Ranking the GOLF GTI Generations from BEST TO WORST

[@AudiophileTubes]

Mk4 24v GTI VR6... fun as hell, and leather interior like an Audi! And it still hit 60MPH in 6.5 seconds... not bad for a front heavy six!

[@drichardbailey]

I've owned Mk 4, 5 and 7. Maybe I'm just old now, but the Mk7 platform is a Mercedes hiding in a golf suit. It's just so pleasant to drive.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah it's definitely the luxury car of the group

[@PheraAustiger]

Even if WV produces an MK10, I'll still go for the MK5. Its the best in my opinion

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah even the mk7 and mk8 are getting overly distant from the driver imo, but that's the same with most new cars, mk5 is the best imo too

[@jimmywoo7875]

Always

[@MagnumLoadedTractor]

Just normalize 4wd already for gods f sake

[@Bazzookie]

The Mk5 is not only great because of the fun factor that they reintroduced into the car, but the serious chassis improvements they made to the car, like basic suspension upgrades and proper tires allow it to handle and make it as communicative as some Porsches. My modified Mk5 fairly easily keeps up with my dads Boxster S in the corners and Straights. That's only with basic modifications, I haven't even dealt with the sway bars and brakes, and if someone really wanted to go far with the MK5 with weight reduction, serious suspension modification and setup, aero, etc. you'd have a seriously deadly car around a track. The biggest, and most difficult, aspect of a car to tackle when you want to seriously improve handling is the chassis and the MK5 has it nailed.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Well worded, the mk5 was when they went more serious, the make and mk4, as you infer were quite soft, but with the mk5, they put in the extra effort, and it shows, in my eyes, a far superior car

[@harryt988]

Couldn’t understand a bloody word that you said mate

[@LifeOfTuners]

Every country has an accent lol

[@Dkvwagen]

Had to turn subtitles on.

[@markturner-smith5309]

Always wanted a MK5 but twist and turns of life got a 1 owner/56000miles done MK6 3mths ago my absolute favourite one of all. Your order is the same I would go (aside from MK6 number 1) for all the same reasons

[@kademotycka3716]

I have a mk4 1.8t with a stage 2 set up. Amazing cars. With the right set up they drive like they’re on rails

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah once it's on the right setup it'd be entirely different

[@brandonjoseph1489]

Mk4 for life and anyone truly into vws will agree. I have owned three. Currently 03 stock that I just started driving again after about 4 years. They literally do drive like you’re on rails completely stock.

[@Operation_Lurch]

Mk1 is the best IMO. There is only 2 issues with the mk1. 1. How hard they are to find. 2 when you find them they are rotted out.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Definitely the rawest, most agile light driving experience!

[@Operation_Lurch]

@@LifeOfTuners I miss mine. I’ve owned a ton of vehicles and it was definitely my favorite with 4 wheels. I’ll have another someday

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ayyy that's great you loved it

[@jamesmassoud4601]

I went from a Mk6 GTI to a Mk5 GTI Pirelli. In love more and more everyday with the Pirelli

[@LifeOfTuners]

That's awesome bro 🙌

[@ghostlegend132]

How much was it

[@jamesmassoud4601]

@@ghostlegend132 I bought it start of last year for AUD $13,500. They are now starting to climb up a bit in value

[@daronlapping4590]

What makes it better to you

[@jamesmassoud4601]

@@daronlapping4590 K04!!! Lol. It feels a lot quicker than mt previous mk6 gti. I do miss the updated interior though

[@bioveraorganics4369]

MK 7.5 overall and MK1 for sentimental value.

[@AHappySpace]

I got a mark 6 and love it, I've gotten it 2 years ago, tho i do have a k04 and full bolt ons, but my favorites are mk 4 and 6

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ahh nice

[@louwayne4436]

im sad , I have traded in my mk5 Gti for the mk7 Gti , I miss the rawness and how simply great the mk5 drove. very different experience

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah, it's more of a premium car, the mk7

[@elliotmeek3375]

Very proud owner of a Mk5 GTI Edition 30. Best car I’ve ever owned

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ay nice, awesome that you love it

[@jonathanbrewer4935]

I own a 20th and I’ll say it’s put together better than most of the models of gti

[@alexandersteffen7805]

Totally agreed, 6 and 5 are the best

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ayyy let's goo

[@xr7cars519]

I just stock with a mk5 i just can’t it’s a gread happy 😊 car I can’t stop 🛑 driven it bro 😎

[@buddysshop1860]

I've driven them all and I would say this is an accurate summary 👍

[@LifeOfTuners]

Thanks bro, i appreciate that!

