Is the NEW 2022 VW GTI a BETTER hot hatch than a Honda Civic Type R? 

Joe I started to watch your reviews last May when I was in the market for a 2021 Jetta R line and I bought it because of watching it. I have watched many of your other ones since and they are awesome! Especially your little tid bit comments of the food and drink storage!! Haha! Great stuff and I do really like my R line with the manual but going to look at the Gti today. I had a 83 Gti when they came to the USA and loved it!

Really enjoying how Joe rates similar type cars 👍

It's two weeks since I bought my GTI Autobahn 6MT in red. No knob to adjust volume is a pain, but you DO get used to the finger swipe and not resting your hand below it, inadvertently changing the display, etc. The really serious issue in my opinion is how many operations it takes to change the temperature and fan speed, especially while driving. It requires taking your eyes off the road as you find the CLI button, open the screen, hit the plus or minus to raise or lower the temperature, use your finger to swipe fan speed up or down, and THEN remember to SYN so passenger and driver enjoy the same setting. Very, very bad and would have been so much easier and safer with knobs. The seats are very comfortable and supportive, and the whole cockpit is a great place to be. Driving dynamics are as satisfying and fun as I'd ever expect. Not as fast as an R, doesn't have AWD, but the price difference is considerable. Overall, I'm very glad I bought it. Beware of dealers who are "enhancing" sticker prices up to $4K.

I totally changed my view on the GTI because of this video. I would have preferred the full electric assist on passenger side, longer manual pads and some nobs instead of all touch screen. But overall looks like a fun car to drive !

Replacing physical buttons with touch buttons is a deal breaker. I say this as someone that had a 2011 GTI.

As a GTI 2021 autobahn driver for the last 6month … I’m in love 🥰

Love your videos man. Keep it up 👍🏻 bro. You’re a legend.

Just got a 2020 GTI Autobahn 6MT a year ago. I love it!!

Wow! Love this car! Fantastic review! I need to go test drive! My 330i lease is up May 31.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeees maaaaaaaan!!!! Some GTI on throttle tiiiiiiiime!!!! Let's gooooooooooooooooo!!! Hey Joe they surely have evolved the GTI here and added tweaks here and there and the performance is nothing to sneeze at!!! You already know me though, Team Honda all day long!!! Took delivery of my crystal black pearl Civic Sport last week man and I loving it!!! Massive thanks to you and Lori for qll you do, bringing us these epic reviews day in and day out!!! Y'all are the MVP'S for real for real!!!

Great review! And thank you Lorie for your camera work!

Wish there were some physical climate buttons

I just think if I’m paying $40k for a full featured GTI, I’d rather shell out the extra $3k for the AWD and extra HP in the Golf R.

I have watch a lot of videos of you man and today I found out I was not subscribe to this beautiful community you have built!. But today is the day!

Great video brother!! I bought a 2012 GTI Autobahn edition love it !!I have always been a die hard Subaru WRX fan boy lol…but I gotta say the interior on my GTI blows the Subaru away exterior got say I lean to the Subaru,but not by a huge margin ….I love that the Subaru regular WRX non STI is AWD I think that GTI trim level should be AWD ,but that’s what really separates the R model plus about 75-85 HP lol…..I probably should have bought the R ,but nevertheless I’m super happy with my GTI ….Merry Christmas 🎄,and HappyNew Year to you ,and the family!!I have been on the journey with you for a long time I think you had like 50-60k subscribed at the time I joined lol….best channel by far !! Keep the outstanding work up brother !!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️

Nice car. The instrument cluster looks like was an afterthought, probably the screens are to reflective. I would love to have one in other color. Another awesome review. 👍

I’m on my 5th GTI.. my mk7 2015 built way back in 2014 has been PERFECT no issues

I love it my boy Joe keep up the work and I love the video lot real true 💯 👍

Thanks for not complaining about the Infotainment. Sick of hearing it. I get it's not perfect but it does take time to get used to it.

I really enjoy your presentation skills, too much respect

Because of you this is my next car! You really enjoyed this review. So did I. Thanks!

You’re literally my favorite reviewer. Love your reviews man. REVIEW THE GOLF R!!!

I really like the car you have. I believe Sofyan from Redline Reviews drove a similar one but I recall that the interior with different, but I start to question that as I type this. The lag on the infotainment unit was very apparent. You tried to highlight its application but it definitely came up short from what I imagine VW would find acceptable. I wonder if that is somehow anything that could be updated wirelessly or at the dealership via some sort of a service bulletin. If that worked flawlessly, or reasonably close to that, I’d find this car hard to resist. I’m curios what the in-the-seat difference really would be between the GTI and the R. At these prices, it’s certainly wise to not only consider what other new cars may compete with this, perhaps not head-to-head, as well as what used car values there may be once the market stabilized in whatever fashion we can expect or to in the near future. One last thought Joe, I like just about everything you present and always tell myself, “I’m gonna buy that one. Yup. That’s it.” I think when the time comes it’ll likely be the 86, maybe the Supra, maybe a Cayman and maybe a Miata RF. Those are the ones I’m always thinking of and then a newcomer comes along but it takes a lot to stay in rotation.

