2020 Volkswagen Golf GTi MK8 Real World First Drive // Jonny Smith

[@dg2911]

Jonny is like the Louis Theroux of the automotive world.

[@boo_]

How?? I've got nothing against Jonny, but he is not like Louis, they have nothing in common, no way. Louis Theroux risked his life, limb and reputation for some of his documentaries, they open eyes and provoke thought. While Jonny just drives around in a car, perfectly safe and comfortable, and then gives us his opinion about it. Sure, these videos are professionally done and are pleasant to watch, but that's all. Your statement is ridiculous.

[@boo_]

Also the fact that Jonny pinned your comment makes me think that he could use a big slice of humble pie.

[@dg2911]

Your username instantly gives you zero credibility. Lighten up Mr Magnet.

[@boo_]

@@dg2911 My username is a joke and a reference and has nothing to do with you talking shit. Nice try to deflect and change subject though.

[@dg2911]

KZbin comments are much like magnets, theres positive and negative. You sir clearly favour the latter.

[@Kenny_P_abz]

Interesting that Citroen were one of the first to go with touch screen climate control and they’re now reverting to physical controls in new cars due to customer feedback.

[@jondonnelly3]

I reverted to a physical controls on my cooking hob, instead of touch based shite that doesn't even work if I have gloves on! Nothing wrong with knobs and switches! Touch feels cheap.

[@markm49]

My wife drives a C4 Grand Picasso - almost the entire car is touch screen based. It is basically impossible to change climate or other settings without using the screen - it is so dangerous and frustrating.

[@pbyfr]

Even Elon Musk put buttons for important functions on Crew Dragon.

[@jrgenramdahl123]

@@pbyfr Elon Musk uses touchscreen to flush his toilet at his home. fact!

[@cozyflannel]

abz 7183 I’m glad they’re listening

[@KenEdwardsz]

I don't think touch screens are safe to use while moving, surely it's as bad as trying to text while driving. How long do your eyes leave the road while trying to find ventilation controls on a touch screen compared to feeling for a rotary control. How will technophobe OAPs be able to deal with that. My Dad couldn't operate an iPad because his hands used to shake yet he had no problem driving and operating a Toyota Prius or his old Jaguar. All this touch screen stuff is great but it just will not work for all people and I believe it's as dangerous as using a mobile phone while driving!

[@timogaleon1630]

Ken Edwards, I totally agree. If I was a law maker I would ban the use of touchscreens in cars, and I’m quite serious on that.

[@stephenvincent4706]

In Australia it is illegal to use a mobile phone in a vehicle except hands free ( some states even have cameras, both fixed and mobile, to catch you using your phone whilst driving). And yet just about every new car allows you to connect your phone thru Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and then use the vehicle’s touch screen to use the phone. How is doing that not just as bad as using the mobile directly? And all this touchscreen crap is down to bloody Elon Musk and damn Tesla’s. The world is going to Hell in a hand basket abetted by corporations that will do anything for money, even when it’s totally stupid and dangerous.

[@TK-gd9td]

It’s an awkward phase until voice AI commands make its way into cars. Lots of regulations to still hurdle to get it in a car package, and not too much profit to incentivize tech companies to get over those hurdles faster compared to their other ventures.

[@KenEdwardsz]

@Antonio Zamudio Yes this is true, we did set up accessibility options but my point about the car is it doesn't have these options.

[@audigex]

Yeah I love my Tesla, but I REALLY don't feel comfortable using the touchscreen on the move. For most functions that's fine - I don't need to use them on the move - but for "driving" controls, I want a damn button

[@Slash18622]

Let me get that straight: The MK8 is basically a MK7 with a worse looking exterior, worse controls interior and cheaper materials?

[@tzsteve33]

It’s probably way cheaper to produce than the mk 7

[@theNSXman]

Sadly it looks like it

[@richardhoulton4016]

I think you summed it up. It looks awful.

[@bign3ck]

Yep 👍

[@markm49]

The new Seat Leon is basically the same - worse than the Mk3.5 in just about everyway. I'm just glad I got the current Cupra 290 and not the Mk4 crap that's coming down the line.

[@peterpan6821]

Jonny didn't smile once. In the Autogefühl review, Tomas didn't smile once. This tells me exactly what I need to know.

