4 WORST And 8 BEST Things About The 2023 VW GTI

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
  • VW GTI or Golf R?
    -
    Get your lids and eyewear here...20% off everything!
    Blenders Eyewear: bit.ly/402lkZ5
    Code: DOWNSHIFT
    Melin Headwear:
    The above links are affiliate links where Downshift will receive a kick-back from your order
    --
    Follow Downshift to see what's coming next!
    FB: / dwnshftmke
    IG: downshiftme...
    TT: / downshift_media
    Website: downshiftmedia.us/
    --
    0:00 Intro
    BAD:
    0:28 - The tech
    If you watch other videos about the GTI people will tell you how bad the new VW infotainment system is, and it’s true it’s not great, but it’s not as bad as they’d lead you to believe..unless you’re in the ID4
    The issue is really around the climate controls
    You have these touch-sensitive sliders rather than buttons or dials
    And btw they don’t light up at night…wtf
    temp sliders are so you don’t need to go into clima, but they’re harder to use
    tap slider w/ 2 fingers - turns on heated seats
    has cooled seats, need to go into clima
    Then there’s the finger sensing proximity thing where the screen isn’t showing you everything UNTIL you’re about to put your fingers on something
    why do I need to take my hands off the wheel to see all the information available?!
    But other than that the graphics are fine, the speed is fine, and you get a nice customizable digital cockpit like you do with Audis
    Ultimately It just feels like they’ve tried to stuff too much into a screen this size
    3:01 - Quality
    This is something that, if you’ve gotten into VWs in the past 5-8 years you’re probably not too bothered by or maybe you don’t even notice
    However, it used to be that VW has the interiors that Mazda does today
    They were super solid and well built, the materials were better than things you were finding in Hondas
    And it just felt like that half step between economy and premium
    Today the interior feels much more like Hyundai and Honda level than BMW or Audi
    You’ve got more hard plastics, less aluminum, and a lot of times the rear seats get worse materials and the passenger seat doesn’t even get power controls
    3:56 - The Sliders
    We touched on this with the first point, but VW has chosen to go with this new slider control thing and they must be really excited about it because it’s everywhere
    The climate and temp controls
    The volume on the center console
    Btw neither of those light up at night which is a pain
    The volume on the steering wheel
    And the sunroof controls
    4:45 - The Colors
    There are like 3 or 4 colors you can get your GTI in for 2023, adn this crazy green yellow is only available on the 40th anniversary trim
    Where’s the personality gone?!
    -
    GOOD:
    5:21 - The drive
    Under the hood thumps away the EA888 2.0T making more power than ever
    The steering is tight and has a sense of feel to it
    The front end on this car surprises me at how good it is
    You’ve got an LSD with FWD of course
    You’ve got great damping
    This new GTI is actually 30 lbs lighter than the last one - insane for a new car
    And of course this car has the 6 speed 3 pedal manual
    The clutch is great, the pedal box is perfect, and you’ve got the dimpled shifter
    6:51 - The engine
    Under the hood is the Ea888 engine we’ve come to know and love over the last several generations of GTI
    Here it’s dialed up to 240 hp and 275lbft
    And if you match that to the DSG then you’ll get to 60 in the low 5 second range
    7:21 - Transmissions
    Which then leads us to transmissions ans you get a choice of 2 very good transmissions
    The one we have here in this car is the 6 speed manual trans
    And simply put, it’s great
    The other trans option is the DSG which is also very good - not quite as snappy and dramatic as the N cars’ DCT, but still a very good gearbox
    8:04 - Looks
    10:29 - Interior accents
    First is the steering wheel - it looks cool, it’s stitched, got loads of buttons
    There’s ambient light with a bunch of different colors
    The seats look cool and interesting
    You’ve got a touch pad on the left of the cluster which makes me feel very iron man for some reason
    You get a sunroof which is nice even though it’s not truly pano
    And of course your golf ball shifter if you go for the manual car
    11:36 - Rear seats
    The seats themselves are cool and interesting
    You’ve got dedicated climate zone and climate vents
    You’ve got heated rear seats, didnt get that in the Tiguan
    You’ve got crazy pockets, charges, and cupholders
    12:29 - The trunk
    There’s not a whole lot to this point, but the trunk is a good size
    It has a ski passthrough
    And the seats fold 60/40
    13:15 - Price/demand
    The Golf R is just about 44k which makes it almost exactly the same price as the Type R and more than a Core GR Corolla
    But if you want an AWD spicy hatch something else that might be worth checking out before it’s gone is the MINI Clubman JCW, that thing is a little riot
    -
    13:54 - Outro
  • Авто та транспорт

