2015 Volkswagen GTI Review 2-Door - In 4K

Is the GTI still the best hot hatch around? I take a 2-door model out for a week to find out!
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[@Trendyflute]

Another couple things for your viewers to know, Alex: DCC requires the performance package, and the performance package is really hard to get right now. VW really underestimated the demand on those cars...it's taking 4-6 months for people to get their orders. There were a handful of GTI S Performance Packages sold with DCC before VW pulled the plug on it (claiming it was a mistake in their ordering system). I definitely agree that the brakes are the reason to get the Performance Package, they are upgraded front and rear (up from 2-piston & vented in front and solid rear rotors to 4-piston fronts and vented rears, larger diameter front and rear. It is a major brake upgrade), and the differential is effective, albeit not the sort of thing many drivers might notice. (depends how much of an enthusiast you are and what your driving level is at). I've said, and will stand by: the standard GTI is an "8/10ths car". The Performance Package turns it up to a 9/10ths car. Regarding the Autobahn vs. SE, VW isn't making a big thing of it but the Autobahn has a different seat material than the SE (the SE's is definitely leatherette, and it has a cloth bolster on one side for some reason; the Autobahn is leather all around) and the Autobahn has more sound-deadening material. Sorry to stick my nose in, but I've been a GTI guy for 13 years and have been researching the MkVII for months and months, driving several different varieties and reading VW's technical and ordering materials, so I hope my input is appreciated!

[@richardwillis6971]

Alex your reviews are the best of the group. Thanks.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

The GTi has a MUCH nicer interior than the Civic Si....no comparison.

[@aquateen77723]

Great job on your in-depth and informative review of one of the best hot hatches on the market! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights of the GTI, Alex. 👍

[@naziurrahman]

I have been looking at a lot of GTI 2015 reviews as I am planning to get one, and this is hands down the best review so far. You really beat out a lot of big name channels and sites/reviewers with the amount of detailed information and explanation. The most detailed complete review of the GTI 2015, really appreciate it. Keep doing this and there are a lot like me, who really are passionate about cars, they will notice. Thanks again.

[@changminchi2316]

Excellent Presentation, detailed & truth. All models from mk7 are great. Tsi, Tdi,Gti or R.That's why mk7 Golf got so many awards from the world.. I got Tsi 5months ago, everyday I can't stop driving my Golf. It is 25,000 km already.. ...Guys, Don't hesitate, just buy it. Finally, thank you VW!

[@thomasczarnowski2267]

Alex, you are brilliant. You have no competition.

[@TheBendalina]

I love how detailed this car review is. Great!

[@kens4693]

This was a really detailed and thorough review. Earned my subscription. Nice job.

[@jeffpertle3980]

Best GTI review I've seen. Keep up the good work.

[@amill1563]

Love the breakdown of reviews to the right.

[@DerekArtz]

Yellow scooter video-bomb at the tail end was a crack up! :D Thanks for another great review. I was frankly surprised to hear such high praise for the Civic Si, which the auto mags seem to have universally panned. Agreed on all comparisons to the Focus ST. I will gladly take 95% of the fun vs. the ST, but with a healthy dose of refinement and an interior that could pass for an Audi.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Alex, are you referring to the Focus ST? The RS isn't available yet.

[@colterino]

Just got a used 2014 Drivers Edition..lo miles 13 k ..LOVE IT !...Great Review

[@weags12]

I think your reviews are the best on the market for real consumers. Detailed, unbiased, and organized. You mentioned the focus rs more than a few times. Did you mean the ST? I don't see the rs and gti really catering to the same market.

[@505enthusiast4]

Drew Blaskoski he meant st

[@chrisbaskett808]

I do look forward to the Focus RS coming to the states.

[@LanceZ99]

best car review on KZbin, period! P.S. a Mustang GT review in the near future?

[@jayczyzyk9707]

great review

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Looking forward to your 2018 Golf R review.

