This Premium Hatchback Took Me By SURPRISE! (2023 VW Golf Review)

This new generation of VW Golf has a couple of compromises... but overall I was pleasantly surprised!
Join us are we take a closer look at everything that the Life spec of the Golf (2nd from the bottom) has to offer in the Premium Hatchback segment. I'll be going over all of the updates to the infotainment, interior, and drivetrain to let you know if the VW Golf remains - one of the best Hatches you can buy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:23 Exterior
00:04:23 Interior (Front)
00:09:08 Interior (Back)
00:10:43 Boot Space
00:11:52 Engine + Specs
00:13:41 0-100km/h Launch
00:14:27 Driving Impressions
00:18:09 Final Thoughts
--
🚨 SAVE $$$ ON FINANCE! 🚨 Use my link for a $150 fuel card for every settled loan & we will get YOU the best deals!💸💸
www.carsauce.com/finance
--
Read the full written review (with some extra insights!): www.carsauce.com
--
⚠️ Watch me next ⚠️
- Check out this "simply clever" Mid-size SUV (Skoda Karoq):
• BE CAREFUL When You Bu...
- The INSANE Top Spec Golf R!
• 2022 VW Golf R Review:...
- Watch the Spicy Spanish version of this Car (Cupra Leon):
• RIP I30N?! (2023 Cupra...
--
Here at CarSauce, we review every new car on the market. We are a community of sauce givers and we'd love for you to subscribe and join our community!
We give every car "the sauce", test their 0-100km/h, and see whether or not they are worth purchasing and spending your hard-earned cash on.
From time to time, we'll also buy a weird and wacky car and take you on the journey with me!
We release videos every Sunday 5pm AEST / AEDT with the latest new car reviews! Your feedback is important, so if you want to see us do something new or something you would like me to change let me know!
Got a question for me? Leave it in the comments! I try and respond to them all!

[@nikserof2183]

8:25 If my understanding is correct, with the introduction of the new gearbox, the "auto hold" feature is no longer available on the auto transmission Golf - hence the blank switch under the parking break switch. That, combined with the insane "let's bury the air-con controls in the touch screen and leave the related switches unlit", is a deal killer. The auto hold feature is one of the handiest things to have, and many cars that have an electronic parking brake come with it now. It's still available on the Golf GTI, as it continues to use a DSG transmission.

[@sw2092]

Thanks for a nicely balanced review, Jacob. I've got a Mk7.5 R-Line - I don't see any need to go buy an 8 because I don't think it is that much of an advance for the money, but if I totalled the 7.5, I'd be straight into an 8. Just a few points to make - both my 7 and 7.5 Golfs have had faults with the DSG, so I'd happily take the 8-speed Aisin box in the 8 and use the paddle shifters to dictate the gear. All the mounting hardware for a bonnet gas strut exists under there, and kits are available. I'm not saying that you should, but you can (and I would). The electronic safety systems in the Golf are superb, and are tuned and calibrated precisely - so many other makers fit them to tick off the right boxes, but they are poorly tuned and calibrated, even border-line dangerous, and they just get switched off. The way my Golf 7 and 7.5's AEB, adaptive cruise control and other safety systems have operated over the last 9 years have been faultless, and they are truly confidence inspiring. I've no reason to think that the 8 would be any different. It's annoying how much VW cheapened the overall feel of the Golf with the 8, right down to the cheapo Nexen tyres, but the basic fundamental qualities of a great platform still shine through.

[@russellchristison8425]

I had a a Golf 7.5 Alltrack and loved it ( I now own a 2022 Passat sedan) whenever I sit in a mk8 i it always feels inferior to the mk7 and 7.5

[@jing713]

Nexen tyres? Even Kias come with Kumho

[@letsseeif]

Thanks for your VW Golf review.

[@mememan6499]

Looks and sounds amazing

[@MrTonifumi]

New gearbox is best thing about this new golf. The AISEN gearbox will outlive everything else on the car.