[@NuffxSaid]

My MK6 pushes near 450 😤 my little rocketship.

[@spencerquimby4726]

I will start by saying I own a 2009 MkV GTI and it's the only GTI I have driven so my opinion is definitely biased. However, it is by a country mile, the best car I have ever driven/owned and I had an (old) Mercedes at one point. I've read a lot about this cars history and various generations, and I had wanted a MKV ever since seeing them as a teenager. The MKIV is a great car but was missing something as far as being a drivers car and it was known to have potentially car killing reliability issues. The MKV was a true return to form for the GTI and delivered in every way the MKIV let down, often leading people to compare it to the original. I also really like the MKVI, they made some really nice improvements to the suspension and handling characteristics of the MKV. So MKV is my favourite but the MKVI is a very close second. So comfortable, easy to daily, nice ride but plenty of grip through corners and enough power to out a smile on your face on the way to work. Perfect.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ayyy so we agree pretty much ahaha nice nice, the Mkv certainly was a return to form, a more driver focused sharper car, whereas I think the mk7 went on to be a bit too refined for my liking, but everyone is different

[@TimRoseOfficial]

*_Great vid my friend! Enjoyed, thanks for sharing and keep it up!_*

[@LifeOfTuners]

Thank You

[@johnslaney8054]

love my mk5, love the driving experience super connected to the road

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah they're pretty cool

[@jimmywoo7875]

Yup lol

[@LifeOfTuners]

Edit- some person commented (and deleted it) asking why I didn't talk about the special edition and all that? Basically if I talked about 1 or them, I'd have to talk about all of them and we'd be here for a very long time. Also their limited, so the chances of getting your hands on one is low AND when it came to rating it would be EXTREMELY weird, like the mk7 GTI Clubsport would go much higher then the standard GTi, hence why I only used the standard GTis, which also creates an even playing field. What's your Favourite generation and why? If we were talking golf R I'd switch #1 and #2 around, but with GTI, this is it for me 👀

[@jacktibbett7062]

Bit late on the reply here, but I own a mk7 and I’d have to disagree with its placement. It’s refinement means that it’s more capable of suiting the average needs, but it’s power and torque along with the lsd lead to a car that’s much more capable than the 5s and 6s in literally every way. It’s nicer, safer, faster, looks better, gets better mileage, has better aftermarket support etc. The MQB platform is where it’s at. That of course extends from the GTI to the A3, Golf R/S3, Golf sport wagon and all track, TT/S, and Tiguan. All of these cars share the same chassis and same special feel. All of the previously listed pros I said apply to all, expect maybe the Tiguan. Only because it’s much larger... I get great mileage and massive smiles per gallon too. Only complaint is the exhaust is just so quiet. Beefy, but quiet. I’ve been in mk5/6s and the 7+ just blow them out of the water. Even when tuned. That being said, the rawness of the 5 is unreal. Gets even crazier when you look at the R32, and that applies to the 4 as well. But those aren’t the point. With the 7 you get speed, handling, mpg, spg, safety, luxury, and the adjustable dampers and drive settings help out even further. I’ve never driven a better VW product, and I’ve owned a few. 03 Passat GLX Wagon, 03 W-8 Passat, 2006 Jetta, 2009 GTI, and finally my 2016 GTI Autobahn. These new VWs blow any other generation out of the water and it’s not even close. Anyways. Hope you see this and get the chance to reply and elaborate further! Awesome video

