2021 Golf GTI Clubsport - The Worst GTI?! Full Review

The History of the GTI episode is sponsored by MANSCAPED! Get 20% OFF + Free International Shipping with my promo code “RBR” at mnscpd.com/RemoveBeforeRace.
So guys, the performance version of the most famous hatchback in the world is here: the Mark 8 #Golf #GTI Clubsport! It’s the true halo car of #Volkswagen ever since it’s debut in 1975. The MK1 Golf had the difficult job of filling the shoes of one of the most popular cars of it’s era in the Beetle. But boy did it exceed expectations with it’s unique and now timeless looks, practicality and fun drive. But some at VW had an idea of an even sportier one. One that this small 8 person team started calling the Sport Golf: originally envisioned by head of press Anton Konrad, and engineer Alfons Lowenberg, both men spent their spare time racing and wanted to create something to keep up with Porsches on the autobahn!
So with a small team of 8 people they got the "Grand Tourer Injection" GTI signed off by the bosses in early 1975, for reveal later that year. The car had to look different to a normal Golf, it needed a different front end so people would know it’s fast enough to pass them on the autobahn. It had extra flared black arches, a unique tartan interior and famous golf ball gear stick. The car sat lower, made 108BHP could hit 180+ kph, 0-60 in 9. They estimated 5000 units when conceptualising the car: they were slightly off, with almost half a million sales in the end! So began the worlds most famous front wheel drive hatchback.
After this, almost every gen of Golf had the GTI as a halo car, and I get to show a bunch of them to you today leading from MK1, MK2, MK5, MK7 and more in-between!
The MK7 was the first get to bring in the Clubsport name too and finally - the Clubsport S bonkers car with no rear seats, manual only, over 300 BHP, and the ring record holder for front wheel driven cars: it’s one of the coolest cars I’ve driven!
Now our MK8. This brings in some changes under the skin: we have a lighter aluminium subframe as shared with the ring record breaker, stiffer bushings, and higher spring rates all round. The brakes also feature an electronic booster so they react based on driving.
Using a 4th gen version of the same EA888 engine, it produces 245PS, hits 60 in 5.9 seconds. Available as manual or with DSG, the car brings in a new vehicle dynamics manager as the brain of the car: able to control steering, diff, and the adaptive dampers which are optional, but a must have. Simply put, the new brain increases the breadth of ability of the car on both sides of comfort and sport.
The Clubsport seems to be a car that’s more GTI than the GTI. It comes early in this generation rather than an anniversary send off. Increase in positive camber, a 15mm drop in running gear, bigger brakes from the R, new springs and dampers on the rear, fruitier exhaust too. It has a huge power bump up to almost 300BHP, and cutting the 0-60 to 5.6. VW also relies heavily on that Dynamics Manager brain to make the Clubsport more focused than the standard car. Including a profile fit for the Nurburgring as we saw with Golf R. Styling wise, it looks meaner than any Golf too, R included.
But have they done enough to make it worthwhile over the closely priced and brilliant Golf R? Today we explore:
- The History of the Golf GTI
- Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3, Mark 4, Mark 5, Mark 6, Mark 7
- Clubsport S
- Mark 8 GTI Clubsport
- Technical Changes to Clubsport
- Performance figures
- Exterior Design
- Interior review
- Full drive review
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[@RemoveBeforeRace]

Haven’t been so disappointed in a car in a long time: particularly considering how good the Golf R is - and the 128ti coming up soon. 🤔 Might try and get the normal GTI and see if it’s better!

[@cptskellern]

You get all the luck with Launch Control. Just watched the Carwow video of you trying to boot that Mercedes AMG GT.

[@Tom-xo5qk]

