2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review | One MAJOR Change!

[@Justinjmv]

Unpopular opinion: I love the interior and think it’s super modern and innovative

[@katiecannon8186]

Just traded in my 7.5.
I adore the new interior.
Live the interface
Even love the touch capacitive buttons

[@user-je4zs7kx2s]

Love my 2023 40th anniversary edition. The infotainment center is a piece of cake once you get used to it.

[@katiecannon8186]

I’m a 60 year old lady. It’s soooo easy even I figured most of it out in 2 days.
3rd day, and, I’m still working a few things, but I’m old.
The young dude reviewers who are complaining about it are silly willies.

[@stevegaspar]

Pro tip with the MK8 GTI. You can go into custom settings and set the DCC 3 full levels above sport (DCC I believe is only on the Autobahn or Performance trim... performance trim is the top trim in Canada...I know this because it's the model I have). Also, the setting of DCC higher above sport is amazing IMO and actually changes the driving experience.

[@whatta7793]

Wow thanks for the hint/tip, currently looking into a used 20k mile Autobahn near me. Does it simply make the suspension stiffer, improving handling?

[@stevegaspar]

@@whatta7793 yes very much so. But again must be a MK8 Autobahn (if in America) or Performance trim (Canada b/c Autobahn is mid trim here)

[@donr8773]

@stevegaspar So, this feature doesn’t apply to the 40th Anniversary GTI with DCC?

[@stevegaspar]

@@donr8773 you'd have to check in the settings if it does.

[@drumflip1253]

Just ordered the 40th edition. With adjustable shocks, blacked out roof and mirrors, and the wheels from the club sport it’s such a great bargain.

[@bradava1]

I was told by my local dealer that they can’t order the 40th anniversary edition. Since I couldn’t get that, I went with the S instead. Really wanted those wheels.

[@bradava1]

Ok. Thanks to your comment, I called my guy and now have the 40th anniversary ordered. I’m first at my location because they genuinely thought you couldn’t order one until today. Can’t wait!

[@drumflip1253]

@@bradava1 the 40th with the wheels, plaid seats, center light bar, adaptive suspension and the graphics for the money is so good!!

[@bradava1]

@@drumflip1253 by far the best value proposition

[@drumflip1253]

@@bradava1 for sure and it’s a special edition for the GTI. I love that. Owned 5 GTI’s and they really are fantastic all around cars. Fun, sporty and still a great bargain compared to other cars with similar performance.

[@pr3239]

Your having a blast and your driving the automatic. Can't wait too get mine.

[@Moptop69]

There's a paddle shift delay at the beginning because you're trying to shift just before 4000rpms at wide open throttle. It knows not to shift like that.

[@juelz4516]

😂 he doesn’t even know how to launch the car like come oooon

[@ughitskevin8537]

I have almost the same car! I have an Atlantic Blue 2023 SE with leather seats and Harman Kardon sound. I got the Homelink rear view mirror too. Mine’s a 6mt though

[@michaelmiller671]

I love your content. How about doing night drives so we can see the lighting of cars?

[@isimonsez]

14:13 I wish the flat bottom steering wheel was aggressively shaped as the Audi flat bottom

[@spoodigity]

Good review, but SE does not have the DCC adaptive chassis control. Only 40th anniversary and Autobahn.

[@bucknut2000]

Test drove the gti autobahn with DSG. one thing i noticed, the center console had a scuff on it when it had only 16 miles on the car. Second, the DSG in auto seemed off. In sport, it held gears too long and in comfort it was unresponsive. I guess i had to play with the doc longer and that may have helped.

[@donr8773]

Interesting, Maybe it was a fluke or was too cold, everyone seems to love them. I had an older DSG in a 2012 Jetta SportWagen TDI and was very impressed with it. It did some weird things on a few occasions, can’t recall exactly what. I put 20,000 miles on the car that already had 60,000. I did go with manuals after that though. DSG’s are possibly very expensive to repair or replace.

[@TenTenthsCars]

Great review! Actually have one of these, myself. Glitch here & there but the driving portion is a pleasure.

[@jakeadams7229]

Nice review my dude i just they had knobs for the volume and radio tuning or maybe even for the ac and heater so its not a big distraction while your driving👍

[@drumflip1253]

The s model and 40th anniversary model have volume and tuning knobs.

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

My first car for sure!

[@eddiericks6554]

I had the mk 6 and 7.5 currently daily driving it all o er our highway system and really enjoy how it rids and I would like to try the mk8 if the put buttons In infotainment system 😊then it be perfect 👍

[@katiecannon8186]

I’m a 60 year old female who hates tech.
Just traded my 7.5 in for the 8 S trim.
I do not want the knobs back
The interface is great. Really

[@KP-xi4bj]

This or MK8 Golf R?

