2023 Volkswagen Golf GTi manual - Do you REALLY need a Golf R?
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2023
- In this video I review the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTi . Thanks to Urban Motors for providing this 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTi to review. Check out their full inventory at UrbanMotors.com
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Do I really need a Golf R?
Yes, I need a Golf R, I will be buying one soon.
I owned a mk7 golf r for 3 years. Amazing car. Def worth it over Gti except for mpg.
@@keithskoglund10Exactly. I got a 7.5. Love the car.
@@chrisl6989thinking about getting a golf r guys, I work for VW btw
💯 I love my Mk7.5 R. DSG w/ Unitronic Stage 1+, 375bhp. It’s a little rocket 🚀
Wonderful car! Picked my 3rd in a row Golf GTi up from Hadwins in Cumbria, England, 2 days ago. Aso in Moonstone....love it to bits....and btw I'm 73. So don't let age be a barrier!
Awesome!
Why didn’t u go with the golf R. Any reason.
this would have been me... in 25 years... but thanks to crypto I'll be driving a GT3... I've been driving GTI's and R's for the past 25 years. Love em, great platform.
Love this car but waiting for the 8.5 mid cycle refresh. Rumor is: illuminated HVAC sliders, buttons on the steering wheel, and a larger screen
The “HVAC sliders” not being illuminated is the most monumentally silly hangup anyone has voiced about this car.
I like my sliders grilled, and I prefer my HVAC knobbed.
When are they planning the 8.5?
A larger screen that looks like a Toyota after thought 😢
The built in screen is so much prettier
Well if it's early 2024 model that would just be the 2024 model which is going to be in the next couple months, so probably going to be later next year if anything
by the way, one thing to know. You do get temperature sliders and a toggle for seat heaters if you go for the bigger screen. This one seems very poorly specced.
I drive a 5n Tiguan, which is a low weight front wheel drive with a gti motor. I personally love it being fwd. I can spin the fronts when I want which is fun but it handles so well as is, even in snow. AWD is fun but only in bad weather or high hp. Plus with a tune you can make your gti just as quick as an r
When do you ever WANT to spin the fronts?! And no, add more power to the GTI and you get more wheel spin.
I went with the R... glad I did... I had a DBP MKIV R32, and now I have a Lapiz Blue 2024 MK8 R manual. I've had 3 GTI's too. No you don't need an R... but hey I don't need to eat steak 3 times a week either.
Picked one up last week. Awesome car. Had 12 BMWs in a row. Love this little thing. Spent 2k in mods in 3 days!
@japanwatchconnection
2013 335
2014 435
2015 435 mperformance
2015 535
2016 750
2017 X5
2018 X6
2018 M2
2018 M2 manual
2020 M2 comp
2021 M340 Mperformance edition
2022 M440
I lucked out and never lost money on them .
I cared what everyone thought of me and what I'm driving. I got the Gti a couple weeks back and I feel like I'm 20 again when I had my MK4 gti. Not giving a rats ass on what people think. Just puts a smile on my face driving in it. Get it. You won't regret it.
I got the 2023 GTi with a 6 spd manual.
@kevk4908
Your are correct. My typing is not the best in English. It's my fourth language I learned. I appreciate your concern . Very productive 👍.
@@japanwatchconnection Awesome! Congrats.
This is not a 2023. It's a 2022. The seats don't have GTI embossed in them. Nice try though.
Weren't early build 23's not embroidered? I could very well be wrong, but I swear I remember reading it from a VW rep on a VW Facebook page.
Definitely a 2022. Centre console is gloss black in 2023+
Recently took the GTI vs. R taste test myself as daily drivers. Loved the R but chose the GTI. The reason was that where I live (New England) I really don't have the need for so much speed. Many, many windy back roads here where I can't take advantage of its extra HP. If I was competing in a hill climb I'd love the R. But for driving down to the Seacoast or to Boston the GTI is more than adequate.
How’s the climate over there? Do you get many snow days or ice days? I ask because if you do get a lot of that weather the awd can be useful
@@mariog7213 we get about 60" of snow per year, and the season runs from right before Thanksgiving to the middle of April. My wife has a 2019 Alltrack and that works for the worst of that.
However, the authorities are pretty good at clearing the roads. And I mean right down to the asphalt. The sun helps too. Of course, you can't plow during the storms, and that works out to about 8 times per year for 24 hours each time. Besides, often you can't see where you were going under those conditions, plus everything shuts down, so pleasure driving is out of the question.
