2021 VW Golf GTI Mk8 review - is 245hp enough for a hot hatch?

[@Straker1923]

Just acquired a new GTi last week and am getting acquainted nicely. Like the auto box too, first time for me, as was always a 'manual man' until now!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Honestly, I think the auto suits it perfectly well. VW aren’t really known for a thrilling manual box! Enjoy it!

[@mad4tar77]

Congrats. I'm considering a clubsport with DSG, first time even considering automatic. On backroads when having a bit of fun are you finding that you use manual mode with paddles, or just bunging it in sport mode?

[@Straker1923]

@@mad4tar77 Haven't bothered overly with the paddles yet really. As you say, 'bunging it' in sport mode is deffo the preferred option at the mo. Not sure if my wife approves though? Feel I may get 'tutted' at a bit? lol

[@smilepermile8165]

Love the cyncial dry humour in your videos. Keep up the great work 😂

[@jamiefisher1430]

Agreed, reminds me of Savagegeese's car reviews. He's got a no-bullshit attitude and yet he can be so sarcastic.

[@smilepermile8165]

@@jamiefisher1430 Exactly! His short video clips he posts on instagram are funny as hell. Definitely worth a follow there too. For an american, I think Mark's personality appeals to the british somewhat.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks 🙏🏻 it means a lot!

[@XQzMEH]

Cyncial

[@NicholasSadlier]

Isn't it weird how VW still have to hold on to their tartan seats and yet feel obliged to replace a proper gearstick with a light switch and do away with buttons?? Buttons were invented for a reason - they're easy to use!! THANK YOU for reviewing the car in base spec form - that's the way it should always be!! I will never understand fake engine sounds... in anything other than a toy car. My 'say something nice'.... great review and fantastically delivered!!

[@piersgooderham8674]

First timer to this channel, really refreshing delivery without the bs that many reviewers employ. Merry Christmas!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

That’s Piers, that means a lot - glad my unprofessionalism is being noted ;) merry Christmas to you and yours too

[@bhill252]

First time here love the tone and style of this review. GTI... I still like it! 🇨🇦

[@swanny195]

Just found the channel after watching the GR Yaris review, then the Guilia QV and this one. Enjoyable and amusing content Tim, keep it coming 👍🏻

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Cheers Swanny, appreciate it!

[@faisalleeds]

Looks better than the standard MK8, starting to come around to the looks. The Clubsport will be the pick of the bunch, although the R also seems to have improved and is pushing more towards the Merc and BMW rivals. MK7 GTI Clubsport is still my favourite Golf.

[@paullacey2999]

Dunno if the touchscreens are the way forward,but I like the car.Of course fancier wheels are extra....Does grow on you tho'

[@danw5150]

I've been watching your videos for sometime now Tim, but can we have some longer video's please, I want to know everything about the car your reviewing from - What's it like to fill up at the petrol station. How much does it cost for a full service. What's it like to park in a small parking space. What does the interior look like at night. Switch the lights and indicators on so we can see what they look like. I'm not Jonny 5 but I need more input more information... By the way I love adore the Alfa Romeo quodrifoglio, what a beautiful car...... Looking forward to your next review.....

[@BobK5]

You’d look silly in a type R 😱

[@swanblake]

Well done review. MK8 GTI is Windows 2000. Awful to use in motion and a step backwards. The worse ergonomics.

[@hiiiofficial8306]

Nah

[@DanielDrives]

Great car, but I do think I’d save £10k and go for a Mk7.5 GTI instead...

[@smiler921]

True if you’re buying outright for cash, but if getting a deal for 2 or 3 years the Mk8 looks decent value now. I’m not totally sold on the looks though, think I still prefer the 7.5

[@DanielDrives]

@@smiler921 yeah, same.

[@dwchester]

I like touch screens if done right. That one isn't and has a horrible latency between you touching it and something happening. It really annoyed me just watching it! The fake buttons are just horrendous but then they have to go and add the fake exhaust noise just to put the topping on the "WTF" of it all. All of those things together would probably make me want to drive it into a tree as soon as possible. :-)

[@reds005]

Urgggghhh.....the touch screen menus. How on earth did this get approved?! Horrific

[@DontPanicDear]

I’ve always liked the Golf GTI, but the unfotainment annoyed me even when YOU were fumbling with it 🤔 Not we have to also look down to use the steering wheels ‘Buttons’ too Grrr! 🧐 When I buy an expensive thing, I like it if it mostly seems like cleverer people than me, have had a hand in the design. If this is going to be a thing, it needs to be a way bigger screen, or have some sort of wrist support. Why don’t they just go the whole hog and put wipers, indicators and cruise control, three layers into the screen menu options too 😂 This just seems like customer repellent to me! Tier4 grumpy VAG ‘tainment rant over 🙄 Good to hear they’ve managed the dynamic settings nicely for road use. I do really like the modern peak torque delivery around 1500rpm. It makes anything feel much faster than the numbers suggest and great for daily use. That section of the A29 is amazing! TRDS is by far the best Dorking based automotive KZbin channel 👊🏻

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Best Dorking based car channel? I’ll take it! Cheers for the support!

