In Canada a fully loaded GTI and a base Golf R have difference of $1800! I live in Vancouver with 200 days of rain so I went with the R! Also the STI is obviously way more expensive up here because I priced out a similarly loaded one and it was way more! Again great review!

[nattga]

Haters gonna hate. I enjoy watching your reviews. Not polished like most but you'll get there. Thanks Autoguide that give me the variety of style. Some of us are just jealous of your job and a chance to drive all these wonderful cars.

[slnwlf]

Great review that has helped my purchasing decision. Quality content, really thoughtful and I appreciated a few swear words dropped in there for effect. Some feedback - I like that the review is short and sweet, but it could have been 20 seconds longer with a demonstration of pushing the car in race mode. Zoom!

[GBux]

I used to hate automatics in cars like this too, til i was physically unable to drive stick anymore and i still wanted a bad ass sporty car. There are so many sports cars I want but cant drive due to "sports cars only come in manual" people like my former self. Thanks vw for providing options.

[housepianist]

Thanks for your review. I hope you are ignoring the trolls because, well, they're trolls!

So here's a question: Since automatics are so much better today, would you rather have a manual to be more engaging but a little slower or a automatic that's maybe a little less engaging but quicker? I love a car that's engaging and involving to drive but overall quickness does it for me so give me the automatic. I mean 0.7 secs quicker to 60 in a DSG is pretty significant in the car world.

[police]

I am happy they came out with DSG. Great transmission. Also even though I can drive manual my wife can't and doesn't want to. Can't drop 40k on a car that only I can drive.

[speedfiend]

"Then I switched it into race mode and SH** went BONKERS!":D

[stevenjames]

Great job, Jodi! I always love your reviews. I'm looking forward to seeing more of you. In the reviews, I mean. Not as in, with less clothes on. Ummm... OK. That was a little awkward... Anyway... I love reviews with you in them and also the skinny guy. (Sorry. I forgot his name.) Keep up the good work! Ignore the haters.

[JoJoJoker]

The DSG gives the R an edge while the manual gets in the R's way.
Still pissed they didn't bring the 3-door with sunroof to the US. I would probably buy that style.

[cvandenhaute]

At least there is choice now, the 2008 R32 was ONLY available in DSG in the US, and as the former owner of one it was really not great in stop and go traffic. Good that manual is also offered

[mdossantosd]

Nobody cares if you can drive "stick" anymore. The honor and awe of that skill went away quietly in 2010 or so.

[RobertoStenger]

Sincerely I prefer the automatic one!
It's like a stock car and it corrects our own very simple way of shifting(we are not professionals and I have learned with the car) and it's about as fun as the other one.Perhaps it demands more fun.

[Joefishin]

Damn haters our there.. Nice job girl! You can review my gti anytime :) it's manual too

[yourdogmabites]

I grew up driving manuals, muscle cars, sport cars, etc.  I bought a 04 STI 6spd when I was almost 50 and loved it.  Getting ready to buy a 17 Golf R with the DSG at almost 60.  As much as I like a nice manual tranny, I have to deal with real world NY commuting 5 days a week.  Having said that, I would still consider the 6spd, especially since it's cheaper.  But I can't see myself opting for the manual, not when the 0 - 60 time goes from sub 5 seconds to mid 5 seconds.  It still handles very well in either version, and at my age I don't care what others say about my choice of transmissions.  To each his (or her) own...

[acurasever]

She's a pretty good reviewer. The people throwing hate at her are probably one of those 40 year old losers still living in their parents' basement, ones who have no friends or a significant other. They throw hate cause deep down they hate themselves, not this great reviewer.

[BiggLee]

I use to love driving manual but now have a bum left leg. Should I not have a chance to own a car like this if I want one?