Where AWD is really important is in the more mountainous areas of the state. Many people there have their homes and property set back hundreds of feet or even yards from the main highway. A decent plow cost $100, and NH people are notoriously cheap. These people also need something with a bit of ground clearance, so Subaru Outbacks are popular for winter as well as for the occasional fishing trip.
What we REALLY need here for winter is a back-up generator. We have had power blackouts that have lasted for days because ice and snow snapped the lines. And make sure your well pump is hooked in or otherwise no water for you.... or your toilets.
"windy back roads" combined with snow is exactly where the AWD of the golf R would thrive. I only wish they had an AWD option for the GTI. It would have been the PERFECT combination of handling and adequate power. I currently drive a 2024 GTI. Prior to this I had a 2018 Audi S3 (Audi's version of the Golf R). What made me choose the GTI was the fuel consumption of the S3. I got around 20mpg of premium unleaded fuel in the S3. In the GTI I average 34-37mpg of regular unleaded fuel. The savings in just fuel costs alone is HUGE. At the end of the day, the 300+HP of the S3 was a blast, but I have never felt that the GTI wasn't quick enough.
@japanwatchconnection no. The RS3 has the 2.5l 5 cylinder engine. The S3 is basically the same motor as the R
I think that’s a 2022, the 23 has led headlight and GTI embroidered on seat back
Love everything on the Mk8 but the dash design. If I could put my Mk7 dash into the Mk8, I'd be completely happy.
I just traded my 7 for an 8. I love the whole interface
It’s super easy & intuitive
And I’m an old lady who doesn’t even know how to turn my t.v. on.
Asked and answered. VW has implemented a redesign for 2024.
@@katiecannon8186my kings red 2023 is on the way. Traded my 2015 too. Can’t wait -not happy about how the things don’t hold their value at all though 🤬
@@japanwatchconnection long story
Great video!
Golf r markup is 10-15k over msrp depending where you live, and the wait is 1-2 years if you order one 0
Where you got your GTI at MSRP ?
The "markup" can be anything the dealer say it is. But that;s not how you price the difference of one to the other. That would be MSRP.
@krane15 the markup affects the real price 😂
Msrp is good in theory but if no dealership in your area offers it at msrp, then you'll have to consider the markup as the real price
Cool car, but i still don’t understand how or why the car costs so much now???
7:37 I love the little moments like this 😌
Keep up the great work, Sir (and know it’s okay to take a break sometime so you don’t burn out 🙏😌)
I have a MK8, the infotainment is really easy to use. I really don't understand the hate behind it. I'm usually seeing older gen drivers who still have their cars complaining about something they don't own/don't plan on buying.
I have it and it really isn't that complicated. However stupid things like exiting your navigation map to adjust the temperature or other basic settings is not only a pain in the ass but could be a safety issue. There is plenty of room on the dash for additional buttons.
Golf designers kind of genius. Why l said that is because l first disliked the mk6 when it came into the market. My eyes was so used with mk5🙂..it took me some time to appreciate its beauty. Then almost a year l fell in love with its evergreen beauty😍..later came the mk 7..and funny that I had the similar disliked mood. Because l already accepted mk6's design😉 again. After few months of learning to realy look at mk7, l decided to fell in love💞 Mk6 seemed out dated but still an evergreen beauty. Now l had again the trouble to appreciate the true intelligent beauty of mk8🙄...but this time around l'm ready to forgive myself for judging her too soon... it took me few weeks only, to REALLY FALL IN LOVE with this new chick in town💋💝What a stunner it is!! VW golf designers are intelligent indeed👏👏👏👏My standing ovation!!!
I think the car could benefit from a bit wider tires because they look weird and out of place
This is actually a 2022 GTI?. It doesn't have the GTI embroidered on thr front seats
If it were my money, I'd find a low mileage mk7.5 GTI, get a tune and enjoy... maybe spring for the Autobahn version if you want nicer features but that would easily be creeping into 7.5 R territory.
The fwont gwaffix are nice
What aftermarket wheels are on this vehicle and are those 18” wheels? I love them!
Found them: Aodhan AH-X Wheels
No one needs a Golf R. It’s just a better.
Indeed
See no reason to move away from my 7.5 GTI Autobahn - still seems to be the sweet spot.
Exactly. The new gen sux
this or mazda 3 turbo?
that is one base airport spec Golf GTI. Holy heck.
Anyone knows what wheels are those?
