2017 Volkswagen GTI S: Test Drive

Full test drive review of the 2017 VW GTI on the mountain roads of Arizona with driving impressions of performance and handling. Real world mpg and specifications.
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[@gluis2k]

just bought this same model in stick shift though. in love with it 😍

[@DavidLoeser]

Bought an GTI S in December, best car I have ever owned, comes well equipped as is. Put on an APR cold air intake, refined the vehicle even more. The headlights are horrible, but replaced them all with 7000K halogen bulbs and looks much better.

[@heyitscomplex]

Did you have any issues with glare or cracking of the plastic cuase of heating?

[@sammq4499]

this man made me buy the Scion iM, I love his reviews and I'm glad that I found this channel

[@vwmatt33]

You have successfully made me miss my '16 GTI. I had to sell it because of back issues. But man I want it back!! Maybe in a few years.

[@CaptainCandycorn]

Walter White just sold me a GTI

[@TheMills567]

Get it and sleep well at night!

[@505enthusiast4]

nice

[@marinoint]

Correction: the Golf GTI, even the base trim, is faster than the Focus ST. With a street price around $23,000 it's actually the fastest 4-door new car you can buy in this price range.

[@larryfreestone6135]

I have a 2017 gti s and I have to say I really love it. No rattles that I can tell. I'm waiting for my unitronic hardware and software to show up. The engine will make 297 hp plus another 10 or so with the new intake. I'll get around 300 hp for a daily driver. I also got the car for 5 grand off sticker price , free extended warranty and free extended service. I was the proud owner of a 2015 tdi that I sold back to vw, so they were very good to me at the dealer. The Apple car play is awesome also

[@Viscerok]

2017 GTI Sport here. You are better off getting the Sport over the S. It's only a couple of grand more but you get bigger brakes, 18" wheels, 10 more hp, led daytime lamps and bi-xenon headlights. And for crying out loud get the manual. This is my 3rd VW. '82 Jetta, MK6 GTI, MK7 GTI. ...oh and you get the awesome Nogaro rims on the Sport as well....and you also get keyless push start. It's nice not having to get your key out....and Kessey. Just grab the handle and the door unlocks.

[@505enthusiast4]

a. Buzz unfortunately they discontinued the sport trim for 2018. also if you get se leather is an option and you haveto get autobahn for fender audio

[@kylefarlow]

VW realized the Sport was too good a deal, hurting sales of the higher level trims, and they killed it off for 2018.

[@dq3666]

You forgot a pretty important feature--the e-diff. The transmission choice is subjective, and trust me, after 12 manual VWs, including 8 GTIs, the DSG is an epiphany.

[@howardadamsky2417]

Hey, this is a great test drive and I wanted to tank you for taking the time to do this. Very helpful. Your insights are just great. I have a 2016 accord Sport with a six speed and might go to a GTI this December.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I have owned my 2017 GTI S (Automatic DSG) since November, 2016. I bought it brand new for $21,700 (more than 6k below sticker price) after selling my Golf TDI back to VW. GREAT priceI have not experienced any rattles at all (around 4k miles on the car currently. As far as the headlights at night...no problems seeing at night at all. The halogen headlights work as good as any halogens I've had in the past. In all of my night driving...I have never once felt that the halogens didn't provide enough lighting except for a couple brief occasions on dark country roads. I just used my high-beams briefly...I mean that's what high beams are for right?! I really like my GTI...but I had a major negative when I first bought the car that I didn't notice during my test drive. The transmission was HORRIBLE in city driving because the car would race up the gears in slow driving. The car would up shift too early which caused the engine to bog down and give a bogged down sound from the engine when up shifting. I absolutely hated it and it was constant! The remedy I found was to purchase a Unitronic transmission flash along with a Unitronic 1+ engine flash. The combo cost me about $1,400 after taxes. Once both were installed...my GTI came to life and the problem was gone. So now it shifts in a timely manner and I have much more Horse Power and Torque. I try to drive responsibly and carefully but it is fun having all that extra HP and torque available when I want it! One other negative is the gas tank. It is small for a 4 door car so I have to stop for refueling more often than I'd like. They should make the gas tank 2-3 gallons larger. I also give this GTI 4.5 stars out of 5. If I didn't have the option to fix the transmission with Unitronic products...I would give this GTI (with DSG) 2.5 stars out of 5. If you want this GTI but don't want to invest in after market flash products...I recommend getting the Manual version on this model and avoid the DSG. The manual GTI is SWEET...but I do a lot of city driving so I chose DSG. I hate driving a manual in stop and go traffic!

