What do you think of the 2021 Golf GTI vs the 2022 redesign? It'll still put a smile on your face and be practical at the same time. Here's the POV drive with binaural audio on my 2nd channel: czcams.com/video/nHicJwsKqCI/video.html
For those who've never driven, much less owned, a GTI, its appeal to owners and longstanding reputation as one of the world's best all around vehicles may be difficult to understand. And for those who believe that automobiles are like women's fashions where every year calls for a completely new look and last year's model is clearly out-of-date the GTI's stubborn adherence to evolutionary design changes may seem at best old-fashioned. I've owned three GTI's over the years. My current vehicle is a MK7.5 Autobahn version purchased in 2018. I traded my MK6 version for it (one of the last models built in Germany before production shifted to Mexico.) That MK6 had about 80K miles on the clock when I traded it with nothing having gone wrong over my entire period of ownership. Forty thousand of those miles were with a Stage I APR tune that raised increased power to around 300 HP and torque without seriously impacting my fuel economy. My 2018 model now has 25K, again without a single issue and soon to get a Stage I APR tune. My teenage daughter is looking with undisguised lust at the GTI she now drives occasionally so I'm considering a MK8 Golf R or an Arteon but I find it difficult to face the prospect of not having the GTI in our garage. Trading it would be like selling the family dog. What produces that sort of devotion? It begins with the Golf's incredible versatility. At only 168" in length it's simply amazing how much it can swallow in terms of passengers and cargo. Four passengers (or in our case three and a big dog) can travel for hours in comfort and still carry enough luggage for a weekend trip. And with the back seat folded the 54 cubic ft of cargo space rivals that of most small SUVs. Due to the GTI's box-like shape even semi-annual trips to Costco are easily accommodated. Then there's the magnificent EA888 engine. The EA888 engine family has received loads of awards. The US spec version in the GTI lacks a few features found in the European version most notably the dual injection that eliminates the issue of carbon buildup. But like many internet memes that problem is seriously overblown and dealt with easily when it's encountered typically after 50K miles or so. Otherwise, the stock hp (228) and torque (258) makes for an excellent driving experience that, as noted in the video, feels considerably stronger than one might expect. In fact, that's true in general about VW conservative engine specs. (European insurance rates with heavy charges according to HP ratings are typically blamed for VW's practice.) In any event, the HP and torque of the GTI engine is easily increased significantly with a Stage 1 engine tune. On the GTI it raises the HP and torque to over 300 on both counts without impacting engine reliability. And contrary to reports to the contrary such tuning does not invalidate the VW factory warranty unless a warranty issue can be directly traced to the ECU tune, a connection I've never heard of. There are, of course, additional tuning "stages" beyond Stage I but unless one is looking for a vehicle suitable for a drag strip, there's little point. Driving experience. This encompasses a number of factors including seat comfort on extended drives, visibility, handling, available power, etc. It's difficult to put all these factors together except to say that once you've driven a GTI it's hard to find another FWD vehicle that matches it. The sloping hood, extensive glass, driver seat that combines bolstering that holds a driver in place without being intrusive is near perfect. Unlike a Mustang (or worse, a Camaro) you don't feel like you're trying to pilot a car from the bottom of a bathtub with tall sides. Minimalist aesthetic. The interior of a GTI is unlikely to satisfy those who think the the proper aesthetic for a vehicle resembles a video game. No huge iPad-like screen with technicolor images. Few warning beeps and bells except when truly needed. But all the critical information is available and unlikely to distract from the tasks at hand. Perhaps it's an acquired taste but it's an addictive one. :) The forthcoming (for the US) MK8 GTI bends more toward rivals' aesthetics. And the most questionable of the design choices are the abundance of capacitive controls replacing buttons and dials. Still, the heart and soul of the GTI remains. I suspect I'll hold onto my MK7.5 version or at least keep it in the family but just as has been the case for years it will remain one of the best vehicles on the planet.
Yes I agree with you Sir, as a previous owner of an MK6 I really loved my car, for reasons I had to sell it! Now I’m planning on purchasing the 7th generation Autobahn! 😊
Love that you add shots of what the car looks like at night with the lights all on. Always one of my favorite parts of your car reviews and amazed others don’t do the same. It’s a great idea and useful to buyers 👍🏻
I've had my 2018 for about 6 months now and had watched dozens of reviews prior to getting it and had heard, and wrongly assumed, that the lumbar was only 2-way since the button looks like most manufacturers' 2-way button, with the up and down not being recessed at all. I've been disappointed on longer trips that the lumbar always felt like it was at the wrong height for my spine and aggravated my back. I feel like an idiot, but my back thanks you greatly for showing me that it is actually 4-way!
One of the great ones. I have a 2019 GTI S and enjoy it more than most of the cars I have owned in past 57 years of driving. Fun is the key word for VW !
