The single most persistent debate in these threads is the Mk5's relationship to the manual Mk4 R32. Critics argue the Mk5 shared its seats, steering wheel, and transmission with the GTI and lost the original's specialness; the DSG-only US spec is widely blamed for the model's long stint as the cheaper, less-loved R32. …
The DSG-only decision and the Mk4's shadow
Volkswagen R32 (Mk5) · community-sentiment