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah I do see what you mean, I understand how the mk7 is superbly comfortfortable, it's faster (only 20hp but still) it's the fastest around a track, best fuel economy etc etc, in every possible way on paper it is the best. But that where I start to see what I consider its issues, for me it just seems to be a bit boring, as you said, the rawness of the mk5 is unreal, and I think that's where our different beliefs lay, while you find the mk5 very raw, I don't, personally I'd like the mk5 to be notably Rawer than it is, and have more drama (perhaps a bit of turbo lag or torque steer). But that's only because that's what I like from cars, for me personally the mk7 isn't anywhere near filling this void for me, like most modern cars, it's too muted and isolated for me personally, and that's where it changes for different people, for some people it won't be too muted for them, and they'll love the extra speed and comfort etc. That's something I always sort of like to talk about, for different people, their is no best car, because everyone wants different things from it. And then comes the balancing of modern vs old cars, old cars tend to be Rawer and more dramatic but less powerful, presise and comfortable. Everyone has a different sweet spot between balancing rawness and precision. For me, I'll sacrisfise some of the mk7s precision and power for the mk5s extra drama and rawness, where you'd sacrisfise the rawness of the mk5 for the abilitys of the mk7 With that I must it's different for all people

[@vwjon]

How could you not mention the vr6 in the mk3 and 4's. Those were way fun. The 1.8t was sweet too

[@trentweston8306]

Golf GTI or Civic Si? How does the Volkswagen compare with reliability and affordability when maintenance is needed? Are either excessively low stock?

[@LifeOfTuners]

civic would be much more reliable, for pricing both would be roughly similar with good parts availability

[@trentweston8306]

@@LifeOfTuners hmmmmm all roads lead to the Honda it seems hahahaha

[@LifeOfTuners]

@@trentweston8306 I reckon

[@jaimefrick5499]

I just got a 2008 gti and I love it soo much

[@LifeOfTuners]

Thats goals 🥰

[@wakaflockaproject]

Mk5 still the daddy

[@LifeOfTuners]

Perfect gen!

[@Jackthemort]

MK5 is the ultimate Chavmobile. Anyone with mechanical knowledge would pick a Mk4, they quickly become the most sporty golfs with a few simple mods.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah sure if you mod them, but then add mods the others as well to make it fair 🤯

[@Jackthemort]

I’m just teasing really, all GTis are great on their own way!

[@brandonjoseph1489]

@@LifeOfTuners if you do a simple ecu flash with an Mk4 with absolutely no other mods you have a car doing a 1/4 in the 13s pushing 210 to the crank. No other gti touches that. And they handle the best

[@Shortstahp]

Great upload

[@LifeOfTuners]

Thanks mate!

[@pearlprints5019]

Mk4 r32 wins for me. And my mk4 2.8 vr6 turbo blows it away. Kiking 450 bhp, it eats all the gtiz for breakfast.

[@LifeOfTuners]

I mean it has been turboes and pushes 450hp, so you'd really hope so 💀

[@steveo8533]

Mk6 is definitely underrated.

[@I53-624]

It’s just a shittier mk7

[@LifeOfTuners]

*it's a revised mk5

[@MrTacoma]

Looking at a mk5 DSG

[@LifeOfTuners]

Oh cool

[@carlosecastro87]

The mk5 had the 3.2 as well so its gotta be a well made car. I miss my r32 (08)

[@LifeOfTuners]

R32 golfs are so cool

[@ArmandoHernandez-ff7ig]

I have a mk5 I love that thing 😘

[@LifeOfTuners]

That's awesome to hear

[@smittysomething3520]

Awesome video man. You deserve more subs, keep it up

[@LifeOfTuners]

Feels so good to hear that bro, I don't plan on stopping!!

[@jacobnicholas9326]

Mk4 gang

[@xiiifas2968]

Best to worse for me: Mk2, mk5, mk7, mk6, mk1, mk3 and mk4

[@MagnumLoadedTractor]

Why you didn't the mkIV R32?