[@lieutenantdave]

How much of a jump is it with this or the R-line? (in terms of performance, features etc)

[@RunDave]

Mine has been ringing sos breakdown over and over since 1000 miles. They diagnosed a new gateway needed and updated the software. The problem started again at 1500 mile

[@aaaaplay]

I just wish they'd offer the R-Line pack on the wagon again or an Alltrack variant. I much prefer the I.Q. Light design too.

[@zexchar8473]

Hi I ordered this car as a vw golf life 1.0 is this the exact same thing as I’m not sure if you have extra for the features like the rims and the speakers or do all of them come with it

[@maximumthrusts]

Looking fit 💪🏽

[@pauld6556]

Why do you blur out the speedometer?

[@russellchristison8425]

I’d be changing those tyres as soon as possible

[@generalismoquabablinotheth5902]

i love it❤❤

[@merci13]

I have VW GTI, moonstone grey, 6spm 2023. I read no more VW manuals 2024😢. I will possibly have a collector's car. I recently saw a Gr86 manual Corolla 2023 on sale for $108,000 posted on Reddit 😅 ..umm yeahh

[@kandyreddiar983]

One of the most reliable cars.. I ordered one and waiting for the delivery !

[@user-ne1yw4lv9o]

Worked at a VW dealership and the only VW I kept finding myself loving is the Golf, though I’ve always loved Volkswagens

[@awreckingball]

is that urano grey?

[@ronniefront511]

Yes

[@GlowingTube]

It's a good thing, however, as an owner of multiple Golfs these are the things you need to be aware of: (1) The plastic water pump will fail within 60,000kms, when it fails replace it with a metal aftermarket pump; (2) The EA211 engine is direct injected and may require input valve walnut blasting if its done north of 120,000kms; (3) It runs a timing belt so expect to spend $2,500 at around 105,000kms or 5 years; (4) Brakes are like cardboard so you will likely need 4 rotors and pads at 40,000kms, just replace with aftermarket so you are not facing a bill of $1,600 every 40,000kms; (5) The transmission is sealed for life... change out the oil at around 100,000km unless you want really transmission failure; (6) The plastic inlet manifold is plastic and will likely fail after 5 years; (7) Plastics tend to go crumbly everywhere after 5 or 6 years; (8) Maintenence costs are expensive. It's a decent car but just don't expect it be a set and forget proposition such as with a Toyota, Honda or Mazda.

[@yanni6556]

All correct except i would change the trans fluid way sooner than 100k , i would say ever 40-50k

[@fairgo4156]

@@yanni6556 Definitely better to change it out earlier.

[@ben7020]

The bonnet strut will still work in 40 years and is easily recyclable, its the smart way !

[@ST-ur7oh]

And the car will be toast at 10 years

[@ben7020]

@@ST-ur7oh yeah could be. My step daughter has a GTI polo within 1 year 2k water pump, 2k altenator, 1.3k radiator. Goodbye car very soon.

[@eponymous7910]

Shame there's no manual option 😢

[@robertceroli3512]

The previous gen manuals only accounted about 5% of golf's in a nut shell people stop buying them so they stop supplying em

[@amaximus5753]

Who wants a manual these days? May as well get a column shift too 😆

[@Delta922]

It ain't worth $37k though. More like $25k.

[@lakelandfilmsweddings7228]

I have just bought a brand new golf auto (style) and its the worst car I have ever driven. The good thing about it is the colour. On a test drive, with a similar car it was good, that's why I bought it. I've just paid £32000 for a diabolical, most crappy car I have ever owned. It's appalling, total crap.

[@MLife1972]

You haven't really said what the issues are.

[@jiffijaffi]

​@@MLife1972don't hold your breath

[@iinikoseve7035]

Golf 8 is already a failure

[@teddym2808]

The front is so ugly it's scary.

[@aaardvaaark]

VW really dropped the ball somewhere between mk5 and 8. Torque converter? Are they serious? With the touch controls, poor interior quality, lack of its iconic DSG and the butt ugly looks, what's left to make anyone want to buy a golf? Might as well buy a hyundai for all that VW is now offering.

[@GlowingTube]

I like the 8 speed auto over the jerky DSG