I haven’t been so disappointed by a ‘serious’ (non-influencer) KZbin review for a long time. I’m not sure whether you mis-understood what this car was about but I spotted a number of things that I wouldn’t usually associate with the thoroughness of your reviews. For what it’s worth, I have experience with this car and many other Golf GTIs/R/VAG products. I have a few bits of constructive feedback. 1) The lane control assist complaint. It is now compulsory that all new volume cars in the EU have this fitted without a permanent deactivation feature. This is not VW’s decision. 2) Infotainment complaint. You clearly gave the system no time. If you had, you’d have realised that there is a simple ‘pull down’ favourites menu (accessible from any page on in’ment, similar to iPhone) with some hot-keys storing your preferential or most common settings. ESC Off can be saved here. Using this scroll-down takes about 1 second to deactivate on the move and removes the requirement for system searching. Turning lane assist off can be achieved through pressing the button at the end of the indicator stalk and pressing the ‘OK’ steering wheel button. Turning the heated seats on/off can be short-cut by tapping the hot/cold slider button with both fingers at once. Again, nice and easy. 3) Your driving style/road manners. Now I’m no Chris Harris bar some very light track training but taking a FWD 300ps 1550kg DSG hot hatch, turning the ESC off, launching it, and mashing the throttle, on a DAMP UK road and then complaining about a lack of traction is frankly bloody stupid. ANY car of this type does that, as would the standard GTI with 55ps less. A car is only as good as the environment and driver with which it is complimented with. Judging by your inputs on camera, you were heavy handing and over-driving the car, forcing the understeer to happen. You’ll never get the best out of it doing that, and for that reason I’m not sure what you were expecting of a FWD car with 300ps. The GTI CS makes no excuses for being 2WD, having less grip, and losing 0-60 drag races compared to the R (are we still using them as an overall performance benchmark in 2021, really?) because it finds its advantages elsewhere. The CS makes use of its lighter weight to give it a more agile front end and better overall balance. If you want the best out of it, lean on the whole car to make best use of that better weight distribution. Modulate the middle pedal carefully on the way into the corner with some trail braking and you’ll feel the rear axle move confidently enough to compliment the front camber/VAQ diff as it tucks itself into the apex. You’ll find yourself smoothly dissecting roads with measured inputs rather than just moving rapidly point-to-point like in the R. Trusted chassis journalists like Catchpole, Prosser, Sutcliffe and VAG expert ‘@Volkswizard’ agree that this is a more fun and rewarding hot hatch than the R. At the same time, it isn’t a Civic Type R either because it chooses to retain a degree of comfortable practicality. In my opinion, when harnessed correctly, the CS is a very well thought-out and balanced hot hatch that deserves more credit than you gave it. I was particularly surprised to hear you sing the mk7 GTI Clubsport S’ praises so highly despite it having a less grippy front end than the 8 CS (unless in 25 degree heat on a perfect road). I have previously enjoyed your channel (I’m not a Mercedes man though!) and will continue to do so but given the usual detail of your reviews, I expected a lot more depth on this occasion. Although I did enjoy the look at the Golf GTI’s history. I don’t think even think you knew where you were going when talking about the Golf dashboard’s ‘structure’ but it was generally very factually accurate (info about 9 second 0-60’s and mk4 GTI engine/trim line combos not withstanding) which is something that most reviewers often get completely wrong. Great visuals and camera work as usual.

[@Tom-xo5qk]

@@somerandomfella I would do, but unfortunately I don’t have enough time feel that there is a credible space remaining in the market.

[@pjmcn1730]

Don’t buy that ugly MK8, buy the MK7.

[@escos0410]

@@pjmcn1730 I traded a mk7 R in When it’s parked side by side and when you drive both it’s like getting back into a mk1 golf It’s dated, move on

[@rlsedition]

Why would you be surprised that a front-heavy, powerful FWD car can't put the power down on a wet road?

[@TheEvman67]

Put the esc in the drop down menu! The lane assist and driver assist stuff is accessible through the turn signal stock. I get tired of people reviewing cars that haven’t properly researched the car they are reviewing. Took me 2 minutes to figure it out. Also it seems to stay in the setting when I get back in and drive. 🤷🏽

[@Keka-vg3ut]

It's really annoying how testers who are supposed to know what they're talking about so we don't have to search for the information keep repeating the same false things others do. To turn off ESC just slide down from the top. And especially lane assist, it's illegal for new cars to not have lane assist activated when you start them so nothing VW can do about it, also it's a button on the left indicator to turn off. And being surprised that a front wheel drive car with 300 hp has trouble with traction in the wet is known by everyone.

[@johnwenban9799]

Agree that touch screens are not safe to use while driving. We need single click buttons instead of multiple movement menus.

[@ristekostadinov2820]

VW are deffending themselves that you gonna use voice commands, which is pretty weak deffense.

