Verdict
For a Malaysian buyer, the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R brings meaningful pace: 329 hp and 420 Nm cut the 0-100 km/h time from 4.8 to 4.6 seconds. It also adds IQ.Light matrix LED headlamps and lane-keeping steering correction. But the outgoing CBU Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R has the larger 381-litre boot, a 10-speaker 480W Harman Kardon system and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, against 341 litres, nine speakers and two years for the Mk8.5. The newer car is quicker; the older one is better equipped for the money on these figures.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R if you want the larger boot, Akrapovic titanium exhaust, richer front-seat specification and five-year factory warranty.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R if you want 329 hp, a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time, matrix LED headlamps and lane-keeping steering correction.
Key differences
- Price: RM317,434 for the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R versus RM338,812 for the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R.
- Output: 316 hp and 400 Nm versus 329 hp and 420 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: 4.8 seconds versus 4.6 seconds.
- Boot volume: 381 litres versus 341 litres.
- Fuel tank: 50 litres versus 55 litres.
- Factory warranty: five years, unlimited mileage versus two years, unlimited mileage.
Mk8 R
- 381-litre boot
- Akrapovic titanium exhaust system
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- 13 hp and 20 Nm down on the Mk8.5 R
- 4.8-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.2 seconds slower
- Lane keeping gives a warning only, rather than steering correction
Mk8.5 R
- 329 hp and 420 Nm
- IQ.Light matrix LED projector headlamps
- Front-centre airbag and rear curtain airbags
- 341-litre boot is 40 litres smaller
- Two-year warranty versus five years
- Nine-speaker Harman Kardon system versus 10 speakers and 480W
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM317,434✓ | RM338,812 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM372 | RM372 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 316 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 400 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 7-Speed DSG | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 7 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 4.8 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 7.8 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 176 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,290 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,789 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,458 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,627 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Weight | 1,554 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 381 litres✓ | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/35R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/35R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S005 | Continental MaxContact MC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Electronic Differential Lock (XDS+), Rear Torque Vectoring, Akrapovic Titanium Exhaust System | 4Motion AWD with Torque Vectoring |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Center Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Front Passenger Seat and 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Warning Only | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding with Load-through Feature | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 10" Discover Pro Infotainment System with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 10-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (480W) | 12.9" Digital Cockpit Pro with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 9-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
Mk8 R vs Mk8.5 R FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R or Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R better?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R is better for outright performance and newer driver-assistance hardware, with 329 hp, 420 Nm and a 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time. The Mk8 R makes more sense if boot space, the Akrapovic exhaust and longer warranty matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R costs RM21,378 more than the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R.
Which Golf R has the better warranty and luggage space?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8 R does. Its factory warranty runs for five years with unlimited mileage, compared with two years for the Mk8.5 R, and its boot holds 381 litres against 341 litres.
