The 2023 Volkswagen GTI Is A 40-Year Old Homage To Hot Hatches 

Bought a Moonstone Gray '22 Autobahn manual a yr ago. Have had several GTI's since the Pennsylvania built '84 and this one obviously has the most refined driving dynamics of all. Love the looks yet wife says too much attention from "skater boy generation" for an old guy like me, but easier for the old lady to egress than the G-body 911 it replaced. Inexpensive way to reminisce with modern looks, safety and technology upgrades, some good, some not so good. That wheel chirp you had can be alleviated with more time with this clutch under toe. My car is so much fun our 26yr old son was compelled to purchase a '23 SE version. Wish I had the plaid seats!! Great review as always!!

Mk8 engine covers were getting loose and catch fire. That's why they are shipped without covers.

I'm glad that you mentioned what type of fuel grade it takes. I hope you'll always mention it in all your videos.

I owned the first US "Golf" GTI model in 1985. It remains my favorite car ever. The stiff clutch did wear out a few pairs of shoes though.

just picked up a 40th Anniv in 6 speed. It's so much fun to just drive around! Def going to keep it a long time.

Had the 5, 6 and 7 MKs. All excellent, never an issue with any of them. Just recently upgraded to the 8SE DSG. Significant improvement all around. Handles better than the 7 and feels faster and more buttoned down. It out Audi Audis in interior feel and look and the Harmon Kardon is borderline audiophile and a better listening experience than the replaced Fender system. Feels bigger, more refined, almost BMW like in the good sense. And for once I didn’t have to replace the tires upon delivery as the Good Year a/s Sport Plus work well with the designed handling. As for the infotainment system, I’m an old guy and it is a non-issue, at least on the 2024 model. Hate to sound like a commercial but this is a seriously good upgrade from prior generations and a one of a kind iconic design that is still out there and holds value. It has evolved and matured and that’s a good thing for some of us.

I have had my MK8 GTI for a year and I don’t think I’ve had one month where everything worked without issue. It is a fabulous driving car but I can’t wait to get rid of it.

I think you been tricked by the boost gauge, if you think it's pushing 26PSI. I have a Cupra 300 (Golf R engine car in europe) and my boost gauge is showing 30.3 PSI at peak. I was really stunned, but then i dived into it a little and read around. The gauge shows atmospheric pressure + boost pressure together. So in reality its 26 PSI - 1BAR = 12PSI. At 26PSI this engine would push close to 450HP.

I enjoy your reviews Sofyan as well as my 2016 GTI. For fun, it is hard to beat a small, light car.

Engine cover was a recall because it didn't stay secured properly. Mine didn't come with one from the factory either as it was after the recall.

I loved the MK7.5 when I had one. The direction VW took with the infotainment system and all of these touch controls is a dealbreaker. Anything between me and the car doing what I want is a potential point of failure - might as well reduce it to a physical button.

Buy the GTI/R while you still can, because this is the last generation before it goes completely electric.

I have a 2017 mk 7 coming up on 78k miles. I’ve had the unitronic stage 1tune since day one with zero problems. The plan is to move up to an R this summer.

I just bought the 40th anniversary edition w/6 speed manual in Urano Gray. I love this car. It is the closest thing I know of that could give me the experience I had with my 1977 BMW 320i. It is that driving experience plus much more. I know it isn’t going to be the bulletproof car that the 2021 Corolla hatchback 6 speed is. I traded it for this GTI but the driving experience (ride, handling, good fuel economy and the power) is so fabulous that I feel the GTI is worth difference.

Just picked up autobahn model at Humberview December 27th. No issues whatsoever with infotainment systems. I was there to buy a 2024 model, this car was sitting in their showroom dealer offered me the same price as the base model. I guess they wanted to close the book on 2023 inventory before the year end. Most of the reported issues on the infotainment has been resolved on late 2023 models, the ones arrived right after 2024 model year started in September. Mine also red. Beautiful machine. My boys bought 2023 Mazda 3 GT Turbo but the driving dynamics totally different on GTI although Mazda interior outshines. Mazda rough on uneven road but GTI silky smooth. It’s simply hug the roads when turning sharp corners. I feel it’s better than BMW.

Loved the video have a '23 S DSG and I love it!

