All-New 2022 VW Golf GTI S Review: Mk8 is Magic!

We’ve officially reached the eighth generation of Volkswagen Golf GTI. And, even though the iconic hot hatch is about to turn 40, it’s really just hitting its stride. Poised. Practical. Potent. You get healthy efficiency from the 2.0-liter turbo, plenty of space for stuff and four adults. But you also get plenty of standard comforts and a healthy dose of driving enjoyment whenever you turn the wheel. What a car!

In this video, I take you through the car, show you what features are offered and how they work. And then I take you on a drive to get a sense of how well it handles, the quality of the ride, and the overall experience.

Love the VW GTI? Here's a nice way to show it! (with affiliate link):

Video Chapters
0:00 Drive review – Overview/Trims/Price
2:21 Walkaround
5:08 Cargo space
5:46 Second row comfort and features
7:07 Front seat comfort and features
9:58 Drive modes
11:07 Drive review – Powertrain
14:27 Drive review – Fuel Economy
15:06 Drive review – Acceleration Test – Launch Control
16:41 Drive review – Acceleration Test
18:05 Drive review – Handling Test
20:41 Drive review – Ride/Comfort/Highway Test/Safety
23:12 Drive review – Conclusion

Specifications:
2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI S: 5-door, 5-seat, Hatchback
Base price: $31,775
Price as tested: $31,775

Powertrain:
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4
Power: 241 horsepower at 5000 rpm
Torque: 273 lb-ft of torque at 1750 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Drive: front-wheel-drive

Fuel Economy
City 25 mpg
Highway 34 mpg
Combined 28 mpg

Dimensions
Length: 168.8 inches
Width: 70.4 inches
Height: 57.6 inches
Wheelbase: 103.6 inches

Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 3190 lbs.
Interior volume: 92 cu ft
Cargo volume (2nd/1st rows up): 20/35 cu ft

Calculated weight to power: 13.2 pounds per horsepower
Mfr’s claimed 0-60 mph: na seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: na mph
Government classified size: Midsize car

Options: none

Recorded
29th of September 2022

Who is Robin Warner? – Brief description and bio:

Robin spent five years of his adult life as an engineer. Four years at a Tier One supplier, TRW Automotive (now ZF TRW Auto), working as a traction and stability control calibration engineer, and little over a year as a vehicle dynamics engineer at Ford Motor Company.

Furthermore, he spent 15 years of his adult life holding different editor positions at various magazines, including Associate Technical Editor at Car and Driver, Road Test Editor at Road & Track, and Managing Editor at Autoweek.

Robin also spent several years racing. He started in autocross, then bought a go-kart and then another one. Having a lot of success, including a Great Lakes Sprint Series championship in 2002, he moved to single-seaters, racing in the 2003 Skip-Barber Midwest Championship, the 2003-2004 Skip Barber Southern Championship, and the 2004 Formula Dodge National Championship.

#VWGTI #Hatchback #Review

[donjohnson]

That type of joy when you were launching this GTI - that type of emotion cannot be faked and was similar to my reactions when I test drove one myself. These vehicles are so much fun! Excellent review, one of the best I’ve seen about the GTI on youtube.

[cheezybred]

Purchased a 2023 s a few months back. It has some frustrating electronics but the drive is great. I appreciate you validating my purchase 😅

[hitmanhart]

I think the bottom line for the MK8 is : Dont overspend. Tried the GTI with and without the DCC and the R, from a non-tracking perspective there is no way to go wrong at their pricepoint, you ll be happy (if you can find your marks with the infotainment system😂). Great review!!!

[lizziedripping]

Had many Golf GTIs over the years, an R & now a GTi Clubsport. They are simply wonderful cars - fun, fun, fun 😆 You get room, functionality, reasonable fuel efficiency & really trustworthy sportiness. When you throw it round a corner, it grips. These cars are sophisticated & mature yet still fun. If you can use a smartphone & tablet, then within a week you will be using the infotainment system without any problems. There are lots of tips, trucks, shortcut videos on the net. Thanks for a nice review 👍

[masters]

Thank you for a wonderful review! I just bought a 22 GTI S M/T- delivering this week and I am ecstatic! It’s my second GTI-Once you have experienced one you can’t go back! I had a MK6 M/T 5 years ago, and loved every minute of it. Safe to say I’m obsessed 😍

[Alfra]

Had an Mk6 and it was the best car I’ve ever had! Bought it new in the S trim and never had problems with it, looking to purchase another one next year in the S trim!! Excellent video!!! 😊

[katiecannon]

Great review.