What about the clubsport is that available in USA or what’s the closest trim for it
I live in the USA and have two GTIs. I have no idea what a Clubsport is.
Miss the old 2 door GTI and Golf R
Dont know what happen with the pricing in the US but here there is a 10k difference betwen a GTI an a R with the same equipments.
Its called dealer gouging. The true difference is 6k.
Same equipments?! You have GTIs with 315hp, AWD and Magna torque vectoring?!
@@billymays7210 Leather, sunroof, DCC etc...
@@hitmanhart6275 oh, so the unimportant stuff? 😂 I loathe sunroofs, and much prefer cloth to leather anyway…
@@billymays7210 And I agree.. all i said is that even fully loaded a GTI still 10k cheaper than a R
Seems like if it were needing a new water pump in 0:20. wich will prob need in a couple kms anyway...
Great video!
VW had a huge miss on the infotainment system. Their “fix” is lipstick in the 2024 model. Did anyone at VW even test the infotainment system when designing this thing? It’s horrible driving, at night, and on cold winter days when you have to wear gloves. Loved my Mk6 gti when I had it. They are going to have to make a meaningful change to the dash to pry my money from my hands.
Where did you get those wheels? I want those wheels for mine.
Aodhan AH-X Wheels
There is only 1 cup holder?!?
Why is the rear license plate mounted on the left side?
It's just a demo dealership plate that is held in place with strong magnets.
Wheel specs?
Also why is the fascia screen so small . We Europeans well get a much larger screen
We Americans have so much more to prove!😂😅
@@blairbrown4812 knobs for knobs eh (joke)
We're good,@@ST-ur7oh,thanks 😊 😆😂🤣😅👍
It is not the highest trim model, the US does get the larger screen without the knobs for higher trims. I actually like the knobs in my MK7 though so I probably wouldn't mind this haha.
How much bezel do you want around your display? VW: Yes
The blinkers are weird… is this because its Americain market?
Yep. I want to get Euro taillights someday for my MK7 lol
I Don't have a problem with the look of this Golf. Just the dashboard infotainment system that is a pain in the 🤬
It’s actually a really good system. I love it.
@katiecannon8186 it's honestly not bad. After working with it a lot, I think I prefer it to the mk7. The 7.5 I think still might be better.
Gtis are awesome don’t get me wrong but I wouldn’t choose one over my R
VW please bring back the wagon!
Hope they change the interior on the 8.5
Yes, its changing. Can we move on now?
@@krane15 not until we see some actual changes lol
My favourite year is maybe the 2015
Agreed, love my 2016. I haven't even broken 50K miles yet and when I bought it there was a massive rebate thanks to all the diesel-gate stuff that was going on so I got it for ~23K. If I bought the car shown in this video I feel like I'd be downgrading a few things (especially the dash/interior) and paying over 30K to do it!
2019 with LSD standard on all trims
I like the mk7.5 more even though I do love the 7. I had two. One flooded and the other I was in a slow af crash and was totaled because all the airbags deployed 😩
Yes.
Of course you need a Golf R! Once you go AWD, you’ll never go back to a GTI 🤘
Test drove '19 GTI and R many times, finally got a GTI Autobahn. Why? It had the golf ball on the gear shift, while the R did not 🤣
You know you can change a shifter in a few minutes right?
I've got an Up GTI stage 1 and for British B Roads you do not need an Golf R or Golf GTI !
I hope manual cars will never die!!!!
They're certainly endangered. Its only still here in North America by popular demand. Not available in Europe.
@japanwatchconnection Automatics. Loved by all who like to put their brains in neutral and let the car do it all. Efficient? Maybe, but not far more. Boring? Yes. No effort/skill involved? Of course.
Buy one and don't sell it...
@@japanwatchconnectionefficient 🙄 You obviously don't enjoy driving..
@@japanwatchconnection so you admit you can't drive then..
In Europe price for this car is 60k euro
Add a piggy back and a throttle tune, it is instantly 300+ HP and 300+ LB of torque, and 200lb lighter, more agile than the R. You may not want the R anymore.
yes u do need a Golf R thanks if not only for its 4 wheel drive system that will leave the GTI sitting on wet twistie roads!!!
No way you are going to find this car for 30k
Just bought an 8 S trim with DSG for a little over $31,00.
Might be because I traded my 2020 GTI S trim. Don’t know.
I sold my first gti to My customer at msrp no markup. It was for his wife.
