Owning a late model GTI MK7.5 is a gem to drive. It looks excellent compared to the MK8; everything works, and the drive is sensational. Will be curious to see if the GTI MK8.5 makes it to Australia with an improved screen and, most importantly, physical buttons, as the black plastic haptic hooey is cheap and nasty. I'd regret not keeping the MK7.5 GTI. I hope they get it right, as the GTI is an all-around star. Thank you for a constructive and honest review.
I've just sold my red 7.5 model GTI with 19" wheels - great car for me but it was a constant worry driving on NSW rubbish roads with deadly potholes. I lost two tyres at $300 each! You must keep the tyre pressures high, following manufacturer's recommendations, to be safer. After 7.5 model variations - now 8 - VW has got the GTI sorted.
@@chasingcars My tyre dealer says he's been doing massive business in tyres for low profile cars [especially]. He wants to dig up roads himself if sales drop! [It's a joke, Joyce.]
Owned an i30N DCT as a daily, amazing car.... then sold it for a CX5, boring yes, practical, very much so.... I would consider this GTI as a daily, a comfortable kind of hot hatch thats livable day to day. But geeez the price of these things is getting up there and all the unnecessary tech and useless buttons drives me crazy.
I really like the drive of the GTI (with the manual available in the US) but the controls for everything were a dealbreaker and downright dangerous for daily driving in Southern California
It's a combination of the following: (1) Emissions laws triggering huge R&D spending to develop EVs in a short space of time; (2) huge R&D spend to develop autonomous driving features; (3) general inflationary pressures in the economy; (4) for some manufacturers, big spending on regulatory fines.
@@chasingcars autonomous driving tech research is being dropped like a hot potato by the big auto manufacturers. The reason for rapidly increasing prices is the rise in commodity and energy prices.
No, new car prices in Australia are a in general a deeply lagging indicator. If you dropped billions 3 years ago on autonomy we pay for it now. Pulling out of those investments weeks ago won’t be felt for some time.
Great video. Fairness on show. After owning a Polo, a Golf, then two GTIs, an R, an Audi S3, then another Golf GTI, an Audi RS3, then back to an Arteon R, I just recently bought a Renault Megane, and am waiting for the next Megane ETech electric. I’m not keen on the look of the VW ID.3. Will I be happy with the soon-to-come eGolf replacement? Currently thinking I’d rather have the handsome looking Megane ETech. 🎉
Here are our independently tested 0-100km/h numbers for the Golf GTI and the rest of the segment: i30 Fastback N - 5.42 sec Cupra Leon VZx - 5.65 sec Golf GTI - 6.17 sec i20 N - 6.24 sec Polo GTI - 6.57 sec
I bought a 7.5 MY19 VW Golf GTI four years ago and paid 10k less than this mk8. Not the same value for money it used to be, even accounting for inflation.
The VZ is objectively better in some key areas - cheaper than the GTI to purchase, 3 years free servicing, longer wheelbase so more 2nd row leg room, normal buttons on the steering wheel and comes with the latest Gen 4 EA888 (not the carry-over Gen 3 that the mk8 gets).
Video was shot at our private test track (closed road) 👍🏼
Isn't this the Honda training centre at St Ives? Did some defensive driver training a few years ago there.
@@m0cachin0 yep! That's HART. Raced my bike there many a time.
@@m0cachin0 it was sold to Budget Direct, the owners of Chasing Cars.
Owning a late model GTI MK7.5 is a gem to drive. It looks excellent compared to the MK8; everything works, and the drive is sensational. Will be curious to see if the GTI MK8.5 makes it to Australia with an improved screen and, most importantly, physical buttons, as the black plastic haptic hooey is cheap and nasty. I'd regret not keeping the MK7.5 GTI. I hope they get it right, as the GTI is an all-around star. Thank you for a constructive and honest review.
Peak Golf, 7.5 GTi performance manual. Golf 8 is a step backwards in quality and desirability.
Don’t think we ever got the Mk 7.5 Performance manual. We did get the Mk 7.5 169kW as a manual very briefly but without the LSD.
I've just sold my red 7.5 model GTI with 19" wheels - great car for me but it was a constant worry driving on NSW rubbish roads with deadly potholes. I lost two tyres at $300 each! You must keep the tyre pressures high, following manufacturer's recommendations, to be safer. After 7.5 model variations - now 8 - VW has got the GTI sorted.
Yikes!
@@chasingcars My tyre dealer says he's been doing massive business in tyres for low profile cars [especially]. He wants to dig up roads himself if sales drop! [It's a joke, Joyce.]
I agree with this. Should we buy a Prado with fat profile tyres? 😂
Owned an i30N DCT as a daily, amazing car.... then sold it for a CX5, boring yes, practical, very much so.... I would consider this GTI as a daily, a comfortable kind of hot hatch thats livable day to day. But geeez the price of these things is getting up there and all the unnecessary tech and useless buttons drives me crazy.
Brilliant Review - thank you very much... 👏👏
Interesting fuel consumption, over how far?