КОМЕНТАРІ • 97

  • @dwnshft
    @dwnshft  Рік тому +4

    Special thanks to our Patrons for their support of the channel! Would you still take a GTI despite all the other hot hatches getting hotter?

    • @GT-Z-
      @GT-Z- Рік тому

      patreons *

    • @volvoxc9086
      @volvoxc9086 Рік тому

      NO. GR COROLLA CIVIC TYPE R ELANTRA N ARE Better THAN THIS

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +5

      @@volvoxc9086 enjoy the 8 year wait list on the gr Corolla.

    • @volvoxc9086
      @volvoxc9086 Рік тому

      @@TraceyAllen 8 OR 10 YEARS ITS WORTH THE TIME And MONEY OVER THIS BY A COUNTRY MILE

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +3

      @@volvoxc9086 it’s a really cool car, but it’s still a Corolla.
      In reality they are completely different segments. The GR has no compromises for comfort, just go fast and handle really good. But the GTI is a great, everyday car that is reasonably fast enough and comfortable.
      I hope you find one and enjoy it. I did in New York State, but once I figured in tax title and license twice plus travel it was getting too expensive and found my GTI locally. All the Toyota dealers in my state have 5 to 10 on the waitlist each, with no commitment from Toyota to make more model years.

  • @user-gr4oz8jb1o
    @user-gr4oz8jb1o Рік тому +40

    This past Friday, I just bought a pomelo yellow GTI 40th Anniversary Edition GTI with the manual transmission. What an incredible car! I love everything about it! And the color is awesome - prettiest paint job I’ve ever seen on any car. And on this version are the adaptive dampers like on the Autobahn trim so you can adjust suspension stiffness. Plenty of power and 36 mpg on the highway trip home! I will keep this car the rest of my life (I’m almost 67 years old) and I firmly believe it will be a classic. I know people are going with EV’s these days, but for the fun factor, I’ll take the GTI any day over any EV!

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому +4

      Enjoy!

    • @dre32pitt
      @dre32pitt Рік тому +1

      I'm very curious as to how you get on with that infotainment being an older chap. Cheers!

    • @huimingdong953
      @huimingdong953 Рік тому

      Wants ask you if you think the gap between the wheel and the fender is larger than the one on Autobahn? Although both are 19”, the gap looks larger on the 40th edition.

    • @on2wheels275
      @on2wheels275 Рік тому +2

      I get my 40th Anniversary this week in P. Yellow also but with the 7 speed automatic. I’m more the psyched. The 40th Anniversary is the way to go, hands down if you want a drivers car and can do without all of the bells and whistles. When you think of it, the 40th Anniversary is really an absolute steal when you compare price to features of this VW.

    • @juelz4516
      @juelz4516 Рік тому +1

      @@dre32pitt bruh he’s 67 not 87 😂

  • @stevegaspar
    @stevegaspar Рік тому +3

    I've got a MK8 performance trim (top trim in Canada) and most owners don't know you can set the DCC, in custom mode, 3 fulls ABOVE sport or 3 full levels BELOW comfort. Game changer for a driving experience IMO

  • @t.k.morris
    @t.k.morris Рік тому

    Awesome video presentation! Liked and subscribed.... Thanks!

  • @tomg.4287
    @tomg.4287 Рік тому +5

    Grocery bag hooks! Now I like my mk8 R grocery getter even more😎

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому +1

      an underrated feature for sure!