[@aballz622]

any chance you can review the golf tsi 5 door? i'm quite interested in that car and i think it's more of the mass consumer version of the golf that most people would buy. thanks!

[@SemeonHockey]

what a great review

[@bryanjedi8242]

And going in when you are talking about the Focus. You keep seeing RS but I think you are meaning the ST.

[@lito777]

any owners of this gti with the dynamic dampers? Does it soften the ride substantially?

[@freakincrazy6932]

Will you review the golf R??thanks

[@roz3574]

Alex, please consider putting numbers on the ruler you have in size comparison. List the size/length for the shortest (Tiny) on the scale, the size for the largest (on the ruler) and then the length size (number) of the vehicle you are reviewing. Just having dashes on the ruler/scale without actual numbers doesn't provide the viewer with actual numbers to compare. Thxs.

[@gpgxp]

Great review Alex!!! I love the detail. I'm having a hard time deciding between a DSG four door GTI and a A-Spec Acura ILX. I'm concerned about the long term reliability on the GTI so I am leaning right now towards the ILX. Both are great driving cars but I feel the GTI is the better all around car. Anyone have one with the DSG....how is the reliability?

[@jeffarnholt1310]

I second the request for a TDI review; not a full 20+ min complete teardown, as you've covered this already, but a shorter focused review on handling, acceleration, and fuel economy. The TDI has been described as the only $25k car on the road which gets 50 MPG highway and is fun to drive (sorry, Prius owners). I'd love your take on the diesel version, so popular overseas.

[@FireBoy6275]

Kutos to Alex, This video is very well made and was super informative. Thank you so much for making this video!

[@ChickenFriedCorgi]

Hope we can get reviews of the wrx, focus st, etc. Love my BRZ but am currently in the market for a 4 door 'sporty' vehicle for $30k or less.

[@goofydog2]

glad you didn't do the child seat on this review! I know, many people love that - I think- but for me, give me the drive as only Alex can! Excellent Review!!! Thatnks

[@Marco-ce8kr]

Hello Alex, could you review the regular 2015 or 2016 WRX? Thanks.

[@omysheetofpaper]

will you be doing a new infotainment review with the new Apple car play and Android auto on the 2016 golf gti??

[@KydeManfred]

Can you fold the backseat down? I've never seen that done in any review video.

[@easysnail]

Great review, I have a mk5 and thought about buying the mk7 to replace it. Ended up getting a m235i instead but it was a very tough decision. I agree about the ride being rough, it's actually worse than my mk5. Have you driven the BMW yet? I'd love to see your review of a m235i.

[@aballz622]

Can you review the present day gti 4 door?

[@maximus9401]

So would your personal pick be the GTI over the Focus ST?

[@bryanjedi8242]

Would like to see the review of the TDI version. But then maybe that would be going overboard. ANd heck eventually the Golf R. But I imagine you could cut those videos down considering all of the Golfs are essentially the same styling and utility wise. But I think it would be a cool comparison review on if you think the R is worth it over the GTI.

[@informationretrieval5896]

Consumer Reports claims that the GTI is more reliable than the Tsi. Is that assesment correct? I'd like to get a GTI, but the TSI is more economical. What are your thoughts on MPG between GTI vs TSI?

[@bucknut2000]

I just bought the SE with a manual it does everything pretty well. I like it a lot.Its great for everything and Im getting 36 on the hwy. I looked at the ST as well and that was fun but the seats were too tight and the GTI was just the better package. But I also kept my 2008 SI with HFP which Im not sure if I want to sell anymore. Driving the two the GTI, feels more expensive in ride, interior, faster down low and it handles nearly as good without as harsh a ride.Its also easier to drive in the city because you dont have to shift much. However I question if its the driver's car in the segment. Its weird, when I want to drive just for fun I actually prefer the Si because it's more of a challenge to drive fast and keep it in the powerband. I like hearing the engine rev, you have to double downshift to pass quickly on the hwy, more sensitive peddles, shorter travel clutch and shorter gears for whatever make the car more exciting for me to drive. Its weird because I know the GTI is better performer and much more refined but I dont know if its the fun or driver's car.