[@dragospahontu]

It's a nice daily

[@jbm0866]

Exactly this. I recall nearly every review of the MK7 resulting in even pretty stoic reviewers grinning or laughing at some point, but not so with the MK8. In some ways it's the best GTI ever, and in some ways its worse than the MK4 which is considered the GTI low point.

[@Rasscasse]

Cheers Jonny. You do a good job. I like the combo of good info and relaxed presentation style. I wish you well.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

V kind. Cheers Chris.

[@Casey.seeK.]

Great review! In the KZbin landscape it's quite rare to have a normal calm speaking person who knows his stuff to do video's. Its so much nicer to listen to. Great relief from the standard: HelloOOW KZbin!!! WHAT'S UP?!

[@TassieLorenzo]

Savagegeese is quite chilled as well.

[@wmp4642]

Hey Jonny, I like that you put the time into the little time stamp description things at the bottom of the video, nobody else seems to bother with them. It's the little things that show you're not like the others jonny, you really care about us, don't go and leave us for topgear now :) hahah

[@zacknrudi]

I love the car but, piano black on the key fob? Oh, my, OCD! Car designers, can you please leave off the cheap, shiny black, easily scratched plastic on our frequently touched surfaces and switch gear?

[@livingthroughtv]

You think that's bad? The GTI typeface used inside doesn't match the one on the boot. Nightmare!

[@theodorev666]

Zat's ze Germans though innit? They go from over engineering to tacky to unnecessary all within a few inches of interior trim.

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

Agreed. Gloss black is such a cliche now, scratches and looks awful in no time.

[@dylanh1978]

Finally Mk8 GTi content, even better that it's Jonny to bring it to us!

[@wizkid01]

You mean a mk8 GOLF GTi? Stop pronouncing it as a mk8 GTi.

[@stephencook754]

The angry jack-o-lantern face is getting really tiring. Can't we have an optimistic and eager face like the old GTIs of the past? Agro is just not endearing.

[@mastermaltese8731]

Ugliest new hatchback in my opinion on par with BMW 1 series. EVERY new hatchback looks better... Focus, Megane, i30, Fiat Tipo, and yes even Astra and Corolla.

[@Gentleman...Driver]

@@mastermaltese8731 At least the Golf stays the same underneath. The BMW 1 series, oh boy. Front wheel drive and a design like its an mini suv? Jeez. That upsets many people.

[@SoulTouchMusic93]

@@Gentleman...Driver the 1 series looks and probably drives like they shrunk their minivan.

[@crashbox7130]

It's easier to set the Self-destruct mode on the starship Enterprise than to work the ventilation system on a mk8. Utter madness.

[@mickwilson127]

Crash Box “the more you bypass the plumbing, the easier it is to block up the drains”. Copyright Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer U.S.S. Enterprise NC-1701

[@theodorev666]

Is it really that bad?

[@peterpan6821]

Does the Second Officer concur?

[@larsradtke4097]

Push voice control button: say "it is to warm" Just use voice control. Didn't take me 15 minutes. But activating active cruise control and predicative speed assist and automatic speed limit recognition took me a little bit longer. Awesome. It gets slower at the corner you need to turn and you don't even have to push brake or accelerator if you use GPS. Awesome on the autobahn. Did 1200km last week, mostly 190kph at the unrestricted sections, ended up with 5.9L/100km Diesel. Awesome. Construction sites it gets slower and accelerates with the changing speed signs. Just awesome.

[@timmiekat6072]

I was gonna wait a bit get a mk 8 but just got a full spec mk7.5 barely used around the same price as the mk8 mid spec would be. I made the choice when I learned that even the air-conditioning was going to be through a screen and I prefer buttons even though it looks less modern don't necessarily dislike.mk8 looks more then 7 kinda the same for me I think mk7 with the daylight led's looks modern enough though mk8 interior is more modern the exterior looks uglier upfront yet better at the back don't see what things I can get on the mk8 and not on the 7

[@sillwuka]

Has the GTI lost its touch this generation? Quite possibly

[@davesearle2766]

With all generations I would imagine

[@richboy900]

It's more the competition have moved ahead, like in terms of the horsepower you get with a hot hatch. Vw played it safe imo

[@DJAtienza]

It's the new MK4

[@Zero_Ninety]

Front end still looks stupid. Still has the stupid dash. I don't see how this is an improvement on the 7.5.

