How The New Golf 8 GTI Is the Best And Worst GTI I've Driven

[@mrwaqy]

The prices on these new cars are unbelievable! So expensive and they all look so similar, mercs, bmws, interiors too. Jam packed with useless, overcomplicated electrics.

[@modmod392]

List price is meaningless these days…..all about the monthly rentals.

[@freibier]

Base Golf R (in Germany): €49.400. Base Mercedes AMG A35: €49.313. Load them up with options, and the price stays about equal for both - with the exception that the A35 has the MUCH better interior/infotainment and overall quality. VW prices have become ridiculous.

[@plugsocket9432]

@@modmod392 My Father still buys cars outright. You don't own the car with finance thats why I would rather buy a used car with cash.

[@modmod392]

@@plugsocket9432 that maybe so….but manufacturers cater for the majority. They are little more than finance houses that happen to produce cars.

[@rogerbarrett9920]

@@plugsocket9432 - PCP - How to pay ridiculous amounts of money and never own a car - Buy a 4 year old car and own it outright is the way to go. Mind you I'm glad that there are loads of people who purchase new cars using lease type plans as it means there's a plentiful supply for guys like me.

[@beatles4sale2007]

Spend £20K and get a tidy 7.5..(not too mention some proper buttons)

[@sv_cheats1970]

Money well spent

[@resnonverba137]

To...

[@pequod1]

better yet an edition 35 (3 door obviously)

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@pequod1 I just finished watching wolkswizards video on that car 😂

[@993mike]

Absolutely! My son has a 7.5 he’s been tuning, and it’s a great car with a way better interior and interface.

[@syedlink27]

Brutal honest review of the GTI No sugar coating it That’s why I love your reviews Oh and the 80s music and theme helps too

[@5ebra1]

I was looking to upgrade my Golf mk7 (not a GTi). I was offered a good deal on a Mk8 but the interior quality is worse and the infortainment screens are both too complicated and dangerous to use whilst driving.

[@freibier]

Same here. Although I was actually thinking about buying a Golf R to replace my Mk7 GTI (but it's the same interior). Ended up getting an AMG A35. Which, coincidentally, ended up costing about the same as a fairly loaded Golf R Mk8.

[@igorvieira8987]

​@@freibier oh boy, the a35 intirior is very crappy aswell, and the engine of the gold r is much better, and as a bigger margin of progression than the a35, but i get your choice

[@HenryBabcock]

This was why I went ahead and bought my mk7.5 (GTI) a year ago. Mk8 was looking like mostly a downgrade. Especially all the touch buttons.. just awful. Overall a bunch more cost cutting. But even the looks as well. A year later I'm certainly happy with my choice.

[@jonfrench7133]

The Mk 8 is a significant step up in terms of performance and handling. My reference is a mk7 R. I now drive a GTi CS and the handling is priceless, much more fun then the M5C i swapped out of.

[@jonfrench7133]

Not sure what the deal is with interior quality, fine by me. Think the Mk7 boys just looking for things to make themselves feel better about owning an old model 😜

[@oneeleven9832]

It amazes me touch screens are even legal in cars…or at the least inoperable when car is moving

[@LGaragem]

@James Smith sending texts while driving was never safe. Car buttons and switches should be designed for ease of use while driving. Phones were never meant to be used while driving.

[@ailestriker9888]

I agree. I'm 21 and I use my phone for everything but even using physical buttons on the steering wheel could be enough to cause a crash, let alone use a display that takes half my attention to navigate (Correction: 21 as of now)

[@TrueFilter]

I think a judge in Germany ruled it was no different than a mobile phone and prosecuted a motorist.

[@autobahnproven]

@@TrueFilter Wow!

[@JohnAdams-kc8wx]

Maybe they should add text buttons on the steering wheel, then we could text as we drive like the good old days...

[@Prickly-Hedgehog]

I bought a Golf R 7.5 just over 3 years ago, with Leather, reversing camera, heated windscreen etc... for £34k. How on earth can they charge £42k for that. I also think the old MK7 is better looking, manual heat controls and the infotainment is very easy to use. I'll be sticking with it for a while I think.

[@TsLeng]

One can get a MK8 R for about 34k new after discounts. So this will be less after the same.

[@123willbishop]

Guess they’ve got to pay that $2.8 billion emission scandal fine some way or another 🤷‍♂️

[@steve0680657]

Maybe they're expecting huge inflation following on from all the rampant covid money printing press.

[@Prickly-Hedgehog]

@@TsLeng I don't think you'll get full leather £2.6k, black wheels, metallic paint, reversing camera for £34k. I just spec'd the latest version similar to mine and its £44k.

[@TsLeng]

@@Prickly-Hedgehog drive the deal did send me an email with a deal at 33k for a new golf R. Don't know what spec but you can add 7k worth and still....

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

If the car does not have physical buttons for HVAC i don't even consider it. Nice review. Keep up the good work.

[@Harpreet06]

Same for me. Its so backwards, hopefully all these car companies revert back to how it was before but I guess they'll only do it if tesla do 🙄

[@bobdylan6237]

VAG have kicked out some real crap recently

[@BARONsProductions]

Dat fly tho

[@nl3712]

Yeah, agreed, walk away from stupid electronics

[@gunnargeroy8406]

I thought that fuckin fly in your profile picture was an actual fly on my phone. Cheers, ya got me

[@JonWhitworth]

The VAG 4 cylinder with the farty DSG gearbox is hands down the most annoying noise on the road. £42k to be underwhelmed and sound like a chav? No thanks Appreciate you putting in the miles James to help demonstrate there are better options for the money

[@IAN1000IAN]

Couldn't agree more

[@khalidacosta7133]

First thing I would do if I bought it (and I wouldn't) is take it to a tuner. The convo would go like this: me: That farting noise it makes? Tuner: Yeah, you want it louder? me: it sounds like it needs a shit, program it out.