Omg he cracked me when he said it would be gross 🤮 if kids left food in the back. That was funny as hell

First, they do need an upgraded dogbone (rear) motor mount to help with wheel hop which does add vibes, but some options don't add much and is well worth it if you want to launch it. The best thing about the MK8, is the power that its rated for is *at the wheels on Regular gas* (dyno proven)! That is impressive, plus you get more power running Premium and the tunes that finally came out over the last couple of months are insane, like 100hp gains! (and yes, they cracked the TCU enough to at least allow higher torque and clamping power). Plus a lot of MK7/7.5 performance parts fit it, so tons of budget friendly upgrade parts available, so that makes it worth considering alone if you are enthusiast... as for the touch interface, it does have haptic feedback, so it may work well enough once you try it, I hear its responsive, the number of people who call it a "dealbreaker" who haven't tried it is hilarious. If you are an enthusiast you can get used to it if it's responsive and works well! Honestly, I had an S trim with real volume knob at least on order but I cancel and went with the Mazda 3 AWD turbo hatch for AWD, better stereo, sunroof, real buttons and others features for the same price, but no doubt about it, the GTI is the better driver car for sure!

the mild reminders that this is not an SUV are so annoying. The GTI driver knows what they want

The car your driving looks fabulous. I love the tartan cloth.

I appreciate how much the reviewer enjoys his work and makes the effort to be on top of his subject matter.

I live in a metro area and spotting a mrk 8 is a bit like spotting a unicorn. Would be interesting to see the sales figures given all the criticism on the haptic controls and infotainment interface. Anecdotally appears to have had an impact on sales…along with the supply chain disruptions.

No engine cover on the new GTIs? Were they affected by the recall/fire risk issue or is that just more cost cutting or parts shortage?

Engine light on: It’s a Volkswagen 😂

Watching this video makes me miss my 2012 gti

Glad that VW always keep the Golf a small Hot Hatch and also making look like an actual Hatchback design vs. the Civic & Mazda 3

Watching this in my MK8. Don’t let the infotainment discourage you, has a learning curve to it but not a bad system at all.

Enjoying my 21 7.5 CFB

VW US should offer a GTI Autobahn with plaid seats as an option! That would've been my personal pick.

“The engine starts right up” got that box checked. Oy.

One of the few cars that is *actually* compact still.

40k for a car with no leather/no power seats and a CEL at 3100 miles. Just SMH.

that service engine light is on brand. matches my MK5 🤣

Love the review per usual. Quick question, do you lose any performance using regular gas or are the numbers rated with regular gas?

I do a lot of outdoor things and Im concerned that those buttons wouldn’t work well with sweaty fingers. Like after a sweaty run in the Texas sumner.

Is there autorev matching like the z or si?

I have the final edition MK7.5 GTI SE in Cornflower Blue (could they have named it a more nerdy color??). And I LOVE it. Mine has extensive suspension updates and a significant bump in power and responsiveness with an ECU & TCU tune. Still with knobs and buttons and careful attention to detail (engine cover, hood strut, leather seats). All making it an amazingly fun car to drive. My wife’s ‘22 Tiguan R-Line Black with Haptic Touch wheel and controls has not been trouble free. It’s also noticeable a step down in quality compared to my MK7.5 GTI. The MK8 is not appealing to me in any way.

'totally love my 2015 GTI SE.... won't even bother looking at a new GTI until they lose the touch sensitive controls.

I have this car, it’s amazing. The infotainment center is not great but it’s not as bad as people make it out to be.

The seats are a ‘Leather Delete option’ (at least that’s how they do it in Canada 🇨🇦)

Can you please review the 23 AMG C43?

What would the chip shortage have to do with leather seats?

Electronic parking brakes are NOT part of the GTI formula! Neither are hard plastic interiors for a $36k+ car! Neither is the absence of a volume knob! I say this as a current Mk7.5 Autobahn owner, and former Mk7 Autobahn owner

There was a TSB/Recall on the mk8 engine covers because of a potential fire danger I believe.

I have the very same one very same color very same terrier. I had it tuned cost me 600 bucks. And I love this car I've had porsches. This car is fantastic.

I spoke to VW in toronto, there is a 1 yr waiting period and 2 yrs on an R. Wow..

I thought they had to remove the engine cover because there was a recall that it could fall off or melt... I don't remember which one.

I always loved the GTI

I’ve owned 2 Gti’s , the Mk3 and Mk4 VR6. Both great cars however I’m not too crazy what they have done with the front headlights of this new Gti.

Can you do a review on the new 2024 hyundai sonata n line

…can it burn E85?

Try leaving traction control on

Exterior and mechanicals are fine. The interior is a cheap, hot mess. The 7.5 gen interior wasn't state of the art, but much more ergonomically usable for the driver.

