I think the Golf R/
Cupra debate is the same as the S3/Golf R debate. All very good cars, each have their own brand traits. It's purely down to what you want. B-road thrashing with involvement in keeping the car nose pointing the way you started, or straight line hammering.
Cupra - Solid shared design strategies within VAG Group, just huge power for front wheels, but then can outpace a lesser specced, higher priced GTI Clubsport, also front wheel drive.
Golf R - Foot down and go, not as option heavy, even a Golf GTI Performance with the same spec level as a
Cupra Lux is a few grand more!
S3 - Luxury, but no options. To even spec anywhere near a
Cupra or even its closest rival a Golf R you are looking at major money.
Having owned a Golf GTD I'm excited to notice the interior design details/cuts, but i have a Lux so the leather may outweigh this plus the new gizmos such as digital cockpit and LSD, plus 100+bhp more..
I've brought the
Cupra to go back to raw petrol and chuckability, something I know ALL reviewers have said is the
Cupra's forte. Sometimes, the golf is too easy, too cruisable and even more so once you go R.
The one issue i have is, people asking me and the GF what a
Cupra is, and you go GTI but in SEAT disguise! haha.