I freakin love my 2019 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn in pure white, these are fantastic little cars if you want performance but also want a good daily driver that is both comfortable reliable and practical.
Just bought a Golf GTI SE in late April. Fastest, most fun car I've driven since the BMW 2002 I drove from 1972-85. Hope VW has solved its leaky sunroof issues which many complain about on various car forums.
@@PrimeAutotainment I like those intros a little better. Either way I’ll always be watching and leaving positive feedback. I like you and I like your content a lot!!! Your presentation is actually calming after a long day. I like cars. It’s an escape for me. Thanks for that Nolan.
Yep. 2018 SE 6 speed manual with the cloth seats is the perfect "unicorn" trim for this car, very hard to find, and they stupidly got rid of it for 2019+. Bought mine a year ago. APR stage 1 tune and it's just about the perfect car. Only other thing I've changed is bought these great, super clean looking and most importantly much lighter forged wheels that come on the 2021 Autobahn trim (formerly on european models) - an important real performance improving detail that few seem to know about!
What do you think of the 2021 Golf GTI vs the 2022 redesign? It'll still put a smile on your face and be practical at the same time.
Here's the POV drive with binaural audio on my 2nd channel: czcams.com/video/nHicJwsKqCI/video.html
For those who've never driven, much less owned, a GTI, its appeal to owners and longstanding reputation as one of the world's best all around vehicles may be difficult to understand. And for those who believe that automobiles are like women's fashions where every year calls for a completely new look and last year's model is clearly out-of-date the GTI's stubborn adherence to evolutionary design changes may seem at best old-fashioned.
I've owned three GTI's over the years. My current vehicle is a MK7.5 Autobahn version purchased in 2018. I traded my MK6 version for it (one of the last models built in Germany before production shifted to Mexico.) That MK6 had about 80K miles on the clock when I traded it with nothing having gone wrong over my entire period of ownership. Forty thousand of those miles were with a Stage I APR tune that raised increased power to around 300 HP and torque without seriously impacting my fuel economy. My 2018 model now has 25K, again without a single issue and soon to get a Stage I APR tune. My teenage daughter is looking with undisguised lust at the GTI she now drives occasionally so I'm considering a MK8 Golf R or an Arteon but I find it difficult to face the prospect of not having the GTI in our garage. Trading it would be like selling the family dog.
What produces that sort of devotion? It begins with the Golf's incredible versatility. At only 168" in length it's simply amazing how much it can swallow in terms of passengers and cargo. Four passengers (or in our case three and a big dog) can travel for hours in comfort and still carry enough luggage for a weekend trip. And with the back seat folded the 54 cubic ft of cargo space rivals that of most small SUVs. Due to the GTI's box-like shape even semi-annual trips to Costco are easily accommodated.
Then there's the magnificent EA888 engine. The EA888 engine family has received loads of awards. The US spec version in the GTI lacks a few features found in the European version most notably the dual injection that eliminates the issue of carbon buildup. But like many internet memes that problem is seriously overblown and dealt with easily when it's encountered typically after 50K miles or so. Otherwise, the stock hp (228) and torque (258) makes for an excellent driving experience that, as noted in the video, feels considerably stronger than one might expect. In fact, that's true in general about VW conservative engine specs. (European insurance rates with heavy charges according to HP ratings are typically blamed for VW's practice.)
In any event, the HP and torque of the GTI engine is easily increased significantly with a Stage 1 engine tune. On the GTI it raises the HP and torque to over 300 on both counts without impacting engine reliability. And contrary to reports to the contrary such tuning does not invalidate the VW factory warranty unless a warranty issue can be directly traced to the ECU tune, a connection I've never heard of. There are, of course, additional tuning "stages" beyond Stage I but unless one is looking for a vehicle suitable for a drag strip, there's little point.
Driving experience. This encompasses a number of factors including seat comfort on extended drives, visibility, handling, available power, etc. It's difficult to put all these factors together except to say that once you've driven a GTI it's hard to find another FWD vehicle that matches it. The sloping hood, extensive glass, driver seat that combines bolstering that holds a driver in place without being intrusive is near perfect. Unlike a Mustang (or worse, a Camaro) you don't feel like you're trying to pilot a car from the bottom of a bathtub with tall sides.
Minimalist aesthetic. The interior of a GTI is unlikely to satisfy those who think the the proper aesthetic for a vehicle resembles a video game. No huge iPad-like screen with technicolor images. Few warning beeps and bells except when truly needed. But all the critical information is available and unlikely to distract from the tasks at hand. Perhaps it's an acquired taste but it's an addictive one. :)
The forthcoming (for the US) MK8 GTI bends more toward rivals' aesthetics. And the most questionable of the design choices are the abundance of capacitive controls replacing buttons and dials. Still, the heart and soul of the GTI remains. I suspect I'll hold onto my MK7.5 version or at least keep it in the family but just as has been the case for years it will remain one of the best vehicles on the planet.