[@LifeOfTuners]

That's not a gti

[@MagnumLoadedTractor]

@@LifeOfTuners o also man talk more slowly I can't understand the 0 to 100 time power of the generation and the video in general...also Clio best hatchback ever

[@LifeOfTuners]

Fair fair, thanks for the advice mate

[@I53-624]

Mk4 ftw with the right suspension setup it drives like it’s on rails

[@soultanasmaga9661]

B

[@2sslow_]

Mk5 for the win😤

[@LifeOfTuners]

Aha I can tell by your @

[@JuanRodriguez-rt8wr]

Love my mark 6

[@Jamie-ye2bg]

1;13 thats me cleaning my white mk2 at 1:13 hahah, its a 1.3 not a gti

[@stevejobs1955]

My auntie and grandma had the mk5 normal golf 2008 for 11 years and loved it then got the mk7 2015-2016 normal and its way more unreliable and they are already getting rid of it after only 1 year and a bit.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Oh wow, yeah that's not great

[@stevejobs1955]

@@LifeOfTuners yeah thats why i hate the mk7 golf. What car do you think would be best for someone in their mid 20s

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah true, with that in mind, probably a mk5 or 6 then

[@stevejobs1955]

@@LifeOfTuners ok

[@Vikturus22]

I approve of the list. Slightly biased as owned a Mk5 and now have a mk6. Full leather swap and APR Stage 1 tune

[@LifeOfTuners]

ohhh nice

[@HASANHASAN-rf6rz]

Mk2…5th? Sorry mate your off your rocket. Mk2 16v, Rallye , 16VG60, but thanks for the content.

[@LifeOfTuners]

It is great, but the reason I put it so low, is like i feel like the mk1 is the ultimate version of the MK2, I feel like it's better in most ways, so while the MK2 may be better then let's say MK2 vs mk7, the mk1 is so similar but better

[@HASANHASAN-rf6rz]

Thanks for providing that additional info. Keep the videos coming. Cheers

[@LifeOfTuners]

Thanks bro

[@RGARDL]

For what I saw mk6 golf is the best

[@LifeOfTuners]

it all depends on what you value

[@brandonjoseph1489]

As soon as I heard your voice I knew your top three were all going to be the newer GTI‘s because you sound like you’re under 25. Any true vw enthusiast would laugh at your rankings bud. Mk4 and mk3 1 and 2

[@LifeOfTuners]

Mk4 and 3 were pretty crap, even for GTis imo, slow and heavy, mk5 was a return to form, still not a big GTI fan at all, I get people like the mk1 and 2, but personally not me, older cars tend to be yes rawer but also less direct and unsafe

[@tonimilos5338]

why is mk3 so underrated?

[@LifeOfTuners]

Idk, I guess, it when they first started to get a bit heavier for the power,

[@tonimilos5338]

@@LifeOfTuners vr6 was fast and new edgy look was revolutionary 🤷‍♂️

[@LifeOfTuners]

That is true, though I always thought it looked quite rounded compared to the mk 1 and 2

[@Erolanya]

@@tonimilos5338 vr6 is not a gti

[@tonimilos5338]

@@Erolanya yeah but I still dissagree with the placement.16v edition is very good.

[@juandavidalbarracin6280]

Mk 7.5

[@LifeOfTuners]

defo prefer the 7 over the 8

[@christianeck1775]

Ok well I guess the mk5 it is

[@wilburollie]

Well for me the mk1 has many drawbacks but if you compare any model to its competitors at the time clearly the mk1 is the best ground breaking car Mk2 is actually a better car than the mk1 but came 10years later! So you expect that Also the mk3 was a train wreck in every respect apart from handling After the mk2 I’d say mk5 and mk7 are great cars but they will never be an icon like the mk1/2 they are just clones

[@LifeOfTuners]

wise words sir

[@tunanocrust5089]

Mk2 and 3 are probably my favorites. I don’t see how the mk5 6 and 7 would be better but to each their own

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah all about personal preference, I prefer more direct stiffer cars, while you may prefer more older rawer cars

[@Loza_1703]

Mark 5’s the opinion of this youtuber if you wanted to skip the vid

[@rawsondenna6329]

MK6 best model bar far

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ayo

[@buddysshop1860]

Except for the engine. Poorest reliability so far

[@rawsondenna6329]

@@buddysshop1860 not my 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engine

[@buddysshop1860]

@@rawsondenna6329 ok, yes the 2.5 is one of the most reliable engines ever...but I was referring to the 2.0T that came in the gtis

[@rawsondenna6329]

@@buddysshop1860 yeah I assumed u were I’m the proud owner of a Mark 6 golf and I love it

[@zacharnold9654]

Mk 8

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yikes

[@tredfxman]

Thanks step by & check my GTI Clubsport! 👍

[@LifeOfTuners]

Oh nice!