[@GTIclubdport9462]

Great review…its beautiful car GTI..its better chassis compare to the previous GTI its faster , nimble and tighter than mk 7.5 gti..the touchscreen digital cluster it’s easy to use i dnt know why people complaining about the digital screen but it’s easy to use and looks modern. The base model S its great value and lighter than autobahn and SE model.👍👍

[@mikeh.9954]

Did VW?
1. Drop the price? I'm losing 6-8% of income each month ...
2. Add lights to the lower panel on the infotainment?
3. Add a physical volume button?
4. Add real buttons back to the steering wheel?

[@brandons9138]

The real buttons are coming back to the steering wheel in the mid life cycle refresh.

[@mikeh.9954]

@@brandons9138 Good to hear! Can't wait to see it in action.

[@brandons9138]

@japanwatchconnection It doesn't matter. The fact that it's even a conversation is reason enough to change it. Perception is everything. If a prospective buyer sees that it's been mentioned in several reviews it could be reason enough for them to stay away from purchasing.

[@brandons9138]

@japanwatchconnection Agreed.

[@juelz4516]

I think the 40th edition had the knobs in USA

[@cameronedwardson7264]

That is the AC Condenser you're seeing up front unfortunately not the intecooler

[@leandrodasilveiramonteiro779]

Muito 🔝
Será que algum modelo do Golf vai voltar a ser vendido no Brasil em 2023?????😊

[@youareinflames]

aww man i was waiting for your new gti review forever

[@gladdy02]

Show me the GTI that is hitting 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds!

[@juelz4516]

Not the way he’s driving it

[@mellonate1162]

0-60 in 5.1 seconds?
The best I ever got was 6.1 seconds on mine

[@GeFuryy]

Do you have a manual or are you using launch control?

[@Tony99992000]

Put physical buttons and knobs for climate control and audio! Other than that, it's perfect but it's enough that I wouldn't look at one.

[@rambow70]

VW made an announcement last week that they will going forward and they understand it was a mistake. I’m hoping that means the face lift version of the 8 will have physical buttons

[@katiecannon8186]

Nope. I love the clean dash & interface.
It’s super easy & intuitive.
I do not want my knobs back

[@Nomanspie]

Better get used to it. Almost every manufacturer is moving towards onscreen controls. In a few years, the screen only approach of EVs will be everywhere.

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review!

[@goldpony]

Thanks!

[@LastHumansGarage]

Damn, I been watching you for a decade... we all getting older... heheh

[@braetonwilson4296]

That's a positive thing and here's why: we're all going to die but only the lucky ones get to grow old first. :)

[@goldpony]

Haha I know right! Sometimes I look back at my brand new 2015 reviews and think I'm getting so old! 😆 oh well I'm having fun. Appreciate the support! 😁

[@LastHumansGarage]

@@goldpony haha oh damn, not even a decade? i been on the tube since 2007. i remember reading something about how you refused to sell out and go huge with sponsors, and you kept at it on your own.. and now look at you.. nice job. (unless its someone else im thinking of..)

[@mikeh.9954]

Man, I love the GTI, but HATE the piano black in the interior.

[@Lawnyyy-]

In the 2022 MK8 it isn’t piano Black! I just noticed thats a change they made!

[@katiecannon8186]

@@Lawnyyy-. Just bought a 2023.
Yeah, that’s one must she they made.
Oh well. It is what it is.
Other than that, I love it

[@Lawnyyy-]

@@katiecannon8186 oh yeah bro just keep a micro fiber towel in the car and you’re good! 🤣🙌🏽 Love this car!

[@mittortz]

Excellent review, loved how thoroughly you covered all the details that would be relevant to daily usability. Got me much more interested in the mk8. One thing I was surprised you didn't cover though - how did the new interface (lack of physical controls, capacitive steering wheel controls) impact usability? As bad as everyone says or not too bad? Would love to get your genuine opinion and insight on that

[@omaraoas]

Hey, I've owned one now for the past couple months now, got it to around 1000km already. Let me give you my honest thoughts:
a) climate controls are not that big of a deal. I live in a very warm country so mines usually on, but I put the AC on auto fan mode and I just change the temp on the dashboard. Changing the temp by 0.5 degree increments and it feels absolutely fine. I turn it up and down whenever and I don't have any trouble with it (it's super easy to hit, even in the dark imo)
b) for volume control, I use the one on the steering wheel and it feels very easy to use, you just swipe up and down and it reacts absolutely fine. It's more confusing for passengers when they try and change the volume when trying to click on the dash, when it should be swiped
c) for the cruise control and steering wheel heating etc, it does get annoying sometimes but once I got used to it, it's something I just live with.
Overall it's honestly not terrible at all, it does get a tad gimmicky, but the infotainment is fast and responsive and it really helps with the controls quite a bit.
Let me know if you have questions

[@mittortz]

@@omaraoas That is easily the most detailed and insightful accounts of the infotainment situation that I've read. Thank you! last question (I think): do you ever feel the need to mess with traction control/DSC? I've heard it's buried a few menus deep, but I'm not familiar with how often that's useful/fun to turn off in a GTI (coming from RWD car)

[@BenTroxell]

@@mittortz You can add it to a shortcut menu where all you have to do is swipe down from the top of the screen so you don't have to go digging through menus.