[@TheRealBigDan]

Definitely. To be honest the Golf 7 R that VW punted out on cheapo finance schemes really attracted the wrong kind of audience to the brand. They seem to be the weapon of choice to the local chavs. Ironically everyone who I've seen driving new type R civics are generally older than what I'd expect given how that car is styled. For me I'd still prefer a I30n or Yaris GR than this.

[@baronvonhoughton]

It feels like a consensus that everyone wants buttons not touchscreens. So what the f are manufacturers doing?

[@fatfreddyscoat7564]

Saving themselves costs that lead to higher margins, it’s as simple as that.

[@HIOP0]

There is a case to be made for OEM's to stride forth, bringing new tech where is hasn't been introduced by another brand. Once these decisions have been signed off and marketed to the Nth degree, for the OEM to backtrack and eg, bring back buttons, to replace the touch screens that were introduced to replace buttons, would be seen as the first to climb down and therefore "lose face". Even although we as a significantly large group of people, ie the actual buyers of the cars, are dismayed and unhappy with said screens and menus and sub-menus, we cannot get what we want, that is more convenient, familiar and for goodness sake...SAFER. Really the only way to bring them back into line with fulfilling our clear expectations, is to boycott these brands and buy/PCP, etc elsewhere, but we rationalise our purchases in spite of our strong feelings, by convincing ourselves that we will get used to it, come to terms with it, in reality, it becomes an everlasting set of niggles, that spoil our enjoyment, of what should be one of the most joyous things we spend our money on. Despite making our views clearcut to our families and friends, once we have bought said compromised car, we wax lyrical about it all and dismiss our previous thoughts as if they were nothing, after all, who is going to spend tens of thousands of pounds on a car and then moan about it?. Not a good look and certainly not a way of reinforcing our ability to make good choices in life to all who know us.

[@acchaladka]

@@HIOP0 well, if I had to...actually I’d go buy a two year old mk VII.5.

[@graemewilson1400]

Making money

[@eugenepark9665]

From a cost perspective, touchscreens are cheaper than physical buttons From a marketing perspective, young buyers in the 20-40 demo think of physical buttons as lame, archaic, uncool, something that you would only find in your dad's mondeo - they are so used to crap touch-based interfaces on their phones that they cannot comprehend that buttons could be better Which is why the new Audi e-tron GT is interesting, because despite being a clone of the Taycan (which is nothing but touchscreens), the etron is chock full of buttony goodness

[@julianevans9548]

This, for me, is JayEmm's greatest quality: he'll do honest, critical reviews. So many car journalists won't piss off the manufacturers.

[@avalanx]

Absolutely brilliant review! 10/10 auto journalism.

[@cfnh2595]

I agree!

[@graemewilson1400]

Me too, info just turns me off and here in Oz very expensive 130N much better value.

[@DrNitin14]

How. He's got the price completely wrong the Gti starts £33k not £42k. He's looked at Golf R pricing?!?!

[@DrFod]

Spot-on review. I have a Mk7.5 GTI and was about to trade in for a Mk8 but after several test drives I just couldn't find a compelling reason to upgrade.

[@lecco666]

Throttle-adjustable handling Jay? By the way I think the infernal touchscreens are cost saving: it’s a lot cheaper to have a touchscreen than proper, safe analog buttons. They hope people don’t realise this, and pass it off as some fantastic technical advance they’re showcasing.

[@IchWillNicht0119]

I've never thought about it like that. Good take. Unfortunately VAG is so large that the cancer has spread from Skoda all the way up to Porsche with this touch-based non-sense. By the time they've realized their errors, full autonomous driving will have been possible and people would have all the time to look away from the road to fiddle with their infotainment.

[@anhondacivic6541]

@@IchWillNicht0119 they ruined the leon for me with its interior, the mk3 leon's interior was way better

[@acchaladka]

@@IchWillNicht0119 that’s true, I already use the automated cruise control on my family car to let me fiddle with things on the highway. I’m buying a 2011 something to have analogue dials and nobs.

[@stephenfyvie6282]

And what happens when the touch screen fails ?

[@JoJoJoker]

@@acchaladka they add safety features to counteract the unsafe features.

[@Ianmundo]

the price of this GTI is wild. Now I can finally afford one, I find I don’t want one

[@BARONsProductions]

Some car KZbin said 300hp is nice and all but at almost 50k msrp maybe low spec Cayman is a better option

[@bck0001]

Amen. I finally bought a MK7.5 and after owning it two years concluded that it’s a young man’s car. Tried to convince myself I enjoyed it but ultimately the things that annoyed me won out and it’s happily gone now.

[@AlexD02]

@@bck0001 What would you say annoyed you?

[@tavirosu25]

Indeed. It's more than a Megane RS Trophy...like 10k more 🤯🤪

[@jjs3287]

I suspect certain finance packages are enabling these price hikes such as PCP as it doubles peoples spending power and the manufacturers and dealers want a bit of this - assuming buyers are not worried about wether or not they will eventually own the car. I sold a car for £7k and passed the details of another interested party onto the dealer I sold it to which could have enabled him an instant £500 profit for doing absolutely nothing. The dealer laughed at me and said because they offer finance they will list the car at £12k.

[@brokula1312]

Man, you are nailing these reviews. This channel and SavageGeese are now my goto options for honest car reviews. Glad you did Golf GTI and would love to see more of this "regular" stuff..I mean, you make any review very interesting. Superb journalism!

[@4our6ixkwvmz]

Hello fellow SavageGeese follower! Mark hits the nail on the head time and time again

[@samkrahn2867]

This, this and also this.

[@richardfittonperkins1926]

You’re absolutely right on most of this James. Clever diff at the front apart, it’s natural competitor is something more like a 225ps Mercedes A250. And yes, the gimmicks have ruined the Golf. Certain Cody cutting items such as the lack of bonnet gas struts leave a sour taste in the mouth too.

[@samcourt6228]

A Class interior is even worse. Too many screens and really chintzy with all of the silver plastic tat.

