Don't believe the overexaggerated reviews on how bad the infotainment system is. The press had only used the car for one day and making a big deal about how hard it is to use. After owning it for a few days, it is very responsive and easy to use.
The 40th edition is actually kinda the perfect spec. The Canadian version gets the bigger screen while the US version doesn't but honestly, not a problem since it keeps the volume knob. What I love the most is the colors for the 40th edition, a sharper red, a darker grey, and a nice white. I really wish they sold the Urano Grey on the other trims.
In Canada people are apathetic and stingy, they use simple and austere cars, one or the other out there are worth it, when I was there the food was horrendous, only Quebec is safe, there I expected to see French cars, but today I was disappointed, not a single one , the weather is horrible in winter, in Mexico City it is spring all year, we drive French cars like mine Clio RS from 0 to 100 km in 4 seconds standard 6 speeds, VW Golf Sport, besides being expensive it does not compare with Renault, plus automatic transmission just for high-heeled gays, it's like having sex with clothes on, hahaha no thanks! greetings from the best country in the world Mexico is there another?
Unfortunately, VW isn’t gonna fix it on the refresh model. They are only gonna slap on a bigger screen from the ID4. They will still use the same steering wheel and the same capacitive bs buttons.
Keep "dreaming" fella ... the crappy layout interior, sluggish always freezing, slow/undeveloped, the LACK of buttons, the shitty materials used, and my favorite "the glossy plastic" adding to the equation that once a flop, the whole range of models continues to do so ... plus the "money" they're asking for it ... pffff ... you have to be blind to accept it !!! I "foresee" in my coffee, they will give as a refresh model ( touch capacitive pedals and touch capacitive wheel ) ... in the land of digital, "ANALOG" is king :/
@@SmiFF_ VW is already back peddling on the touch button infotainment. It will take a few years to put out new models with regular buttons and knobs, but it will happen. Every manufacture does this. Honda did the exact same thing using touch screen controls for volume and such and then switched back. Every manufacture makes this mistake at least once. Secondly, the reason the infotainment has so many issues is because VW wanted to spend less money on tech for infotainment so they switched manufacture. I am not 100% on who it was. I had a 2017 GTI and now own a 2019 GTI. Both had no issues what so ever. My Wife also owns a 2018 Tiguan with no issues. They have changed something that is causing all these problems.
@Nenad Momcilovic Same here. UK based and I've got the Clubsport. I simply preset everything as I need it to be, no issues. What I wanted to really say is that seems the North American version is louder (no OPF??) and faster..those 0 - 60 times are closer to Clubsport times....
Great review! Thanks! I've had a 2022 GTI Autobahn, red, MT, and it's a great ride. I wanted to get an R, but the prices are now way out of my price range. As you mentioned, the absence of a knob or two is very annoying. It never stops being annoying. When driving, especially at speed, it takes too much interaction with the touchscreen (and too much time with eyes off the road) to do a simple thing like turn on/off the AC, turn up/down the temperature, increase/decrease fan speed. It's inexcusable. Did it stop me from buying the car? Hell no.
This car looks great in red with this 40th anniversary edition, makes me reconsider my WRX lol. The DSG is very fast, but could use some stickier tires. Your better 0-60 times was probably from the tires warming up. I can imagine you can break 5.5 seconds easily on a prepped drag strip with some sticky warm tires.
I was not holding myself to see the full review video by watching the shorts of this car . Finally i got what i wanna see 😂. Thanks dude , i appreciate it ✌
Nice review. One of the first detailed ones out there on the 40th Anniversary edition. I picked up my DSG version in Pomelo Yellow in St. John's NL in late March. No dealer mark-up so I agree you get a lot for your $$. One thing I noted... it does have launch control. Didn't look like you used it in your 0-100 km/h runs?? Mid 5's is about right though, so maybe it wouldn't have made much difference. I think the 1,500 models for US consumption are equipped a little differently, so I'd like to see someone compare them directly. In Canada, you get the larger infotainment screen, HUD, and Harmon Kardon sound system. In the US, from little snippets I've seen on RU-vid video shorts, it looks like they have the smaller infotainment screen, with a knob on each side. Also, they have adaptive cruise control, which my Canadian car is missing. What other differences there may be, I'm not sure. Great video. Enjoyed it, liked it, and subscribed!
I love how vw will not let any other brand dethrone them with the gti on what you get for the money. The interior on this car for 31k with the s is crazy.
