2016 Volkswagen GTI | CarGurus Test Drive Review

If you love to drive, but you’re on a budget or you need something more practical than a traditional sports coupe, then you absolutely must check out the 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI. An affordable performance icon that is sheer pleasure to drive, the Golf GTI blends athleticism, refinement, comfort, practicality, safety, technology, and value in a manner unmatched by most other vehicles.
Though it got redesigned for the 2015 model year, the Golf GTI remains instantly recognizable. In fact, it could be said that if you’ve seen one GTI, you’ve seen them all. Simple, two-box design? Check. Red exterior accents with “GTI” grille badge? Check. Machined-finish, five-spoke alloys? Check. Standard plaid cloth upholstery wrapped around performance bolstered seats? Check. Function over form interior materials and control layout? Check.
The Golf GTI might be the same as it ever was, plainly penned and painted in drab colors outside of the available Tornado Red hue, but styling has never been responsible for selling this car. Rather, the magic lies beneath this Volkswagen’s conservative surface. Read more on CarGurus: cargur.us/8_8dj
Presenter: Chris Wardlaw
Producer: Dan Sharp
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[@cappy0023]

I went with the 2016 GTI S. The Tartan Plaid seats are awesome. I love the retro look and they're super comfortable as well. Terrific car.

[@livingobject]

I don't understand how you don't have more subscribers. You have the best car reviews by far.

[@IcedReaver]

Wow, this was a really well made review! Thanks!

[@gmonnig]

Good review! Traded in my 2013 GLI for a mk7 GTI today. Can't wait to go out driving tomorrow. I can't believe the handling difference between the GLI and GTI!

[@cengeb]

Less rear overhang on GTI versus GLI it matters.

[@bikes7777]

you deserve more subscribers. your reviews are excellent and detailed.

[@sanityinaseaofmadness7353]

I'm biased... As a drummer who brings his drums camping (yes, my friends and I have fun), this car was plenty of space for a full kit, tent, sleeping bag and food cooler (with the back seats down). No one should ever complain about the amount of storage space in this car; 2 people will ride comfortably with lots of gear. I'm not complaining about the video; I'm merely saying the car consistently amazes me with how much you can fit into it. Tack on the fuel efficiency and the tons of fun you have while driving it, and I DO agree with Car Gurus: it's awesome. ps. you can get into a base level Golf R for the same price as a fully-equipped GTI. Consider your goals for buying a car carefully, because if speed is what you want, the R might be a better choice. If you want options, the GTI is the way to go. In my humble opinion.

[@howardadamsky2417]

Makes sense. I am a features guy and I suspect that the speed of this vehicle is more than fast enough.

[@eslgurucalif]

I agree with this guy. The limited slip differential makes little difference if you live in a place without snow. I chose to go without it. In fact, I just drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains of NC, and my new GTI took to the hairpin turns like a labrador on its first hunting trip. Natural instinct.

[@RonnieWisdom]

Such a good review!

[@drunkensessions]

Great review.

[@jamesphilipson1289]

8:25 “let’s say you buy your kid a GTI” Jesus do parents like that exist?! My parents wouldn’t buy me stamps

[@us3r1ng]

I like this dude. Agree 100% with him on that 16 year olds shouldn't get a GTI. Bought my own GTI this year, I'm 16; all I can say is that I'm happy with it and it is not hard to get carried away with the speed it has.

[@Jpgstays]

How did you get it

[@CHICOZTACOS]

Come on VW! Plaid seats need to be an option on the upper trim levels.

[@howardadamsky2417]

Agreed. They are making a mistake by not doing that as the plaid seats are iconic.

[@rockersuki]

I have the 2016 GTI Autobahn and I personally despise the plaid seats

[@grahams5146]

@@rockersuki because you’re uncultured

[@rockersuki]

@@grahams5146 That makes no sense.... I always grew up with leather and don't want stained seats lol

[@grahams5146]

@@rockersuki sounded like you despised the plaid because of the design, not the fact that it is cloth and stains

[@rayo5826]

Owner of a 16 gti for like 2 months now really is the perfect daily the torque is awesome in these cars

[@michaelking9568]

what a great and apt review. I have a 2016 red 4-door autobahn dsg (lazy) with the lighting upgrade. it doesn't have the upgrades in this video. but let me tell you guys, it is the ultimate everyday driver. fun and gets you out of trouble. I love my car!

[@cr8zyshredda007]

What does the Autobahn trim include?

[@aidananchaya]

How is the DSG?

[@Nelbone]

I have one in white with everything but the drivers assistance package. Put an intake and tune and it’s even better. DCC is worth it. The LSD helps and bigger brakes is always good. Still get 34mpg highway. Perfect daily driver. I also got mine for 26k with 5,000 miles.