[@escos0410]

@@ristekostadinov2820 you can turn the sensitivity down with the last up grade, trust me it’s a different car now Had ours for 9 months after coming from a mk7 R and I’ll be honest in the right weather there’s no comparison this review isn’t the best tbh

[@SirAMG63]

I own an MK8 R-Line, have had no issues with the screens while driving. Again it depends on the driving conditions

[@arminos1172]

i own a clubsport since 1 year now.. absolutery love this car

[@markomarin3414]

Most of the MK8 hater is the people who can’t afford it. Keep complaining about the price jump. It is inflation just deal with it.

[@i.s.3458]

GTI TCR wasn't mentioned but is heavily underrated.

[@Mergoouuana]

👏🏽

[@nqabomzimbadamana5035]

Greatly underrated

[@Trystan46]

I have a TCR ! Very surprised that it wasn’t mentioned! My TCR is absolutely lovely and amazing ! The only thing Is it’s 2019 now and I have to admit I am looking to get this actual car also in white with these alloys I am a GTI person always have been (Fanatic) but on their other hand I absolutely hate the ‘R’ don’t know why I just do maybe because their so common But also have to comment the way he’s saying about the extra horsepower in this car etc how often are you going to abuse a car with this power on the road hardly ever and if you do it’s only for a couple of minutes also especially with todays fuel prices I do have some fun in my TCR but 95% of the time I love driving it tidy just because I know it’s a TCR 😊 and it’s special so as there will never be another TCR made this Clubsport is the next car for me regardless of the negatives 👍

[@steveo8533]

Can’t believe he missed it, what an amateur.

[@PeterAlhussein]

I own the gti tcr which is pretty much the same car and frankly unless you go on full throttle on the launch I have no problems with the traction whatsoever. I am really sad to see cars getting bashed only because they had terrible tyres on and I totally understand the frustration as it's the only thing between the car and the road. Honestly I think this would've been a totally different review had this car been on say Michelin Pilots Sport 4s. As for why would someone buy a gti CS/tcr over an R which is pretty much similarly priced, well because a 100kg lighter car feels much more nimble and agile. Ultimately it's more fun if you learn how drive the car to get the maximum out of it.

[@alanwayte432]

But does not solve terrible haptics or touchscreen my wife has 7.5 and after testing 8 could not accept frankly dangerous application of screen

[@jryalls]

Driving an R is like buying a computer game and completing it in the first half hour of playing. Throttle management is part of the fun of driving a high powered front wheel drive car, similar to driving a high powered RWD car.

[@jamielewis9461]

I’ve got the eagle F1s on my mk8 Clubsport. Equally amazing tyres to PS4s, that I had on my previous car too (Sirocco R).

[@OwlyEagle]

may i ask which tires you're running?

[@ninezerofive]

2021: cars get ruined with all these touch sensitive button and hidden ones in entertainment screen.

[@jamielewis9461]

Trouble is, the reviewer is making a load of inaccurate assumptions. I have the Mk 8 Clubsport (and perhaps somewhat bias, but certainly do call out what I don’t like). If he spent a little more time living with it, rather than like everyone else pushing the press cars to the limits, then he’d see where he is wrong. Silly little things like the colours you change in the interiors, are too much all one colour etc. if he spent another minute pressing another button, he’d realise you can change these things. Short cuts are there- take time to make sure they work for you. Lane assist - it’s in every new car, whether you like it or not (it takes less than two seconds to switch off by the way - something VW must have considered we’d want to be able to do). And if you want to get rid of most of the annoying, but mandatory features, get an OD11 thingy. It’s called progression or keeping pace with tech for the motor industry, regardless of brand, and it’s coming whether we like it or not.

[@jamielewis9461]

Oh and don’t test a high powered FWD car in damp conditions with rubbish tyres to then moan it doesn’t have traction when you throttle it 😂

[@bzs6911]

And also test its handling on some real touge roads or the track in the dry to realise how potent its handling really is.

[@jonny4686]

Hello. I am looking to buy that car 2021 for 28k and as i see you sad that its a good car. Do you have any problem with anything maybe engine, pumps ...? And do you think its worth it?

[@gti_remus9691]

Finally man i thought we’re never going to see the gti on the channel thanks Raz appreciate it 🙏 this channel always delivers amazing quality

[@DjAlexincontrol]

As a golf 7r owner going to a brand new 8 gti CS I knew what I was getting into. What did you expect from a high powered fwd car, bad tyred, wet road? Its not going to get the power down, its just not. I knew this beforehand getting the CS that its not going to be a launch kinda car. My stage 2 7R could launch on wet roads without any wheelspin but isn’t nearly as agile as the CS, also when rolling 100-200 kmh times are somewhat similar between a stock 8r and 8CS. The mk8 in general drives so much nicer than the MK7. You really can’t compare the R and the CS. The infotainment you are right about 100%. But as driving goes you are selling it short.

