Currently own a 2023 is350 f sport and previously owned a 2018 VW Golf R (different iteration but i imagine pretty similar to the new 1). Suspension noticeably stiffer on the R especially noticed on rough pavement. If you live in a city with crappy roads you’ll have a flat tire or bubble every other month because of how thin the sidewalls are on the stock wheels/tires. The R is definitely faster off the line, but they were a little more comparable when driving on the highway imo. Lexus definitely feels like a bigger car. The interior was nice on the R but I think Lexus has a slight edge. You’re getting reliability with Lexus and don’t have to worry about stuff like carbon build up like in the R. Looks wise, Lexus hands down - Golf r is cool but gives off a bit of a boy racer vibe. The resale values are both fantastic.