2022 VW Golf GTI (SE DSG) - Features Review & POV Road Test

This video is going to be an in depth first person features review & POV drive of the all-new 2022 VW GTI! In this video we will discuss the main features of this car and get a feel for it on the road! As always, if you have any questions or comments about this car please feel free to let me know! Thanks a lot for watching and remember to subscribe for future content!

[@zackzada]

Great review. Appreciate the clear narration and the lack of background music.

[@andyc.2602]

Great video! You talked me into it! Love it!

[@jamesanastasio9829]

So happy I found this review, exact spec I am shopping for and was a great help before my test drive, thank you

[@tydrives4846]

Glad I can help!

[@alecsc]

I drive a MK7.5 and think it's a beauty. I shared the opinion of many others that the MK8 was a bit strange looking when I first saw it, but I must say after seeing some in person, it is a gorgeous car. Definitely looks more modern and sharp than the MK7. Really hoping to upgrade at some point to an SE trim but the price is certainly high. Nice that it's built in Germany this time around.

[@Incomudro1963]

Nicely done reveiw! As a MK7 owner (had it new since 2015) who had a MK6 before that car, beginning in 2011, I really didn't like the MK8 when I saw images of it. I had a big problem with it's front end, and particularly the lower intake. Hated the interior. Well, it grew on me over time - and I got to look at one and drive one at my local dealer just last week. I'm back on board! The MK8 is nice. REALLY nice in a way that doesn't come through in images.

[@tydrives4846]

Yes, I had the same thoughts as you when I saw pictures. Once you see it in person and drive it, it’ll start to grow on you. The only thing I can’t get over still are all the glossy black touch capacitive “buttons”. Other than that it’s still a GTI!

[@Incomudro1963]

@@tydrives4846 Yes, I agree - I'll always prefer physical buttons, particularly for audio and HVAC controls - and I hope VW decides to add them back to the MK8. But the lack of them isn't the deal breaker I thought it would be, and I'd imagine once you get used to the systems, the shortcuts etc., it gets much better. I quickly found out that the sliders for temp and volume can be tapped rapidly left or right to lower or raise temperatures and volumes incrementally. That was a relief.

[@tydrives4846]

I agree, definitely not a deal breaker. The deal maker is the driving experience that is unmatched in its class!

[@Incomudro1963]

@@tydrives4846 It really is! I really love these cars, and the MK8 is still very much a GTI. One drive, heck even before the drive - and I was aware that the missteps they made weren't nearly as big as I thought they were - and were made up in other areas.

[@Mirror1973]

Me too, like you, when the videos and photos started to surface, I hated it, then last week I test drove one , a manual Autobahn, and took it home the next day!

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

Great review of a great car. The best trim is "S". You can have it for 32k USD and it is the best bang for your buck. Also the bonus is that it does not have sunroof/moonroof on the S trim. No leaks in the future, no weight up top your car, more rigidity and safety in case of rollover and more headroom.

[@jv6miata]

I really want to get an S for this reason but I want the premium audio package :(

[@Mr99Burns]

SE is best. Sun roof Harmon Kardon, alcantera bolsters on seats. Larger infotainment screen

[@genderlessyoutubefanperson]

@@Mr99Burns S is best, no idiotic sunroof, better seats than SE and screen with actual buttons. and 4 grand cheaper.

[@tydrives4846]

I have to agree with the screen at least. On the S trim it has more actual buttons and knobs.

[@hellodlo]

the blue is nice! like the gti a lot , I have a '19. Nice video!

[@katiecannon8186]

Traded my 7.5 in for the 8. Couldn’t be happier.

[@brandonmcfarland5200]

That Car Is A Must Daily Driving Car!!!!

[@raptor_boss6402]

I LOVE this guys enthusiasm! Can’t wait to get mine in!

[@tydrives4846]

You won’t be disappointed!

[@gonzo1281]

I had a manual 6spd 2010 for 6 years and I really miss it.