[@georgenorth1079]

You said “in this kind of car you wouldn’t expect to find it” but now with the price point I think we should be expecting these things and frankly quite a lot more. Great review mate 👍🏻

[@Rmcaw]

My dad has an R, he’s 69. Id consider myself tech savvy and even I find the infotainment system over complicated. Don’t know he will be able to even turn the AC on!

[@rogernewton7831]

I'm 69 and I have a Golf R 7.5. Most older people don't really care that much about the tech stuff especially when actually driving. I also drive a Carrera S and the tech side doesn't matter to me at all.

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

Totally agree about silly buttons and controls. Cars should be intuitive. You shouldn't have to enroll in a week's residential course to read/ understand the manual.

[@samthoma2719]

Crazy money for what it is, but they can be had for £10,000 less than this with high spec and delivery miles. LOADS of them for sale from £31,000-££35,000

[@peterleighton279]

The only saving grace for the “boggo “ Golf is that it can be had with three pedals and a moveable stick which somehow magically changes gears and won’t change up, unless you want it to! Bring back buttons!

[@Holdeenio]

I could afford this, but never would. At £42k I’d be looking at BMW, Mercedes, Audi and wouldn’t even consider a VW. In 2016 I bought a m140i with options for £36k and that came in at around £340/m. The idea of paying circa £400/m for a VW with nowhere near the capability of the outgoing m140i or the quality of the interior 😂 is a non starter.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Good choice sir. I bought a 2 year old M140i (2017 model) and still have it. I honestly can't think of anything in my budget that I would rather have.

[@robertebob3596]

I have had my 2013 M135i 4 years now and if new cars are like this i will have a few more years.

[@Holdeenio]

I’m sure VW are just chancing their arm that the die hard Golf fanatics will pay whatever price for the same old stuff without comparing what else is out there 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mnoovurvi]

@@DjNikGnashers It's probably the best car you can buy for the money.

[@samcourt6228]

Did you option your 140 up? £36k sounds expensive given how heavily discounted they were. I paid £28k for mine. Agree that it was a nicer place to sit than the Golf with a far more exciting engine.

[@SoPacifx64]

Holy Smokes Jay! Refreshing to actually watch a “real” car review for a change. Keep speaking your mind and I’ll keep watching…SUBSCRIBED!

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks William

[@Christian---]

Honestly these and the ID cars VW is cranking out are hideous, I hate everything they're doing to their brand. It's like the whole VAG group is turning into the borg for fucks sake.

[@chris9650]

To be fair I've always seen them that way

[@jamiekirkpatrick96]

As someone who's looking to buy a Caddy for business I think the difference between the brand new one and the last Gen sums this up perfectly

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@jamiekirkpatrick96 the last gen was beautiful, I remember when they came out, great!

[@BackwardFinesse]

VAG may be bad but they are left standing by BMW whose latest cars are hideous cars for the Chinese market.

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@BackwardFinesse the g20 looks decent, the 4 series and new M3/M4 on the other hand...

[@thecremeegg]

The interior looks cheap - that glossy black plastic is ghastly! I'll stick with our Mk5 GTI!

[@raccs600]

@hyper mk6 >

[@autobahnproven]

Yes, the Mk5 is an absolutely brilliant modern, safe GTI. Not as fun as a Mk1 or 2 though...

[@jjs3287]

@hyper Wish we still had our MK5 that we sold many years ago in the last recession. It still is pretty much all the car most people ever need.

[@jlsvideos5990]

I got a MK5 R32 and it actually sounds and feels like a real car. Love the 5s and 6s personally

[@borisstupar5147]

This is still the same engine since 2007, jut more power, this 2.0T from vw is one of the best 2 litre engines on the marker.

[@smf1384]

not sure how VW can justify the cost of the mk8. I paid £29k for a brand new 2019 Golf 7.5 R with a lot of options.

[@imkirbo3094]

I didn't understand why the BMW 128ti existed until I saw this video. Now I get why someone would buy that car over the Golf.

[@AntoniusTyas]

According to those who has driven one, 128ti feels like how a hot FWD 1-series should have always been from the get go. Nipping the heels of the Golf GTi Mk.8 a little too close for GTi's comfort.

[@2Thumbs0402]

As a used buyer, in 10-15 years time I'm going to be knackered as all the mechanically reliable/electronically simple cars will be gone and all that'll be left is this sort of car with too much technological tat that can easily write a car off when it's worth £2-3k.

[@markdoyle6414]

It will be a horrible thing to sit in. Bugatti didn't put in big screen for that very reason.

[@kevinbarry71]

Not to mention the hood prop rod. It's something they didn't have for the fourth generation

[@HenryBabcock]

Little cost cutting details like this (and all the awful touch controls) is why I went ahead and got an MK7.5 gti a year ago. Overall preferable to the MK8.

[@nl3712]

You’re joking, right? RIGHT?

[@kevinbarry71]

@@nl3712 nope

[@MrTottihunter]

Love it, absolutely love it. So Refreshing to get such honest reviews. Top man 👍👍

[@nigelgordon4329]

Moved from my gti 7.5 pp to the Gti MK 8 and for the first time in last 20 years I can say due to the fantastic seat and driving position I had no back ache at all after a 5 hour drive. And the screens work brilliantly once you know the shortcuts. No more cleaning round fiddly knobs that trap dust and dirt. And the car drives beautifully with the Dcc option even with 19” wheels. Thankfully I paid the base price with good options probably due to some negative reviews so thank you.

[@oopartuk]

I had six Micra's in a row before I got my first golf. Then I got another Micra.

[@rasherbasher8203]

🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@nl3712]

🤣🤣🤣

[@kennyg4744]

VW need to listen. Every review of their latest products throws up the same complaints. Touch buttons are hateful and scratchy plastics at the price point at truly unacceptable. They are asking premium money for a mediocre product.

[@neilmick6778]

Got to claw back some of those fines...