[@JohnnyZenith]

It's bloody awful.

[@0tispunkm3y3r]

Even the back end looks a little too overwrought, and somehow from that rear angle the wheels look too small. The 7 looks taught and more purposeful by comparison.

[@theNSXman]

Agreed!!

[@petea7323]

Antonio Zamudio it’s not archaic if a digital dash is less ergonomic than an analogue one, it’s devolution

[@petea7323]

Antonio Zamudio well they’re all the same because you can’t use while driving.

[@clintnaik]

Thanks for the great vid! In South Africa the Gti isn’t a car, it’s an institution. Will be interesting to see how it is received here.

[@NtandoN]

Truth only! It should be loved as they always are.

[@juhojalonen3046]

Are they already selling the mk2 there? :D

[@clintnaik]

Juho Jalonen if they still sold the mk2 we would probably buy more than the 13000 golf 7 gtis we bought. China still sells a variant of the mk2 I think.

[@Don-pk2uy]

Bro it'll still be crazy popular here

[@Kenny_P_abz]

Those one piece seats remind me of something. Oh yeah, the ones in my dad’s top of the range 😀 Lada Riva SLX around 1987. I’d rather have adjustable head rests thanks.

[@hathaway.1166]

Johnny Smith driving a non-electric car, and a HOT HATCH? Am I dreaming?

[@jameslewis2635]

Still, I would prefer a Mk1 with a few upgrades. To me it just looks so much cooler and is most likely much easier to maintain.

[@Robert_B_445]

MK2 is the one that appeals to me the most, although if I'd have to choose a modern era golf GTI I'd say MK7 (pre facelift) 3dr manual with the performance package

[@Android-vk8yh]

Totally agree with you you too mate after the Mark 1 and as you said maybe the Mark to they all got fat and boring and actually started to lose their reputation as being reliable most estate agents and double glazing salesman drive them ip people's rears on the motorway. Will realise just because the door closes nice thing on a car doesn't mean it's reliable or well built it can just mean they have a nice door catch🤣

[@JALC-x]

get one then they're not going anywhere

[@audigex]

I know the Golf has long been an "evolution, not revolution" type of car, but honestly this just looks like the Mk7 and Scirocco had a baby. I'll always love the GTI, but I can't say this update has filled me with excitement.

[@ekr6]

2020 is a cursed year.

[@ascgazz]

No it isn’t. It’s the culmination of a hundred years of mass industrialisation, mass production, air travel, mass farming.. It’s humans fault. If humans weren’t here 2020 would be another mostly peaceful year on the planet. With humans it’s burning, flooding, collapsing and generally suffering. It’s humans fault NOT the chronological measurement of an abstract human concept.

[@opencarry3860]

Agreed. Also so many sheeple buying into the Covid-1984 Plan-demic.

[@bruunm1975]

We got the 7.5 GTI-P Love it... still every day. Perfect everyday, fun, practical and way faster than I ever need...

[@alexyri]

It went from feeling like brethren to the Audi to a second cousin of a civic. I am sooooo glad I got the 7.5, it still feels like a drivers car and not a video game cockpit.

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

This is the the best GOLF VW has ever produced....it feels fast cos it is. Great handling and has 245 WHEEL HORSE POWER not crank like the other generations GTi and competitors are claiming.

[@geyza0711]

I surely can´t be the only one who wants knobs and gauges in my car, am I?

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

No, you aren't!

[@KevBoy3D]

The only thing that needs physical buttons is the climate controls for me

[@pdwcave]

@@KevBoy3D And the radio? Much easier to press a channel button than scroll through a menu.

[@thesneakinmonkey]

@@KevBoy3D Windows? Lights? Cruise Control? Radio? Wipers?!

[@dumanimjo609]

I've literally never been less excited for a car review.

[@Birmingham_racing]

Yet you still watched it?

[@dumanimjo609]

@@Birmingham_racing I had hope...