My Golf R 7.5 was low eights and my Kodiaq VRS with the same motor as the GTI is mid eights per 100kms.
Our urban test is normally around 200-250km.
Moment of silence for the manual
RIP.
Are we insane paying these prices for these vehicles. It's like a scam.
People are paying.
@@chasingcarsTrue, I don’t know how though but they still are.
I really like the drive of the GTI (with the manual available in the US) but the controls for everything were a dealbreaker and downright dangerous for daily driving in Southern California
Sounds like they’ll be switching back to some physical controls at facelift time.
Can’t believe the price of new cars compared to 3 years ago. I don’t think its just the EV factor. Do you agree?
It's a combination of the following: (1) Emissions laws triggering huge R&D spending to develop EVs in a short space of time; (2) huge R&D spend to develop autonomous driving features; (3) general inflationary pressures in the economy; (4) for some manufacturers, big spending on regulatory fines.
@@chasingcars thanks for your insight, training, education and experience. You are now my Expert witness. 🙏
@@chasingcarsbahaha, nice, ‘some’ manufacturer’s regulatory fines 😁
@@chasingcars autonomous driving tech research is being dropped like a hot potato by the big auto manufacturers.
The reason for rapidly increasing prices is the rise in commodity and energy prices.
No, new car prices in Australia are a in general a deeply lagging indicator. If you dropped billions 3 years ago on autonomy we pay for it now. Pulling out of those investments weeks ago won’t be felt for some time.
This isn't a 2023. The 2023 has GTI embossed in the seats and gloss black on the center console.
Great video. Fairness on show.
After owning a Polo, a Golf, then two GTIs, an R, an Audi S3, then another Golf GTI, an Audi RS3, then back to an Arteon R, I just recently bought a Renault Megane, and am waiting for the next Megane ETech electric. I’m not keen on the look of the VW ID.3. Will I be happy with the soon-to-come eGolf replacement? Currently thinking I’d rather have the handsome looking Megane ETech. 🎉
Glad you enjoyed. We are looking forward to testing the Megane E-tech.
Give us back some normal switchgear.
Drop the crappy MMI “themes” and colours.
Pop a manual in as an option.
What country are you from? it sounds like you’re saying GDI every time you say GTI
Octavia RS wagon>this
Given the Octavia (including RS) was our 2022 Chasing Cars Car of the Year, we'd tend to agree!
6.1 sec too slow, would rather the R instead
Here are our independently tested 0-100km/h numbers for the Golf GTI and the rest of the segment:
i30 Fastback N - 5.42 sec
Cupra Leon VZx - 5.65 sec
Golf GTI - 6.17 sec
i20 N - 6.24 sec
Polo GTI - 6.57 sec
@@chasingcarsi20N is manual though it is fast as golf GTI. No wonder why the i20N is so popular.
I bought a 7.5 MY19 VW Golf GTI four years ago and paid 10k less than this mk8. Not the same value for money it used to be, even accounting for inflation.
Those Mk 7 GTIs were very well priced.
German and Japanese car price are now B.S. in AU, why not go for Hyundai-Kia Group models?
Long wait times (for everyone)
Just buy Cupra Leon 😂
Leon is a really interesting alternative at the moment.
A premium price and basic features. Seems to be the VW formula now. I'd be comparing alternatives for value for money.
You’d need to research carefully.
60k plus for GTI is outrageous
Getting up there now.
2008's GTI Original? I think you meant 2018's GTI Original. At $33k it was the buy of the year!!
People's who know GTI, you know what I mean?!!! The legend will continue...!
At 13 seconds into the vid, that closeup of the paint looked rather crappy
Geez that price tag is eye watering
Used to be R money, that.
@@chasingcars sure was. Gti's used to be had for under $40k. What a time to be alive.
Those wheels are HORRIBLE! They think that they are more important than the car. Wheels are like a backup dancer, they should never pull focus
Car companies need to get rid of this start/stop technology.
Emissions regulations mean that is very unlikely
I think mk8 Golf R Line is where you find the best value on this current generation
That's a good point. I do wish there was a Golf R-line wagon, though.
I would really like a Golf R, and the MSRP is within my range. But dealers are wanting $10-15k (US) on top of that! Feels bad.
i30n act
always wanted GTI but now got a 2022 Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo
Are you enjoying it?
@@chasingcars love the car but got some drawbacks like the fuel tank needs to be bigger and the cup holders as well
Pity it has 2 too many doors.
Loved the old three doors.
........overall.................Yes
The Answer is Always......
Golf GTI
They still have appeal.
I'd get the cupra Leon vz if going VAG
Good alternative if not quite as plush riding.
@@chasingcars due to adaptive dampers or passive ones? Or purely due to the 18s on the Golf?
Lots of things. Smaller wheels, adaptive dampers but also an entirely different suspension tune (even if the basic hardware is the same).
The VZ is objectively better in some key areas - cheaper than the GTI to purchase, 3 years free servicing, longer wheelbase so more 2nd row leg room, normal buttons on the steering wheel and comes with the latest Gen 4 EA888 (not the carry-over Gen 3 that the mk8 gets).