Why is Billy Butcher reviewing the Golf GTI?
That is not the top spec the recent view, was a top spec which is available here in South Africa
The GTI is top spec Timmy.
Somebody to explain the stupid placement of the number plate?
Its called lazy dealer applied. Its just a temp tag Timmy.
The question is not do you really need a Golf R. The question IS, do you WANT ONE?😏
I’ll take awd all day, every day. 👍🏻
When even family-oriented EV crossovers routinely offer 500hp, the Golf R's 315 is the minimum for any self-respecting car lover these days.
GTI and Golf R with Standard LED and Turnsignal light bulb´s looks low qualityish.
$30,000? Not in my state.
Yes, off the line you need an automatic R.
The manual is obsolete.
💯
Off the line is a minor detail. You need manual R for fun/ speed in the back canyon twisties.
Need? No, no you don't. Want? Yes, yes you do.
is it just me or does the Mk7 golf look better
4:30 that C-pillar in a contrasting color would actually look really striking.
Yeah the Mk7 and 7.5 are way better
Yes you need a R. Tune it and try to launch it... to much wheel spin. Get the R.
R is AWD
VW needs to have that same purpose of design with the rear end of their cars regarding the endless us of fake exhaust. What possible purpose would they have?
Anyway, I'm surprised they don't put them on their EVs. Anyway, just so its clear, manual transmissions are severely overrated. I prefer the red calipers more than the blue used in the R versions. My suggestion would be body colored calipers. Sorry, but the gray color look gaudy.
One more thing, notice how the dust and lint collects in the phone cubbie? That's why I always insist these storage bins come with covers. Its the same with cup holder that end up being mini trash bins. I wish they'd use all of the screen during the camera mode
I ordered my 2023 manual
The "endless us" ends with GTIs & Golf Rs... Manual transmissions are only overrated for those that don't get it.
No IQ lights for a GTI version as standard....shame
I believe that's a US thing, here in the UK matrix LED lights are standard on the GTI, Clubsport and R
Has the reliability improved at all or are they all still junkwagens that are dressed to look pretty and sell expensive?
What a beauty.
Golf R is the only competitor to the Civic R, Integra S, and GR Corolla with a DSG. For folks who dont want a manual, its the only premium hothatch to own/lease. Even the GTI is also available with a DSG. The DSG is the better transmission for those cars too. If you want a "proper" manual only those other cars are the ones to get.
Renault Megane RS Trophy has both transmissions and the best looking out of the lot.
@japanwatchconnection didn't know we were talking about America only.
I would argue that with the chosen design features, VW basically eliminated the Golf from the competition. The Type R walks all over the Golf R, the Type S destroys the regular Golf, especially on the interior, and the GR Corolla dominates it. You just can’t beat Japanese reliability, longevity, and consistency for an affordable price.
Still don't like the headlights and the lower grill is horrible. Don't even mention the interior. Mk7.5 rules.
Drove the GTI mk8 and then the Kona N. Bought the Kona N without a second thought. Much better car. You can tell BMW brains were behind it.
Nice car, horrible that it's digital
everybody is auto designer!
Those gold rims ruin it.
$30k? Show me a VW GTI for that price, and i just may eat my hat. 😳
This would really be a potential choice for me, but those haptic steering wheel controls make it an NoGo. Such a cool, practical little car. Dear VW, please fix the steering wheel controls 🙏
I had a base model golf in 2002.... it was the worst car I have ever owned... granted it was used so I don't have the full history with it.... but it had many mechanical issues... transmission issues... random breakdowns in the winter... and most of all it would spin in the winter for no good reason by just turning... zero proper grip to the ground and tires weren't too bad... so it was a bad introduction to the VW brand for me.
Yea good thing they the 2018 and up are reliable they finally perfected the 2.0t engine
@@antonioosornio2365still have carbon build up issues? I want one but not pumped abt paying for that maintenance every 15,000 miles.
8:30
Regulatory bodies constantly adding safety features and even requiring them see no issue with this? Your windshield can go from clear to foggy in an instant and also in winter it can frost over and even ice over; having to go into these setting on a u.i is retarded honestly.
I'd love to buy one of these but would likely purchase my wife a new Toyota first to make sure we have a reliable vehicle in the family.
A full 8 minutes talking about exterior features and “curves” good lord
What do you suggest he talks about?
He is a designer and this channel has always been focused on design. If you don't like that, then move on to another channel.