[@angelabrown2176]

@@Birmingham_racing and ? So you have to be excited to watch it ? Maybe he was hoping to be surprised or have his mind changed. I couldnt agree more, proper anticlimactic yuck

[@TheJoStephan]

I am a Golf Gti owner, and have owned every Gti since the Mk5, my honest opinion is that the Mk 6 was my favourite 'full package' to own & drive. This Golf 8 Gti is truly underwhelming to look at in the video & picture reviews. I will reserve my full judgement until I see in the metal & drive it, but so far, it's very obvious that some serious budget cuts took place here, and VW is serving us a hot dish on a very, very cold plate. They are in deep trouble about "dieselgate" and suffered tremendously during lockdowns, so it is not surprising that they need to cut corners but still make it seem they are giving us value for money. Let's see when it releases in early 2021 here in South Africa.

[@grayfool]

Thanks Jonny. Car Pervert is the Golf GTi of KZbin channels. Every other channel wants be this good.

[@YelloTrailers]

Can't see the car, that massive watch covers the whole screen...

[@JMB1891]

That dash and cluster with all that shiny black plastic is truly horrible, a lot of distracting reflections and looks very cheap and nasty. Bad design VW.

[@3v3rhard]

so true, worst design on a massmarket car in ages. So surprised VW did so bad, usually they get it right or at least mostly right.

[@peterurquhart7191]

I don’t really see any improvements on the mk7.5 gti ?

[@georgebamber6871]

And it's uglier

[@Zero_Ninety]

It's for people who think the 7.5 isn't ugly enough.

[@vvevvevvvv]

You know what? I can see only downgrades.

[@Zkogg]

Good review! But I must admit that this GTI doesn't get me excited - at all. I 've previously owned a MK6 GTI and currently own a MK7 GTI Clubsport (which I like a lot!). This new GTI somehow looks a bit cheap and sad. :(

[@Trendyflute]

Awesome pick with the Clubsport! Yeah, as a 20 year GTI fan, the Mk8 looks like it misses a lot of key things...still probably a good chassis, but GTIs always win by doing almost everything well. This exterior design and interior interface do not look like they would foster that long-term appeal like previous GTIs have, though...

[@AsphaltRhys]

Love my mk5 gti, great performance and practicality for the money

[@aaronbiggin1103]

Personally the mk5 golf is the best looking modern golf. Great content as always. 👍

[@carlyleroad]

It looks like a Chinese car that's had VW badges glued onto it. It looks really quite dull.

[@thesneakinmonkey]

Lol - knock off badges at that

[@spruce1509]

Non physical buttons don't seem like a good idea. I hate saying that though because it seems like such a grandaddy thing to say. Mark 8 looks like they melted a mark 7.

[@gaborherman1481]

Buttons give feedback without taking eyes off the road. How simple is that?

[@Clayton_Graul]

Save the clocks! Save Three peddles! Save Key Start ignition!

[@Flavadave555]

Don't forget the hand brake!

[@michaelroecker2649]

1979....cars, Gary Neuman, I remember that song playing in my head while going 2 soccer practice. Our record was 0-8....but had so much fun.

[@TheReado007]

Great video as always. Have a 7.5 GTI and it doesn’t make me want it enough to change later this year. Would of liked it to be more powerful but love the 7.5 and is pretty much the perfect all rounder. If I had to have one car for 10 years, it would be the 7.5 GTI. Cheers Jonny 👍🏻

[@anthonyobrien3685]

I took delivery of one last week in Oryx White. It’s replacing a Ford Focus ST Mk3.5. Impressions - doesn’t feel as fast as the ST initially. The ST has instant torque and a flat power band. The GTI has a bit of turbo lag and feels more peaky. Ultimately not much between them power wise but they do feel different. The ride is much more refined on the GTI - even though I don’t have the adjustable option. The ST is much stiffer. Interior is a huge step up from the ST. The computer displays look great. They are a bit daunting at the start and take a day or two to know where everything is. Fortunately once you set them up you can generally just leave things alone so you don’t have to faff around with them. I would certainly prefer manual heater controls. The steering wheel controls are a bit fiddley but once you have set up your instrument displays you don’t really need most of the buttons. Mostly just volume and the skip function for the stereo, which is the standard one and perfectly acceptable. Overall a lovely car and a great drive. It has lane keeping assist which Seems to work quite well and a blind spot alert system. Looks very good in the Oryx white particularly in the sun. Overall very happy with it. Definitely would prefer manual climate controls though.