  • @TraceyAllen
    @TraceyAllen Рік тому +15

    I have some disagreements, the touch interface and infotainment are actually pretty good, and work well with winter gloves. The interior are not as cheap as reviewers make it out to be, way nicer than my TDI sportwagen. The colors are pretty minimal, but we are only in the second year for North American, vw usually waits till the final couple of model years to bring out spectrum. Most dealers are are only allotted 1 or 2 GTI’s a year. Finally was you mentioned a $30k price, but the car driven in the video had to be $40k plus. The S trim starts just above $30k, but even my SE with Tartan cloth seats was $37.5k. Personally I prefer the cloth over the leather. Lighter, less complex, and they just look sharper than the grey leather. But cooled seats would be nice.

    • @ITobiI
      @ITobiI Рік тому +2

      can confirm. The touch- for whatever reason fits better for me... same experience, if not better than in the 7

  • @MC-gp1zg
    @MC-gp1zg Рік тому +4

    Why do reviewers moan about having to take a hand off the wheel when the majority of drivers don’t have both hands on the wheel anyway ? I’ve had my golf r now for over a year and to be honest I don’t really have any issues with the touch screen or haptic buttons.yes the screen could be more responsive at times but certainly not as bad as people make out.

  • @justaguy6862
    @justaguy6862 Рік тому +3

    I had a 2011 GTI with the cigar cutter rims!! Frustrating mechanical issues at times. But loved that machine. Didn't even look at this model when looking for new due to the lack of physical HVAC buttons. And too much buried in touch/ capacitive etc. One wonders what the future repair bills will be when all that new tech turns old and starts to break down?

  • @IllIIllllIlIlIll
    @IllIIllllIlIlIll 4 місяці тому +1

    HVAC controls are wayyyy better on the base S trim. It even comes with actual volume and tune knobs.

  • @JustAnotherDayProdt
    @JustAnotherDayProdt Рік тому

    This guy needs more views. Sure the production is not as high end as the some of the big UA-camrs, but the content and thoroughness is up there with the best.

  • @FallenArtemie
    @FallenArtemie Рік тому +8

    I had a mk7.5 and now a mk8. Being a person that doesn't change the climate all that much and keep it in Auto, the climate settings don't bother me. The sliders on the wheel are great tbh. I don't feel like I stepped into a worse quality interior from the 7.5 to the 8. They both felt as normal for the price bracket shared by Honda and Subaru. Anything better I would expect from the Audi price bracket.

    • @nenadmomcilovic9133
      @nenadmomcilovic9133 Рік тому

      Do you think a Cornflower Blue 2021 Autobahn edition is better or worse than the 2023 40th anniversary model (autoobahn but without the premium audio, navigation, sunroof)?

  • @wackit6756
    @wackit6756 Рік тому +6

    You’re right about VW and it’s color choices for the GTI. When the GTI 7.5 came out I wanted one SOOOO bad but for a car that was suppose to evoke sportiness and a wow factor, the colors were so boring. Literally at many dealers there would be a grey next to a blue, next to a black, and they would all look the same unless the sun hit a small portion of the car. Sometimes standing right next to them I couldn’t tell the difference. Don’t like appliance White, and red was not my thing. This newest puke green is at least different though, not beautiful. For a car that is suppose to appease the younger or sportier crowd, why does VW keep their colors so drab? Why not a metallic Orange or metallic Ocean blue, outrageous green or a deep Burgundy?

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому +1

      Would LOVE a maroon or burgundy 😍

    • @dre32pitt
      @dre32pitt Рік тому

      Because you have to spend Golf R money to get the fancy colors.. Expect that nuclear color palette to come out in the next few years, like they did with the MK7.5. And they did have a cool green/teal color, but it was ultra hard to find with a manual.. I ended up in a mk7.5 GTI S (prefer the plaid seats to the leather and the S was the only way to get them in the US).. Great car for what it is, but lacked in driving feel and throttle response (I was coming from a NA V8, so yea.. throttle response will seem like dial-up in any turbo nutter, unless it's already on boil)

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +3

      @@dre32pitt the mk8 GTI’s s and se’s get the tartan seats, I love mine. And rolling in second gear 20 to 60 like right now, wasn’t expecting that. They are brilliant cars.