[@matthewsmith2787]

Problem is people will still buy it in droves, because it’s seen as a decent badge

[@Axelfl6161]

That must be why it’s one of the best sellers on the market

[@neilmick6778]

@@Axelfl6161 You probably also like iPhones...

[@Axelfl6161]

@@neilmick6778 There ok but it’s only a phone.After owning 3 Scirroco R,,2 Golf R,s,T-Roc R and now a Clubsport 45 they do have minor irritations but they have all been great drives totally reliable it’s hard to knock them.Good residuals help as well.

[@timtunes42]

Picked a 2021 one up last week, my fifth Gti ! Great driving car, totally agree with you regarding the infotainment system, lack of buttons makes it very dangerous when driving. I have to put my glasses on as some of the icons are so small. I had an R for five yrs but couldn’t justify another £8k

[@craigwatson2435]

42k and they can’t even put top quality tyres on it! Great review again by the way 👏🏻

[@baileycampbell]

For someone who actually owns this vehicle, I dont have any problems with it at all. In fact, I actually like all the touch buttons. It's fantastic.

[@r3games1985]

Reminds me of Star Trek Next Gen. That's pretty rad.

[@zaidhchoudhry512]

I've been waiting for so long to get your take on the GTI

[@kdpwt]

Jesus James you’re seriously killing it rn. I remember the first time I watched one of your videos (I’m quite new, my first vid was the celica gt4 review) I thought “oh no not another generic “reviewer””, until I was proven quite wrong. You really do bring something new to the table. Your presenting style is an absolute pleasure, very relaxing and perfectly suited (imo) to tea, lunchtime and bedtimes. With an upload basically every day it pretty much is. The opinion pieces are also great and say what needs to be said. Thanks Jayemm, Keep going!

[@benjaminlocksmith8932]

I'm surprised VW finally changed their coolant bottle design

[@Ahmad-ck7lj]

You are the first car reviewer that I have seen who had mentioned the clever peeking reverse camera under the VW logo. Well done and good job mate! I absolutely appreciate it

[@JakeBrady]

The price of new cars has gone mental as a whole! Even the Fiesta St is over 20k now without a single option box ticked, the top of the range is closer to 30k, cars are priced around finance agreements now rather than anyone actually purchasing anything outright

[@ApothecaryTerry]

I noticed that about Fiestas. I have a horrible feeling that the entire industry has been ramping up their prices over the last few years to fund EV development. If so, I guess that's what the market wants, but if cheap cars aren't cheap then they're pointless. A Civic Type R costs more to buy *and more to run* than a used Porsche so what's the point in it? Just extra seats- a Lexus GSF is cheaper to buy and (accounting for depreciation) no more expensive to own than a Type R. If anyone genuinely thinks it's better then they're entitled to their opinion, although I'd recommend a hearing test and a psychological examination since they've clearly got some issues ☺

[@bungle5785]

Great review, the fact that’s it’s essentially a good car just highlights the awful tech dash. The retail cost is irrelevant though as these are all on PCP and reasonable discounts are to be had now. I got my A35 premium plus for the same money.

[@ruinunes8251]

That car for that price, makes me want the Civic type R even more. Just my 2 cents.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

The Civic is a lot more car for the money...but is it really a hot hatch anymore? I was put off because it feels like a hot hatch (cheap interior, naff 4 pot sound) but the running costs are noticeably higher than the Porsche I bought instead. For me a hot hatch should be a car I can thrash the nuts off and not care if I'm shredding the tyres/brakes. When those tyres are £900 a set that's not really an option. At the same time, it's not got the image, sound or handling of a sports car- the handling isn't bad, but it's *very* FWD. If I wanted a hot hatch, it's got to be a Fiesta ST or Swift Sport really. If I want a £30k+ sports car, that's when I buy (amazingly) a sports car. For the practicality, these are well into the fast saloon territory and I don't care how fast a Civic Type R is round a track (which is nowhere near as fast as people think- as proven by laptimes on all tracks except the 'Ring, it's comparable to most cars that do about an 8:20 round the 'Ring- 7:43 isn't a lie but it's an unrepresentitive, over-prepared lap) - a slightly slower RWD car is jut more enjoyable. I'm getting wordy, sorry about that ☺ Wanted to explain why I think it's a car that doesn't make sense rather than bash it.

[@ruinunes8251]

@@ApothecaryTerry Type R with higher running costs than a Porsche? The latest Type R is like marmite, you either love it or hate it😃. I agree with you, the exhaust notes of the latest Type R with the genuine exhaust, is not exciting. However, a few weeks ago, a guy just parked next to me with a type R with a modified exhaust, I tell, that was what a type R should sound like, beautiful, not loud, just the right amount of sound.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@ruinunes8251 I don't hate the Type R at all, it's a really impressive car. Comfy, fast, practical. It's just not a hot hatch- it's a sports car, and I don't care what the 'Ring time is, not only is it actually slower (as per all other lap times), the performance is less accessible and it's far, far, far less enjoyable. The costs: FK8 Type R, figures from my test drive last year: OEM tyres - £900 a set (and it SHREDS the fronts if you drive it like a Type R) Economy - 30mpg normally, 42-45mpg on a run with granny driving Servicing - £300-400 annually 981 Cayman S (my car): OEM tyres - £700 a set (my rears are on about 11k including some track use by a previous owner, prob 2k left in them) Economy - 33mpg average, 47mpg on a run with granny driving (90 miles on A roads today, 47.6) Servicing - £650 every 24 months Can buy worse tyres and service at Kwik Fit in both cases, but for a careful owner the above is realistic. For me the porker is £75 cheaper to insure, tax is cheaper on the Civic by £160. Main thing is, this is a 3.4L mid engined Porsche vs a hot hatch, if the cost is even in the ballpark then it's beyond a no brainer surely?! On top of all that, the porker won't depreciate. Mine has gained over 10% in value in 9 months- more than I've spent on fuel, finance and tyres combined...that's 9 months of totally free Porsche! You don't get people staring and people asking if you're rich in the FK8 either, you do (more than I expected) in the 981. My neighbour asked if it was £90k...I just said "not quite" ☺ Heck, the 981 even has 425 litres of boot space vs 420 in the FK8. The Honda is far more practical really of course, but for 2 people the Cayman is all you need- I've had 2 sets of golf clubs, a desk and a Spaniard in the boots all at once! I let him out before driving. Got long...sorry, I get wordy after a cocktail ☺

[@ruinunes8251]

@@ApothecaryTerry a cocktail? Or a handful of cocktails?😂😂

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@ruinunes8251 1! I'm still coherent... ...ok so it was quite large ☺ My comment was accurate though- which is why I'm going on holiday next week driving my Porsche and not a Civic! I'll save the drinking for the evenings.