[@Tigerex966]

I think the golf will have about 11 years before a full redesign. This is really just the Golf 7.6 with a lot of cost cutting and worse styling.

[@FarideLadak]

I prefer my Mk7. That electronic dash with all electronic temperature screen looks horrible. The one piece bucket seats look out of place and bulky. As it is I had issues with the infotainment system loose all power and nothing would work on it six months in. The power button did nothing either. They had to do some kind of update at the dealer. The same occurred once again 1 year later. This time they kept the car for a week and provided me with a loaner. I’ve no recurring issues since. Aside from that it’s a great car to drive. It’s better than the BMW 328i Xdrive Sport that I had prior. The GTI is fun to drive, lots of power. Great steering. Love the paddles on the DSG. I love manual shift except in the GTI the clutch pedal has a long travel, which just did not give me the fast gear shifting I like. It’s a keeper.

[@paulcolmer9046]

In 2011 I had an Smax , physical climate controls , or touch screen or voice. All worked well. Currently in Cupra Ateca , less than a second to change temp using the rotary control. This is an economic step back.

[@ReginaTrans_]

Me: _why car pervert ?!_ Johnny: *0:35* Me: OK

[@jerryw1608]

I watched the whole review without finding positive changes against the MK7. I would give this car a score of 0,1 on a scale of 10 on design, build quality, control and innovation.

[@the-boring-car-guy]

Killing it with the content lately Jonny👍

[@wlwd2]

Wonderful as always, this among my top 3-4 YT sites. As a bonus, today, it forced me to look up what is to this old man a new word- haptic. Thank you for that. Oops you gave the definition later on.

[@jayofman]

Despite the bells & whistles this car reminds me of magnolia paint.

[@TDS981]

And exactly what you want from a hatchback.

[@jayofman]

@@TDS981 I want a hot hatch the reignites the excitement the cars of the 90's. They weren't big bhp but they were light and flick able and the driver made the car not the on board computers.

[@JohnCline]

This was another massively informative review. I swear, Jonny Smith could read the phone book and make it interesting.

[@reubenwilkinson845]

Agreed, I’m not interested in any cars other than EV but this video was entertaining, JS knowledge and relaxed style make it. Mark I looks best to me but that’s probably nostalgia

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Not sure about that John, but the comment is really appreciated. Thank you.

[@davidcardus1042]

On the nail as ever, MK5 the best (edition 30 the best of the best ?) ... GTi better than R ... that was my conclusion but I didn’t know why !

[@grantta7450]

Sorry but the Mk2 16v was the best( or maybe the G60???)

[@stevenyia2778]

@@grantta7450 that your opinion buddy

[@thesneakinmonkey]

I'm glad I have my Mk 7. 3 pedals, no driver nannies, gauges and knobs

[@swanblake]

Great review! Personally I like the Mk7.5 GTI much more. The all touch screen interior is horrible to operate on the move and the material quality on the MK8 is a step backwards for the brand. The shiney plastic surrounds on the screens look cheap and blinding. Add to that, VW still wants you to pay extra for the adaptive suspension (like prior gen) that they love to talk about. I would be much happier with an I30N and it's more playful character. Seems like now VW wants you to pay even more money on the Clubsport just to get a competitive car. The Mk8 GTI looks depressed and uninspirings up front.

[@9Epicman]

At least we still have this car. People are harsh on the design, I think it look pretty good. Especially when it’ll be lowered and modded. People said the same thing about the new Supra.

[@kevingrainger2530]

Dave Allen: I bought a fast car last week, it gets from 0 to 60 in 5seconds and i've saved 2minuets in 1 week. What did you do with the 2 minuets? I've been telling people.

[@fontainejohn]

What's a minuet?

[@Zeem4]

@@fontainejohn A minuet is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time.

[@andgate2000]

Spent an extra 2min in the toilet.

[@kevingrainger2530]

@@fontainejohn My apology for the typo, I'm blind and as such, my typing speed sometimes gets the better of me. I meant to type "Minuet". I hope this helps.