  • @on2wheels275
    @on2wheels275 Рік тому +2

    You should mention that that is NOT a 2023 GTI. It’s more likely a 2022 GTI Autobahn edition. The only GTI that comes in Pomelo Yellow is the GTI 40th Anniversary Edition which gets you unique 19 inch rims that have never been offered in the US before, special badging and decals and 40th Anniversary steering wheel which is not shown here. The 40th Anniversary edition gets you the Autobahn equipped suspension and other features for less that an SE price. If you are reviewing a used 2022 just say it. It’s glaring obvious that this is not a 2023MY. The 49th Anniversary Edition are limited release in the US with just around 1500 units sold, although they won’t be collectors worthy, it’s cool to have a car that you won’t see on every corner

    • @juelz4516
      @juelz4516 Рік тому

      Ohhh he got you bud! Callin you out OP!

    • @on2wheels275
      @on2wheels275 Рік тому

      @@juelz4516 haha yup

  • @benwells2338
    @benwells2338 Рік тому +1

    Oh crap…did I just notice a design quirk that’ll upset my OCD almost as much as the MK7’s media power button logo that rotates with the dial? The honeycomb pattern on the trim panel isn’t actually level, but very slightly at an angle?? Eh maybe not…hopefully not haha

  • @DanielEnochs
    @DanielEnochs 8 місяців тому

    Mountain dew color ! I love it!

  • @paulreid179
    @paulreid179 Рік тому +1

    I say its between the GTI & the BMW 128ti , what you may miss in the GTI the Bimmer makes up for a whole lot. Its lIke they too miss what VW use to be and used the same formula to create that niche.

  • @haroldgraham4441
    @haroldgraham4441 10 місяців тому

    Fantastic

  • @kerbsy7838
    @kerbsy7838 10 місяців тому

    The steering wheel “sliders” are also buttons

  • @r3games1985
    @r3games1985 11 місяців тому

    I don't think this is a 2023. I was just in one at the dealership and it did have the red stitching on the wheel and gloss black around the gear shifter.

  • @t.k.morris
    @t.k.morris Рік тому +1

    Can you easily replace the gear shifter knob?

  • @bigshotsnapshot
    @bigshotsnapshot Рік тому +4

    Sliders can be used as buttons, no problem, just tap or press one side or the other. Tesla slaps in a big screen, very few buttons and knobs, and it is considered state-of-the-art and mind blowing. VW does the same and the world loses its mind. This is the future of car interiors, get used to it, just look at the newly revealed Porsche Cayenne, refreshed 911 will be mostly screens too. The new GTI is sleek, stylish and innovative, inside and out, while sticking true to its performance roots. Hot-hatch rivals are nowhere near as refined. 🚗🔥💨

    • @shijima_ending
      @shijima_ending Рік тому

      Well firstly, Tesla's screens are more responsive and the design is a little more intuitive. And secondly, Teslas are made for NPCs, and you'd want the drivers car GTI to be a little more analog in that regard. Nonetheless, I agree that the whole interior and tech situation is blown a little out of proportion. It wont stop me from upgrading from my MK7 GTI to a MK8 GTI or R.

    • @janperez9456
      @janperez9456 Рік тому

      Gonna have to disagree. Yeah it looks sleek but it's inconvenient. They not doing it to look sleek its for cost cutting. Cheap to stuff everything in a lcd screen than to have buttons. I have doubts on the longevity of these capacitive buttons lasting more than 3-4 years

  • @staqp.4337
    @staqp.4337 9 місяців тому

    When you’re in the middle of heavy fast moving traffic getting bounced around by potholes and bumps in the road the touchscreen sucks. If you’re stopped at a light it’s fine

  • @robertlizinski6109
    @robertlizinski6109 Рік тому +1

    The infotainment system is easy peasy. It's just a matter of getting used to it which these testers aren't taking the time to do.

  • @t.k.morris
    @t.k.morris Рік тому +2

    If you don't change your desired temperature very much, is this system really an annoyance?

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +1

      I’ve owned my GTI for a few weeks. The infotainment system has a learning curve. But you get used to it pretty quick. I use my steering wheel controls a ton more than I used to. I live in central Minnesota so it definitely gets cold here. The car is pretty smart, I set it up to turn on the heated seat and steering wheel. The car only does this when it’s cold out. You also have a max defrost button next to the headlight button. The buttons and sliders work well with gloves on. I really like it.

