Volkswagen Golf GTI 2021 review – Does the Mk8 GTI reset the hot hatch benchmark?

00:00 Intro

01:04 Pricing & specs

02:36 Design

03:38 Practicality

04:29 Engine specs

05:00 Driving

08:40 Fuel use

09:03 Safety

09:30 Ownership

10:07 Verdict

Volkswagen’s Golf GTI has been not just any hot hatch, but the hot hatch for enthusiasts for decades now, outliving many rivals.

Now in its eighth generation what has VW done to keep it competitive with rivals like the i30N, Ford Focus ST, and Honda Civic Type R?

We take a look using our eight review criteria, including pricing, design, practicality, engine and transmission, fuel consumption, driving, safety, and ownership to see if the hot hatch can still find its niche. What do you think?

Is there still a place for the Golf GTI in a world where the benchmark has moved to high end all-wheel drive heroes like the Golf R and Mercedes-AMG A45?

Watch the video and read the review on site and tell us what you think in the comments below.

CarsGuide - Go beyond the test drive

#volkswagen #golf #gti #volkswagengolfgti #hothatch #carsguide #hatchback #2021vwgolfgti

[craigfleming]

Oh and another nearly $4000 for leather and heated/ cooled seats, something standard on a Kia Cerato Gt $20000 cheaper!

[james]

Early last year bit the bullet and bought a Mk7.5 Golf R for 50k drive away. Looking at the Mk8 Golf GTi spec'd out, at 65k drive away, think I got bargin.

[craigfleming]

These are nice cars, but overpriced in Australia. $53000 plus on roads is laughable

[danielkennett]

Touch HVAC controls that aren't even illuminated. What were they thinking?

[caffeineisking]

Agree with all the comments, these cars are so unbelievably over priced. Unless you're leasing it like I am theres no way on earth its 40k+

[amrdiab]

Is that supposed to be a critical review or an ad?

[arkalon]

So for the engine specs @4.30 - none are actually given! All that is said is that it has the same engine specs as the Golf GTI

[alexrowe]

Where is the Golf 8 range review? Can't see it on your channel?

[MrBenSThomas]

Seems like a stop gap before they go full electric. No engine improvements, and backwards interior wise with tech that makes the driver take their eyes off the road more. But it’s still the car I’d pick if was replacing my mk7.5 R and couldn’t afford the new R.

[husseinbashir]

Thanks for the review. How do you find the haptic feedback buttons on the steering wheel ?

[patfromozZ]

Was looking on carsales and new with both option packs the gti is knocking on mid $60k's drive away.

Engine should have been upped to 195kw/400Nm and 8sp dsg

[PatnaRobK]

@ 2.22 The Focus ST isn’t an auto only option as you can order it with a manual gearbox. On a 2nd point, those wheels are horrendous.

[Volks]

Such a great car but $10k more then where it needs to be

[gorillapancake]

Finally... A VW with wireless charging. Where's the DAB radio?

[Pipsicle]

Nice, in the European homeland of VW we only get a measly 3 year warranty. Thanks for nothing Volkswagen.

[con]

Overpriced and overrated. Literally every other car in its class is better. I30 N, focus ST, civic type R and Megane RS trophy leave the new GTI for dead.

[dinosaucers]

Everyone needs to please buy a VW so you can help pay VW's legal fees and fines for emissions cheating. Please think of those ever so caring and loving Germans that cant even put rear airbags in an Amarok for children.