[@katiecannon8186]

Just traded my 7.5 for the 8. Both the base S trim.
I absolutely love the new interface.
And I’m a 60 year tech dummy old lady 👵
The reviewers who are saying how difficult it is are being absolutely silly.
I would not have the knobs back.
And I also love the touch capacitive buttons
It’s just a great car & I was really reluctant to get rid of my 7.5.
It’s my 7.5 only way better in every way.

[@flyboi61]

I just love my 2003 VR6 GTI. For me, 4 doors are 2 doors too many! I think it's a damn shame that this car is only available in a 4-door, VW will never get my business again! This is what happens when you allow the bean counters to make the decisions and take the customer out of the equation.

[@justinsipos5511]

Agree I love my 2015 gti with the 3 doors

[@donr8773]

I hear you, but we are running out 2 door sedans especially in the lower priced cars. I have succumbed to the 4 doors. I just bought a 40th anniversary w/6 speed. One of my first cool cars was a 1977 BMW 320i and this car reminds me of the BMW in so many ways (ride, handling, etc). It just need 2 doors.

[@raptor0286]

its a shame they have adaptative cruise control it would have been a almost perfect hot hatch

[@kha-wu9bi]

How's the steering feel in terms of feedback? (not light vs heavy, but the actual feedback from the road)

[@katiecannon8186]

I think it’s great. But I’m not a car nut. Just love my GTI a whole heck of a lot

[@donr8773]

@katiecannon8186 Be careful, this car may just make you a car nut 🙂

[@wackit6756]

I know this is the oddest comment on this car, but I don’t like how they moved the GTI rear badge to the center or the hatch….it belongs on the left side. 😕

[@brandons9138]

Not odd at all. I agree with you. It looks strange and the letters are spaced entirely too far apart.

[@benwells2338]

I’ll do you one better, I can’t get over the Fu Manchu situation the new GTI has going on up front with those offset black plastic pieces, that’s all I see when I look at the front end. Overall though, I do dig the styling.

[@brandons9138]

@@benwells2338 I can see that as well. It's an evolution of a styling cue they developed on the Mk7.5 GTI.

[@benwells2338]

@@brandons9138 you know, I don’t think I ever actually noticed that on the 7.5 front end. I think the reason I find the MK8 version so out of place is because the 7.5 IMO seems to integrate the outside plastic piece into the bumper much better. The MK8 comes across as someone looking at the front end in photoshop or some modeling program and simply offsetting the shape of the grill to make the, what I call the Fu Manchu, so to me it looks more like an afterthought rather an integral design move. I do love the MK8 R front fascia so much more than the GTI though. I wouldn’t need the bump in power or even the AWD of the R but for styling alone, also love the exaggerated spoiler…the R would be tempting if I were in the market 😅

[@brandons9138]

​@@benwells2338 On the 7.5 the plastic bits around the lower grille are not as obvious. They sit on top of a sculpted body feature. On the Mk8 they are more prominent in my opinion.

[@mariothegamer123]

Never put si and gti in the same sentence pls and thank you 👌🏻

[@georginaturner308]

Love mine

[@hammmodjabeer7278]

Amazing car

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Love your reviews, and I like the Golf too.

[@natestrand4922]

Piano black is a trend that needs to be dead and buried forever. It looks terrible after keys and other stuff has scratched it.

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

I will get this in blue because the r is way over priced because dealers are putting 10000 grand on them 😢

[@Lawnyyy-]

I gotta admit the climate controls have never been an issue because i don’t mess with them a ton! Also on the highway you’ll get much better than what EPA says I get about 38 to the gallon on the highway! Also tuning these cars are insane, I have a stage 1 93 octane tune and it’s now making 366 HP WITHOUT bolt ons. I love my SE tons of potential!