Always great to hear from you sir, especially as an owner of one with experience!
I have an Mk4 and I love it like family 🥰🥰🙏🏼 wouldn’t trade it for nothing
Wow great summary of your experience! Loving my 2019 GTI Autobahn also.
Yes I agree with you Sir, as a previous owner of an MK6 I really loved my car, for reasons I had to sell it! Now I’m planning on purchasing the 7th generation Autobahn! 😊
There’s nothing dated about this car
That was very well done. Plus, it's rare to find a review that demonstrates a sound system.
You're in the autobahn, it has DCC. It is pretty stiff on sport, you set the DCC to comfort and it's about comfortable as your typical Camry.
Love that you add shots of what the car looks like at night with the lights all on. Always one of my favorite parts of your car reviews and amazed others don’t do the same. It’s a great idea and useful to buyers 👍🏻
Looks better than any Civic hatchback
I've had my 2018 for about 6 months now and had watched dozens of reviews prior to getting it and had heard, and wrongly assumed, that the lumbar was only 2-way since the button looks like most manufacturers' 2-way button, with the up and down not being recessed at all. I've been disappointed on longer trips that the lumbar always felt like it was at the wrong height for my spine and aggravated my back. I feel like an idiot, but my back thanks you greatly for showing me that it is actually 4-way!
Yeah it’s really strange that it looks like that lol. Glad you can adjust it now and thanks for watching!
One of the great ones. I have a 2019 GTI S and enjoy it more than most of the cars I have owned in past 57 years of driving. Fun is the key word for VW !
You give a great, comprehensive review. I think you deserve more subs! And how can you wrong with a GTi?
Thank you so much! No kidding, it’s great all around
I freakin love my 2019 Volkswagen GTI Autobahn in pure white, these are fantastic little cars if you want performance but also want a good daily driver that is both comfortable reliable and practical.
Just bought a Golf GTI SE in late April. Fastest, most fun car I've driven since the BMW 2002 I drove from 1972-85. Hope VW has solved its leaky sunroof issues which many complain about on various car forums.
It's 2024 now and this is still peak GTI.
11:12 nice work! well done! 👍
Those wheels are the lightweight Belvedere from the Euro Clubsport middle. The wheels only weigh 16.7 pounds.
I like this new introduction okay too with your name and channel typed out while you get into the vehicle introduction
Thanks man. I’m probably going to do more like I did in the last few videos with the verbal introduction. Thanks for stopping by!
@@PrimeAutotainment I like those intros a little better. Either way I’ll always be watching and leaving positive feedback. I like you and I like your content a lot!!! Your presentation is actually calming after a long day. I like cars. It’s an escape for me. Thanks for that Nolan.
Thank you so much, I truly appreciate that!
@@PrimeAutotainment you got it Nolan!
I have the same one lol gray too it’s a nice car there’s even seat warmers
I have a 2015 Tsi with the fender audio! It’s sounds fucking excellent! This is my next car. Maybe the 2019 rabbit. In cornflower blue!!
Crazy thing is that you can get this with stick, but no longer a 3-series. So is Bmw still the ultimate driving machine?
Do they all come with fly-attracting scent in the paint?
Seriously lol idk what the deal was! I’ve had several vehicles in that spot and never had a fly problem.
Our 2021 Model is the MK8!😂
This wins on interior alone compared to MK8
I love it.
Leo, it’s always good to see you stop by and you’re always here right away. I appreciate it my friend.
Wow👍
Needs plaid seats. Leather is a huge downgrade on these cars. At least, high trims should have plaid seats as an option.
Yep. 2018 SE 6 speed manual with the cloth seats is the perfect "unicorn" trim for this car, very hard to find, and they stupidly got rid of it for 2019+. Bought mine a year ago. APR stage 1 tune and it's just about the perfect car. Only other thing I've changed is bought these great, super clean looking and most importantly much lighter forged wheels that come on the 2021 Autobahn trim (formerly on european models) - an important real performance improving detail that few seem to know about!
dated my ass. looks better than the 2023
That’s not a 2021 model! Why are I lying? That’s not a mk8
The 2022 is the start of MK8, at least in the US. This is a 2021 model MK7.5
@@PrimeAutotainment same situation in Canada. Mk 8 scheduled to arrive here December 2021
Nice, enjoy 😁👍
Why don't you check the facts before you accuse people of lying?
Automatic transmission, disgusting. Stick shift for life.
Why
ew mannual handbrake
In my opinion, this car is outdated. And for this price, it’s not a a “volkswagen” (popular car).
Haven't been purchasing a new car in the last few years, eh?
One thing this video reminded I’ve been missing for years on CZcams - optical zoom! 🥹