[@opiumden34]

I have an '09 SI and I kind of hate it. I'm sure it's fun on a track, but it's just annoying while driving normally. The short gears are the main reason.

[@gino7869]

Can you do a exclusive horn rating in your videos

[@gabepettinicchio7454]

Alex - were you meaning Focus ST, rather than RS?

[@505enthusiast4]

Gabe Pettinicchio yes he meant st lol

[@siuken674]

which one will you choose ? wrx or gti ?

[@moehio]

As a big VW Gti guy, I'm more than disappointed at the way you can option your vehicle now. I like getting the base model with the cloth upholstery, and loading it up with options. Hate leather. Hate that you have to get Autobahn to get Nav. Just dumb.

[@PinoyxFuze]

can u fit adults in the backseats of the 2 door gti or only small children? I'm about 6'0" if I sit in the backseat will I be able to fit comfortably?

[@lsh19930713]

You can buddy. Even two door version, the rear seat capacity is quite big. You could have a test drive to check but personally I will say it is quite good.

[@Trendyflute]

Good video Alex, I'm just gonna offer a clarification on the performance pack differential vs. standard XDS a little bit more (because I'm a huge GTI geek and have a performance pack GTI on order right now). Both GTIs come with an open differential. VW's concept is this: we will actively simulate a differential by braking one side of the front driven wheels or the other, therefore directing torque that would otherwise flow the wrong way through an open differential and "pushing" it where it needs to go. On the standard car, this is accomplished using the front brakes and the independent-channel ABS system. On the performance package, this is added to by a "Haldex Differential Lock" that they call VAQ. It is effectively the same thing as the center differential in a Haldex AWD system (e.g. Golf R, Audi TT, Audi A3, Volvo S40, etc.): a multi-plate wet clutch in a housing that engages or disengages based on hydraulic pressure provided by a pump and controller. In an AWD application, this means that the hydraulic pressure can build or release to allow the vehicle to send anything between non and all of its power to the rear axle from the front. In the Performance Package application, this same thing is happening between the two sides of the front driven wheels. The clutches are independent of the braking system, more robust, and more responsive than just the brakes of the XDS system. As you've noted, they also work together in the performance package car. Point being that both transmissions feature open differentials between the two driveshafts which can be influenced by the front brakes (XDS), the performance package car adds a multi-plate computer-controlled clutch (VAQ) to control the torque split that that open differential experiences.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Mathew Clark It's kind of a game of semantics, it's still a limited slip differential in essence, but the mechanism they chose to use is different than what you would normally find in a FWD vehicle. I didn't want to go too far down the rabbit hole in explaining the Haldex system vs something like a Quaife which is what you normally find in transaxles. While at the heart of the Haldex system is an open diff, my argument would be that by adding the clutches you no longer have an open diff, you now have a limited slip unit, even if the clutch packs are semi-external to the differential itself. Personally I would have liked an electronic torque vectoring differential, but maybe in the MK8.

[@matthewgaines10]

Alex on Autos Agreed. Effectively it's a limited slip differential. One can obsess in the technical minutiae but in the end, the system works as limited slip.

[@lloydmaquinto4405]

Can you do a 2016 VW Tiguan R - Line? :D

[@amill1563]

Another thing is you shot this video is clear sunlight vs. and overcast day. I prefer this.

[@fyae]

mazda link doesnt work?

[@Berichar88]

How's this compare with that A-Spec Acura ILX? The prices and size are similar... I expect the Acura would be more reliable but is the GTI a better overall package?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Ben Richards Interesting comparison. The ILX is a more grown up Si. I think that the ride is better in the Acura, the transmission is perfection but the GLI is a hair more fun. Acura's infotainment system is superior and you can get more electronic goodies like radar cruise control on it as well. The GTI is a good buy but I'd probably get the ILX.