[@omaraoas]

Does the tune void warranty? I've been thinking of getting mine done but I'm not sure if I should go with a piggyback or a tune 🤔

[@Lawnyyy-]

@@omaraoas To be completely honest I’m not sure, what’s nice though is that I’m able to flash it back to stock whenever. I can switch between a 91 octane, 93 octane, E-85, and back to stock! Pretty good, and the makers of it are known to not make the care too aggressive, so basically keeping your car safe

[@alexeypoklonskiy3133]

@@omaraoas you can get APR Plus tune with warranty. The offer is if it's tuned and the engine breaks and VW won't fix it -- APR will.

[@juelz4516]

Use LAUNCH control damnit!!!

[@Statimtek]

I have an SE, love it, but a bit disappointed by comfort on long drives. I also noticed it seems to lose grip on hard corners on up hill turns at the front wheels, not very confidence inspiring on spirited driving.

[@bucknut2000]

Maybe try different tires . On my 2015 I switched my pilot 4s and it made a big difference

[@katiecannon8186]

@@bucknut2000. I’m planning on doing that in 6 months or so.

[@katiecannon8186]

I use a thin gel filled pad in long drives. The ones made for office chairs.

[@2024_Edge]

Mondays my 16th birthday

[@zansaleemi590]

While you do get used to the infotainment system, it is hard to argue with the fact that physical buttons remain significantly superior from a distraction perspective. I got the Canadian Base version (S in the US) and the two knobs, albeit with a slightly smaller screen, add a lot more utility in terms of being able to scroll through menus even in Android. Trying to place your finger on the right spot on the touch screen can be difficult when you are busy navigating city traffic and potholes.

[@georgetowers6747]

Can you do a review on a Manual?

[@DanielBrownOre]

Just nuts that dyno testing has proven it actually makes the power advertised, at the *wheels and on 87 octane*! Using 93 octane makes another 30hp/40tq at the wheels over the published spec! Not bad at all, not even considering the tunes out there that are just insane!

[@tbrady1291]

Source?

[@DanielBrownOre]

@@tbrady1291 ua-cam.com/video/ts7TQY61CZc/v-deo.html chart at 3:48

[@Rachel--PMHNP]

i’m upset about all the changes. i own a 2020 loaded GTI SE and test drove a 2023 GTI SE today and i hate it

[@Rachel--PMHNP]

you have no complaints about the interior but do you not see how plastic-y it is compared to the 2020 trim? like what are you talking about

[@mikeh.9954]

One major change? They are bringing the 2 door back ... ?!

[@chrismay228]

Went from a mk7 to a mk8..couldn't stand the infotainment..already traded for mk7.5

[@katiecannon8186]

I traded my 7.5 for an 8 three days ago.
I live the new interface

[@SkunkBearTK]

Clearly the people designing the interior ergonomics do not drive cars. Great car absolutely neutered by horrible driver inputs.

[@katiecannon8186]

Nah, it’s way better than my 7.5 I traded in very reluctantly in some ways.
3rd day in and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[@owenpoirier5783]

Hey gold pony could you maybe review the new 2023 ford escape.

[@goldpony]

I'll definitely try! 👍🏻

[@opencarry3860]

Too much tech. I miss the days when driving skills actually mattered.
My favorite car that I owned was fully mechanical. Manual door locks, manual windows, carburetor, cable for the clutch, no computer crap, just you and the machine.

[@davidr2802]

What did you type this on, a typewriter? What are you open carrying big guy, a musket?

[@opencarry3860]

@@davidr2802 What can I say, I would prefer living back in the 1970's again. As for what I open carry, that would be Sig 365xl, but on special occasions I will carry a classic Colt SAA.

[@elmin2323]

I30n sounds better

[@Loopsrainforest]

WTF! They didn't fix the ergonomic catastrophic failures? So blatantly unacceptable.

[@katiecannon8186]

Nah. I’m a 60 year old female. 3rd day and even I have it down.
Easy peasy.
And I love it

[@toddpatt585]

Please don't put 87 in it. I've only used 93 in mine every time.

[@vMaxHeadroom]

Whats the max Octane rating you get in the states? Here in the UK standard is 95 and then we have 97 and 99, with 99 being for performance cars so Shell Vpower etc.. Little bit confusing in the US but I presume it must near on be the same....Okay did a bit of reserach and it pretty much equates to the same as the testing is slightly diferent. So 87 in the US is equivelent to 95 in the UK..

[@toddpatt585]

@@vMaxHeadroom 93 out west some places just 91. But Atl ga 93 everywhere.

[@michaeljordan6008]

100 octane is offered at some Sunoco dealers in California (SS100).

[@ughitskevin8537]

Why not? It’s designed to make full power on 87 without the ecu pulling timing. Are you more knowledgeable about this car than the engineers that designed it?

[@dschinkal]

It’s designed to run 87 octane. If you want to waste your money on 93 octane that’s your prerogative.

[@LyleAvery-y1u]

First