[@funwheels8619]

Awesome thumbs up got myself a VW golf GTI 2018 Autobahn with performance package and I don't see myself driving any other car.

[@skelerang]

I love my GTI. Unfortunately I was just rear ended last week, but the car held up like a champ. The Civic that hit me folded like a paper cup.

[@inbloom08]

Glad your GTI held up. Did you write the car off or was it repairable?

[@skelerang]

It was repairable. Good as new!

[@inbloom08]

+Garrett Andrews great to hear :)

[@jayczyzyk9707]

gti chasisunderpining very poorly constructed

[@lizziedripping71]

That’s what keeps me coming back to VW. Had several GTi s over the years. They are fun, safe, reliable & for adults.❤️ Thanks for a super review

[@robertdavis5714]

You picked the perfect canyon for that car. Latigo Canyon Malibu.

[@sergevivier2023]

And reviews don't get much better than this one.

[@delplaya5]

Trust me when you start driving fast through the curves, anyone riding in the back is going to appreciate being snug and secure and having their face hit the back of your headrest when you fuck up.

[@brendanvine27]

i have a Gti and it is great

[@PaulNaylor3]

I appreciate your reviews. You mentioned this particular model is $36,840. I think the base GTI, which costs around $25,000, is a great deal. However, you could get a Golf R for the price of this particular GTI. And, a base Golf R comes with many features that are options on a GTI.

[@ericmichel3857]

Agreed, if I were to buy a GTI, it would the base S model with PP, 2 door, perhaps with DSG and lighting. I would actually pay more to have the cloth seats over the leather so the higher level trims have no appeal for me. Although I would pay extra for the keyless entry/start feature if it could be had as a separate option. So a car speced out as I would have it is around $28K and with the discounting available could be had brand new for under $25K, That is a very good deal! If you are getting into the low $30K range for a GTI why? If you are going to spend that kind of money then just get the Golf R.

[@Noposwowskis]

I want this car! Might have to trade in my mustang for this!

[@edgargrimaldo2970]

I have a 2019 GTI Rabbit Edition. It’s a fun car!

[@HRINACAR]

Nice sound? Seperate recorder for audio mate?

[@mattilinan]

vw tends to rate their cars horsepower to the wheels as opposed to the crank. a Mk7 GTI with PP probably puts out very close to 250 crank.

[@jamesriccelli6919]

That's my baby color and all except I have the manual version. What a car!!!!!

[@SloanZurnToto]

If you replace your Miata, I hope you will choose a GTI with a proper manual transmission for more driver involvement and fun factor.

[@davidhayes4814]

A bit cheesy but the GTI is a good car. It is not a track car but a good road car with a decent turn of speed. My two kids are big lads and they fit fine in the back of my partner’s mark 7 GTI. Because the back is pretty much squared off, it gives good headroom for both, who are 190 cm.

[@MNRiverCatfishin]

Great car but I chose the Focus ST for the fun to drive factor. GTI is more refined however.

[@xuimod]

Post collision braking..... yeah that's really useful. Car brakes after the accident.

[@djcorlett3168]

xuimod Actually if you hit someone. On that canyon road it could stop you from going over the edge. I think post collision braking should be standard on all cars.

[@wildwest1]

Fun cars!

[@Vesper778]

Really love the Autobahn trim and all. But for $36k I would say get a Golf R instead.

[@telemaq76]

insurance is 50% more expensive for the R.it can cost you 10 k more if you keep you car long time just in insurancy For an everyday drive, the gti is more than enough ( except if you live in a snowy country ok for the 4x4 ). and for few hundred bucks you can have 300cv on your gti, fat lighter than a R

[@Vesper778]

+telemaq76 That's what I did, I bought a Mk7 GTI DSG S trim for $24,000 Out of the door.

[@telemaq76]

+Nguyen Duong and you love it im sure

[@Vesper778]

+telemaq76 Oh man I love every single miles I have driven. Such a beautiful machine. On that day I was on my way to a local Toyota dealer to buy a Gt86 but I thought there's no harm stopping by nearby VW dealer a take a GTI for a spin. Next thing I know, I fell in love instantly with the car took it home.

[@kn7gez]

Checked years ago. Same ins class as V8 muscle car.

[@zone47]

I'm thinking, buy a Golf S, install a mechanical diff and a stage II tune and for the same price as a sport and way less than an SE, you'll have a great performance machine that will trump any of the higher end models.

[@patw9175]

It would trump the higher Golf models, but not the GTI or R models.

[@rockporttwentyseven]

Nice review but please setup your GoPro behind you so we can see the dashboard while your driving. We dont really need to look at you talking about the car. Make use of a wide angle lens. We want to see the interior while you drive it. Just a suggestion.

[@mohammadfarajzadehtehrani88]

What is the GTI of SUVs (compact or midsized)? Don't say Macan as it does not satisfy the affordability factor.

