2018 VW GTI (MK7.5) Review - USA Version

Enter to WIN this GTI here: goo.gl/nkErmR
SUBSCRIBE for more ECS Content: www.youtube.co...
In today's video, we take a close look at the 2018 VW MK7.5 GTI with the SE trim package. The USA received the facelift MK7 model for the 2018 model year, which brings some key new features.
Some of these differences include three new colors, all new headlights and taillights, a redesigned front and rear bumper, and new
"Dallas" wheels.
The car will be given away later this summer in the ECS Tuning x StopTech Sweepstakes after being modified with industry leading performance parts.
Contest ends 6/30/18. For official rules go to: goo.gl/fByHkR

[@ecstuning]

It won't be stock for long, but it's still a fun car right from the factory! Enter to WIN this GTI here: goo.gl/nkErmR

[@deeteeohbee6794]

What's it do on the dyno stock? Are you going to have a vid on that?

[@ecstuning]

Follow along for the full build as we've got some big things planned! We'll have stock dyno numbers and show how much power we add.

[@deeteeohbee6794]

ECS Tuning awesome thanks homies

[@TheDailyDriven]

That's cleannnn 🔥👍we just picked up a MK7.5 in white silver for our channel

[@bostonnathanael4165]

You all prolly dont care but does anyone know a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost the password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@fapper_dapper]

I want to see that guy review more cars. Honest and straightforward. Not to mention the dancing 😂

[@deflep007]

i think the steering wheel is one of the best stock steering wheels on market,good looking, feels fantastic and has the flat bottom..its awesome

[@solen1849]

deflep007 I like it too

[@GGP39]

Same, I like the hardness

[@BikingBarista76]

I agree. I luv the steering wheel!

[@Jokero_YT]

Nice shape, too thin for a sporty car, I mean the Subaru Legacy has a better steering wheel. This rant brought to you by a VW fanboi.

[@flooriiin]

I actually love the wheels. But hey, that’s why there are options for everyone’s taste :)

[@AudiophileTubes]

Great cars! Had a MKII GTI back in the early 80's, and now still have my '03 GTI VR6, which has been 'bulletproof'. 6-speed manual with leather interior, gorgeous red on blue guages too. No mechanical issues these 15 years i've owned it, which is amazing! Still puts a huge smile on my face. The car shifts flawlessly, even after all these years running the original, factory transmission oil. VW claims that you never have to change the transmission oil! Go figure.

[@icky_thump]

"Basically translates to Good Ass Diff" lmfao

[@ThisIsBrendon]

Here for the Donut guy.

[@DavidFernandez-sc5ws]

this is incredible. this car has been on my list. this review pushed me over the edge. please review more cars.

[@BOOSTEDDUDE]

Sub'd. The Wheels aren't that bad. They actually look really good in motion. Great info on your perspective on the LSD.

[@verothacamaro]

I like the wheels lol

[@Somewondude]

OEM splash guards are a must. no one ever does a night time review of the interior.its nice AF.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I own the 2017 GTI. I don't personally want the OEM splash Guards. Or any Splash Guards for that matter. Looks better without them IMO.

[@stevegaspar]

Love my 7.5 Autobahn with plaid seats (in Canada we get that option) also loved the DSG much better than the manual...launch control is awesome

[@BikingBarista76]

Same here. Mine is 2019.. I'm planning to have a open air intake..any comments?

[@solen1849]

Subscribed, can't wait for future videos of this car

[@CorporateGrunt]

Zach, the poll has come back and #TheAudiArmy loves your commentary! Thank you for keeping the review of a Stock Car with Prius aka no F*ckn' Thank you wheels entertaining and watchable. Excited for the honest Dyno review!!

[@timothyoneill7972]

Good review , I was a lifelong VW owner and so happy when I got my 2016 GTI Autobahn it was a fun vehicle ,But VW broke my heart when at 25k the vehicle needed a New Clutch I was so surprised I mean I am a 59yo man who has had a cultch and driven a manual since 1972 so you think they would cover this repair under there 3yr --36 K warranty ...NO ...they wouldn't cover this repair even when I had purchased the VW Care extended warranty..? This is unbelievable after (6) VW purchases and a brand new vehicle 2016 VW would not cover this clearly a product defect ??? Beware if you are going to purchase this vehicle with a manual and VW extended warranty was a waste of money...Broken hearted VW customer

[@iroquoispliskin6077]

I would dispute that, it should have been under warranty. I don't think every dealership would do that maybe call corporate.

[@berso6292]

I miss the virtual cockpit option, a gti for about 40 k must have a feauture like that. Still a beauty tho

[@michaeleverson3801]

RE: Tires, highly recommend the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s. Can't beat the amount of grip you get from a set of those for the money. I ditched my GTI's OEM Pirellis for those and now have seemingly endless grip whereas before, the tires would give up and really limit the car. Could obviously go with a nice set of Michelins for a lot more money, but don't sleep on those Firestones.