OH YEAH THE ONE I'VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO = ever since I saw the sweet pics on IG, I thought I gotta catch the YT review. thanks JOE/LORI.

I just bought a 2022 VW GTI Autobahn this past weekend and love it! I have the same color and everything 😊 my first VW was a year 2000 Beetle and I loved that car lol

I wish automakers realise that they don’t need to do away with all knobs. Screens are certainly the new way, but they can be combined with knobs so that you’re not fumbling for every little setting. I think the Accord has a good balance. Moreover, those buttons on the steering wheel seem like they may have some flex. On another note, Joe sets the bar for car reviews because after watching a few, you know which part comes next, where he talks about the price, and when he heads off “to the door panels!” Brilliant.

Real nice re design and that color is very nice too. Good job on the review 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻

Normally Kia Soul green cars are a big no for me, but that green color looks so nice. This generation will definitely turn some heads, familiar yet new! Thanks Joe!

Please review the GTI S Mark 8 with the 18" wheels 40 series tires, which comes without DCC. I want to know if the ride quality without DCC on 18" wheels will be comfortable for touring or does the suspension without DCC make for a rough ride. Unfortunately DCC is not an option you can spec in the U.S.

Love the redesign and the color is sweet.🤙🏾

Love the color Joe! Like the Austin yellow on M3😎

Amazing review like always When you going to drive new golf R I wanna see that one so bad

I have been watching your videos for months and just realized I’m not subscribed! Don’t worry I hit dat button but a car I would love to see would be a 2014 3.7 RS Roush mustang. They are the coolest and best sounding sub 6 sec car and are very competitively priced in the used market. Thanks Rati!

Joe!! Have you heard anything about when the 22’ Jetta refresh is supposed to hit the lots! I’m really looking forward to getting one, and i can’t wait for a review on one as well once it comes out!!

Just picked up my MK 8 GTI. During the walkthrough I learned the subwoofer is actually where the spare is as well. Who knew 🤷 Also I absolutely love how you have so many ways to customize the ambient lighting (including the cluster and infotainment screen colors). It's actually quite impressive how much customization you can do

Great review. Love the latest GTI. Would have to have 3 pedals in a hot hatch, though!

I’ve been seeing a mixed bag about the color of this car but for me I love it. It’s definitely a head turner when people see it

Superb review, on an even more superb car.

Thank you Joe Rati, I was considering getting a different car until I heard that this Volkswagen Golf has a SLIM JIM HOLDER!!! I cannot tell you how many times my Slim Jim’s would get stuck between the seat cushions. But not to fear, this car has a Slim Jim holder!

That color is stunning

Joe after driving both the new GTI & Elantra/Kona N and getting an in depth look. After all said and done which would you go with? pros and cons

Front facia looks 👌 🔥

What’s the wind and road noise like at highway speeds?

I like that color! But I'm not in love with the rear end (Looks like a Tiguan to me), the honeycomb fog lights, nor the interior with all the capacitive touch controls. Let that interior heat up above 90 degrees-Just like the 2021 Mk7.5 GTI I had, nothing will start to work until it cools down. I wonder if they will reintroduce some knobs and switches in a few years-I know that'll grab my attention and consider getting another GTI, which would be my 3rd.

Does this even compete with the type r? isn't it slotted more in the realm of si, wrx?

this a nice little car and giving you some nice perks inside the car

Rims look amazing 👏

I need buttons! Climate and radio buttons/knobs are a must!

🤩❤️it’s beautiful, but i had my Tesla Y over two wks now, i will never go back to a GAS car 👎🏽 but VW did a beautiful job with this one, love it 😍

Does this competes with the SI? Does the Golf R competes with the Tupe R?

as a gti mk7 owner I can admit the reliability issues with VW is terrible but the EA888 engine that they made (it’s the one I have) has turned out to be quite reliable and well I’ve had my car for a year now at 77k miles and the suspension still feels new

I had a mk6 gti and loved it until it started being unreliable (100k miles). I live in a heavy traffic area and it’s time for me to get an automatic car. VW/Audi are one of the few cars I wouldn’t mind getting in auto. Looking forward to testing out one of these things.

