2016 Volkswagen Golf TSI Owner Review - 5 Speed Manual
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Reviewing my 2016 golf TSI.
A fun car that will do everything you expect it to do and a little bit more. Two thumbs up from me! Oh, by the way, the 0-60 was pretty casual and I'm sure you can do better than I did.
Enjoy!
I have a 2015 5 speed TSI S and I put H&R sport springs and some nice wheels with Michelin pilot super sports and the car handles at a completely different level. Such a fun car
Awesome review! I come from 20 years of driving $500-1500 junkers and finally decided to splurge and bought this car because I fell in love with it. So many nice little touches for a base model car and your video just made me love it even more.
I cannot agree more! Enjoy!
+Mike VT
Just bought a base model 2016 Golf-S and I'm very pleased for what you get for $21,400..
Ton of room & it's an easy, fun car to drive, very responsive.
Great review, I just ordered one today. I love your reaction to the turbo noises haha! Good to know it will be a fun car. I ordered the silk blue with black interior.
+oceang60 That's awesome!! Congrats
that's exactly what I want. how do u like yours?
I've had mine for just over a week, same trim and colour, loving it so far. Replaced a 99 Passat with the old 1.8T engine.
Awesome! Notice much of a difference between the 1.8t's?
See your question answered in my new video: "Questions Answered 1". uploading shortly!
I love everything in mine except that god awful cable shifter. I grind 3rd at some point every day for more than a year now. From what I hear it's the plastic parts on the selector flexing. I've never had an issue in my Miata in the past 5 years i've owned that thing. Going to install a dieselgeek short throw to see if that helps things.
I got the TSI S with the sunroof in January. Loving it so far. My only dislike is the like the 52,547 different windshield wiper settings.
See your question answered in my new video: "Questions Answered 1". uploading shortly!
great vid! love my 2016 MK7 TSI SE DSG. I have blown threw the milage as I love to drive it so very much. I have thought of the APR Tune as soon as my lease is up as to not break my warranty. when that turbo kicks in it GO's!
+mark Williams I was thinking f doing the same thing with mine if I keep it beyond the lease period. The boost is real. I can only imaging what the APR tune would be like. I wish I knew someone that did it already that I could try.
How's maintenance been? The Golf is in my top 3 of purchases when it comes time for a new car. Definitely thinking of leasing it though.
If you lease, you probably wont be going past the mileage limit for the 36,000 warranty. As for my maintenance, all has been good so far!
Hey, thank you for the video. I am looking for my next car as soon as VW completes the buyback of my Jetta TDI. I've been looking at the Honda Civic due to its reliability and performance, but honestly the VW dealer I get service at is so impressive and enjoyable, I am reluctant to leave them. So the Golf just may be the car that keeps me at my favorite dealer of all time.
Thank you for watching! If you are happy with your service, take a Golf out for a test drive! Service can be one of those things that completely makes the car ownership experience a real pain. The Golf will have less torque than you are used to but overall a wonderful car -- I am very happy with mine.
Mike VT Loving my 2017 TSI Wolfsburg, even though there was a super deal on a 2016 GTI Audubon w/ the Performance Package, I couldn't fit it into my budget. However, I am not disappointed in the least. I love the TSI more than my Jetta TDI. The only thing I wish was a little better is the stereo system. But that is literally the only thing I would change.
Sean Ryberg Awesome Sean! There is a lot to enjoy about the Golf.
Hey Mike! Great review by the way. I am thinking about getting a Volkswagen golf as well. I am just wondering between getting the 2-door or the 4-door. I was wondering if there are any major differences between the two. For example, rear leg room, weight of the car, gas mileage, etc. Also, what aesthetic modifications are you looking forward to? What performance modifications are you planning on doing, if any? The only performance modifications I will do to mine is putting an APR intake and that's about it. It sounds amazing and I'm okay with the stock performance. Keep up the videos! There are not enough people with golfs. Many videos of Golf Rs and GTIs pop up when I'm looking for this particular Golf.
Thanks for uploading!
Awesome that you are thinking about a Golf! When pondering the 2 door vs 4 door model, I would think less of the small specification differences and more about what works for you. You may know from my videos that I used to own a 2 door BMW. I really enjoyed it, however for me having 4 doors makes more sense for my lifestyle and ease of use. You won't notice much if any of a difference in performance between the two, but you will certainly regret not having 2 extra doors.
I most likely wont be doing any mods to the car other than different summer tires on larger and wider rims. If I were to, I would get the VW sport springs, APR tune, Intake, and motor mounts.
I'm stoked to see what you end up getting
-- drive safe
thanks for putting this video up! i'm looking at buying this S trim with the 5 spd and it's nice to have this as a reference. would you be able to talk a little more about the cloth seats?
See your question answered in my new video: "Questions Answered 1". uploading shortly!
just got mine in tungsten silver thanks to this review!
Great review Mike! I also own a 2016 Golf and fully agree with your comments. I think I would've said the exact same things, to be honest ;) We also seem to drive in very similar conditions, as I'm located in Québec City, QC. Looking forward to more!
+nicogi Thank you for the support!
You're welcome! I should make a review of my Canadian Golf too at some point. I don't have your talent though... haha!
My '15 Sportwagen tsi auto, burns the tires off if I floor it, not even in sport mode.
The car accelerates really fast.
-How about the ratios of the 5-speed, aside from the (much appreciated) real OD 5th? Does the car need a 6 speed?
-Is the throttle 'by wire' and do you have to outguess the computer when shifting, or is rev-matching when shifting as natural as it would be with an oldfashioned cable throttle?