[@padistedor]

I test drove the same car as in this video. It is fantastic. I wish it wasn’t 32k because I want to buy new black wheels and get the HP up to where it should be.

[@SilverShamrock71]

I have those wheels on my white silver, I love the look of them

[@swankestmule]

dudes a goof. i like it .

[@jeremyv11000]

excited to see this build

[@alkyneytdavid7726]

Gti as first car; any thoughts?

[@ecstuning]

Great first car if you can swing it!

[@dlroto]

AlkyneYT David buy used and then you are good

[@jose15238]

mine was Gli,great cars

[@alkyneytdavid7726]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will definitely take this into consideration.

[@Jaydenmerenda]

Literally bought a mk7.5 for my first car, its amazing. i live in Australia though so some small differences but amazing

[@maveric0738]

I’ll take it just the way it is!!

[@DriveVersity]

Zach Jobe doing a review?! Hell yeah!!! #TeamDonut LOL

[@AlexD02]

5:52 love that view of the car. Can’t wait to own one.

[@cheztr4402]

Im from Germany.. is there any chances to win or its just for the US?

[@Kmaitland89]

Um, you don't have to plug your phone in to use the apple or android car play... you can use BT.

[@loganlink6033]

I love my MK6 GTI. Drove it a year stock, had some cam timing issues at 65k, but we pulled through lol. It was a really fun to drive stock car. I recently started getting some of ECSTuning brand upgrades. Installed Intake, Turbo muffler delete, and high flow outlet pipe. Next will be their Throttle body pipe to complete the intake system for now, and on to exhaust. Its a really great car. I cannot wait for this MK7.5, This is going to be an amazing build that I would love to win. #DUB #GTI #ECSTUNING

[@derekjlight]

Sweet they FINALLY used LEDs for the front turn signals.

[@sszhao11]

I think that's only for SE and up. base still bulb and reflector housing

[@derekjlight]

Simon Zhao yes you are correct. But they look amazing lol.

[@aaronvasquez4605]

Bro is that zack jobe???

[@josevaldez1968]

1:45 BEST MOMENT 💀

[@giocervantes3868]

That’s the guy from donut media

[@mk7.5Memo]

i have a 2019 mk7.5 git se and it has fender package

[@atabeymedia5364]

This car is the same as the 2019 I got a bout two months ago which I want to know what is the difference I want to know if they actually gave me a 2019 instead a 2018.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

The Dallas rims actually look really nice. The hate thrown at them in this video is unwarranted. And the steering wheel in this car is super comfy...I own one...so I speak from experience. The steering wheel in the GTI is super nice looking. Best I've ever seen in this class. As far as the silver gray color...it reminds me of a dirty washcloth...super bad.

[@jamesflannery6401]

I just bought one with that color. They had to drive one up from New Jersey to Massachusetts LOL the one they had on the lot needed a VW part and they couldn't sell. I have not seen another like it but I haven't been driving it that long...... The color I mean

[@heyitsme939]

it’s all matter of opinion. most people don’t like those wheels, me included. they were the first thing I took off my mk7.5, replaced with the much better looking Brescia’s.

[@austincole7744]

The comment about the wheels was fucking hysterical!

[@93455Driver]

Austin Cole But true! The Sport had far nicer looking wheels.

[@PeRRXX]

I don’t know why, but I don’t like the feel of the Manual in the MK7 GTI. I can’t figure it out either. And I drive a 2001 Mustang GT, which stock it’s like 1st and 2nd is the equivalent distance of LA to Orlando, and I like it more then the MK7 shifting. Maybe it has something to do with the lack of DSG farts, but I just can’t figure out why I don’t like the feel

[@larryzeldin7561]

Do these new gen GTIs come with DCT anymore? My friend had a GTI like 3-4 years ago and it had the dual clutch instead of a regular automatic. If I’m not mistaken there is no more DCT option for the GTI,it’s now a 8 speed automatic... I think the Golf R gets a DCT

[@user-ox5bi7ql6y]

Nah still has DSG its a 7 speed DSG in both golf r and gti

[@LiLgPnoy15]

Man I really want this car!!

[@xjayfromva7730]

This is sweet! I have a mk6 id love to have this one though haha

[@SerCaliber]

Zach?! What’re you doin here???

[@walstar20]

Subbed.. literally just picked up one of these 2 days ago.

[@Painfulwhale360]

How are you liking it after two years?

[@walstar20]

@@Painfulwhale360 Zero issues. Still going strong. Love it

[@DaCreepNextDoor]

Holy shit, Zach from Donut was here before Donut...