Great review Joe! I’m on the fence at the moment between the Autobahn and the R. I prefer the looks of the GTI and I don’t need the AWD of the R in SC. Out the door price not much difference between the two but with premium fuel of the R/higher taxes long term the price is much higher. Think I’m going GTI. But I’m still going back and forth…

love to have me a new GTI, but doin the Mopar thing right now.. if gets to be too much cost wise, i'm goin back to one of these in a flash,! had a 96 and a 03, sweet little rides ☮

Now which is quicker this or the dct Veloster N??

Really something I've considered. Ended up putting a down payment on a 22 Civic hatchback touring 6 speed. Absolutely love this car but don't think I could swing the extra cheese. Such a beautiful damn car

Sunday night review to ease my Monday blues😃

Seats 💺 look incredible 😍

Wow you don’t get the moving turn signal light at the rear end even on the highest trim

Joe, I'd go with the VW for sure, I had a 2018 which I really liked. Question.... I thought the gas pedal and brake were too close together and found with my wider foot that I quite often would depress both at the same time, did you experience any of this while you drove the new version? Thanks and as always.... Lori's camera work is top notch once again!!

I like the color of the one you are testing . It looks good in it by the way.

That color is EVERYTHING!!! Joe you're getting even more muscley too! WOOF!

I’m gonna zonk that cup holder. The MK7.5 has a nice sliding cover making the car seem more premium. The new cabin looks more modern, but a whole lot cheaper.

I don’t think the GTI and Type R is a fair comparison. Golf R vs Type R is a better head to head comparison. Similar HP and both are similar price.

Been waiting for this review. Vw is back!

Great review Joe as usual! Can’t wait to see your review of the R!

Great review as always Joe !! Think 40000 grand is to rich 🤑 Even if it’s the premium version

This car would look amazing in Nardo Grey with black roof and rear spoiler.

Could you recommend GTI vs Elantra N?

Hi joe, any news of 2023 type r???

Previous model had gas struts to hold the hood up, they cut obvious costs with the Mk8

Stunning color!

Clean design especially tail end 👍, 31 mpg highway 👍. Had the opportunity to be in one and loved it even it's only front wheel drive unlike the R with all wheels. Slam in akrapovic exhaust and u r good to go 😁👍.

I bought one last week in a 6 speed manual. Traction control on is almost to much when you’re getting your foot into and shifting hard. I don’t mind the infotainment screen but the biggest miss is not back lighting the sliders for the volume and climate controls on the dash. All in all I absolutely love it, but I don’t think you’re going to get a lot of Type R drivers giving the nod as the GTI being a better vehicle.

Don't love it yet...hoping an 8.5 refresh will win me over in a few years. For now totally happy with my '19 GTI.

Would you say it felt faster than a type R or Subaru WRX ?

I like the red badge but I also like the blue badge in the hybrid

isnt that the same infotainment system in the elantra N. What the hell?

joe, what you reckon between type r and the hyundai N cars

explains the Car very well.

Love 💘 the color 😍

I think my oldest daughter will love this hatchback

Great review, but the entertainment system without buttons isn't safe. And you will always accidentally press the heating steering wheel button because of those dreadful capacitor buttons 😱

Omg.. I love the GTIS man, really do. What the hell is up with that interior? I'm watching this on the tv with my wife and I had to go on my phone to leave a dam comment! VOLKSWAGEN, RECALL AND RE DO THE INTERIOR! EXTERIOR IS TOO AMAZING FOR THAT AWKWARD INTERIOR!

I love this car but i was hoping the interior had a bit more flash on this trim . Im probably getting one after my miata goes back. I will say , $40k for a fwd car with some options is a bit much even in the current market . That was golf r money.

a lot of cars especially corolla put the touch screen over the top of the dashboard ike a pop up but the VW they leveling under the dashboard thats a good things.

You should try to get your hands on the new veloster N dct

Is it me or is the rear end screaming Mk4 style? From the side?

Ooh...now would be a good time for me to try German engineering. 241hp is pretty good. I think it'll sit nicely next to my WRX 🙂👍

Any driver assist features like lane keep and adaptive cruse ?

Hatches are good but like you Joe we also love sports cars Plus manual ❤️🌹

The GTI mouth looks much better! Clean lines and nice power plant.

I’m not a fan of VW’s so it’s Honda T R for me. Thanks for the great review Joe and nice job Lori!! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

definitely need some after market headers

If you're diggin' the gti you should really try the worlds finest fwd hot hatch, Renault megane RS trophy (R). It's a weapon and golf gti feels like a hairdressers toy car if you compare the two. Golf is a good allrounder tho. Cheers.

Raiti I would love to see you race some these cars on the track like a hot hatch comparison see which one wins

Hey Joe do you think this will be the last gas powered GTI? I mean is this the swan song?

Do you know when 2022 Nissan Rogue available ?

Hot hatch ! They should drop this engine in the Tiguan r-line. Thanks Joe and Lori 😊

Gorgeous car!!!