[@officialvisaural]

You can use manual mode in stop-and-go traffic to prevent the transmission from upshifting early.

[@THEBEARDEDTOOLGUY]

MY DAD BOUGHT A GTI BACK IN 1982 WINTER IT WAS A 83 FUN LITTLE CAR TRADED IT FOR NEW 87 GTI FUN CAR.

[@audieconrad8995]

Although being a little late to the comments here as the mid-year 7.5 has been intro'd, I have an identical vehical to this one except mine is a manual. Not much to add to this review except my interior has been tighter than a frogs butt - no rattles whatsoever and is very quiet. I'm in sales and live in mine 10+ hours a day and get 35 mpg - no lie. That being said, this car is a blast every time I get in. A 70-120 mph run is astonishing but the fun is on a serpentine/tail of the dragon road between 3/4/5 gears at 4k+ rpms...ohh-rah! Car & Driver once qouted "everyone should own one of these in their lifetime" yup...

[@thewirah1]

Nice to see a review of the base GTI model.

[@gregorytrane7828]

I totally agree with you about VW vs BMW in road driven comparisons. I've owned both and can afford either one but feel BMW has lost their way, in terms of sheer driving pleasure. They're a play toy with lots of bells and whistles, overladen with weight, size, unnecessary tech and a little dollop of driving dynamics and Americanized, to appeal to one of their biggest markets. The VW on the other hand, has kept their Euro tradition and tech to a minimum and still produce a fantastic driving machine which only seems to get better with each newer generation. Good review.

[@emiliodaloisio3312]

coudln't agree more..just trade a 335is for a pure white PP manual 4 door...love it

[@4.udr3y]

My dad own's one just like that but in deep black pearl 2017 MK7 S. I love how the engine sounds and btw it's a DSG transmission because my mom doesn't know how to drive a stick. Lol Thanks WV cheers!

[@JASAAD]

very nice and beautiful car I love and I love vw brand

[@hoppysport2872]

Nice review. A shame VW doesn't allow the moonroof option on the GTI S. Get it together VW!

[@CaptainCandycorn]

Its the only thing making me want the SE. Otherwise, its not worth the extra money

[@dq3666]

Could you explain your reasoning for wanting a roof that wedges up but doesn't open, and has glass and a net as the only barriers between you and the Sun? I'm diametrically opposed in my opinion, and just looking to hear the opposite perspective.

[@dsinghr]

Is his car comfortable for very long drives? Like how SUV are comfortable.. like that ?

[@noname-JS]

A compact sportscar versatile utilitarian hatch that is fairly good in the snow with standard infotainment, heated seats, leather steering wheel, spare tire, and key details like honeycomb grill and good wheels for under 30K? They did screw up with the headlights (although combined effect with LED fog lights is fine). That's about it.

[@ClintMorrow1]

Quote of the day: "It's very good to be versatile, if you know what I'm saying" ;)

[@gravel_trap]

Clint Morrow came to read the comments specifically for this one, was not disappointed

[@crod4952]

....and that grin.

[@richardlionheart3965]

oh yeah...we know what he means

[@xFlared]

That's exactly why I watch porn, but my wife still doesn't get it.

[@jdipietronh]

Huh, I have the 2016 Golf TSI SE and haven't experienced any of the rattle issues yet, and that's in pot hole / frost heave heavy New England. Love the MKVII build overall! By the way, this does have Android Auto and Apple Car Play, does it not? Given the likely driver demographic, navigation is largely a non-issue IMO. Navigation apps from the manufacturers are pretty inferior to running something like Waze or Google maps. Android Auto FTW.

[@mrdragancelan]

Exactly. I'm surprised he didn't even mention that it has Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Nowadays, those are slowly becoming a must-have in new cars.