[@aidananchaya]

Good first car?

[@aaron5222]

I second the wheels. Waiting for VW to buy back my lemon GLI. Torn on color of GTI because we will never get the 18 golf R. Thinking white silver or great falls green

[@jenf836]

A jacko got one monday. Finally got to Boston

[@jamesflannery6401]

Just drove my new s that I picked up on Friday night! Love it! Drove from Weston Mass to Boston to my sister's house And luckily I did not get a ticket cuz I was buzzing around all the slowpokes in the left lane on the Pike! So much fun just to drive

[@Thekaratekid101]

Still I love with my stage 2+ 2015 GTI wouldn't trade it for anything ( maybe a mustang)

[@tylerwalls2196]

Just realized you guys were in Ohio! Very cool

[@southshore74]

Im sorry, screw shifting. If I am going to be paying for this car for the next 5 years, the Car is going to work for me. The DSG is awsome.

[@davidstauffer4093]

Ugh. Have "fun" with that. No freaking way....

[@chriskeegan8919]

🤣👌

[@RandaEmily]

I have this exact car, but I don’t have the tail lights... wtf!

[@heyitsme939]

his comment on the wheels 😂😂😂 that was the first mod I did to my mk7.5, those hideous wheels. idk what VW was thinking!

[@DavidFernandez-sc5ws]

Holy shit. It's Zach from donut media....

[@DP-nr1hz]

Prius hate is real

[@limpei94]

contest only for usa right ?

[@ecstuning]

Yes, the promotion is open to legal residents of the 48 Contiguous United States.

[@rickc303]

Looks like Zach Jobe

[@hllboi817]

Couldnt agree more with those wheels, theyre fugly, and the stock tires never seem to get grip in any road condition

[@Bayne83]

it looks like you still have the strut pucks in there

[@ChrisLove713]

I bought a 2017 MK7 GTI Autobahn and it fucking KILLS me that they, OF COURSE, refresh the damned car months after I bought mine.... Argghhhhhhhhhh

[@danielsanchez5715]

Good video, great content! However, for anyone considering purchasing this car...a little snippet of my recent experience: I have a 2018 MK7.5 GTI. At ~39K miles, this past March, my car started leaking fuel from the EVAP canister while driving with my family. Had about 6-8 gallons leak onto the hot exhaust and the entire car filled with fuel fumes while my wife and 1 year old were riding with me. Scrambled to get them out of the car without igniting it and had it towed to the nearest dealership. After a week and no diagnosis, I went to the dealership, presented them with my research and helped them identify the problem. Called VW Cares and reported the safety issue I had with my family. Only at this point did things begin moving. Got a free rental and the EVAP canister and fuel tank had to be replaced--all covered under warranty. 2 weeks ago I was on a road trip, 400 miles from home, and I started experiencing some choking, stalling and poor idling. I got stranded in the Easter Sierras for hours waiting for a tow truck and had to get my car towed 200 miles to the nearest dealership after it failed to start (had to get my insurance to tow, VW would not as it was past 36K miles). Dealership discovered that a line from the pump to the suction pump was disconnected. Spent hundreds of dollars in lodging, fuel lost days of my vacation, and lost work, and a family member had to drive 400 miles to pick up me and my belongings. Again, repairs were covered under warranty, but my car was nearly 400 miles from my home. And again, I called VW Cares and spent 2 weeks arguing with them about why I think they should tow my car to my home. After 2 weeks, I bought a plane ticket so I could pick up the vehicle and sent them the invoice. The next morning, today, it showed up at my nearest dealership. I requested buy-back documents. First and last VW. In nearly 25 years of driving and 5 cars, I have never been left on the side of the road. I have lost faith in the car, the brand and their service. Was considering a Porsche in a couple of years, but anything under the VW umbrella is dead to me now.

[@yst42]

I thought the wheels would grow on me, but after a month of ownership they still don't :(

[@ecstuning]

We have a solution, and you'd get lots of entries to win another GTI! goo.gl/qQz5XP

[@bosse641]

So nice.

[@xBreezy_23]

Sweet

[@racefammedia2275]

I wanna test that diff its gonna grip good with upgrades 💯🔥

[@dustincable1695]

Make it go faster!!!!

[@markiie12]

zack???? from money pit?? donut ....?

[@nickhickson8738]

Funny seeing a manual handbrake in these American produced cars. In Europe and the UK we have Electronic handbrake with Autohold which works magnificently without the need to keep on applying that manual lever all the time.

[@MrRidge7]

Manual lever is better.

[@dudesquotemovies]

Camera used for filming?

[@ecstuning]

It was filmed on a Panasonic GH5 with a Metabones Speedbooster.

[@mattsherlock6193]

Not a gti without the plaid

[@davidstauffer4093]

Autobahn leather is pretty damn nice.