[@DjNikGnashers]

I have never agreed with you more than I do on this video. Literally took the words out of my mouth. Brilliant.

[@markthibault8579]

This is exactly why I will be staying with my Mk7.5 GTI. I really prefer actual buttons and the manual handbrake.

[@ST-ur7oh]

Golf 7.5 have electric handbrakes. You on weed?

[@keelanmcgurk4052]

How long have I been asleep? Since when did a £20k car become £42k?

[@M135iboost]

Exactly…. I’ve always thought a golf was 20-25k not 42! You could buy a serious motor for 42k!

[@oopartuk]

Since they have to recoup all those billions in fines they earned by literally lying about emissions and conning a whole generation of motorists I'd say.

[@M135iboost]

@@oopartuk nail on the head. I get why people buy golfs but I’ve always found them the safe a tad boring bet.

[@jameslove888]

It’s £42k with options. On the road it’s £33,460. When the MK5 GTI was £20k, that was 17 years ago. Factoring in inflation, that car today is £31,500. The problem is that wages haven’t kept up with inflation.

[@papa_pt]

@@jameslove888 when I was looking at new cloth seat GTIs in the states a couple of years ago I thought they were around 27k

[@ae86conor]

I love how the sunroof button got you so annoyed 🤣

[@chrisslater3174]

And James likes his sunroofs...to the extent of even wanting one cut into the fabulous carbon roof (adding lightness? 😃) of a Giulia Quadrifoglio. He may be somewhat of a sunroof connoisseur/expert/snob, so maybe we should just take heed...

[@shanecolton3500]

Brilliant honest review and you more or less covered it all warts and all. I am a huge VAG and Golf fan (GTD fan) and I remember before Covid thinking oh god I'll be the first person to be in tyre kicking when they come out. I still havent been to view and try out one such is my dislike and hatred towards what VW have done. Whoever the man invents an aftermarket infotainment with knobs will be a millionaire. I really like the Mk7.5; they dabbled with the touchscreen and virtual displays but did it right maintaining user friendliness. It just feels they have promoted the marketing team to design and they are hell bent on doing the complete opposite to what VW have always done to just proof a point (internal politics). I think what frustrates me more so is the fact I love the evolutionary exterior and the new MK8 lighting, virtual cockpit and infotainment system looks pretty and actually they could have only tweaked the whole setup a small bit and removed a massive massive problem. It also frustrates me that 75% say of bog standard golf drivers don't give a shit about ergonomics and will drive it anyhow. Us 25% GTD/GTI/R ambassadors have been forgotten about and inevitably I feel they are trying to horse us upwards into ID3/IB4 material....never gonna happen. I know you speak about how well it drives....quite frankly I think you are clutching at straws to try save a little bacon for the Golf....it SHOULD drive class. Personally, I'd choose a 7.5 GTD or R anyday over the MK8.

[@backseatcovers]

You've reassured me in my hatred and loathing of VW (and maybe even all of VAG except Porsche) 😂😂🤣😉

[@AntoniusTyas]

Used to hold GTI on high regards. But this is nothing like that. Volkswagen has been ruining the fun since that Dieselgate.

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@AntoniusTyas true, and to think we were supposed to get the 400R golf...

[@sparky4878]

How much?! For a hatchback? I’ve never really been a fan of the Golf. Especially as they’ve just got bigger and uglier.

[@SDK2006b]

I'd be amazed If those volume and temperature sliding controls weren't dropped for the facelift model, and all of the other models which have them.

[@kevinbarry71]

You are underestimating German stubbornness

[@SDK2006b]

@@kevinbarry71 - You're probably right. Maybe they will add backlighting so you can actually see them 😆

[@jamiekirkpatrick96]

I'm definitely biased but a MK8 Fiesta ST with a stage 1 in the right spec I think makes this look like even worse value, the sunroof even goes all the way to the back in the fiesta!

[@M135iboost]

Having owned the mk6 mk7 and mk8 fiesta ST’s (wife’s car) and driven multiple golf GTI’s I’d always go for the fiesta. Especially for the cost ! 42k for a golf is a joke.

[@jamiekirkpatrick96]

@@M135iboost they get a lot of flack for being popular but they are that way for a reason and I think most of it comes from people who've never gotten the chance to drive one themselves

[@M135iboost]

@@jamiekirkpatrick96 agreed.

[@mudskipper0075]

MK 8 Fiesta ST is a diamond of a car ,I was genuinely staggered at the performance and grip…..👍

[@M135iboost]

@@mudskipper0075 superb chassis, brilliant little 3 pot engine that pops and bangs and pulls hard. Great car for the B roads.

[@psircos]

42k!? Never in a million years VW!

[@donaldmackay4837]

I have a7.5 R on lease . 5 years old . Excellent build quality and great performance. no nonsense touch controls . I’ll keep it forever......

[@spainter1985]

£40k lol. Unbelievable.

[@M135iboost]

42k !!! For a golf !!!

[@markrhoden68]

I've just ordered a m135i xdrive for 42k and that includes taxes etc also it's got a few choice extras, pan roof, head-up leather and metallic paint

[@FuelwithDave]

Crazy money... Looks quite good in the red but can't stand the new touch screens when I had a loaner for the day. Think VW got it wrong this time with everything touch screen.