I’m on my 3rd day of ownership & gotta add that the adaptive cruze control at low city speeds is awesome.

More reviewers need to include this feature in their car reviews.

VW got has done a great job.

[KS-roin]

Good job....I have read on other YouTube videos that the 2.0T is "underrated" from the stated "241Hp/273 Torque" and when run on a dyno the true HP/Torque is 245-249HP and ~295+ torque....and BTW- real world MPG testing highway cruising ( @75mph) results in 37mpg on regular

[willieboy]

Great Video. I love the GTI since my 2012 6-speed. Most fun car I’ve had. I’m tired of all these other reviews who constantly bash this and that and say the infotainment is awful. Honestly I can deal with it, heat my seats, put on some music be able to change drive modes. You’ve sold me on an s I always want the plaid seats but I’m going to get a 6 speed. Thank you again

[TheMystro]

I am a hardcore and long time Porsche 911 owner with many in the collection. The 2024 GTI in S trim is my daily driver which should say it all. The “S” has the better infotainment with actual knobs and no sun roof to add weight. 🤙 Even the base audio is thumpy and plenty loud but the real reason is this car is razor sharp and dialed in without the need for electronic adaptive shocks.
It doesn’t need any more power and the tartan plaid seats are much more comfortable than the leather. This is what a GTI is supposed to look like in modern design. Build quality is solid as a rock and the “thump” of any door closing in the mk8 GTI feels like a mid 80’s air cooled 911. You can’t fake that kind of dna quality.
After driving the entire line of GTI, I find the S the most pure and exactly what a drivers GTI should be. I believe this is one of the last great no BS drivers car from Germany before hybrid/EV is forced upon the next generation. Get a new GTI while you can.💪🏽

[rustom]

Your review almost on point ( traction control can be switched off from main screen no need to go in to the all the options you pointed)

[kindion]

Great review! Very clear and concise… I’m looking at one of these up in Canada - a base model with a stick. Love the feel of the way it drives - stuck to the road and solid.

[fishsaysn]

I have the same exact color and package. I love it. The only thing I don't like is the OEM wheels. Base model GTI is a bargain in this market, if you could get it MSRP. It took me couple months to get it without any markup. I've been driving mine for about 6 months. I've only seen 5 mk8 GTIs on the road, and only 2 Rs. They are still rare.

[dailydrivensedans]

Hey good review though man! I hope you become more popular
u just dis the dsg?? I dont think u understand what the dsg is because thats one of the biggest things going for the gti/gli. That is an incredibly capable tranmission only really found in very expensive cars. Yes the manual is more fun and i sometimes find myself wanting the manual. But iknow that the dsgs performance is iincomprable. Its way faster and reliably holds way more power. 400hp in the dsg- no problem, 400hp on the manual-definently problems.... even just 300hp and the manual clutch struggles. The dsg is realistically close too a half second quicker, and is definently alot more fun and engaging then a traditional torque converter. Dont hate the dsg.
Btw this is coming from someone who always drove manual except for my truck which is torque converter. The dsg is awsome!!!! Service it every 40k and it shall provide remarkable service too u:)

Yes it is a weebit heavier... but thats litterally less of a difference then the sunroof on the higher trim...aka thers almost no difference😂 the difference there only slightly effects body roll; it actrually benefits the acceleration because well the dsg is way faster so😂🫡

[RickGTI]

Bought mine new in 2019, GTI s, dsg. Wouldn’t give it up anything else. Now there are none available, US, and Canada. Where have all the VW’s gone ? Great video and review. Thanks, RickGTI….. 🌴

[RickGTI]

I love the review, great quality. One minus, no engine cover. My mk7.5 engine looks so much neater. One big plus, there are vents in the rear for the passengers. Many of the newer, more costly cars don’t have them, but VW does !Living in so. Florida, cooling the rear passengers is important. Thanks, RickGTI….. 🌴

[holgerviel]

@Robin: that was a really great review. You've touched on everything that makes this car special even in the base trim. I saw a white GTI 40th Anniversary edition in the showroom with a manual. If i didn’t have 3 cars already...well, maybe i can get rid of one...again, that was great and I'll subscribe.

[mikemayers]

Sun Roof and Harmon Kardon is a must SE is the way to go.

[hyperlicht]

Just seems it would be so incredibly frustrating to use the touchscreen to make almost all settings/adjustments. Taking eyes off the road constantly. I love the car otherwise. Maybe 2024 will give us a few physical buttons? Fingers crossed.

[Zeekism]

Very good review 👏. I got my SE trim, and I'm loving it.