  • @t.k.morris
    @t.k.morris Рік тому +3

    Would you buy this over a 2023 Mazda3 hatchback with a manual or a Civic SI ??

    • @ITobiI
      @ITobiI Рік тому +3

      any time

    • @WitchYuki22
      @WitchYuki22 11 місяців тому +1

      The 11th gen SI still has the 3-5 business days rev hang that the 10th gen had. You just don't hear about it because honda fanboys will always sweep any problems/criticism under the rag 😂😂
      Also the SI has always been 200hp for like a decade now and hasn't changed at all. Yet no one criticizes Honda for that

  • @TheJoStephan
    @TheJoStephan 10 місяців тому

    I really wonder how these “tech” designers think it is safe to hide the climate controls inside such a complex touch screen menu. Imagine adjusting these things while DRIVING ?!! Insane !

  • @jtkent28
    @jtkent28 Рік тому +4

    As a lifelong VW owner and 3 time GTI owner, I was really disappointed with what VW decided to do with the cheaper interior and all touch infotainment. All I could think when I got out of the mk8 at the dealership
    was.. why? who asked for this? If they had taken a simple poll of current GTI / R owners and asked them before they did this I guarantee every single one of them, myself included, would have said no please do NOT make everything all touch with no buttons or dials. So ill be keeping my mk7.5 and hoping the ‘24 model addresses these issues.

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому

      gotta agree with you - a very disappointing tech navigation philosophy

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +2

      You have to drive it more than a day. The touch controls are actually pretty great. For starters I use my steering wheel control way more than my last 2 cars, meaning my hands and eyes stay on the wheel more. I very seldom do I interact with the info screen while actually on the road, voice or steering controls. I also live in central Minnesota, and all the sliders and buttons work great with gloves, hasn’t been an issue. And final it’s a nicer interior than my tdi sportwagen. It’s a brilliant car. Mine is a 23 6sp se with the tartan cloth seats.

    • @t.k.morris
      @t.k.morris Рік тому

      @@TraceyAllen Does it have voice control??

    • @evilcookiekiller
      @evilcookiekiller Рік тому

      The poll wouldn't be "do you want real buttons or are touch buttons okay?" Though. The poll would have been "what do you prefer touch buttons with far more features (heated steering wheel, customizable digital gauge cluster, wireless charging, back seat vents/charging), or do you want real buttons minus many of those extras. I would vote for touch buttons and extra features every time.

  • @t.k.morris
    @t.k.morris Рік тому +1

    Does it recommend or require premium grade gas?

  • @Dagot1948
    @Dagot1948 Рік тому

    I have a '22 GTI Autobahn 6MT. I was aware of the "button" problem when I bought it and wasn't a deal-breaker. I still hope VW hears its customers that the climate control system is unacceptable. Simple things, like turning off/on the AC, increasing/decreasing the temperature become multiple interactions with the touch screen. Even holding two fingers on a slider as a more direct way to make changes is a serious distraction. Taking your eyes off the road to make those adjustments, especially at speed, is simply unsafe. A simple knob where one click equals one degree in temperature is much better. Otherwise, the car is incredibly fun to drive and I don't regret buying it at all.

  • @EastWood2004
    @EastWood2004 9 місяців тому

    I used own a mk7.5 golf R and moved to M2C.
    I recently bought a Cupra Formentor VZx. I can tell you it is more fun than Volkswagen golf.

  • @BrewTownBiker
    @BrewTownBiker 10 місяців тому

    Want a Golf R, with DSG, Allwheel for the Wisconsin winters but that slide shit, no buttons/knobs would suck in winter, and lame colors too

  • @EmilJonsson94
    @EmilJonsson94 Рік тому +5

    What VW are doing with their interior really takes them out as an option for me. The sliders are just sh*t...

  • @bigmacdaddy1234
    @bigmacdaddy1234 Рік тому

    Those stupid slider controls are definitely a deal breaker. No way would I pay money and put up with that crap.

