Verdict
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R is the harder hitter: 329 hp and 420 Nm cut 0-100 km/h to 4.6 seconds, a full 1.1 seconds ahead of the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R’s 252 hp, 330 Nm and 5.7-second run. The price moves from RM270,060 to RM338,812, so the RM68,752 gap buys real pace, auto emergency braking and a longer wheelbase. But the older car still has five seats, AWD, a wet dual-clutch gearbox, a bigger boot and a larger tank.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R if you want the cheaper Golf R with AWD pace, a 350-litre boot and a 60-litre tank.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R if you want the quicker car, with 329 hp, 420 Nm, 4.6-second 0-100 km/h pace and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R RM270,060; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R RM338,812
- Power and torque: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R 252 hp/330 Nm; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R 329 hp/420 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R 5.7 s; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R 4.6 s
- Boot space: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R 350 L; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R 341 L
- Fuel tank: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R 60 L; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R 55 L
- Wheelbase: Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R 2,578 mm; Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R 2,629 mm
Mk6 R
- RM68,752 cheaper on these figures
- Bigger 350-litre boot
- Larger 60-litre fuel tank
- 77 hp and 90 Nm down
- Slower 5.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- No auto emergency braking listed
Mk8.5 R
- Stronger 329 hp and 420 Nm output
- Quicker 4.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Auto emergency braking fitted
- Costs RM68,752 more
- Smaller 341-litre boot
- Smaller 55-litre fuel tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM270,060✓ | 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 with direct fuel injection, turbocharger and variable intake valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 1,984 cc |
| Horsepower | 252 hp | 329 hp✓ |
| Torque | 330 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed DSG | 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) |
| Gears | 6 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | BorgWarner |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.7 seconds | 4.6 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.4 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h | — |
| Co2 | 195 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,212 mm | 4,296 mm |
| Width | 1,786 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,461 mm | 1,454 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,578 mm | 2,629 mm |
| Weight | 1,541 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 60 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 350 litres✓ | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/35R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/35R19 | 235/35R19 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | — | Continental MaxContact MC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19" Estoril 2-tone Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | 4Motion AWD with Torque Vectoring |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, 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 for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Directional Projector | IQ.Light Matrix LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with 3-person Memory, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Yes | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | 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 | RNS 510 6.5" touchscreen navigation system with CD/DVD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB, 6-disc CD changer, 8 speakers | 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| 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 |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | 3 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
Mk6 R vs Mk8.5 R FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R or Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R better?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R is better for performance and safety kit, with 329 hp, 420 Nm, 4.6-second 0-100 km/h pace and auto emergency braking. The Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R makes more sense if price, boot space and fuel tank size matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R costs RM68,752 more than the Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R. That extra outlay gets 77 hp more, 90 Nm more, a 1.1-second quicker 0-100 km/h time and auto emergency braking.
Which Volkswagen Golf R is more practical?
The Volkswagen Golf R Mk6 R has the edge for load space and range between fill-ups, with a 350-litre boot and 60-litre tank. The Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 R has a longer 2,629 mm wheelbase, but its boot and tank are smaller.