[@acefighterpilot]

Afraid this one won't be remembered too well.

[@TheShinyShow]

One piece seats of that style just seem cheap to me. If they're proper bucket seats sure, but my friends Citreon C1 has them and it's horrible in the back with those massive hulking ugly seats.

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

Yeah mate - totally spot on - they do look utterly CHEAP!

[@Nick-qx1vf]

Damn it looks good from the side, especially with those wheels.

[@SgHawk144]

Excellent real world review but please use a different font for your tool tips! These ones weren’t very easy to read quickly.

[@rollingtroll]

Completely agree on the MK-V being a good one. Explaining the dash issues with stock footage doesn't really work, may be smart to take 15 minutes after your drive to shoot some b-roll of the dash, steering wheel, windows, seats and the infotainment system, you may not catch it all but you'll definitely be able to add a little extra footage to make things clearer :)

[@paulaus]

This was filmed the same day as the ID3 so I don't think he had a lot of time.

[@rollingtroll]

@@paulaus he did mention that in the podcast, yes. Good point. Still, pity!

[@PLr1c3r]

Front end looks cheapened rear looks good, but those seats and the dash alone make me want to look elsewhere. Golfs are supposed to be simple and elegant this is too busy with buttons all over the wheel and digital dash with no coherence. They should of just made a larger infotainment screen and went back to analog main gauge dials/climate controls and give an option like the seats from the mk5 R32 at a premium.

[@wernerbloemwagen6878]

Yes Jonny - back end is much better looking than the front - the new front is not butch enough - too slick - it needs more aggression in a sexy manly way - rear is good. More power always welcome in successive model ranges.

[@frumpd63]

MK7 pre-refresh is still the best looking. DSG is also far more tunable out of the box, which is a big draw of this car.

[@jacksonrider.517]

Mk5 all day

[@thesneakinmonkey]

@KC Yep, The 7.5 has slightly better looking tail lights, by the DRLs on the Mk7 are way nicer ... subtle with a wink of mischief. I could stare into those eyes for days

[@KC-lg8qf]

This is the correct take. My 3 door , tornado red , dsg mk 7 also agrees.

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

When the MK7 came out, I immediately wanted one. It's just about the perfect Golf. Don't feel the same about the MK8 because of the dash design and awkward front end. I want to love it, but can't (yet).

[@UpTheAnte1987]

1:43 Love that sketch

[@davidmccarthy6061]

I test drove the Gen 1 way back and almost got one. Then over the decades never quite got one but always wanted one. Now I've gone EV (but at least a practical hatchback) and while the GTI will remain on my Regrets list, I sure won't miss the ever increasing maintenance costs of ICE cars.

[@katiecannon8186]

I just bought a used GTI as my so long song to ICE. I’m gonna keep it for a year or so. Hoping North America gets a cute, small EV. You guys get so many more options than we do.

[@matthewhester5891]

I thought they would try to change the styling to at least try to make it look aggressive... MK8 for me is a complete write off. MK7.5... even MK7 nailed it in the styling department.

[@KC-lg8qf]

Mk7 > Mk 7.5. The original was much cleaner.....and was available in 3 doors.

[@peterwilliamson1825]

Top tip for touchscreens. Don't use you fingers, put your fingers on the outer edge of the screen and use your thumb you press the icon. After all, this is exactly how you use the buttons on a steering wheel, your fingers are against the rim of the wheel and your thumb actually presses the button. No one complains about steering wheel controls because they are not trying to press them with a single outstretched digit.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Still too sensitive while driving. And the haptic swipe steering wheel buttons are awful.

[@peterwilliamson1825]

@@TheLateBrakeShow This technique works very well for me on my Model 3 but then again the system works so well that I very rarely need to touch the screen whilst driving. Especially as most functions can be voice controlled and you can pre-condition the cabin temperature before you even get into the car.

[@mooboo6603]

Flitzer roughly translates as "zoomer". Zoom in the sense of moving quickly rather than increasing magnification. So someone zooming about is a flitzer...