CORRECTION: The GTI was sold in Canada in 1979 and 1980, but not in the USA. My first ever car was a black 1980 GTI which I bought right there in London, Ontario, Canada back in 1987 before I even had my drivers license. The 79-80 came standard with the famous plaid seats, 1.8l engine, rare 5 speed manual transmission, and crank sunroof. I’ve had 8 GTI’s since, but if I could have any again, it would be that 1980.
The base modal has vol and turn knobs. New things I did notice over the 2022 version was GTI embossed in the seats (nice touch) and red stitching on the steering wheel. The gloss black in the center could also be new.
For those wondering about the infotainment, I had the same concern. In fact, I was going to straight-up avoid this car because of it. Anyway, because of lease pricing and the overall awesomeness of the car, I took the chance. Best decision I've made. Infotainment is a non-issue and I actually interface with it regularly to do everything. There's a shortcut button to get to your climate, there's shortcuts that you can create when you slide down on the screen, and the volume can be precisely controlled by pressing it like a button. I've acclimated to this and can say that I actually can navigate it faster than my iDrive 7.5 on the BMW
Man I think how bad the wiring is done definitely varies between models. My 2023 GTI runs like a beast but my infotainment is very glitchy. To the point where when I have my phone plugged up though my iPhone charger, my phone and the infotainment will start to glitch out.
@Speed and Power I agree. It’s definitely a negative but not a deal breaker. Great value overall in spite of the bad infotainment. And you quickly figure out how to set it up for all of your favourites for easy access.
I think it really depends on the person driving and taking care of the car. My 1996 Golf Gti, owned it until 225,00 miles 14 years until I upgraded to a new one. No major issues.
Love this car and your review! The red is so nice, I love blue but think red looks better on this. I’m having a hard time deciding between the base of this and and the top autobahn trim. Then it’s like if I get the autobahn might as well spend more for the R to get awd
I would go 40th edition. Great spec, great price. The Autobahn just is way too expensive for a FWD version. At that price point, buying the R is the better deal. But I would argue, buying an R at its price point is also a bad buy, considering there's a lot more funner cars out there for its price.
I have a 2018 GTI Autoban that I love. Was thinking of updating to the latest and greatest. But the lack of buttons and knobs, has me thinking i might give it some time; and hope for a better interface. I had. 2015 Honda with similier sliders, and it was often mildly frustrating.
Thanks for the excellent review. I've been in the market for a 2019 (MK7.5) Golf R or GTI as a daily driver. Had an opportunity to pick up exactly one of these 2023 40th Anniversarythe other day (albeit in manual) , but I just couldn't do it, primarily because the anemic, force-fed haptic feedback, allegedly unfriendly menu layout for the most basic of functions, and lack of knobs and buttons...plus I'm really keen on leather seating. Can anyone here give some feedback or validate on whether these new controls are really as bad as they appear to be? Thanks!
I’ve owned my DSG 40AE in this exact spec. Just came back from a 1200KM trip and the car is Amazing. Did the same trip last what in my ‘22Si and this car blows it out of the water. I did hit the heated steering wheel a couple of times and also the basic cruise control is a PITA at times but it’s nothing to make me regret buying this car. It’s fast out of the box, the DSG is from the 7R so it’s lightning quick. I test drive the 22EN and this 40AE is down on a little power but feels much better built. All your reasons Frank don’t equate to writing this car off. I would say get the DSG , and that’s come coming from someone that drove the slick 6Spd MT in my 11th GEN Si.
@@SWEETVENOM100 Thanks very much for your feedback. The 40AE offered to me was a manual, and truth be told as much as it pains me to not opt for stick, the better option in my household would likely be DSG anyway, so the wife can jump into it if need-be without a hassle. Thanks again. I'll look at these 2023's with a more open mind henceforth.
@@frankspatone '23 GTI Autobahn owner here with my impressions for what they're worth. Primary interaction with the car's infotainment for me is always through steering wheels controls, primarily for media since I set and forget with auto climate. Steering wheel buttons are actually on a rocker switch like a D-pad on a controller, so there is a physical indentation when you press something alongside the haptic vibration. Feels fine, works great, and the swiping for volume and cruise control speed adjustment works surprisingly well. You might actually like the 40AE more, it has the "downgraded" infotainment, but that means you get a dedicated volume and tuning knob. Biggest issue for my is the climate control, it's fine but a definite downgrade from the physical controls of my old Mk7. If you constantly fiddle with temperature, I could see it being annoying, but again as a set and forget auto climate guy, I barely touch it so it doesn't bother me. Manual's pretty nice too, once you get a clutch stop and a heavier shift knob I'd even say it's downright good. Hill hold is weird though, works on a timer and not engine torque like some smarter systems. Just have to sit there waiting for 2-3 seconds for the car to release the brakes.
