Short Review: VW Golf GTI 7.5 vs Golf R 7.5 vs A250 AMG

[Tom]

Short Review: VW Golf GTI 7.5 vs Golf R 7.5 vs A250 AMG

A lot has happened since my first encounter with the latest MK7.5 VW Golf GTI when it was just introduced here last year, with the arrival of the 7.5 Golf R, even the new Merc A250 has joined in the hot hatch fun. So recently, I thought I'd revisit the GTI to very briefly, find out and report how it fares against the bigger brother Golf R and nemesis Merc A250. It's going to be very short so I hope youll enjoy reading regardless

GTI & Golf R

GTI still satisfyingly quick, impressively fast everywhere, rides brilliantly, highly dependable daily pocket rocket. Also undeniably characterless, almost like a 230ps box on wheels, that sits 4 comfortably.

That's where the Golf R comes in, it is noticeably tighter, more well put together, taut, mature, premium, drives better in every way and has a certain weight to it, which the GTI posses less of.

But the GTI gets it done. Fine, It's not right up there with the R or AMGs but it's never too far behind either. A couple of seconds away, no big deal. It does feel a lot simpler and FF torque steer pulling sensation is very apparent in the GTI as opposed to the R.

MK7.5 Golf GTI Review:

http://www.zerotohundred.com/2018/review-2018-vw-golf-gti-mk7-5

GTI & A250 AMG Line

GTI still leads by a margin, driving performance wise. Girl next door car, simple, predictable, almost faultless, perfected, practical, more affordable, but to a certain extent getting a bit cliche since MK5. Chassis gadgetry in the GTI trumps the A250, has adaptive dampers and XDS e-LSD that actually works. Undoubtedly the hot hatch to benchmark on, feels heavy duty and a worthy daily workhorse as well.

Is the A250 a hot hatch? Not by nature but it is close. At least it tries to be. It isn't as developed as the GTI but it is the more impressive car here, simply because it is unexpected of a regular Merc. Has superb ambiance, unbeatable cockpit, better driveability anywhere, very responsive, quick, refined, agile, more comfortable even with its passive, full mechanical suspension. 7 speed DCT transmission is almost perfect, only slightly marred by minute hesitations at low speeds when coming to a stop. The A250 is quite a bit more expensive, but it feels expensive. Other than that, better tyres would benefit it greatly.

MK7.5 Golf R Review:

http://www.zerotohundred.com/2019/review-2019-vw-golf-r-3-door
Continue reading the Post.

 

[Izso]

I find VWs hard to drive slow - specifically in jams. The 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 gear shifts is scary and most of the time rough. But when cruising it's hard to beat the VWs.

 

[Tom]

I find VWs hard to drive slow - specifically in jams. The 1 - 2 - 1 - 2 gear shifts is scary and most of the time rough. But when cruising it's hard to beat the VWs.

Not sure if it's a problem but I get a slight hint of that free play sensation sometimes. I found that pressing the throttle pedal at just a certain rate frees it from the thud

 

[Izso]

Not sure if it's a problem but I get a slight hint of that free play sensation sometimes. I found that pressing the throttle pedal at just a certain rate frees it from the thud

Free play is always there. But how do you give it any throttle to avoid the thud in a jam? The throttle sometimes is unpredictable in jam situations, a little too much and the car thuds and surges, a little too little and it starts to roll backwards. I don't really fancy the VW GB. Is the Merc one more controllable?

 

[6UE5t]

Should include the new AMG A35 instead.

 

[DNGFashion]

Tom, always love your timely and relevance of contrast and comparison. If you were to make a choice between these 3 cars, which would be your daily driving machine?

 

[Tom]

Free play is always there. But how do you give it any throttle to avoid the thud in a jam? The throttle sometimes is unpredictable in jam situations, a little too much and the car thuds and surges, a little too little and it starts to roll backwards. I don't really fancy the VW GB. Is the Merc one more controllable?

Wait are you talking about the MK 7 onwards or the 5 and 6? The Merc one in the AMG 45s has a little of that, in the new A250 no, but only during braking at low speeds as the gears shuffles down to 1st.

 

[Tom]

Should include the new AMG A35 instead.

It's not available here

 

[Tom]

Tom, always love your timely and relevance of contrast and comparison. If you were to make a choice between these 3 cars, which would be your daily driving machine?

Hey thanks, good to know you enjoyed
Between the 3 above, no doubt the R.
Between the GTI and A, probably the A for its newness, toys, lux and because relatively more special - if budget is not a crucial factor

 

[Izso]

Wait are you talking about the MK 7 onwards or the 5 and 6? The Merc one in the AMG 45s has a little of that, in the new A250 no, but only during braking at low speeds as the gears shuffles down to 1st.