[@ioloapgwynn]

You clearly have not studied the digital controls well enough. For instance, to cancel the lane control (which comes on every time by default because of a legal requirement) all you have to do is press the button on the end of the turn-signal lever and press OK on the right hand side of the steering wheel (the other applications of this button show up on the glass cockpit in front of you. easy! If you need to turn the ESC off then it is quite easy to place that control into the shortcuts panel that drops down from the top of the infotainment screen with a quick flick of the finger. This system is different, but once you get to know it it really has been well thought out and works well. No point in being a Luddite.

[@benbustama3430]

Love these generational videos! Love GTIs. Great Swiss Army Knife/DD pocket rocket! Well done mate! Cheers/B

[@YG-nq9yc]

Brilliant!!!!! I love this video

[@lmwt1557]

Just a couple of comments - (1) Button on the indicator stalk allows quick on / off of Lane assist plus other features. (2) Shortcut to traction control off / on can be placed on dropdown menu on infotainment screen. I see this all the time - reviewers maybe have a car for a very short time, don't get to know it then criticise, omit or get things wrong. The Mk8 isn't perfect but doesn't always deserve the criticism it gets.

[@shiugen676]

Maybe I just have thin fingers, but I've yet to ever accidentally turn on the heated seats in my R

[@jonfrench7133]

i wouldn’t be put off by this if you want the power. I owned one of these for a while and as i never did launch on public roads never found traction an issue. The in gear performance is pretty much on a par with the R and personally i preferred the styling.

[@RealSeth]

Another review where the person operating the car has no idea how to operate the car Lane assist can be turned of in

[@kevindonaldson1367]

Short shift into second and use the power the car can grip with. Tyres make a huge difference too. Thanks for reviewing

[@ckelso3081]

Great retrospective of the GTI! I owned both a Mk2 and a MK7. Glad to know I owned the gems of the lot!

[@markhyoutube]

Any front wheel car 200+ bhp will spin in the wet. My old a3 150bhp would even do the same, if I floored it.

[@fatdoi003]

VW just gone crazy and raised their GTi and R prices here in AU by 20%+ now a R is similar priced to Audi S3...

[@scollyutube]

Been like that in NZ for a while. My 2019 7.5R with 19s was $78k, the S3 was $80k but had full leather. I imagine the new 8 R is going to be even worse.

[@Loopsrainforest]

I hope VW is listening to these reviews. I have owned a camper van, scirocco & GTI's & I'm finally able to purchase a new car & was eagerly awaiting the new gen cars. I like physical controls on my machinery at work & on my camera's for a hobby & certainly on my automobiles. It is insane to deny thousands of years of human evolution with us using simple tools.

[@focusgreg4136]

This is going be interesting 😎

[@pmelenka]

I have s 2021 golf, i love the car but 2 things bug me. 1st the transmission run hot when you push the speed on the car. You would think if you give the car more horse power you should give it more cooling as well. 2nd while driving in manual ive bumped the shifter into neutral on a few occasions and the transmission banged back into gear. The lock to move the shifter into drive should be applied to shifting into neutral as well.

[@jimbrown5605]

If you showing clubsport mk7/8 you should show 20th/337 for mk4 and mention Mk3 came with a brand new at the time 172hp vr6 option that changed the world and what engine sizes can fit places.

[@karenwilloughby6000]

I have a Golf R, I've discovered that Lane assist can be turned off by pressing a button on the end of the indicator stalk 👍

[@Trystan46]

I have a TCR ! Very surprised that it wasn’t mentioned! My TCR is absolutely lovely and amazing ! The only thing Is it’s 2019 now and I have to admit I am looking to get this actual car also in white with these alloys I am a GTI person always have been (Fanatic) but on their other hand I absolutely hate the ‘R’ don’t know why I just do maybe because their so common But also have to comment the way he’s saying about the extra horsepower in this car etc how often are you going to abuse a car with this power on the road hardly ever and if you do it’s only for a couple of minutes also especially with todays fuel prices I do have some fun in my TCR but 95% of the time I love driving it tidy just because I know it’s a TCR 😊 and it’s special so as there will never be another TCR made this Clubsport is the next car for me regardless of the negatives 👍

[@erikthie2253]

i don't understand why someone would even get the gti over the r. for 2k more, you get 4 wheel drive and a faster version of the engine....