[@LowFlyingPlanesBand]

24 is amazing compared to the 18 in my wrx lol. Good review thank you !

[@shanewitty1309]

Great review Sam!

[@BLAKERIDES]

Bartlett Lake?

[@rahaswat3775]

If you drive it normally can it be used as an economic car?

[@andrewpolyak2069]

Yes

[@Moisi547]

VW interior designs mostly conservative, but very high quality feel interior. especially the European versions, which most designs lead in class in terms of quality. Only wish they feared same in the US

[@jeepguy95]

Seats are a little firm (like they are in all of these "Hot Hatches", and the WRX, STi, and Evo), but for the price, the S comes with many great features (CarNet with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and SiriusXM), 2.0T engine, your choice of a DSG or a 6-speed stick-shift, and big, beautiful alloy wheels... I'd DEFINITELY get an S model if I were in the market for one of these, but try and order it with the leather seats that are more comfortable (although I'd miss the plaid). :)

[@TheMills567]

Don't offer it in leather. You have to do to the SE model for that

[@RicViperskylogs]

Anyone mention a chip avail that will put north of 300 hp to those front wheels 😲

[@exothermal.sprocket]

APR has anything you need.

[@505enthusiast4]

if you have the manual save up for a new clutch to

[@driller1787]

UNITRONIC

[@tsav6952]

I've always liked the GTI but me and my family have been burned by Volkswagen lack of quality, electrical issues, oil leaks, interior trim falling apart and the same squeaks and rattles they obviously haven't resolved. Nice review though and great looking car!

[@TheSirUno]

Interesting. A cousin of mine had a nearly 20-year-old Rabbit for quite a number of years, and that thing was solid as a rock, right up to the day he sold it.

[@BadlndsBob]

T Sav I had an '87 Jetta and a '99 Passat. I had problems with both. An auto mechanic friend of mine said that people with VWs drive them too aggressively and this leads to problems. However, I asked everyone waiting for service for their cars back then (I started a discussion) and everyone there had many reliability issues. Actually, I did this twice. I still have a fondness for VWs, but, they're more to me like a pretty girlfriend who broke my heart.

[@TheSirUno]

Gotcha. I guess experiences vary with most everything. I'm not doubting the various reliability and build issues...I just haven't experienced them in the VW's I've been around over the years.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I've owned many VW's and love them. I don't like any car brand more than VW. Toyota has some good things going for them...but I see them as the recall king of the road. I don't trust them enough to buy another Toyota. I had a massive problem with the engine of my Toyota 4x4 truck years ago. I love the way VW's drive. They are fun to drive and don't put me to sleep.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Common to reason about a brand with experience that's 2 decades old. How's that apply to these days?

[@e.simons6964]

Thanks for the intel!

[@AndrewBullard9170]

The Gti has more power than the fiesta ST and I remember the Gti from the late 2000's gen 5 or 6 (can't remember) the main competitor was the old lancer evo with their twin clutch gearbox, (kinda miss the Evo

[@johnr.5721]

Great review. What's the reason Volkswagen can't do a better job eliminating rattles? It ruins the driving experience of an otherwise superb car.

[@zone47]

Very nice review!!

[@505enthusiast4]

Testdriven which car is the better performance car, gti or focus st? Torn between the 2!

[@505enthusiast4]

Just asking your opinion. I'm looking to upgrade next summer and I love the gti and focus st.

[@opalbeifong695]

I wonder if it still has that fusible link problem like most other volkswagens have?.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

No problems in my 2017 GTI yet. My son owns a 2011 GTI and has had zero problems with his. We love our GTI's.

[@tomoconnor8431]

Good review

[@bk-wd4uk]

Ha- I am with you on the rattles Sam...what is it about some of these auto manufacturers that they can't engineer the squeaks and rattles out of their product??! What a great sound from a 2.0 litre and presentable looks with the body, a nice welcome from the mainstream "Prius" ick design. I don't know what it is about a VW for me but when I recently sat in a GTI I thought "I could totally drive and like this car". I may have missed it - where are the current GTI 's manufactured / built?

[@TestDrivenTV]

Mexico

[@bk-wd4uk]

That may explain the rattles and squeaks.