-Does the power steering give good (or any) road feedback?
- The golf is great with the five speed. I don't see a need for a 6th gear and the ratios seem adequate
- Throttle by wire, yes. Not much outguessing, however. The system works well and I have no trouble rev-matching
- Feedback is "okay". The steering is smooth and light. I am able to feel when the car is approaching the limit as far as corning grip goes. At slow speeds (0-15ish) there is a LOT of assist which makes feel go away but parking lot maneuverability really nice
Whats the long reliability on this? Is it typical VW so, so take your chances reliability?
In short, yes. Since it is a new car, there is a 36,000 mile warranty which "should" cover most things in the meantime since it is simply my daily. your comment on taking chances on reliability is probably pretty accurate, though this is my first VW. Perhaps another VW owner with more miles can comment?
How is the ride quality??..in some other reviews, i heared the suspension is a bit stiff and doesn't ride very well on bumpy road surface...so, how about yours?
+Mahin Ahmed ride quality is excellent in my opinion! One key factor is that I have 15" wheels which means the sidewall on the tire is a bit thicker and helps soaking up the bumps
hi, great review. I was wondering what the revs are at 70 mph and 80 mph on the freeway on 5th gear? thanks
+Soner Soylu I'll get back to you on that!
Mike VT thanks
70 is about 22. 80 is about 25
I just bought a 2016 Golf TDI (Manual), Was wondering about the autohold feature. For example, if you're uphill and you stop and turn on the autohold feature, I'm assuming it would prevent your car from rolling back? Does that then automatically come off once you accelerate to drive off? Would appreciate if anyone can explain as I've always used driven cars with a manual handbrake fitted.
You ask and you shall receive! I made a video answering your question today and it is up now =)
Thank you! Really appreciate it
21k??? You don't realize how cheap it is to own a fairly nice car in the US, I used to own one 2 years ago in Switzerland (and in Europe in general) which was 25k (comfortline which is the intermediate trim level, 1.2L(?) engine with 105hp) plus more expensive gas. I think that it's the most versatile car for 21k, totally worth it.
Versatile for sure!!!
Understanding automotive costs in difference countries is one thing that I don't know much about but would like to get up to date on.
What gear do you usually use while doing 45 ish? Is fourth enough if it's at 1600 rpm or do you just shift up to fifth?
Great Question! I made a video that will be up Wednesday answering your question entirely. In short, inclines and declines are really how I decide what gear to be in.
thank you! I came across your vids car shopping and they convinced me to get a golf myself. driven it like 10 miles and i love it already!!
I love that car
Thanks! Me too
Disappointed the 2017 Golf doesn't have climate control or adaptive cruise control. However, bring back Golf TDI and you'd have me sold instantly.
Right? The torque and efficiency of the TDI is awesome.
Paulo Dybala reviewing Golf, whats next 2020?)
Do you think it's worth it to save up a little more to get a base GTI instead?
Depends on what you want... The base Golf is pretty quick for an economy car, and handles well.
The GTI is just so sexy though
If you can easily swing a GTI, I'm sure you will love it. I also think you would really enjoy the TSi because of how well-rounded the package is.
I am on that boat currently: TSI or GTI... My current Golf has 17 in wheels and the tires are pretty aggressive and makes the ride a little rougher. I can imagine that the GTI with 18s would be even rougher. Since I drive more than the average of 12K miles a year, I appreciate a softer ride and I believe that the TSI with the 15s should be a better fit for me. For you, I guess it will depend on the use that you are going to give the car. Regardless which one you choose, they are both just great cars.
is it just me or does anyone else experience this. My tsi sometimes bucks when im letting off the clutch after a gear change. cant seem to shift smoothly between 2-3 thou rpms. is there a technique im missing? is there rev hold or something?
Try really exaggerating the movements between the clutch and gas when shifting. It sounds like the same symptom when the gas pedal is engaged even slightly when shifting. I have not had any rev hanging in my tsi for reference.
slow cruiser Funny you say that, because I experienced the same problem with my TSI. My manual seems a little bit finicky, and youve gotta put some effort into the shifting especially in first second and third gears. did you experience this?
Was this Canadian ?price
As I bought 2016 jetta.
The previous owner said it was
Around 21,000 cad
USD
It's strange your car and all the american review videos i've seen only have 5 gears. Mine is a 2016 tsi and it has 6
Are you counting reverse as a gear? That is interesting -- what country?
Not counting reverse. And Australia
+Mike VT yeah same here in the UK, most are 6 gear
That's neat -- did not know that!
Here in Greece, all golfs, starting from 1.0 tsi have 6 gears.
You remind me of LanceTheDriver.
Does it require premium fuel? Thanks.
Nope! Sips regular fuel.
Nice shirt
APR. APR. APR. And then prepare to see the shocked faces of people you blow past in traffic when they see they got smoked by a Golf TSI and not a GTI.
Believe me, it is VERY tempting.
seen shocked gti, wrx, e36 m3.
APR turns it into a Monster sleeper
What is APR?
What trim is this?
2016 Golf TSi S
You look like zac efron
I hear you about the rearward visibility. We have a MK IV and its shit. A small car should be easy to reverse. You also have no idea how close you are when reversing to another car or a tree or a wall or whatever. The only way is to get out of the car. Ridiculous! Thankfully, Golfs are short so you are usually miles away and yes, the C pillar is too wide AND the rear head restraints also hamper the view.
exactly! I definitely have opened my door and looked back in some instances... shhhhhh