The Mk8 VW GTI isn't as good as its predecessor. | Revelations with Jason Cammisa | Ep. 11

This is an in-depth review of the 2022 Volkswagen GTI, delivered by a VW Fan with a closeup perspective on the previous Mk7 Golf.

The Mk7 GTI might have no bigger fan than Jason Cammisa — and in this episode of Revelations, he explains why he thinks it's a better overall car than the new Mk8. This, after comically admitting that his house looks like a Volkswagen shrine.

Being a fanboy cuts both ways — it can mean blind adoration for a new car based on the previous version, or it can result in unrealistic expectations.

Perhaps both are true this time around.

The Mk8 is quicker than the Mk7 (we include testing results) but the problems start with cost-cutting and questionable decisions that seem to prioritize gimmicks over substance. Things like the overwrought exterior styling, GPS-blocking cell-phone holder, or worse — the fact that the interior accent lighting is infinitely color-adjustable, but there's no illumination at all for the volume temperature controls; the two most-used secondary controls in any car.

At the end of the day, it's the Mk8's UX (User Interface) that lets the car down, not its inherent greatness. The GTI greatness — speed, capability, everyday usability, packaging, efficiency — is all there. It's just covered in a layer of frustrating software and difficult-to-use capacitive buttons.

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[WatchGeek]

Finally a journalist that says the truth about touch screen and capacitive EVERYTHING!!!

[jthomas]

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000x’s. Hiring Jason is the smartest decision Hagerty has made since running Saturday morning commercials on Speed.

[Faades]

As a UX designer and MK7 owner, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this review!!!

[turbo-qvfy]

Thanks for ripping VW a new one for the stupid "capacitive touch", the absense of physical buttons and the whole stupid infotainment system crapola that feels like it's been designed by a still developing AI, and not a human!

[Just_Pele]

My wife wanted a GTI, out of all the cars we'd driven she liked that one the best (and she's a hobbit at only 4'10" and it was one of the only cars where she could easily reach the pedals), so I bought her a Mk8. BIG mistake. See, she'd liked the Mk7 but they had already been replaced, and I thought it wouldn't matter as much to her. Well, it did and she didn't like the new GTI. Soooo, I ended up taking it back and getting a 2 y/o Mk7 and she was thrilled, and not only because of the styling and better interior, but also because it's red, her favorite color. Happy wife, happy life. 🤷‍♂

[Arthurzeiro]

Dear car makers, can we have a simple as little tech as possible car with just state of the art safety equipment and crash protection? I'm all for ABS, ESC, Airbags, Crumple Zones etc, but these wide screen dashboards, no buttons and stuff drive me nuts, needle gauges and my phone is all I need.

[cbschrader]

This is the best Mk8 GTI review I have watched yet. As a Mk7.5 owner, I’ve been struggling to see how anyone could like the Mk8 more. Everything about the interior driving experience seems worse. The interior styling and quality seem to have regressed. The exterior styling is okay, but not great. I’m so happy someone was finally honest and told it like it really is.

Here’s to hoping the inevitable Mk8.5 fixes all of the shortcomings.

[Kot]

I feel absolutely the same preference for the mk7 GTI
It seems like that the mk8 has so much marketing/gimmicks that it becomes way too much

[alexlai]

From all the UX Designers and auto enthusiasts, we salute you Jason! Bravo!!!

[Kajico]

the MK8 has been the best thing to ever happen to the MK7. Prices on 7 GTI's and R's won't be going down soon because of the 8. Thanks VW.

[thomasschmitz]

This review is SO MUCH BETTER than all Golf GTI Mk 7 v Mk 8 reviews I have ever watched. Thank you so much for this absoutely brilliant, professionally produced, and extremely entertaining video. I loved it. As a German, I didn't know your website before, mate, but I will not forget it from now on. Liking and subscribing never felt any better 🙂

[dragospahontu]

You are probably the only journalist out there that understands the true meaning of the Golf and GTI.

[sideswipebl]

If every new car is eventually going to be like this I’m starting a molotov business

[eppyz]

Very well stated and honest review IMO. Being an owner of a MK7.5 and a past owner of a MK6 GTI after test driving the new 8 I just couldn't pull the trigger. Funny note, while I was test driving the MK8 at the Dealer someone wanted to buy my 7.5 haha. How disappointed they were when they found out I past on the 8. I think the 8 is a nice car, but I like simple, and my 7.5 S is just that. The new 8 just is too much of something the car simply didn't need.

[ghp]

I can't imagine why they dropped the golf ball shifter, IMO round that is the optimal shape a shifter could have + the golf ball has always been their trademark.

[nickthaskater]

Basically, just buy a Mk7.

Amazing argument for this conclusion thoughtfully laid out over ~13 minutes and well worth watching in full.

[mattdino]

One year later, VW has made some updates:
-Lane Assist no longer auto activated
- Software update improved infotainment performance, no more lags
- Integrated shortcuts to access ESC controls, custom shortcuts
- Recall available to fix widespread radiator issue
- Steering wheel/control module replacement offered to those with assist system issues

It’s not perfect, but after months of ownership - the infotainment is more of a learning curve that many have grown accustomed to.

[paulwatson]

Lotus ends up looking brilliant when they give the Evora future-proofed physical buttons and a double din head unit.

[scottandrews]

A great, unbiased review as always. Jason is the TOP of automotive reviewers.

[thomasburns]

The 7 was a pinnacle in GTi design.

My family outgrew it so I moved on but 3 great years with one. With an upgraded clutch and a tune that car ripped, and had brilliant driving dynamics. It took going MUCH pricier to achieve similar smiles in the sports sedan segment (because we don't get those sweet Euro wagons) I had to buy 2013 s4 to accommodate and that car was fast but never handled anywhere near my 2016 GTi w/PP on stock suspension and tire. The s4 had the sports diff, KW V2, 9.5" wide lightweight wheel and Firehawk Indy 500 and would still plow wide where the GTi would build progressively as it understeered, and then when timed right a hair of lift off would sort it back around. With out the sports diff the s4 would've been a mess, but it worked every turn to keep the car from tossing the front to the outside. Sure the s4 would obliterate most cars in a line (Tuned for 93 and a tune for the DSG), but things went belly up in a turn. The s4 sticker was actual a hair more than double the GTi's when new! In no way was it twice the car however. Now I have a 2018 RWD 340i MPPSK and while it lacks an LSD, the rest of the car is finally the savage straight line (if you haven't tried the B58/ZF8 combo, you're missing one of the best drivetrains made today imo) of the s4 but something much closer to the GTi in a turn. However considering that the new sticker on the 340i was TWICE what the GTi was. That should tell you the value the Mk7 GTi delivered. I moved on from the GTi looking for better with a touch more leg room in the back, and it took double the cost to finally hit that nail on the head. What a great car! I hope someone is still loving it today as I did.