[@TestDrivenTV]

The Audi S3 built across the pond we had last week had the same rattles. Thinks its a company wide pattern :/

[@deanmarr785]

@@bk-wd4uk No rattles on my 2017 Mexican GTI

[@Dbulkss]

Is it reliable???

[@TestDrivenTV]

It has a long warranty

[@joelm3954]

They should shave the door handles and install flush mounts similar to Tesla. Doing so will enhance to lines and make it look like a two door.

[@dominic0313]

yay I've been waiting for this......

[@trusty099]

I would recommend the LED lights, makes the car look much smarter.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I have no problem with my halogen lights on my 2017 GTI S. They work just fine.

[@trusty099]

They work just fine and look just shit.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

They look like headlights.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

Headlights are headlights. I'm not obsessed with them. They all look pretty much the same to me.

[@SushiBandit28]

LEDs do give a car a more "regal" look, but halogens are perfectly fine.

[@contentcharleston4066]

There can be a rattle if the sun visor is not in place. Otherwise its like driving around like a bank vault. 2016 GTIs

[@serkanister3620]

How many cars do you own?

[@daytona4406]

Serkan Ister haha this guy ^

[@bosse641]

So nice. ....rather have the R though.

[@505enthusiast4]

John Grytbakk this is what you buy if you cant afford the r

[@timothygermann780]

Too bad R doesnt come with sunroof anymore

[@sheldonm3535]

Does this need premium gasoline?

[@TheMills567]

Nope! Basic unleaded all the way. In fact, I have read that it performs BETTER with regular. I haven't tested that on mine, as I have only used regular

[@505enthusiast4]

i heard you lose a bit of horsepower with regular gas.

[@STEVE33437]

I thought I'd read that the GTI now runs on regular fuel, isn't this true?

[@TestDrivenTV]

It will run on regular but premium is recommended for advertised horsepower output. According to VW: "Recommended Fuel: Regular unleaded (Stated hp and torque figures achieved with premium unleaded)"

[@Jeremiah17seven]

At the gas cap it says to use regular unleaded on my 2017 GTI. But I wouldn't and don't. I put premium as is recommended by anyone who knows high performance cars. I think going cheap on this car will lead to more trips to the dealership in the long run (which might be what VW wants...I don't know).

[@505enthusiast4]

you will definetly lose a bitbof power using regular. it wont hurt your car but i would put premium in....it is a hot hatch after all

[@lorimoran4337]

Love you

[@ThatsSomeGoodPizza]

I have a GTI S in a manual and took it to the track, gopro videos in my channel. It was great until my stock brakes caught on fire..... lmaoooo

[@mrdragancelan]

It really bugs me when people display (13:26) torque figures like this: 258 tq. What in the world is tq? Is it short for torque? Because there are numerous units of torque: ft-lbs, Nm, etc. "Tq" is not a unit of torque. That would be like saying "This GTI S has 210 pw" where "pw" is short for power. See how silly that looks? Horsepower is a unit of power, just like Watts. Let's use the designated power and torque units the way they were intended.

[@officialvisaural]

Thank you.

[@505enthusiast4]

foot pounds of torque

[@e.simons6964]

Too bad they do't have the 2-door cars anymore! I too love the GTI but more so with the 2 doors!

[@bosse641]

it must be the 2 door, with manual transmission, or I will not have it.

[@vr6gls]

E. Simons They stopped offering it because no one wanted it.

[@pingpongballz5998]

Are Volkswagen reliable?

[@TestDrivenTV]

All vehicles with a warranty are reliable ;)

[@pingpongballz5998]

Bobby Munchel I hope so. Coz I hear a lot of bad stuff about VW but I kinda want a Golf

[@sheldonm3535]

Christopher Sanchez I think Mk6 and 7 is pretty reliable now

[@adammeek2280]

My dad has a 2006 gti with 250k miles. No major issues. I traded a 2016 wrx for a 2017 gti

[@505enthusiast4]

TestDrivenTV 2018 vw models are coming with a 6 year/72,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty

[@itzed]

It's a shame your test car is missing a pedal.