[@JoJoJoker]

Mohammad Farajzadeh Tehrani GLA45 AMG.

[@ziggy72170]

( long-term ownership)..I just wanta know, will this Vehicle be as Fast & reliable after 100K ??

[@mertz313]

Take care of it and there's no reason why it shouldn't..

[@incarswetrust]

I would never buy a German car. That's why I've least all mine for the past 10 years.

[@incarswetrust]

+Heartagram ....and lots of costly repairs.

[@mertz313]

eiggerris Nope. I actually know how to maintenance and use a car :)

[@bosse641]

2 Door R for me please :-)

[@tomeisenmenger7048]

I'm 6'1" and 250 lbs. How snug do you think that GTI would be for me?

[@bilbobaggins8440]

I'm 6'3 210 and I have all kinds of room in that thing haha its kind of crazy how much room is in those cars!

[@cengeb]

plenty of room, well designed Germans use every inch. Lots of headroom, plenty of leg room Mine is 2016 flawless. Seats are superb, lots of room, I have been in larger cars that have less interior space, GTI is well done

[@dalyplanet70]

your taste in cars belies your taste in luggage.

[@trainingphilosophy]

That's funny @9:30. I own an '09 Miata and thinking of selling it to get a '17 GTI. I need a more well rounded car. I can't take my kids or go grocery shopping in Miata too well.

[@Ben-bg2eg]

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY Absolutely do it. GTI won’t be quite as fun but it is an absolute blast compared to almost everything else on the road, with minimal compromises. It’s comfortable, quiet, and at the same time, fun and balanced. The chassis in this car is remarkable. Firm, but never harsh. See if the dealer will let you go on an extended test drive, and make sure you buy one with summer tires if your weather situation allows it.

[@yournevergunnaknow5201]

1:20 of course you still love it, you didn't buy it with your own cash!

[@ulyssesrosario2082]

How reliable is the GTI?

[@brendanvine27]

my Gti has been reliable

[@ulyssesrosario2082]

+brendanvine27 good to know. what year is your car? Mileage?

[@brendanvine27]

Ulysses Rosario​ it is a 2015 but I still haven't had any problems

[@brendanvine27]

Ulysses Rosario​ 10,000 miles

[@bilbobaggins8440]

If you regularly service and change its oil. Any car can be reliable.

[@PEPWEY]

Expensive.

[@howardadamsky2417]

Yes

[@jayczyzyk9707]

wait till you need servicewarranty does not cover anything

[@Vile_412]

Agreed. I loved my Passat 4motion, but holy crap... The German labor unions keep prices on parts at a premium when you need to replace pretty much anything on a VW. I would have hated to see the repair bill if I had the 2.0t and the turbo went bad. Again, loved my Passat but I'll never buy a German vehicle again.

[@bbokdoong]

I have never owned a German vehicle. Is it really that bad? GTI is not an expensive car, so I was assuming repair cost should be moderate.

[@Vile_412]

+Sangmin Lee repair costs are still high for any German vehicle, regardless of cost of the vehicle. There are plenty of websites where you can research repair costs, I highly recommend doing so.

[@jayczyzyk9707]

+Sangmin Lee did uou ever own one

[@mertz313]

+Sangmin Lee I own a 2004 Volkswagen Passat.. This is the year they had 4motion as an option. Anyways, I have the 1.8T with fwd. Currently I'm at 183k miles.. The maintenance for this car was not too different than anything else I've owned.. Don't let people scare you. Buy what you want and take care of it. My car has never let me down, and I get to enjoy a well built machine as my daily driver. I love this thing lol

[@kn7gez]

Insurance $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@TheLp640fan]

im 20 and with an "accident" on my record and with my 2016 GTI 2 door, my 94 F150 and my moms 06 jeep wrangler i only pay 260 a month with allstate

[@jonathanm1854]

"only 260 a month" Just so you know, in your lack of years on this earth... $260 a month for insurance is high as hell... Im 28, have a 2014 jetta TDI, i know its a different car than the GTI, but I pay $64 a month... $260 is a car payment, not insurance.

[@TheLp640fan]

+Jonathan McCracken yeah i know its hella high but for two cars its better than some of the quotes i was getting for the GTI on my own

[@telemaq76]

i pay 860 euros for one year, it s expensive but the car is worth it :p

[@bilbobaggins8440]

The driver assistance packaged with the collision system lowers insurance like crazy!!!!!!!!!

[@Mog.spider]

Eating.. Sleeping... How about pooping?

[@Ukraine732]

I love biased car reviews lol

[@aquaboris]

DSG FARTS!

[@keytothegate68]

Probably the stupidest car you can buy for 36K

[@patw9175]

what would you buy big guy

[@Great_America]

You are almost 50?? I hate to bring bad news, but you look closer to 60 :-(