[@kristy77a]

Good review. This is my first viewing of this channel and I'm enjoying the unrefined, rather WAYNE'S WORLD quality. It's charming. I'll be back.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thanks Sean! Unrefined is probably too kind!

[@bhill252]

Oh and compared to the Mazda 3 GT turbo? ?

[@jamescarson6681]

4:34 Mat Watson loves the w@nk3r poking test hehehe

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Loads of journalists do it!

[@kcav1255]

2:05 Great Clarkson impression lol

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

s'just my voice!

[@pigeonpoo1823]

How does this compare to your long term Mini (excluding the gaudy wheels)?

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Mini is (a lot) faster and I find it more engaging to drive. It’s a lot firmer than the golf tho

[@captainamericamarvel8199]

I not into the car, but into your deep voice! Men you should sing.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I wish I could sing! Thanks :)

[@neiljoseph904]

Merch with TRDS! Love it 😂

[@demoney9540]

Clubsport & R makes this as about as desirable, as a Citroën!!

[@lewisratford2908]

Haha great humour and review. Who ever designs VW rims must to excellent power point presentations, because they are awful. I owned a Mk7.5 gti and the 245bhp was a very healthy 245bhp... it was also really well optimised for the diff and well damped/set up for U.K. roads. Great car, but will hold on for the Mk8.5 lol ....always improvements.

[@smiler921]

Good comparison to Apple. I hate using a laptop with windows, but like my iPad. Does that mean I won’t like a civic ? 😂

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

First person to leave a comment about Apple's own silicon gets +4 Tim Rodie Respect points

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

Apple silicon MacBook Air is very good and almost as good as the Pro. Would have one if they were half the price

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

@@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM Yeah, I'm waiting to see what they can do on the GPU front. I'm wedded to my iMac but it's getting a bit creaky - was very tempted to build a PC but by the time you've added an equivalent 5k screen it's loadsamoney! Here are your 4 TRR points

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff thanks. Have a nice Christmas

[@lupislune]

Apple is a lifestyle, like the Golf. PCs are computers

[@EverythingCarsandMoreECAM]

@@lupislune you know what. I agree with that

[@TheJoStephan]

Great video review! Love the exterior, I think it's a great evolution of the Golf/ and Gti design. However, that interior is really, really not fitting for the price we now pay for the Gti. It looks cheaper than ever before, regardless of all the electronics & digital screens. Minimalist design is fine, but even so, the buttons and functionality appears confusing, cheaply made and not user friendly for the driver, when driving.

[@lupislune]

So, the Golf or the Mini Clubman?

[@GUITARTIME2024]

Gti

[@thegodofhellfire]

as a previous owner of a mk6, I hate everything about it sadly.

[@marcofernandes581]

Trust me i said the same things as you, and when i test drive it and look in person i was very amazed

[@dill8498]

Sounds like Jeremy Clarkson😀

[@loganpadayachee6048]

This vehicle even makes premium SUV's green with envy. I own one so I know😂

[@asdpoi121]

Civic Type R cheaper than GTI?!?!

[@timrodierides]

It was when I filmed this… the current type R was the FK8

[@loganpadayachee6048]

But not better resale value no ways

[@alexeyl22]

LOL, this car is pimped up garbage. Thanks for hilarious review 👍

[@georgegoodman5363]

How was your birthday

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

I’m so old I can’t remember it

[@georgegoodman5363]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff I suppose you can't with a child to look after.

[@jeffsiemens4485]

As a fan of almost everything apple, I can honestly say that Mac OS is just crap. It’s not about value for money or lack thereof. It’s just a clunky, clumsy, outdated UI/UX abomination. It’s like the mk8 GTI infotainment designers came from the OSX team.

[@soultanasmaga9661]

Ddhdhhdrhfhrh

[@siblej1]

All this touchscreen crap is bollocks. VW should know better.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Agreed

[@loganpadayachee6048]

I own one it's easy to operate let haters be haters 😂

[@4GuitarTrance]

Horrible butchering of the formerly "sporty" and fun GTI! It has become a cheap, boring representation of itself! Seriously, Volkswagen?

[@loganpadayachee6048]

Oh really I owned all of them the 8 is the best by far everything design, technology, power and fuel economy

[@4GuitarTrance]

@@loganpadayachee6048 Glad you like it, my friend! Me? Not so much! Although, the 2025 Mk8 seems to be a HUGE improvement in so many ways. VW must have listened to some of the complaints and concerns of their formerly dedicated USA customers. HUGE improvements in the area of steering wheels and dash controls... which were some of my main irritations. The prices for the Mk8 however, outrageous in my opinion. It is after all, just a 4 cylinder auto. A darned NICE 4-cylinder, for sure... but still what it is underneath of it all. Cheers