[@FaceliftGT]

Nice! :), will follow!.

[@muznick]

Those wheels do suck. Was half the reason I went with the Rabbit edition. The other half of course, was Urano Gray.

[@cidybudd8334]

No f****** thank you! Hahahaha!!! So true.

[@derekjlight]

3:32 LOL

[@jdiaz944]

I hope I win

[@swanblake]

This was actually am awesome review. Hate the wheels as well. Truely feel that without a manual transmission this car is boring. The 6 speed manual really brings up The engagement

[@sleepybeanz5078]

3:33 haha, i do that c:

[@JasonBryantGreen]

Not buying another one until the 2 doors are back.

[@ChrisLeiter]

Good review. From a bearded man to another, shave the neck and get some oil!

[@ecstuning]

Thanks, and you're right! I need to treat this thing with more respect.

[@bigzvigil]

Zach chobe!!!!!!! Donut media!

[@K03sport]

It was a nice car ruined by tacky (sponsor) decals/graphics. They would have been the first thing removed IF I won it, but I didn't. Next giveaway, do an Alltrack.

[@ryanthomastew]

SUB'D AND BELL'D

[@dj331]

No 65% tint rear windows. No virtual cockpit. No darkened led rear lights with sweeping indicators. No dual zone climate control. No parking sensors . No electronic handbrake. All these are standard on the Uk model. Why have they removed these for the USA model?

[@troyh8461]

Good lord, really? You guys have great options. I think they have some of those features in the Autobahn, not clear about the electronic handbrake though. How are the models in the UK? In the United States it's "S, SE, and Autobahn."

[@dj331]

Troy H S, SE, GT, R Line, GTD (looks like the GTi but has a 184bhp Diesel engine ), GTi, eGolf, and the R

[@SG-sz5vh]

Except for the rear signal lights on the euro version my autobahn has all you described as missing

[@davidstauffer4093]

Manual handbrake all the way...

[@heyitsme939]

because this car is more expensive in Europe. in the US, they take some things out so that it will sell. it isn’t legal for a car manufacturer to put rear tinted windows on a hatchback in the US, and they have different taillights because of a light restriction for the US. things like climatronic, park assist, park pilot, ACC, navigation, etc are available as an option, just not in his specific GTI

[@Lord_Verminaard]

GTi's with 4 doors just look so porky. Very stupid decision by VOA to stop selling the 2-door. I do like the color though and at least it has the correct amount of pedals!

[@mackeymichael]

Agree they have just brought back the 2 door Gti to Australia after a seven year absence,they look much better.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Agreed! Bring back the 2 door GTI!

[@nikogeorgiafentis7450]

I actually prefer the mk7. IDK this looks less aggressive to me.

[@MrStroller4u]

It made in Mexico! I'll stay with my beater mkvi

[@heyitsme939]

who cares. The parts come from Germany, the factory that this car is assembled at is in Mexico. literally no difference in terms of quality.

[@peterturnansky8885]

BTW wheels are pretty so please don`t do that again.Thanks

[@StickerVR]

Are you from 🍩?

[@gdoh]

Why would you get a 5 door

[@ecstuning]

That's all we can get in the US!

[@davidstauffer4093]

Daily driver. Kids in tow at times....

[@rayflower1915]

If you live in europe and you want a cheap sports car with low tax costs, you go with the Gti's. But in america buying an 2.0 gti with fake sounds system in it, i just don't get it. The gas in the us is one of the cheapest in the world, Engine and weight are not playing a huge role like in europe.

[@Iggnite909]

the wheels are not as good looking anymore

[@markday6524]

I would not want that GTI after you guys had your hands on it.

[@markbrown2296]

Why wouldn’t you want it?

[@RideByNight]

What's your rationale for that comment? Has ECS messed up a car before? I just found their channel.

[@vr6gls]

I like the new Dallas wheels much better than the ugly Austins from the pre-facelift GTI.

[@mistrzmistrz5150]

and manual A/C hahah this is a joke

[@knightmarel]

So mod the shit out of it, and then give it away to someone else so when it breaks it's non of your business? Under your terms and conditions it states"NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING." Yet you're asking people to buy your shitty parts.

[@pvfeB7Ax]

Put a wing on it!

[@bryangreen9889]

Efraim Luyando mid wing!!

[@brandonmcdeed3022]

NO!

[@ecstuning]

No Bryan Green.

[@davidstauffer4093]

Buy a WRX.

[@DickeyHepSleeve]

You can't complain about the steering wheel when you don't keep your hands on it, and when you do have your hands on it you do not know the proper placement for your hands.

[@stevec3526]

This review is unwatchable...

[@SerCaliber]

Zach?! What’re you doin here???