[@spainter1985]

@@markrhoden68 Whilst I miss the 6 cylinder M135/M140i's - that sounds like a far better buy than a Golf GTI!

[@colinw1591]

VW have overpriced the Golf in the hope that customers will swap to their EV's.... expect the Mk8 (or 8.5) will be the last Golf.

[@mdiciaccio87]

Octavia VRS - Not as well tuned, but essentially the same powertrain and far more practical. That's what I picked and have no regrets.

[@jas0241]

Was in a god awful Peugeot hire car and travelling down the M74 from Glasgow... Bloody cold outside and the windscreen starts to mist. Ok, I'll turn up the heat a bit and vent it more to the windscreen... Where's the control? There's no button, no dial... Erm where the feck is it? The heating controls were in the fecking touchscreen. So not only do I have to select a menu for the heating controls by stabbing a screen whilst looking at the road, I need to also select some fecking settings after that. Whatever happened to reaching out without needing to look too much turning 2 dials or pressing a demist button?? It's absolutely crazy and dangerous.

[@limitededition3278]

Yep! No need to trade my MK 7.5 GTI. Thank you for confirming what most of us in the VW community already knew.

[@hafizibrahim1108]

I prefer the Golfs from the Mk5 going backwards tbh..

[@michaeljacksonsloafers]

Great review as always mate, there aren't enough of us Aussie's on KZbin doing motoring stuff so keep up the good work.

[@Professor-Scientist]

James's shirt is both the best and worst shirt I've ever seen 😂

[@andrewdaley3081]

Even asda wouldn't sell that

[@Professor-Scientist]

@@andrewdaley3081 😂😂😂

[@andrewdaley3081]

@@Professor-Scientist 😁

[@mudskipper0075]

Great honest review,not pandering to the Germany can do no wrong that you tube is full of,my mate just got one and he never really speaks about it like he did his last cars,definitely a step back from the 7.5 and 245bhp isn’t enough for a hot hatch,won’t matter to VW though they’ll still sell thousands…

[@AntoniusTyas]

I really, _REALLY_ don't get the new Golf GTI. It's no more powerful than Mk.7.5 and a lot less powerful than its rivals, it got less-than-stellar interior quality than Mk.7.5, it looked like an overdressed egg while the older Mk.5 and Mk.7 looked discreet yet sporty, and it's hideously expensive. Want to match the FK8 Type R or i30N Performance? Sorry sir, you got to spend GBP40k for the Clubsport, and no manual for you. Even Cupra Leon can match the GTI Clubsport for a lot less money. The heck is wrong with Volkswagen...

[@zounds13]

This has to be one of the very best car reviews I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@yogevtzelniker6637]

I feel like the gti never had an interesting engine apart from the vr6 so it never really interested me, there always were more interesting and better cars in this segment.

[@tjroelsma]

In my opinion the Golf GTI was at it's peak when it had the 2.0 16v engine that pushed out 150 hp. Yes, it had "only" 150 hp, but it weighed almost nothing and that, combined with exellent road handling, made the Golf GTI, the Kadett GSI and the likes the definition of the "hot hatch." I think VW actually lost their way with the VR6, as that made the Golf extermely nose-heavy, very eager to understeer and only delivered around 170-180 hp in it's first iteration. This Golf Mk8 has a 2.0 that pumps out 245 hp, but as it's weight has gone through the roof since the last "real" hot hatches, it doesn't feel anywhere as nimble as the GTI's and GSI's of old.

[@leviathan5207]

Except the GTI NEVER had a VR6. The 4 had a VR5 with 150/170 PS which is not really that interesting, considering that the Civic of the era got a 4 popper with more power and arguably better sound. The R32 Golf 5 sounds cool on paper, but the 1 series had a more powerful straight six and rear wheel drive. Who would pick the Golf?

[@tjroelsma]

@@leviathan5207 It wasn't called the GTI, most probably because VW still wanted to sell that 2.0 16V GTI, but it was public knowledge that it actually WAS the new GTI and that the VR6 was only there to one-up Opel, who stepped out of the GTI/GSI power race after VW implemented the VR6 in the Golf. With both the 8v and 16v engines, Opel always beat the VW GTI with their GSI and VW wanted to end that streak.

[@sv_cheats1970]

@@leviathan5207 I think the VR6 actually was badged as a GTI in the US

[@freibier]

Outright performance never was the GTI thing (think it was mentioned in this video, too). Owning a GTI was always about decent performance while still driving a car that is practical and which would not make you look juvenile. A car which is fun to drive while not looking out of place in the car park of the bank you are working at or when driving to a church service. In Germany, the Golf is famous for being a car for "everybody", i.e. nobody will judge you for driving one, whether it is a base model for a low income family or the second car for the family of some CEO, and that extends to the sportier models like the GTI and R. Basically, you could say it is boring by design so as not to offend anybody, and a lot of people like that aspect of the Golf. If you want a Golf with higher performance and more sporty styling, Seat is the brand for you.

[@L5GUK]

My Mk7 GTD was easily the best car I've had / driven. I still yearn for it back. The start stop is something that is very keen in VAG cars I've owned, both the Polo and Golf and other various VAG cars I've driven. I will say that those with the forward radar are quite clever. They will start when it detects the car ahead of the car directly in front start moving so it's a little more responsive in traffic.

[@DigitalTek]

In mine the car in front will move forward an inch and the engine decides to start up 😂

[@ByromB]

I find that Superdry are the best supporting boxies Jay, saves you having to carry 'them' in your left jean pocket! £42k.....! You could buy three E46M3's for that 😉 Again, enjoyed your review 👍🏽

[@ApothecaryTerry]

£42k is enough to buy a 981 Cayman GTS, Guilia QV or Model 3 Performance. Sure they're used, but the porker and Tesla will be cheaper to own and depreciate much less than the GTi too. The M3P even has better tech, although the interior is basically my nightmare in a car. I'd take a lower spec Model S over the GTi for that money though.