[@jeepguy95]

Yeah I agree, but for daily driving it's the better option in stop-'n'-go traffic... also the DSG offers paddle shifters, so you can still pretend you have the manual. :)

[@synysterdemon]

"pretend", that's the key word here.

[@dq3666]

@@synysterdemon Calm down, Speed Racer.

[@deanmarr785]

DSG much better than VW manual.

[@sam67uk]

Those lights lol 😂 so cheap looking 😳

[@Jeremiah17seven]

They look great to me. I have no problems with them at all.

[@sam67uk]

You obviously haven't seen the xenon or LED lights that are standard in the 🇬🇧.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I've seen them. They look basically the same to me. They are headlights.

[@scottl8416]

Jeremiah17seven you’re over here on every comment defending your shitty lights.

[@elliottmanning4116]

Since Sam has owned a GTI in the past, I was fully prepared for him to hate the new one. "Sure, it's faster, but it's too big, too heavy, steering is electronic, so it sucks, you feel the additional weight in the corners, it's gotten too complex, VW has lost its way with the GTI, it's not what it use to be." We know that person who says that. But, he really liked it.

[@TestDrivenTV]

It's modern days. 3100 pounds is the new 2200 pounds. ;)

[@505enthusiast4]

TestDrivenTV imagine 2200 pounds with todays power!

[@wilshirewarrior2783]

Made in Mexico..no charge for rattles

[@deanmarr785]

Aren't you late for the Klan rally?

[@brendanfogel4573]

Gti has some ugly ass seats

[@dannyp4740]

Still a pretty good car except for those ugly seats 👎🏼

[@itzed]

Danny P I love the plaid and I get compliments on them from everyone that gets in.

[@DavidLoeser]

Love the seats also, how awesome does the interior look at night, I get compliments all the time! Awesome car!

[@chriswalker2027]

I third the "I love the seats" comment. All my passengers thought the look was quite cool.

[@Jeremiah17seven]

I love my plaid seats in my 2017 GTI!!!

[@Jeremiah17seven]

My son loves the plaid seats in his 2011 GTI also!

[@MSA-hj9pu]

The GTI should only be offered in a 2 door. I'm sick of seeing the 4 door only offerings. 😎

[@vr6gls]

MIQUEL AVERY No one bought it, that's why they stopped offering it. I personally prefer the 4 door. See how our opinions are different?

[@Viscerok]

MIQUEL AVERY I drove a 2 door 2010 MK6 for 7 years. Even though there are back seats, they are a pain in the ass to get in and out of. My MK7 is a bit longer body and having 4 doors makes a HUGE difference in accessibility, and imo it just looks better.

[@ricome169]

MIQUEL AVERY 2 doors. Are quite ugly car looks unbalanced. Just my 2c though.

[@flipfloplogic]

I agree. It should only be offered in two doors. I hate four door cars. Four doors says "family". Unfortunately there aren't many coupes on the market and I don't have a family to worry about.

[@505enthusiast4]

MIQUEL AVERY unfortunately no one is buying the 2 door so now its discontinued. They should let us at least order the 2 door

[@SaraK_69]

KIA Forte5SX has more features with a longer warranty (5 year 100,000 miles) and costs less. Not as much torque or nice sounding as a GTI, but the interior is much better and 0-6 in 6.9 seconds is only a second behind the GTI. Reliability has been a problem with GTI's lately as well.

[@505enthusiast4]

SaraK a second slower to 60 is a big difference. everyone i know with mk7 gti has been problem free. just my opinion but kia forte is not really in the same class. maybe focus st, civic si, wrx, etc

[@SaraK_69]

I owned a Mk7 GTI 2016 SE trim. You'd be surprised but the Forte5 SX has a much nicer interior than the GTI. It's cabin is larger, more soft touch materials all around, and insulated better than the GTI. Power and performance wise, yes you are correct the Forte5 SX cannot compete. The Civic Si has handling second to the GTI, but is better than KIA for sure. Though, the Focus ST will smoke a stock GTI any day.

[@SaraK_69]

Oh and best part is, no rattles in the KIA! lol

[@505enthusiast4]

SaraK lol are you a kia executive lol 😂

[@emiliodaloisio3312]

SaraK I worked for KIA for 7 years...take it from me not even close to a GTI in terms of class.