[@ivanf1037]

Personally I love my mk7.5, I have driven a mk4, 5, and 6 and I still went back to the 7

[@LifeOfTuners]

Ayyyyyy

[@jbm0866]

The MK8 has been out for a while as I write this..I'd say the MK7.5 is the overall high point of the GTI. I can't stand the MK8 interior, and still think the 7.5 refresh makes it the best looking inside and out.

[@SilverShamrock71]

MK7 4th? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 (I have a 7.5 btw)

[@LifeOfTuners]

yes

[@SilverShamrock71]

@@LifeOfTuners Understand your reasoning on mk1 and mk5, but 7 over 6 and I've owned both, although to be fair the 6 was and still is a great car

[@LifeOfTuners]

@@SilverShamrock71 fair enough

[@niallmackenzie99]

Guy, take a breath in between talking

[@LifeOfTuners]

Too much zoom zoom speaking :(

[@thelonewanderer199]

7.5 & 6 are definitely the best. And Third is definitely MK1. MK5... 5th place easily. It’s so ugly, and that interior... I vomit

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah it's all about personal preference, I'd never want to own a mk7

[@thelonewanderer199]

@@LifeOfTuners they are literally the upgraded version of the second and first place car, but go off

[@LifeOfTuners]

On a technical level yes, but not really, the mk7s are Soo much more refined and isolated then the mk5s and 6, which are already a bit too refined for my liking, I want something rawer I feel with the mk7, you might as well just play on a sim

[@thelonewanderer199]

@@LifeOfTuners clearly you haven’t owned one before

[@LifeOfTuners]

I think the same about most modern recreations, m3s, s3s, etc

[@THEMrPykelet]

are you a kiwi? you sound like a kiwi....

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yes I am!

[@mendezmarcos38]

Jesus.. I could barely understand you. 😬 Talking too fast

[@LifeOfTuners]

i’m too fast 😎😎 nah but i did though ahaha

[@vr6gls]

People don’t buy hot hatches based solely on “fun to drive” factor. It has to do the everyday stuff as well. For me the MK7 is the best generation so far. Unlike you, I don’t find it boring at all, you are mistaking refinement for boring. The MK5 is one of the worst generations to me because it’s the ugliest.

[@LifeOfTuners]

Yeah that's the thing, everyone wants something different, while you'd say 'not to buy a hot hatch based on fun to drive factor" I'd say focus less on daily factor when buying a fun car, I guess it also has to do with tolerances, ie I'd probaly be happier to daily a worse car if it was funner

[@shaneirwin8499]

Mk5 is the ugliest by far

[@LifeOfTuners]

Mk4 tho 👀

[@PLr1c3r]

Mk8 be like hold my beer

[@anwar0490]

its not that ulgy i like it . but mk6 looks better ngl

[@EYLOGITOS]

A standard golf is ugly no matter the generation. But if you take only the hotest versions then I think mk5 is one of the tops if not the top.

[@tredfxman]

MK3 👍

[@srrj9358]

Learn to speak or put someone instead because i cannot understand anything. But content is good

[@LifeOfTuners]

May you need to internationalise a bit lol, it's an accent, most countries have them

[@srrj9358]

@@LifeOfTuners i live in uk for a while, i visited a lot of countries, watched thousands of movies but is hard for me bro :))) But i like ur videos anyway

[@rodna861]

I had no issues understanding him. But im Aussie, good video mate

[@Operation_Lurch]

I’m American and had no problem understanding but I’m not ignorant or a jackass

[@danielrelph2092]

Mk5 and mk6 are ugly in comparison to the mk7 too bulbous too round...as far as the driving experience ...to me whooping up on the older generations is great fun,and the hop up potential is beyond compare...no contest.As far as the best the original mk 1 all day.