I’ve owned a Mk7.5 (2019) manual rabbit GTI in cornflower blue for 4 years now, and I absolutely love it! It’s perfect. And that’s exactly why I’m not getting the latest Gen GTI/R, unless VW ever gets rid of the horrible new infotainment. I’ve never personally experienced the new infotainment system, and I know some current GTI/R owners so it’s not that bad and you get used to it, but that’s not the point. You shouldn’t have to get used to something that is subpar and cumbersome, it was an unnecessary change VW went for, and despite the loads of negative feedback, VW is sticking to it. Hopefully, they listen to consumer reviews and go back at some point to nobs and buttons in some future generation. Sorry about the rant. It’s a totally personal choice for you, but I would get a low mileage, gently used mk7.5. Plus, I still prefer some of the design elements of my ‘19 GTI over the 2023 models.
I want to get one of these as my first car when I start working. I plan on getting a stage 1+ unitronic tune to give an extra 120 hp and 104 lb-ft. I don’t know the Canadian trim level differences Can someone explain the differences? And if the base trim is good?
I hate typing here is a video of the Canadian model. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--xFiYUKWxF0.html Here is the US spec. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DF8MHUDXf2w.html
S is your most basic trim and is the best value after the 40th anniversary limited edition. SE has the lightbar front fascia and keyless entry. Autobahn comes with adjustable dampers, leather seats, and HUD. When buying this car, spending the least is the best way to go. I was lucky enough to get a 40th at sticker price and the value really is really there because it's a couple grand more than the S but has the fascia of the higher trims, dampers, and clubsport wheels.
I traded my 2021 Tiguan for the 40th GTI last Friday, there's Comfort and Sport settings, then in the sub menu you can go a bit softer or harsher. The road feel quality hasn't been an issue to me.
@@nenadmomcilovic9133 I am torn between getting the base model without adaptive dampers but smaller wheels or going all the way up and getting the fully loaded one with adaptive dampers. The base trim offers tremendous value, so I wanted any feedback regarding the base trim with standard dampers and the ride quality.
Go for the active dampers DCC. It is amazing. You can switch from the harsh sport mode, and then switch back to comfort ride. Really smooth ride. Totally worth the extra $.
I have one and the user touch interface is not that bad at all. You get use to it. I think alot car review channels make a bigger deal out of it than it is in reality.
I have maybe used my sunroof twice in seven years. I guess if still smoked or lived in Arizona I might use it more but living in Vancouver I forget its even there.
@@Loopsrainforest well yeah but this car isn’t only sold in Vancouver and for that price it should probably have leather seats or a sunroof at least. Compare other cars in that price and you’ll see.
@@Loopsrainforest never open my sunroof either. But the Golf has a larger sunroof not a full Pano but large enough and it makes the car feel more roomy, and there more light in the cabin which feels nice to me at least. It’s not only to be used when opened. Just having the light coming In is also a benefit of having sunroof. 👍
I'm a VW guy from since the early 1990's & was eagerly waiting to buy a new car but with dealers marking them up it looks like I'll be buying an Elantra N instead. There are stealerships in Vancouver that are marking up Golf r's up to $62,000. Its absolutely disgusting.
Not yet. VW suppose to call the owners if they have the replacement ready to be installed. Hopefully soon. Aftermarket covers are making a killing from this recall. I am waiting for the original cover. I am not paying $400 buck for a aftermarket cover.
Yeah I have the mk7 2017 model but got it use in 2020 it been 2 in a half years I have it it awesome no problem just keep up the maintenance then you good
I think what VW will do is only put in a few physical controls, but not enough, sort of like Subaru and Kia. You can look at the VW ID2 interior as a reference on what the MK 8.5 will be like
@@ACCELER8TVthat’s really fast for a FWD. About as fast as it can go. After the initial wheelspin phase, 30-60mph is incredibly fast. No way this car makes only 241bhp / 245ps.
@@ACCELER8TV Seems like the Canadian version of the 40th is an SE Trim w/o leather seats, w/ adaptive dampers. The American is the S trim w/ Adaptive dampers
In Canada you don't get the knob. It's the upgraded stereo. Or at least the one I picket up is. Honestly, people that complain about the infotainment would complain about the water being too wet in swimwear reviews.