[@agnwstosstratiotis]

Well its slower off the line because of 300hp fwd.. But... Its about 100kg lighter, and in the videos i've seen compared to the R they both do about 11.5s 100-200 km/h. So that's why, because it can offer a more agile handling experience than the r, which you can also say the 4wd system can be a bit too predicting for some people's taste out there. But with a bit of a damp road and problems like these it's just not cool... This is the first review ive seen where the clubsport has has problems putting the power down even when rolling to be frank... But the launch is always awful....

[@magnustan841]

You buy Golf R for the performance, GTI is more a stylish, retro, slightly old school, driving experience.

[@Mr_J_J]

I believe the Mk8 would have more negative camber?

[@gamingmadforever6363]

i love this car and was my dream car, however although i do not agree with everything you do not like about this , when you tried to launch it i was very disappointed and now makes sense why we might go for the golf R, this would irritate me . i currently have a stage 1 polo gti and although i love it to bits and would not have a standard golf gti, my polo struggles to grip because of the extra power from the remap. love the long review and honesty

[@maln8102]

I think that you missed the point of this car. It's basically a golf R without the AWD. Sometimes putting down the power is boring!

[@P33mxn]

Mk6 35 edition will always be my fave

[@ajames718]

Really enjoyed your review of a front wheel drive hot hatch. Would love to see you get your hands on a Renault Megane RS300 Trophy and see how it stacks up to this Golf and the Civic Type R.

[@user-gw5rs7fp9j]

Awesome review! Loved the comps from the very first golf, nice. Ya 2k more for a Golf R seems to be a no brainer. Real pity about the VW centre screen control system but hopefully they can do a major redesign via over the air updates hey cause the rest of the car is nice.

[@jryalls]

They’re doing a hardware and software recall early next year.

[@user-gw5rs7fp9j]

@@jryalls 👍🏻

[@bartlemy]

I despise touch tech with a passion. I will not buy any car with that unsafe and frankly stupid aspect.

[@Insertnamehere3000]

im not really sure what the downer is on this car? its the R engine, gearbox and brakes without the 4 wheel drive, also you get the free change of the tyres those ones are crap you get the PS4's for free upgrade

[@Nicool333]

I have an mk7 with an apr stage 1 tune and an anti sway bar.

[@TheCd5apple]

Would you like an old outdated dash on a new car ? I personally like the mk8 way better the interior looks nice really nice

[@W1cK3dSiK]

Overkill on the criticism of the infotainment system and steering wheel “buttons”. They’re easy to figure out and once you do, it’s not a concern. I’ve never had an issue with accidentally pushing the steering wheel buttons or accidentally turning on the heated seats. Also worth mentioning that you’re launching a FWD car, in damp conditions, with who knows what tires. Traction from a stop is going to be heavily compromised.

[@jodyestevens9911]

cant believe i missed this video, super in depth and honest review it’s crazy that a legend like the gti could exhibit so many problems i have with fwd cars even with the advanced differential

[@mistagcc2103]

Can you not use voice to change settings?

[@7869hodgy]

I had s GTI and then a GTI Clubsport - they are poles apart and launch control does not replace a manual getaway...the CS is very good at getting the power down under daily driving conditions. The extra power does not overwhelm it. Having driven an R, which is very very good, the GTI is noticeably lighter and more nimble on the twistys. Infotainment gremlins let it down but concentrate on its ability and it delivers as a daily driver/commuter/pseudo sports car.

[@tameezmotala]

Supposed to use ESP SPORT in the rain

[@YourMajestyTheKing]

Your taycan’s email was done too well. I am not getting anything else. But i am leaning more toward the Sedan instead of the cross turismo. As it’s closer to the 911 in design

[@sodjas]

I'm a GIT fanboy so this is subjective opinion but I think shortcut for lane assist is index indicator button + OK. You can also set up a shortcut for ESC (Swipe down in central display + TAP). Traction is a matter of track conditions and tyres.

[@OwlyEagle]

Which tyres would you recommend

[@sodjas]

@@OwlyEagle with the comment I wanted to say that for that part of road everything non 4wd will slip with those conditions. But if I would have to choose it would be some pirrellis or michelins.