  • @sirredfox8090
    @sirredfox8090 10 місяців тому

    I just picked up my VW Golf R on Friday and made it half a mile from the dealership before getting rear ended at a stoplight, so now I gotta wait 3 weeks for the bumper to be replaced, I know it’s not the GTI but I just thought I’d share since they’re the same car just different trims

  • @petergarchinsky6737
    @petergarchinsky6737 Рік тому +4

    You will not find a GTI for around 30k!!

    • @TraceyAllen
      @TraceyAllen Рік тому +1

      Yeah my SE was $37.5k. But no mark ups. Msrp for the win.

    • @t.k.morris
      @t.k.morris Рік тому

      Atlanta, GA dealers have the base 'S' trim for $30k or so.

  • @lindiwemaseko3150
    @lindiwemaseko3150 2 місяці тому

    nothing like a Gti

  • @dchrish
    @dchrish Рік тому

    When did they start selling a gti without a engine cover

    • @janoycresnova9156
      @janoycresnova9156 10 місяців тому

      Because of the VW recall. They were catching fires I think.

  • @haze1123
    @haze1123 Рік тому

    Absolutely horrendous interior controls.
    VW knows they messed up.

  • @opencarry3860
    @opencarry3860 9 місяців тому

    I'll stick with my MK7.

  • @hondaftw1234
    @hondaftw1234 Рік тому +1

    I traded in my 2022 GTI. Constant problems I just lost faith in it.

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому

      i started getting misfires in my VW around 100k miles

    • @bucknut2000
      @bucknut2000 Рік тому +1

      I heard its hit or miss which makes me a bit scared to buy another one. Mine is OK, i got a 2015 GTI SE manual and the first 180K were great but than things started to happen. Its at 220 now , but I dont know if I would have spent the money to fix it again. Im just trying to for the update. Most people say mine is a good one, but my other car a 08 civic si has 280K ( and I drive it a lot lot harder), and nothing outside of AC has really gone bad.

    • @donloesch4432
      @donloesch4432 Рік тому +4

      What sort of issues? I have a mk8 after having a mk5 mk7 and mk7.5

  • @stevengroddy8482
    @stevengroddy8482 Рік тому +4

    Great driving dynamics but the infotainment scares me off!

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому +1

      yuupppp

    • @dre32pitt
      @dre32pitt Рік тому

      @@dwnshft Dave? From Storage Wars... Is that you??

  • @BenTroxell
    @BenTroxell Рік тому +2

    Uhhh this is not a 2023 lol. This is a 2022.

    • @dwnshft
      @dwnshft  Рік тому

      correct, but they're essentially identical

    • @BenTroxell
      @BenTroxell Рік тому +2

      @@dwnshft you literally called it out for not having red stitching on the steering wheel but the 2023’s literally have red stitching on the steering wheel. Misleading video my dude.

  • @juelz4516
    @juelz4516 Рік тому

    Nobody’s cross shopping this with a Hyundai Kona N 😂 wtf

  • @giovanniesau7562
    @giovanniesau7562 Рік тому +1

    Him: complains about taking your hand off the steering wheel.
    Also him: *drives with one hand*💀

  • @zI0Legend0Killer0Iz
    @zI0Legend0Killer0Iz Рік тому

    You north americans totally miss out on the GTI Clubsport from Europe. It has 300 hp and more exclusive tuning. I got one and it totally rips the front axle.

    • @someguy2773
      @someguy2773 Рік тому

      Sounds like fun but with that much power going to only 2 wheels that car must eat thru tires quick

  • @SmiFF_
    @SmiFF_ Рік тому +3

    1:00 ... shitty cheap glossy plastic, makes ANY car look horrible. I prefer a different type of material ( matte plastic, carbon fiber foil, honeycomb texture foil, etc etc ) ... anything but glossy. During sunny days u will feel cheated with ALL those reflections inside the car ... mk7.5 is the top of the range of the MQB platform, i would say "pinnacle" but that's too much of a status :)

    • @t.k.morris
      @t.k.morris Рік тому

      So what car do you recommend with a manual transmission and under $35k purchase price?

  • @Nanne-kn5uh
    @Nanne-kn5uh Рік тому

    I love you more