[@BryBry2ply]

I had a 3 door mrk 6 back in 2010. Loved it. Can't believe how expensive this new one is compared to my 2021 FK8 Type R.

[@l2icksta]

Every complaint raised is true!

[@kcspeed9980]

This was going to be at the top of the list for my next car. It would be my daily/only car. After seeing some reviews I went to a 2020 wrx, premium performance package. I don’t like gimmicks and the wrx is a much more simple car. In USA it’s a great option, I paid 34k.

[@farzamniabaty4798]

Hi I love your videos and I was wondering if you could make one for the new pegoet 208?

[@ShogunsDojo]

Loving the sarcastic delivery of the criticisms, made me chuckle more than once.

[@garysimpson3900]

Is it just me or does anyone else think JayEmm is beginning to sound like a KZbin Jeremy Clarkson?

[@HIOP0]

You make the error of not defining if this is a good or a bad thing, so how can we decide to agree with you...or not?.

[@garysimpson3900]

@@HIOP0 There is nothing good about Clarkson.

[@artureff3046]

Clarkson is great so

[@HIOP0]

@@garysimpson3900 Probably somewhat harsh. His family and friends would doubtless disagree with you.

[@markbarry1977]

Not until a I see a video of him going sideways with opposite lock on screening “Powwwwweeeeeerrrrr”

[@arainla]

Agree 100% even got rid of the hood/bonnet gas struts and now have to pull out a rod to hold up the hood/bonnet.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Problem with the Golf (and VW products in general) is the lack of character. They are very well made, all around good cars. There's just nothing... interesting about them.

[@sparky4878]

Automotive beige.

[@TassieLorenzo]

Buyers like rigid Teutonic design though. :) If buyers wanted flair, Alfa Romeos would sell better. ;)

[@vibingwithvinyl]

@@TassieLorenzo Most people don't care about cars or driving. They're buying appliances.

[@matthewsmith2787]

They are quite well put together, but I beg to differ on the new generation ones

[@brianw3880]

Interesting take, definitely something to keep in mind. I might try to pick up a 7.5 for cheap once the 8 releases proper in the states

[@CHuzz7777]

Good to hear someone calling out the Germans on their overhyped, overpriced offerings. If you’re in this market the Civic Type R (with the rear wing delete) is far superior. Plus, as these complex cars get older you’ll be much better off with Japanese build quality.

[@AtlasCroc]

While this is certainly not the best GTI ever built - there is no way you could even get me near a Civic R - even without the spoiler it is butt ugly and sounds like a tin can when you shut the door. I've had many VWs in my family over the years and nary a bit of trouble. I have owned 2 Honda products (one Acura, one Honda) with the Honda being returned as a lemon and the Acura was just OK - nothing special. Nothing special about Honda or so called Japanese build quality today - not that great IMO. Just had a family owned '16 Jetta hit (rear-ended) by a newer Civic - the Civic was destroyed and totaled, the Jetta only needed a rear bumper/supports and a muffler, it's still going strong.

[@kirksmith347]

Ya cuz the Japanese don't over price their products, Honda's interior is terrible. The best bang for buck these days is Korean cars the only people actually trying.

[@CHuzz7777]

@@AtlasCroc Well everyone has their own experiences I guess. I had a troublesome BMW and my mates Audi needed a timing chain (engine out job) then within the year the gearbox let go. Less than 100k miles! Meanwhile my other mates 240,000 mile Toyota just keeps on going. These things shape the way we view brands and buying choices.

[@CHuzz7777]

@@kirksmith347 I agree Korean cars offer a great product and price. They don’t, at present, make anything I really want though. For me exterior and interior design falls a little short at the moment.

[@pauldonatantonio7785]

A quick and simple way to rid cars of touchscreens would be for NCAP to knock a star or two off the safety rating.

[@petergalbraith3422]

There's something about VW Golfs that make me want to fall asleep. I don't see the appeal of one of these in the slightest! The price is frankly ludicrous, they clearly have a sense of humour...

[@CHuzz7777]

Exactly, if I’m spending that sort of money I want something special that amazes me every time I get in it. This car is just ordinary though. At twenty odd grand I’d be satisfied but not more.

[@JohnAdams-kc8wx]

100% Peter. Boring, boring and oh did I say boring ?

[@moph7July06]

As a first time GTI-S owner, it’s incredible. Interior and exterior are better than most at this price range to those 20k over. I paid MSRP at $31,000USD on 1 Nov 2022. It’s fantastic for the price. I traded in my 21 Mustang GT Premium for a 23 GTI-S. The “premium” GT was lacking in its premium feel. The GTI rides, handles, and preforms better than the GT. I don’t care about MPG, rather Smiles Per Gallon. The only thing I miss from the GT is the sound. The GTI is practical, great handling, and it’s standard features are outstanding compared to those in its class and classes above. I don’t understand the hate of the MK8. The interior controls only took a few rides to get aquatinted to. Looking back on previous GTI’s, they look too cartoony. The new MK8 looks mean and means business. I cannot wait to upgrade the exhaust and wheels. 🤘

[@DanLMH]

£400/mo is still too much for one of these...

[@M135iboost]

Far to much. Plus 6k deposit. For a golf !

[@plugsocket9432]

My Father still loves his Daily car which is a 2019 VW TCR 3-Door. Also he bought it used at 3 months old with 64 miles on the clock which had £7.5K knocked off the price.

[@JoJoJoker]

3-door TCR is the ultimate GTI.

[@thepalace2446]

The 7.5 is the last decent GTI... miss mine already

[@AndyfromSurrey]

One of the reasons I love my pre LCI M140i, no touch screen, real instrument dials and knobs & buttons for heating, audio etc….