[@patrickwilliamson673]

Wet road front wheel drive, never had a chance

[@ThePh34R]

I'm not a fan of the 8th gen Golf, but c'mon. You can't judge a fwd car's performance off the line with ESC turned off on a wet road and moan about wheel spin...

[@franknowakowski3103]

I've been waiting for the MK8 to relace a Cayman. WHAT a dissaointment! The cheap cell phones interior is the killer. Simplify the screen and add some knobs. Send the Engineers responsible for the screen and loss of knobs to the Russian Feont!

[@hh2425]

Can you do a Mini JCW review? Clubman!

[@SmiFF_]

Those buyers who actually purchased an MK8, believed they bought a piece of heritage, instead, they bought a big pile of s..t ... i feel bad for them :)))))

[@gauravpanchal5947]

I envy UK. They get every possible car release in world with driver side modification

[@CG-sf8xq]

Don't know why the wind up sunroof looks so comical now. Great review

[@chakibchakir4374]

Nice car germany اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على نبينا محمد

[@slyowusu99]

Buttons are being phased out. Voice activation is the future apparently

[@tedjohnson64]

Nice review! I agree, VW lane keep assist is terrible. I drove a Tiguan as a courtesy loaner while my GTI was having a warranty repair and *twice* the lane keep assist tried to kill me: it turned the car across the line, into oncoming traffic! What the F! I googled and came across similar stories. Apparently the lane divider paint was dirty and confused the car’s lane keeping logic.

[@venurabulathsinhala5078]

Bro the road is wet and what do you expect from a front wheel drive

[@Mr_J_J]

In the US, the noise amplifier was on the MkV and came off the intake, through the firewall, to the interior behind the dash.

[@6pistons]

The GTi Clubsport ought to have some scaffoldings in the back....perhaps even a “Weissach” package 😁

[@pauln0371]

I'll take a Pirelli Campaign MK1 thanks all the same. The Dogs Danglies back in the 80s when I had a Blue Printed XR3i..

[@buster3178]

So he likes the R then!

[@Amir-dz2we]

You can tell how annoyed he was with the car😂😂😂

[@MiataBRG]

The reliance on touch screens is a poorly considered mess. Buttons are much safer and easier to use.

[@TheCd5apple]

Brother wth are you doing ! I have no traction issues on mine

[@olaniyanmichael640]

Volkswagen should see this review. Good good 👍

[@garthly]

I had a mk VI and loved it. I didn’t like the weird steering of the VII. And now I hate all these infotainment systems, definitely dangerous. Lane assist is horrible, too, in any car.

[@zzhughesd]

That launch !!!!!!!! Half wheel skid very aptly spoke. Mad as toast listening to it scramble

[@BubuBarong]

Un successone, insomma! LOL

[@TheChazas]

MK4 GTI 25th Anniversary Edition or US version GTI 337 were so awesome and was actually real MK4 GTI, yet somehow reviewers never mention them.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

It’s the best GTI, but it’s also the worst when it comes to its price tag. You can make a base model GTI way faster in a straight line, and around corners, for a lot cheaper than the cost of the Clubsport version.

[@bradleylefika9209]

Please try the normal GTI or R

[@Jdnicks00]

Mk7 still looks nice.

[@mortenberg2897]

Latest golf’s have lost their mojo ….. Great video

[@pavelb7036]

It must have increased engine volume

[@alanwayte432]

Honest review my wife has 7.5R and had new R for day, loved the drive, but all your comments on interface and haptics on steering are correct, trying to turn off seat I for once thanked lane change as my eyes were off road and looked up at truck very close😬..anyway she placed order for BMW M240 simply because we could not live with low quality interior of Golf ...hope that 2022/23 updates will sort some issues

[@RemoveBeforeRace]

Really infuriating for me, much prefer the BMW interface!

[@darrenprior6339]

I love Golfs (owned a bunch of GTi's and R's) but this new thing is a disaster. In the old days you could load the torque up on a launch by using a manual handbrake. These days? Nope. Can't even get a manual option in my country (Australia) . That interior infotainment system is a complete deal breaker too. Very sad to see this and it's the reason I regretfully moved away from VW and bought a GR Yaris instead. Nowhere near as well built or refined but such a more rewarding and analogue experience. Pity new cars are succumbing to cost-cutting through electronics

[@Brett7777]

I have driven gen 7 model GTI and the new R. Personally I would take the R. I do not get these cars. Once they were cheap and a ton fun for money. Now they must be sprinkled with Porsche dust on pricing side. Honestly I rather buy used bmw. These cars are far from problem free when they get 50k on them. Cool car but my money is going rear drive something else. Guess they just never moved me enough. Thanks for review. Always a top class job you do.