[@mooboo6603]

@@kenankoca3567 oh yeah i forgot that fkk

[@lifethroughoptics]

I don't mind the Mk. 8 GTI. The big thing for me is the silly touchscreen to control everything... I'm not sure why car companies think we don't want buttons. I'm a big fan of hard buttons vs. the touch "buttons"... Also can't believe that they put capacitive buttons on the steering wheel... Anyway it can all be changed hopefully

[@Tigerex966]

Black gloss is a terrible material for interiors especially touch surfaces like the gear knob in a manual car? Bring back the golf ball.

[@kevinnorris6558]

It has an electric parking brake too which sucks

[@Aldonuus]

Got the new 1.5 eTSI for a test drive. I wanted to turn on the air con. The system told me that option was not available rather than telling me to TURN ON the damn thing. I was doing the whole test drive without any ventillation ... Takes some getting used to ... By the way, good and honest review.

[@tilidie5272]

this is the first GTI ive got no interest in

[@dragospahontu]

I love it

[@paulkelly46]

As a mk7.5 Golf GTI owner I think it’s the better daily car. Sure the mk8 is better to drive, as it should be, but the Golf GTI is meant to do everything and the interior with the tech makes it harder to use, plus the mk7 is a better looking car.

[@bign3ck]

I don't like it, especially the touch screen in cars for important controls, just lame

[@richardclarke7224]

Hi Johnny...great review on the GTI. Love all your work!. Thank you. Richard

[@FCD844]

Got a mk7.5 with the performance pack, 2019. Happy I didn’t wait for this. Interior on this looks cheap, hate the word golf under the vw badge on the rear, front end looks daft.

[@dragospahontu]

They had to cut costs because if the costs of developing a new electric car platform and paying off fines.

[@paulkippax4530]

Great to hear your views on the new GTI Jonny. Thanks

[@splak_5624]

I'm tired of every car trying to be "premium" in all aspects. I dont want technology, I want a lighter car. I understand building to a price point, that's a reality of the capitalist framework in which we exist. but I don't need the inside of my gti to look nice and have g-sensors and lane-keep assist. that's missing the point. legal requirements aside, could you not take that shit out and save money - in development and in production? give me air conditioning (with physical buttons for fucks sake) and then take out all the unnecessary bullshit. get it to a state where its lighter and cheaper and still legal. I'll take that gti. edit - also where's my golf ball?

[@dins.garage]

Get the mk7.5 then. Fits all your requirements

[@splak_5624]

@@dins.garage you're entirely missing the point. those cars are exactly what I'm talking about

[@pdwcave]

Up Gti?

[@shijima_ending]

if you want a lighter car instead of quality of life features, you’re living in the wrong generation. the gti would lose its touch if it abided by your standards since it would have pretty shitty daily drivability

[@splak_5624]

@@shijima_ending yer acting like there's never been a comfortable car made in the past?

[@willferland]

I think it’s important to note that the power figure is actually pretty competitive. If the Mk8 is anything like the Mk7, the HP rating is closer to wheel rating, while it competitors al use Crank HP ratings

[@Shadow-bs1iu]

Mark 7.5 is going to be a very difficult act to follow, both outside and interior

[@drsus0]

A stick!!! Glad to see you can still drive this car

[@stuartfowler9751]

Not my cup of tea JS, short on imagination I’m afraid the golf has long since had it’s time.

[@ronjoe1]

I don't think I'll be trading my MkVI GTI anytime soon, but I do like the added technology and the new seats. Mkvi was the last real GTI if you ask me.

[@viktorkongskov5692]

Are you going to take a look at the new GTE? Would love that!

[@evilmario6061]

I'd never heard the word 'haptic' and now I've heard it more in this video than any other word :D

[@BrilliantBenGaming]

Honestly it's like they designed an SUV but made it into a golf hatchback and decided to make it as boring as Jetta. I'm still asking myself why VW made this.

[@dekaonderr]

ive got a mk7 gli instead of the gti only jetta id get is this mk7 gli its amazing

[@Ewanm9389]

The looks are growing on me tbh

[@Gr33nMamba]

I suppose one of the disadvantages of being part of the VAG group, is all the other brands have to follow suit of all the good and bad decisions made, including this touch screen madness. I can't bring myself to invest in this generation of car, especially being a current MK3 Leon FR owner with multi-link suspension, when it does everything well. As far as I can tell, I'm being asked to part with my money for an inferior product. On the haptic feedback side, I should not have to take my eyes of the road to adjust the most commonly used controls secondary to driving inputs, for me that's either temperature or next media track/volume. Sorry, just give me a physical wheel. Mark 5 and 7 were the best looking for me. No idea why I wasn't subscribed!