[@SamAustin]

Interesting to hear your thoughts on the GTI. I cant say I agree with all your points but that's all personal opinion. For me, in short, in a world where a Hyundai I20N starts from £25,000 I dont find the standard GTI overpriced. On the used market you can have a year old GTI for £28,000 with a DSG although I'd go for the manual. VW did structure the release of these performance models with the GTI coming out a year ago. Then the CS and in recent months the R. Plus with a pandemic going on it's a bit harsh to suggest VW have just kinda thrown the model range out there. I do find a place for each of them, and speaking with owners on my KZbin channel, they do also. Fundamentally VW do not have a business case any more to invest in developing petrol powered performance cars due to the electric future being pressured on manufacturers along with the impossible task of getting a petrol car through the new emission rules in only a few years time. Cost cutting is expected for the Golf 8. I am glad you enjoyed the drive and I would love to try one soon also in the future 👍Just ignore the screens 😁

[@miljanivanko2312]

I agree 100% with interior criticism and touch screen,but that 4 Cylinder is by far the best in the world,and when it comes to driving VWs Golf is always top notch...And that is most important thing

[@richboy900]

6:00 as if Mk7 clubsports aren't skyrocketing in value already 😄

[@bh2155]

I love your no nonsense review on this car.

[@DevilsR98958]

Am I the only one who'd prefer three Rolexes and a vauxhall corsa instead?

[@SDK2006b]

Good luck finding/buying a new Rolex !!

[@BS-ge4ne]

@@SDK2006b here you go; www.chronext.co.uk/rolex/explorer-ii/216570/V10707

[@mercury6765]

@@BS-ge4ne they’re over list price. To get a brand new Rolex from an AD, you have to wait several years

[@BS-ge4ne]

The commentor can still get 3 over list priced rolexes and a corsa for the price of the golf so the availability point is moot

[@SDK2006b]

@@BS-ge4ne - Over list price is easy, any flipper will sell you one for double RRP. Try and find an AD who will sell you one at retail 🤔😭

[@reitsmaassociates]

Ahhh the GTI-once the car that hit the bulls eye. I have owned a mk2,mk5,mk6 and loved our mk7GTI will give the mk 8 a miss ($65,000 in Australia) have done an Arteon this time round as one of my daily drives along side a much loved Mk3 TT - thanks for all the fabulous reviews! Keep up the great work - cheers from Brisbane.

[@kevinbarry71]

That is considerably more expensive than it is here in the United States

[@samthoma2719]

Same story with nearly all cars

[@kevinbarry71]

@@samthoma2719 I suppose; I expect it with expensive cars, not so much with cars like this

[@samthoma2719]

@@kevinbarry71 even worse as of late, the used car market here has gone crazy. I bought my bmw 330(2007 e92) so nothing special direct from bmw a year ago for 3 grand as it came in on px. They called me last week and offered to buy it back for 5 grand! 😳 I mean of course I sold it immediately but it’s insane now

[@kevinbarry71]

@@samthoma2719 yes, it's in the United States the same way. Several factors have combined to create a demand squeeze. It won't last

[@Blaine-o1r]

Every time I see a review on a mk8, I smile at the thought of my mk7 haha

[@popsbubbles1242]

Great review. esp. enjoyed your annoyance with dangerous stupid screens to control functions... saving money with this tech is rubbish stop it manufacturers, also screens are tiring on the eyes.

[@machineman1232]

Have one and I like it a lot , once you have driven it over and over it grows on you and again I like it .

[@johnrb9397]

Rip off.

[@oosterhouw]

Nice review James, love the drone shots! You’re doing awesome lately, thanks for the vids.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

My pleasure

[@sneakyfoz3692]

I’m just wondering with the mk8 whether VW has been able to achieve their ultimate goal and make an engine entirely out of plastic? This is the actual definition of a polished turd.

[@rogerbarrett9920]

Haha- They look like an engine in a model car!.

[@acefighterpilot]

Says the guy with a Subaru for a profile picture...

[@sneakyfoz3692]

@@acefighterpilot I also own a Mkv GTi with a manual transmission, great car, so what’s your point? At 42k the mk8 it’s a ridiculously priced turd burger that will barely last 3 years. For the record that Forester is 17 years old, everything in the engine bay is metal except the window washer reservoir so not surprisingly still runs to perfection with basic maintenance.

[@dogchainsaw3923]

@@sneakyfoz3692 it has plastic water pump, oil pan, and intake manifold. Like the previous gen 3 and 2. I hope you know just because it’s plastic doesn’t mean it’s entirely bad… for example the Toyota camrys engine has more plastic in the engine bay (valve covers), and they last long time.

[@acefighterpilot]

@@sneakyfoz3692 The Mk8 will have no qualms developing 400hp on stock internals, just like the Mk7 before it. You cannot say the same for your Subie.

[@tim1polman]

Thank you! Glad I'm not the only one who hates the touchscreen craze. And they don't do it becaus it gives a luxury feel or anything.. touch buttons simply are cheaper than mechanical/physical buttons.

[@stevesas632]

Wow, that's rich for such an average car. 2k more expensive than my 1m was new 10yrs ago.

[@jameslove888]

Inflation is the bit that’s ignored when talking about the price. In today’s money, the MK5 GTI launched at £31,500, only £2k less than the price of one of these without options.

[@TheJoStephan]

This is a great, honest, review that I appreciate. As a current GTI-owner (GTI 6) I was very excited for this new one, but I have to say, there are now easily 100 reviews of this car saying exactly the same: it's cheaply made with so many budget cuts clearly done to its overall design & materials, that it's just not worth the money anymore. Generally all reviews love the driving ability, the engines, and the performance/handling, but for me, wanting the entire package to work, I can't just buy the car for a decent engine. Sorry. From being excited, to most likely not buying this at all, I am deeply disappointed. PS: I am also told the windscreen glass is much thinner than before (to add all the sensors) so it cracks badly with the slightest chip in it. Also, every single reviewer complains about the digital buttons & screens. It must be the worst on the market, and NOT user friendly when driving the car. What a shame!