I love that in the US the Golf is generally called a compact 1 person drivers car whereas in UK, it *used to be considered a good sized family car! I'm in the US and looking to get either a mk7.5 or a mk8. But it is only my wife and I, maybe a couple backseat passengers every couple months.

What about reliability issues. I had a 2013 turbo beetle that I really liked however in one year had several issues. I traded it in 14 for a Civic Si sedan which I still have with zero issues .

Unlike to offer Rev Match since, the addition of a manual was a hard sell. The manual has pretty much gone like the dodo, held over only for a hand full of enthusiast. I owed a GLI (VW GTI with a trunk) in the past and "put a smile on your face" is exactly the way I used to describe it.

That screen and buttons on the wheels are a deal breaker. The things you use the most

I read there was a recall or issues with the engine cover so they just removed it entirely. Maybe it will come back in 2024 or be offered at dealers for free, but I doubt it would be free under the circumstances.

Have the 40th on order. For just a few grand more than the S model you get so much more and adaptive suspension.

Good thing the brakes didn’t catch fire, otherwise they’d remove those too! I owned two GTIs in the past. Loved them both. But the dealers play games with these and ruin the experience.

So summing up this entire video VW when cheap is charging you more for less isn't listening to their base producing a vehicle with features that nobody wants over-complicated simplified ergonomics

Can u use regular in the 7.5

I don't know why the engine light came on! Few minutes later 👇 21:12 22:12 23:44 24:15 24:45 26:28

Buy one as ICE golf’s/GTI will be history next year.

Does anyone want the engine cover? Can you buy one to fit?

the hate for the lack of physical buttons isnt so much because it’s hard to figure out, its just the concern of repair costs if it goes out. Why add MORE complication to modern vehicles if it really only benefits the oem/dealer come repair time? Some of us like to keep our vehicles a long time.

So it doesn’t do the 155mph anymore?

Wow, VW stopped paying attention to details. The overspray, the hood prop, some of the materials. Still, it's better equipped that the GLI, which doesn't even have rear vents and only one map pocket in the back. I hate cost cutting...

are you going to review 2024 bmw x5?

I owned a Golf TDI Mk6 years ago and, although I loved the 45 MPG it got, it became quite unreliable at about 3 old. I sold it at 4 yrs old just before VW's deiselgate scandal. I dodged a bullet there! Aside from being buggy vehicles, VWs are too damn expensive for what they are.

Can't wait for mk8.5

A lot of these compact crossover should have been hatches---looking at you Kia Niro and Buick Encore.

Eh? A Top Speed of 127mph? In UK / Europe it is 155mph. Is USA fitting limiters now?

Good Car

As a long time driver of performance FWD cars, I never launch my car from a stand still. Ever. There’s no point, it doesn’t have that capability, and I’m not racing anybody from a stop light. These are handling/momentum cars. They are great fun from 5mph and up. 0 mph- you treat them like a normal car.

13:25 pre production model ?😆

they're always marked up by 3-4k around me, wish i could've bought one.

I miss 2 door compact cars.

I'm just wondering whether I should get a little bit bigger. Tires on the car boogies period

the engine covers were recalled due to their potential to catch on fire

The Golf R is only 5K more than the Autobahn.

The fact that the check engine light is already on before the first oil change is a HUGE deal breaker for me. Pass

The gti is nice but the focus rs and veloster n are the best

So it doesn't let you customize drive mode settings when moving ? What is this 1980s ? Hyundai Ns doesn't have that limitation. And CEL at 3k miles ? This has to be the worst deal at 37k

That’s a lot of money for less than 300hp especially at over 3000lbs. Wild!

What boggles me is that while this makes 26.1 PSI, it makes less power than the Golf R, which only needs 21 PSI. Goes to show PSI alone doesnt make more power.

The front reminds me of GV60.

spontaneous check engine light lmao very VW

It's a VW, the check engine light is suppose to remain on at all times...

I thought the top speed is 155 mph

This has a heated steering wheel, doubtful in the Integra.

Two things ... bring back real buttons and cut back with the piano black finish.

Are GTIs reliable? I don’t like the mk8 personally but I’m thinking of buying the MK7 or 7.5

hate those touch sensitive buttons

Shame we don’t get the wagon..

It’s a VW, it needs to have a check engine light on 😂

How much piano black is too much piano black?

My god, was that car washed with a brillo pad? There's so many swirls.

Close your eyes and listen to this guy. Is this Steve Buscemi?

those 0-60 runs were very stange. as an mk8 owner I've never had it cut power like you were experiencing. wheel hop is infrequent, and I'm just confused how it was performing in that manner?