Oh sorry.. I'm referring to any of the TSI cars. I haven't driven the MK7

 

[6UE5t]

Hey thanks, good to know you enjoyed
Between the 3 above, no doubt the R.
Between the GTI and A, probably the A for its newness, toys, lux and because relatively more special - if budget is not a crucial factor

You said the A250 needs better tires. What tires did the test car use?

 

[gunnerzz]

Free play is always there. But how do you give it any throttle to avoid the thud in a jam? The throttle sometimes is unpredictable in jam situations, a little too much and the car thuds and surges, a little too little and it starts to roll backwards. I don't really fancy the VW GB. Is the Merc one more controllable?

After reading this i tot its my right foot is used to underpowered everyday car amd tend to step on the pedal more to get things going.

More than 5 years ago i was force to a short test drive of a golf GTI and the throttle is either 0% or 20-30% in slow traffic where i was either not moving or darts forward. I tot its my rigth foot.

 

[Tom]

You said the A250 needs better tires. What tires did the test car use?

It was one of Bridgestone's eco tyre or something

 

[6UE5t]

It was one of Bridgestone's eco tyre or something

Damn, car so expensive but still comes with eco tires!? What a rip off! And they call it AMG line???!

 

[vr2turbo]

It was one of Bridgestone's eco tyre or something

Noooooooooo... What?

 

[Tom]

After reading this i tot its my right foot is used to underpowered everyday car amd tend to step on the pedal more to get things going.

More than 5 years ago i was force to a short test drive of a golf GTI and the throttle is either 0% or 20-30% in slow traffic where i was either not moving or darts forward. I tot its my rigth foot.

yeah, these days most cars run on drive-by-wire so they are all quite consistently sensitive to the right foot

 

[Tom]

Damn, car so expensive but still comes with eco tires!? What a rip off! And they call it AMG line???!

yeah, these days most cars run on drive-by-wire so they are all quite consistently sensitive to the right foot

let me re-check the photos later and revert, i remember they were the low db sort of tyre

 

[Roy2777]

Short Review: VW Golf GTI 7.5 vs Golf R 7.5 vs A250 AMG

A lot has happened since my first encounter with the latest MK7.5 VW Golf GTI when it was just introduced here last year, with the arrival of the 7.5 Golf R, even the new Merc A250 has joined in the hot hatch fun. So recently, I thought I'd revisit the GTI to very briefly, find out and report how it fares against the bigger brother Golf R and nemesis Merc A250. It's going to be very short so I hope youll enjoy reading regardless

GTI & Golf R

GTI still satisfyingly quick, impressively fast everywhere, rides brilliantly, highly dependable daily pocket rocket. Also undeniably characterless, almost like a 230ps box on wheels, that sits 4 comfortably.

That's where the Golf R comes in, it is noticeably tighter, more well put together, taut, mature, premium, drives better in every way and has a certain weight to it, which the GTI posses less of.

But the GTI gets it done. Fine, It's not right up there with the R or AMGs but it's never too far behind either. A couple of seconds away, no big deal. It does feel a lot simpler and FF torque steer pulling sensation is very apparent in the GTI as opposed to the R.

MK7.5 Golf GTI Review:

Review: 2018 VW Golf GTI (MK7.5) – Zerotohundred

GTI & A250 AMG Line

GTI still leads by a margin, driving performance wise. Girl next door car, simple, predictable, almost faultless, perfected, practical, more affordable, but to a certain extent getting a bit cliche since MK5. Chassis gadgetry in the GTI trumps the A250, has adaptive dampers and XDS e-LSD that actually works. Undoubtedly the hot hatch to benchmark on, feels heavy duty and a worthy daily workhorse as well.

Is the A250 a hot hatch? Not by nature but it is close. At least it tries to be. It isn't as developed as the GTI but it is the more impressive car here, simply because it is unexpected of a regular Merc. Has superb ambiance, unbeatable cockpit, better driveability anywhere, very responsive, quick, refined, agile, more comfortable even with its passive, full mechanical suspension. 7 speed DCT transmission is almost perfect, only slightly marred by minute hesitations at low speeds when coming to a stop. The A250 is quite a bit more expensive, but it feels expensive. Other than that, better tyres would benefit it greatly.

MK7.5 Golf R Review:

Review: 2019 VW Golf R 3-Door (MK7.5) – Zerotohundred
Continue reading the Post.

After own both MK6 and MK7 GTI, for me this is the best all rounder car.