[@k-vandan4289]

this car feels like it's bloated

[@figlinn]

Is this a reupload?

[@socratespetrakos3593]

I don’t understand why they wouldn’t add a regular shifter. Not sure what they get from that little knob in the middle. Especially with VW and Audi having the D mode and then S mode, shifting from D to S is so easy and natural with a shifter. This electronic knob is ridiculous. Also not too thrilled with the interior.

[@TheHoosiers2008]

This channel needs to hit the half million subs ASAP. This and Savagegeese are the two most underrated channels. The litmus test is when I could watch either channels review even a Huffy bicycle and enjoy every minute.👍

[@tailorofsoundpresentsshftm6467]

fan of you, not the car. good history

[@magnustan841]

I think the Golf GTI in recent years has become the stylish, retro-inspired daily driver, with a sprinkling of sportiness, now the R has become the full blown performance model. As for the touchscreens, because of COVID, I haven’t got the chance to sit in the Mk8 Golf, I think they will sort it out for the Mk8.5. You’re the 4th or 5th journalist that has complained about the new Golf’s infotainment system, no doubt customers may also be giving the same feedback. Audis have recently went full touchscreen when they launched the A8 and that has since trickled down to the A6 and the SUV line. People didn’t feel comfortable using that, so now Audi have brought back buttons and knobs for the all-new A3 launched last year and the e-tron GT. Finger crossed VW do that for the Mk8.5 and their ID range. The ID range is still okay, because those interior are so much fresher to sit in. In fact, I would almost say VW are putting all their eggs into the ID basket and slightly neglecting the Golf, so it’s tuned out to be inferior product in some regard.

[@Dollheirs]

How often are you adjusting settings while driving? I think the lack of buttons cleans up the interior. Wish it still had a manual e brake though.

[@brennhaggen]

What a negative and horrible review. Just got a bad feeling of pure negativity after this review. I reccommend Joe Achilles review instead. The touch screen madness is spot on though.

[@SO-oq8sl]

Your mk7 is a 7.5 you missed out the iconic mk4 edition 25 mk5 edition 30 mk6 edition 35

[@BorisBeer24]

Yea, a shame he missed some of the best Gti's sadly

[@gazmcb8537]

And the TCR

[@mujibahmad6113]

They have completely F'ed the name Golf... Front looks like a f'ing Corolla

[@Shane-zx4ps]

The Mark2 16v is still beautiful

[@krissolson7043]

I owned a MKV. Loved that car!

[@downshiftpedal]

I own the GTi it’s my first and I love the design. I get compliments all the time

[@thedragonofechigo7878]

It is a great looking car though, I can't lie.

[@zurisuschgarnut1220]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Bruuutally ugly car 🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@zurisuschgarnut1220]

@@thedragonofechigo7878 need glasses 😂🤦🏻‍♂️🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@elrey104]

THE RENAULT R5 TURBO IS THE FATHER OF ALL HOT HATCH BACKS.

[@derekl190]

Yes, the GTI has lost its magic. It used to feel tight and very responsive. Now its just mostly a dressed up regular golf.

[@Monster-Abee]

This car is not for dummies. Esc sport man! Good lord 😂

[@tonyga5]

Really nice exterior but that front interior looks so cheap and nasty, just ugly. Way too much touch. They even dropped the front hood hydraulic struts. Also, the fog lights are a fail as you cannot use them without the night time headlights being on. So disappointed. Pffft.

[@Tomas-tx6lq]

Back in the days you couldn’t do 0-60 mph under 6 seconds in a FWD car. I guess it’s the same today…. It’s simple physics 👌

[@jryalls]

The Clubsport has been tested at close to 5 seconds in dry conditions with the right tyres. Also the civic type R will do it in under 6.

[@CarPerformanceMedia]

In my opinion the GTI myth died other the last years...

[@nemtizz]

My ED35 (333bhp) puts the power down better than this, though it’s probably due to the PS4Ss. No idea why you’d get this over a TCR.

[@neilwatson5864]

300 horse power & Front Wheel Drive for everyday us? Doesn’t mix. That’s why VW makes the R.