[@dionz3286]

this review is mad good

[@MrArchie800]

Just took delivery of mine a week ago. I saw the criticism but ordered anyway (unseen and untested) as it will basically be a daily driver that I will put the dogs in the back, and my wife will also use (she would hate a Type R, Golf R or an AMG 45 etc.). Anyway I was thinking... 'it's a golf' so it will be good, solid, fairly refined like most golfs. First impressions.... it looks better in the flesh, but I found it complicated (especially as it wasn't setup at handover so the keys were registered as 'guest' so I couldn't access or change much of the functionality, it took me ages to figure out how to enable the full functionality of the car (VW should include a 'quick start guide'!). There was more road noise than I was expecting/hoping (the adaptive dampers seem to be most effective in the more aggressive range i.e. it allows you to stiffen the car but not really soften it. HOWEVER! Once I got past those minor gripes it does handle better than any stock GTI I've had, it is also quicker. It didn't take long for me to get used to the lack of buttons and it is absolutely no big deal - easy peasy to use . ALSO, it is returning an indicated 46 MPG when my wife is driving it around 100 miles per day so that is a great result! TBH when I ordered the car I was unsure I was doing the right thing, but after a few days I am totally loving it and looking for excuses to go somewhere!! Unfortunately before it had even done 250 miles a stupid bus hit the side of it so I am extremely pissed off! :-( :-(

[@katiecannon8186]

Oh noooo!!!!! Hope you got it satisfactorily fixed up for you.

[@lukebrindleymusic]

great review

[@uweboker5983]

Great review! Clear and objective!

[@tydrives4846]

Thanks for the support! Stay with us for a Golf R video soon!

[@markday5797]

Liking the MK8 more I see it, also the midnight blue paint color. I would choose the S model though.

[@tydrives4846]

It’s slowly growing on me as well. I just filmed a video on a 2023 MK8 manual if you go over to my channel. The infotainment is much improved over the 2022.

[@kgomotsomonye9136]

Although is says Germany, that car was built in Cape Town, South Africa

[@Mirror1973]

LOVE it!

[@henryespinosa9283]

Forgot to mention was the total price of the car in the sticker.

[@tkusterb]

It was 37K ish.

[@HueyPLewis]

Hi - I have a question... what's up with the fuel display. I don't get it. I just filled up the car and it says 300 miles and this thin red bar. It's so counterintuitive. Is the car estimating that one a full take I can go 300 more miles and it will count down from there?

[@Pax_97]

The thin red bar is just the area of the line representing low fuel. Just think of it as a fuel light. Hope that helps.

[@ImYoutubing247]

They have rear vents in the GTI but not in any trim level of the Jetta? That doesn’t make any sense.

[@RickGTI2019]

You’re absolutely right. Car manufacturers are eliminating rear A/C vents on most of their upper end models. Makes no sense, especially if you live in SO. Florida ! Give less, charge more $$$. 🌴

[@garrettbarbosa3080]

Love it would just want the manual

[@tydrives4846]

Agreed!

[@eddiericks6554]

I have the 7.5 and I will keep it unless the good people of vw give me my buttons back 😂

[@Bluesky_skyblue]

26:00 lol he reached for a shifter to upshift but the shifter wasn't there.

[@tydrives4846]

Yeah it’s a little bit of a strange design. I’m also used to resting my hand on the shifter too.

[@Bluesky_skyblue]

@@tydrives4846 I had a ‘19 GLI manual. Now I am waiting for my Atlantic Blue 2022 GTI Autobahn with wheel sound and sunroof package to arrive! (Canadian version). A lot like your setup here

[@tydrives4846]

I loved my 19 GLI! Good luck with your new GTI.

[@n0ly77]

Also, was the HOMELINK mirror an option ?

[@alialmoudheji570]

Yeah it’s an option

[@gonzo1281]

Would this work for a family of 4?

[@tydrives4846]

It would be pretty tight for a family of 4. I’d try the GLI, it has alot more rear leg room, and almost as good of a driving experience! The trunk is also pretty big.

[@n0ly77]

I have a 2017 Golf R and have a family of 4. We've done major road trips as well. So, YES.