I reflect on the phrase stated by Porsche "Form Follows Function" is definitely not the case here when it comes to every control being touch (and sight) sensitive. Are you going to find (search) for a particular control while having a spirted drive down a curvy road...just about every control is capitative touch sensitive...this was a very very bad idea.I wouldn't buy one even if it had 400hp and 0-60 in 3 sec.
Correct, you don’t need the R, its the exact same engine (ea888) and transmission for a lot less money. The exterior looks great, but that interior is the single biggest let down of the new Mk 8 generation. It just screams low effort and cost cutting. The user interface was built on a budget, hidden behind dozens of menus. The Jetta GLI keeps the physical buttons and ultimately is a much better product than the Mk 8. Same engine and transmission. Give it a stage 1 tune on the cheap or even swap out the turbo and you’ll beat the Golf R for much less money. VW missed the mark with this new Golf, and it is painfully obvious that they were cost-cutting the entire way. By comparison, the Mazda 3 hatch does a much better job not appearing to be cheap despite costing the same, and it has a very nice 2.5L engine. There aren’t many hatches in the US market, and if its between the golf and the Mazda, get the Mazda and save yourself the interior problems that aren’t worth your money.
Golf R and GTI don’t have exactly the same engines at all.
GLI does NOT have the same engine... It has the MK7 engine. But even the engine isn't the biggest difference, when it comes to the Golf R. It's the AWD and the updated diff... Not even the Audi S3 has it. I have a tuned MK7 GLI AND a stock MK8R, and the GLI isn't keeping up in ANY scenario. As far as the Mazda goes, how is that manual turbo? Or the DSG?
Now that BMW has went to crap everyone is making their car a bmw
power in the front wheels, trash, next
Ngl it doesn’t look good from the back
I sure as hell don't need no manual!
MINI Cooper JCW is a much better option. It comes in two door, four door and convertible. It also has much better exterior and interior color options along with easy to use buttons. VW got lazy on options, colors and normal buttons.
@@japanwatchconnection I can attest that the third Gen Minis 2016+ resolved all past issues and are extremely well made. I own three of them and have had zero issues. I prefer a convertible and a car with character and VW has given up on both.
These cars break down and are not reliable #bmw
@@deutschhhhh6922 #bmws sure do!
Besides the user interface, everything objective about a GTI is better. Everything subjective is... subjective.
@@billymays7210 Absolutely nothing objective about the GTI is better than the Mini. Is there a two-door option? No. Is there a convertible option? No. Are there any fancy colors to choose from? No. Are there any nice interior color options? No. VW gave up on the GTI and so should you. It's the most boring hatchback in the world.
A mk7 R is a way better option then a new GTI, the interior in these is horrible and the steering wheel button just kill it for me, they look good lowered on some nice 18s but not worth it
I'd love a GTi, but those disgusting seats...oh man. They're just...disgusting!!
When an N can beat you yes an r
Hideous rear licence plate mounting
6:08
It's a magnetic temporary thing
@@tigerteche85 Do you need to have the wisdom of Solomon to figure that out?
🤢🤢🤢🤢
It might drive nice but I think it's one of the ugliest Golfs
Unfortunately this is one of those cars that looks worse than the previous generation. Mk7.5 actually somehow looks newer and sportier than the mk8. Also those touch screens are just too much. I
@japanwatchconnectionthe new gen is ugly AF..
So disappointed this whole car is basic nothing stands out what happen to Volkswagen this is a 30000 dollar car smh 😴 not worth 30000 more so 15000
Trust me, you don’t want the MK8 gen. Interior is trash. Get the MK7/7.5 gen, but the performance is a bit lower compared to the MK8. So in this, you Will want the Golf R, but in the MK7/7.5 gen. Trust me.
Just traded my 7.5 which I adored for an 8.
I adore it even more. The improvements are actually vast.
And the entire interface is great.
Reviewers don’t spend enough time with the car, so they don’t understand how it actually works.
You’re wrong bro,
Mk8 has a ton of clubsport and golf r suspension upgrades and a much better turbo plus other upgrades
@@japanwatchconnectionokay go buy one then and enjoy $35k worth of annoying touch buttons 🤣
Stay away from any vw nightmare reliability
One of the ugliest boy racer hatch right now.
Is that why its been around for 40 years?
Says the guy who probably has an FK Civic "Sport" CVT with a Typer R wing...
Prolly drives a civic copy of the Gli…
@@krane15he said right now clown.. Are you inept?
in 2003 this was an SUV lol