Mitsubishi Evo X vs. Volkswagen R32 Road Test Review

evo-x_r32_09

So that’s our take on things. Two fabulous cars - road rockets both – that could almost have emerged from the same blue-print but arrived at two wholly different interpretations.

Which would we choose? Now there’s a ‘Sophie’s Choice’… each is masterful, each offers astonishing performance and huge, huge fun at the wheel. Perhaps, on balance, we’d lean to the R32. But we’d not be completely certain about it.

You could certainly live with the Volkswagen a little more easily. Sure, the EVO X is quicker and is simply a fabulous car, but the R32 is more elastic, more tactile and less frantic.

The R32 is a craftsman’s hammer; the EVO a sledge-hammer. If you’re in the market and tossing up between the two, all you have to ask yourself is how hard you want to drive the nail.

If you want to slam it, take the EVO X; if you want to work it in: the R32. Both are sensational drives.

The Insider’s Big Statement

 

“Take a look across the Volkswagen range – there is not a dud there anywhere. While the R32 and R36 are genuine GT drives – fast, satisfying, supremely balanced - the only gap in the VW range is the absence of a ‘feral pig’ open road stormer. Like the EVO X. There is a market there that Wolfsburg command will have noticed. Sooner or later, expect to see a fully mongrelised R32 – perhaps with the 220kW donk of the R36… then let the games begin.”

 

Lancer EVO X

insider-likes

  • Astonishing turbo power and grip
  • Blistering acceleration
  • ‘Rock-solid’, unbreakable feel
  • Speed of light operation of twin-clutch ‘box
  • Completely mad ‘super-sport’ mode

insider-dislikes

  • Dull, raspy engine note at lower revs
  • The Evo IX looks better
  • Tyre roar can be a bit tiresome
  • (I’ll hand in the licence now and be done with it)

Volkswagen Golf R32

insider-likes

  • Fabulous V6 sound (rising to race-car wail)
  • Brilliant DSG (especially down-shift ‘blips’)
  • Strong mid-speed acceleration
  • Overall compliance and cornering balance
  • Comfortable (luxurious) interior

insider-dislikes

  • Could take a few more ergs (kilowatts)
  • DSG paddles a tad small
  • Brilliant Golf GTI a lot cheaper

Gallery

GALLERY: evo-x_versus_r32

GALLERY: r32_review_2

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Comments

  • rakfint [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Nice Article Lads... I personally loved the R32, I am going to have to make a point of getting out and sampling the Evo X now to make my own comparison :)
  • Brett [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Agree they are both great cars, not an obvious comparison but well done for looking at two cars that appeal to a common market, elbeit for different reasons. Once I sell my IX I'll have to decide whether to grow up or not.... R32 or X MR, with a family my mountain jaunts and track days are far fewer so maybe the time has come? I think the only thing that will keep me in an Evo is the improved interior and accessories in the MR combined with the TCSST for my daily crawl down the Westgate..... Decisions... decisions....
    • Tim Griffin [reply]
      1 year ago 0 points
      Brett - maybe the X will be a more civilised compared to your IX. I catch a taxi with shot dampers and think "this is so much better than my IX with 10/8kg coilovers and thick sway bars"!
  • Bradley K [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Nice review! Like Brett I didn't really see them as being similar cars, but the Insider definitely convinced me otherwise! Kudos for not following the rest of the flock and doing YET ANOTHER Evo vs. STi article too!
  • Liam [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Good write up guys, I think it captured the character of each car and gave fair assessment. I'll be getting a new ride so took my prettier half to an auto show - 350Z 'not practical enough', EVO X 'too boy racer', R32 'just right'
  • Rob B [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I went the R32 route, I was first smitten with the sound of the VR6 when test driving a Bora V6 4Motion with my old man. He didn't go ahead but I later traded in my WRX to buy one. I agree with Mike's comments re: DSG, which is really quite good, but absolute control would be my preference too. Mine is DSG and as a 'manual driver' have found it to be not quite to my taste once the initial honeymoon period was over.

    On a side note I am not certain that the standard seats are Recaros, optional Recaro racing buckets are available (which are tops!), similar to those in the Audi RS4.
  • Martin [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I am waiting for my R32 to arrive. Have just sold a 2007 Gti DSG to get it. Absolutely loved the GTi. Having had a DSG box now I would never go back to a manual. I own a 2006 MB SLK280 as well. I hope I will still want to drive that too when the R32 arrives!
  • Lukey [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    From what i gather they have ditched plans for an R36. The rumour mill suggests they may make a MkVI R42, which is a 350hp turbo version of the 2.5 5 cylinder, the one the Audi TT-RS is picking up. If this is the case The R will lose its amazing exhaust note but gain an incredible amount of horsepower over the 3.2L R's.
  • Flying High [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Have driven the R32 and was basically....ho hum... generally unimpressed. Given it was within a couple of days of driving the STi. Quite simply the R32 was nice inside and had a very nice exhaust note, but the drive and performance itself was uninspiring comparatively. Not sure that I would buy one really.
  • STAN [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Have driven R32 friday 17-10 2k8.NO WHEEL SPIN ,but it made up 4 it on the paddle shift LAUNCH.Interior smooth,seat,s that you can lower yourself like a kart racing style ,the feel of R32 wrapping around you.But the BEST point THE HOWLING EXHAUST THAT DOESNT SEEM TO ERASE FROM MY MIND.WANT 1.FOR SECOND HAND 18KM $52,000.have to sell all my other car for this Missile.
  • Neo Utopia [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I would buy the R32 because I know how good the standard golf is compared to a Lancer, though the current Lancer is much better than its predecessor. But I must admit the Evo X looks more interesting and dynamic, but the R32 is more civilized and acceptable with the classy ladies. Hum decisions, impossible solution: I'd buy both and put the good stuff from the Evo X into the forthcoming new Golf GTI-R.
  • Rolfo [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    We currently drive an 08 VW Golf 2.0 TDI w/DSG (sensible and fairly fun); Now in a position to call that the wife's car and get my own TAC taunter. So I went off to test drive R32.... as Flying High stated, I too felt Ho Hum... so off to drive the Subarus...ho hum some more, and as a previous manual lover, I can't seem to stand anything that's not DSG like these days...so thanks for the great write-up and I am off to try the Evo next; if it doesn't rock my world, then I am seeing a chipped up GTI in my future..(prefer a bit of wheel barking from time to time).
  • Daz [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    fantastic read! Provocative POV, great pics, well written.
  • mark ma [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    nazi win

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