[@Incomudro1963]

A MK8 will work for a family of four. Might be a little tight if it's your only vehicle - say if your wife doesn't have a car as well, or if you are large sized people. I've got a MK7, and I can take my entire family out in it (my twin sons will be 20 years old next month) in reasonable comfort.

[@W0LV1E45]

Hate that glossy key fob. Its gonna be covered with scratches and fingerprints. But I can live with it since I really want the car.

[@tkusterb]

If you keep the fob in your pocket the whole time, you shouldn't be getting too many fingerprints on it.

[@W0LV1E45]

@@tkusterb it still scratches easily.

[@Mousy86]

No remote start

[@MarkEnriquez1971]

The MK8 did not do enough to make me want to get out of my MK7.5 GTI SE.

[@melissacole8697]

OMG... WHAT?

[@MarkEnriquez1971]

@@melissacole8697 well looks wise it’s not much different, the front calipers don’t have the GTI on it, it’s a little thing, and from a driving experience it does not have the true manual DSG mode like my 7.5 does. The MK8 auto shifts up at redline for you. I like the full control of shifts. Also if the R came in a 2 door I’d get it, I prefer the look of the 2 door it looks sleeker and sportier. Unfortunately VW no longer makes the 2 door.

[@4GuitarTrance]

The blaring WHITE background of some of the LCD screens are a definite NO SALE for me... unless that too is customizable. I rather doubt they would allow one to change background color on the LCD (not the mood color -- talking about the white LCD background with black text). And on that note, why would VW give that beautiful dark and colorful gauge cluster, and completely RUIN the mood with LCD screens blinding you at night with white backgrounds and black text instead of the previous generations black background and white text? It seems like common sense not BLINDING the driver/passengers at night with a gaudy-looking and irritating WHITE LCD SCREEN! The above, with all of the other nonsensical changes make for a definite no sale for me... as badly as I wanted to trade up from my MK7. Very disappointing. The list of negatives FAR outweigh the positives for me. Not to mention the insane pricing... and for a 4 cylinder? Sorry guys. Don't mean to be a "Bobby Bummer" here... just REALLY disappointed in many of the changes. Then again... I still have my MK7... so I'm still good for now. Good vid review!

[@tydrives4846]

This new GTI is mighty expensive, especially when compared to its GLI brother. The price difference wasn’t justified so I got the GLI over the GTI.

[@strker99]

The GTI infotainment has a dark mode setting, so if you don't like the white screen, you can make it dark with white text.

[@4GuitarTrance]

@@strker99 Oh, ok! That's great to know. I actually thought it a bit odd that VW would stick customers with only that option. Again... the "light mode" would make me crazy at night... possibly daytime too. 😛 I didn't know about the option(s) because none of the VW dealers in my area have been able to get a Mk8 as of this time. So there's no real way to see one and test it out. Anyway. thanks for the info... I appreciate your taking the time to inform me.

[@tkusterb]

I think you can set gauge cluster lighting to "dark", so it's a white background with black lettering.

[@4GuitarTrance]

@@tkusterb Yeah thanks. I found that out later... after posting about the LCD. But thanks much! :-)

[@ciscohour5884]

Just can’t bring myself to pay what they ask for them.

[@BryanMoreno_]

Wonder how a 100lb golden retriever will do in the back seats 🤔

[@robertdavis9736]

GTI hasn’t had prop rod for years and not a new engine

[@lormisplayz9981]

The SE use to be a leather seats! So what’s happen now !?

[@alecsc]

It's the same as before. SE came with cloth with leather as an option

[@jayczyzyk9707]

Nice reveiw these products are highly unreliable vw= disaster

[@Incomudro1963]

No they aren't.

[@MrDsn112]

It’s not 1998 anymore,

[@briandorsey6437]

Wrong - I just changed my insurance over from my 2017 Honda Accord EXL to the 2022 VW GTI Autobahn thinking I’d be paying significantly more but was surprised by Progressive saying my rates will now be $5 less per payment because recent GTIs have been very reliable vehicles and now have better safety features than ever… So there’s what the pros who do this for a living are saying about them

[@JFinns]

Have been daily driving a GTI sport manual with APR stage 1 for 5 years and zero issues.