[@Franksey180]

Agree about the MK8 "face". Can imagine when these cars age a little and become more affordable, they will get into the hands of the "modders" who will retrofit MK7/7.5 front ends to them.

[@mikulasberka7999]

Looks so bad. I hope they will fix it after facelift in few years :(

[@cozyflannel]

I’m sure it’s a great drive. But the beauty of a hot hatch for me is that it’s fun AND practical to use as a daily driver. That unintuitive center console with haptics and other non button crap is a deal breaker. I just refuse to deal with that when the competition shows restraint with infotainment. Lily fully gilded, as it were.

[@karlbristow1223]

Watching this review and having driven the 5,6 and 7 I still feel like they've missed the point. It's meant to have an element of devilment, a cult classic, understated cool but capable. Now it seems like a car a middle class wealthy old white man would drive. Soulless and joyless. I owned the mk5 and it got the balance right between fun and all rounder. Now it's too refined, no turbo noise, too light on the steering, too solid on the corners. Gti is about fun, not just fast cruising. Feels like a deliberate move to sell up the club sport or r models.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

Nowt wrong with being a middle class wealthy old white guy.

[@LivingLifeSlower]

I'll come back to this in a decade, to read that it's the best car you've ever owned...when you can finally afford it.

[@karlbristow1223]

@@LivingLifeSlower VW agrees, it's where the money is I guess, that's why they're so common on the roads now, it's why the Scirocco is no more. The fun has gone.

[@karlbristow1223]

@Moe I like the way, fast Fords drive, but I hate the seats. I'm quite tall and I find them too high and too narrow, always give me a back ache. If it wasn't for that I'd buy one.

[@Bbill2k2]

Great review Jonny. Reflects most of what my partner said working at VW. Personally I can't see any positive over the Mk7.5. The seats are comfy but they just remind me of the far cheaper UP!. I wonder how feedback will be received and any changes implemented in the Mk8.5. Probably not as it seems the direction the I.D range are going so we'll see the revisions their range doing the same. Now an electric ID car based on a scirocco would be interesting.

[@katiecannon8186]

We’d never get in North America 😢. We can’t even get the id3.

[@crashbox7130]

@5:45 Jesus Jonny, slow down bud. 😆

[@captainianr]

This video was brought to you by the word HAPTIC

[@edwardmullan2724]

I think VW should go back to having the grille between the lights like the mk1 and 2, it could look really aggressive. This thing looks like a Kia at the front

[@kraenk12]

You know....that could be because Kia has been trying to copy VW and Audi for a few years already...Just a thought.

[@edwardmullan2724]

@@kraenk12 my point is it is quite bland. But I suppose the Golf has always been conservatively styled.

[@lukecowell7516]

One thing I like about golfs is the rear quarter VW has kept the design since the mk1.

[@kb9072]

Hate the fixed headrests. Everybody is different thus need a different position. On a motorway I'd have the headrest slightly back because I like to relax but for more spirited driving I'd have it forward. No fixed headrests are a backward step.

[@butchmeister80]

It's a restraint not a rest for whiplash

[@kb9072]

Headrests are for both. Resting head against. Easier on the neck muscles and stopping your head whipping back in the event of a crash. Fixed headrests are not that comfortable. I've used them in Porsches. Found them to be uncomfortable. My point is cars with safety first like Volvo and Saab never used them. Cars with comfort like S-Class & 7 Series have never used them. That says it all.

[@dtprodrive]

I like the fog lights the light bar across the front the colour the dials and the one piece seats and that’s about it

[@_Makanko_]

Trends I hope will disappear ... touch control everything :( I don't know, it's not very appealing to me, but then neither were the previous 2 iterations.

[@bsr6823]

This makes me very happy i have a mk7,5 Golf R. I have owned 3 GTIs mk4, mk5 and mk7 and loved all but the mk4. I am currently living in an area full of heavy snow and steep mountains so I switched to an R. Love the R but it is not as fun.