[@farhan007]

Weird, Car and Driver stated that the GTI has better handling than the SI. Maybe they were using the performance pack GTI. Also, the SI has slower steering as it is 2.8 turns lock to lock as the GTI is 2.1 turns.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

i thinkyou meant focus st not rs

[@juannoval69]

Alex, great review as always. One question for you, can you comment on the reliability of the GTI? I know you only had a short time to test it and that this is the new generation Golf GTI, so there might not be a lot of data gathered yet, but in terms of long term ownership what is your opinion of the GTI, based on previous GTIs? Thx for all the great reviews.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Juan Noval It is hard to say since this shares so little with the old Golf, but in general VW lands below average in terms of reliability.

[@93455Driver]

Like the reviews though do not always agree. Wish the Civic SI was better in terms of handling, though it is great value and agree on the NA point. Expecting great things from the new Civic Type R and hopefully this has knock off affects all through the range.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Kyde, yes you can :)

[@brucec43]

Radar based collision system? That must be why my detector goes off so much. More cars have this feature now.

[@vq37zu]

Alex, is this the twincharged engine? Twincharged as in supercharger + turbocharger.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Zuriel Briones No, just a single turbo.

[@chrisbaskett808]

Focus ST, not Focus RS. Good review though

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Chris Baskett I had RS on the brain...

[@PunxsutawneyDave]

I was going to ask but tons of people have mention below that Alex said Focus RS and not ST. Also the RS is supposed to be all wheel drive isn't it? I think Alex just wants to drive the RS.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

PunxsutawneyDave I have to take a punch in the arm, I had RS on the brain but it was the ST I meant to talk about.

[@sesker15]

How does baby seats fit in the back of the 2 door?

[@93455Driver]

+sesker15 Suspect it fits, but painful compared with the 4 door. The other thing to remember if the size of the door on the three doors - need to a good gap in a parking spot to open the doors.

[@Yarokerr]

And in 2018 VW charging you $1100 for automatic transmission in the top trim.

[@NiharM77]

Do a 2015 Ford Focus

[@javiersenosiain8924]

for me VW golf GTI could be the best car in its segment!!!!! Very funny to drive, with great engine and... Good price!!!!

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Javier Senosiain Very funny to drive? Does it make you giggle?

[@angel_machariel]

There are more differences between the Euro version and the US version. The US version has the 'cheap' torsion beam. The ride seems to become somewhat inferior because of it. I know it's because the Americans have Urea spec tanks.

[@mikea.2348]

A Freethinker Not true for gas powered cars, only for TDI. this one has rear multi-link.

[@angel_machariel]

***** Yes, I realized later but forgot to change my comment!

[@theevermind]

How would you compare this to the Mazda3 with the 2.5L engine?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

dMb I really wouldn't, this is more like the non-existent Mazdaspeed3. (at the moment, I expect it at some point soon.)

[@theevermind]

Alex on Autos The video said this Golf has 210 hp. That's well less than the Focus ST and the prior Speed3. The rumors for the next Speed3 claim nearly 300 hp, which puts it in a whole different category. This seems to fall into a 'warm hatch' category, which is also where I'd put the 2.5L Mazda3.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

dMb Horsepower figures give a skewed view. The old Mazdaspeed3 and current Focus ST may make more power but the GTI is lighter and applies the power better and as a result runs to 60 3/10ths faster than the Mazda and 2/10ths faster than the Focus. That's a full 2.5 seconds faster than a Mazda3 with the 2.5L engine. If the Mazda3 at that speed is a warm hatch, the GTI is certainly hot. Remember that VW also sells the Golf R which is the next step up if you want more power. The R is likely the model that will compete with the new Mazdaspeed3 whenever it comes out.

[@theevermind]

Alex on Autos I didn't see that the torque was in the mid 200s. That certainly should give it enough low-end power to move it faster. Google says the GTI weighs a couple hundred less than the ST but about the same as the 3. But it doesn't seem that much faster--C&D numbers have the GTI at 5.8 s, the ST at 5.7 (-0.1 s), and the 3 at 7.3 s (+1.5 s). The most recent Speed3 I could find from C&D was 2010 at 5.8 s. But yes, it does seem like it is in that hot class while the R & next Speed3 would be in an ever higher one.

[@Robin_R.]

Hi Alex, I wonder what you think of Golf R and if you are going to review one.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

rkhrahmani I like the idea, AWD is a big benefit to the Golf in terms of handling but I don't think I'll have one soon. It is available but I think I have "over-golfed" myself recently.

[@505enthusiast4]

Alex on Autos plus you have to decide if awd and 70horsepower is worth 10k

[@zunix01]

nice review but you should remove the right side thing on the screen its a bit disturbing

[@brocklanders6969]

A VW that is reliable is as rare as a Honda that isn't. My wife and I together have had 07 Jetta, 08 Rabbit, 07 GTI and an 08 A3 (Glorified GTI). The cars were all wonderful to drive, had high quality interiors, were safe, reasonable fuel economy, etc. But that is where the fun ended. They were all eat up with problems (especially the GTI and A3), some very major problems even at low miles that got to the point I had to abandon the brand. Scheduled maintenance was very expensive too.

[@505enthusiast4]

Dirk Diggler I've heard the gti has better reliability this generation

[@louismorano1585]

You realize that you are speaking about cars 10 model years ago, don't you? I had a '11 MK6 GTI for 4 years - not a single problem. I have now had my MK7 GTI for 3 years - also, not a single problem.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Saltyhero, I'd probably get the Golf R over the A3 2.0T but I'd take the RS3 over the GTI.

[@marinoint]

Average 30mpg?!! Wow, for this kind of performance this fuel economy is incredible!

[@jayczyzyk9707]

the focus st will out cirner it

[@sirsimdude]

Ford Focus ST not RS!

[@slimjseattle]

An open differential does not deliver more power to the wheel spinning without traction. An open differential always delivers the exact same amount of torque to each wheel. The problem comes when you have one wheel with no grip or limited grip. It takes almost no torque to make that wheel spin. Since the same torque is always delivered to both wheels, the wheel with traction is also getting almost no torque. auto.howstuffworks.com/differential3.htm Love your videos Alex!!

[@TheBendalina]

In the UK we pay 25000 for 5 door. That's 38000 dollars. We are getting bad deal.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Crawford The difference is mainly in taxes. Our pricing does not include state or local taxes (which are still lower than in the UK)

[@pablor.2854]

You keep calling it the Focus RS. You mean the Focus ST ... the RS isn't stateside yet!

[@mountainhobo]

ST :)

[@edgardoamado7008]

Under 25k I'll take a civic si....:: over 25k the wrx.....

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Edgardo Amado The Si interior feels very very bargain basement cheap. I checked out both GTI and Si. GTi feels much nicer.

[@moehio]

buildmorefarms100 Gti doesn't "feel" much nicer.... it IS much nicer. ; )

[@ducke295]

Personally I don't see why someone would get a GTI over a Focus ST

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Ben S The interior of the ST is ugly in my opinion and the ride is harsher.

[@ducke295]

buildmorefarms100 ah you're right. GTI is more refined. I was just thinking about performance

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Ben S I've looked at both and cant seem to "love " either one enough to buy them...

[@ducke295]

buildmorefarms100 test drives tell the real personality of the car. As The Count himself says "cars can talk, you just have to listen"

[@buildmorefarms1007]

The Civic Si interior is the worst of all! Cheap plastic is "in" at Honda. Much worse than even Mitsubishi interiors! ST and GTi are a cut above Honda Civic at least but still not good.

[@michaelghiglieri8730]

Boring car with a stupid name. Nuff said.