2021 Mk8 VW Golf GTI - Best GTI EVER?!

Update 10/11/2020 - In this video I state that the car has two stage non-adaptive dampers because in Individual Mode there is a 'Chassis' option that has 'Comfort' and 'Sport' settings.
I ran this by VW UK Press Office who did some research and stated that GTIs do *not* actually have 2 stage dampers and that this mode setting actually "does nothing" which is surprising on both counts. A contact at a dealer stated that the chassis setting affected the performance of the VAQ front differential and possibly other things but the steering has its own setting so not sure what else there could be.
Apologies for the confusion here but the bottom line remains the same - this car rides more firmly than I expected especially considering it was on 18 inch wheels, and this therefore means DCC is worth considering even more than on the older gen cars especially if you choose 19s. There is a chance that DCC even in its comfort setting may still be too hard for some especially if on 19" wheels. This because the spring rates are significantly higher than they were on Mk7/7.5 to increase agility. The magazine reviews don't help as Andrew Frankel from Autocar suggested it was only just comfortable on 19s and DCC even when in comfort mode while CAR in their recent group test described it as a 'plush GT' when in comfort mode.

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There had been a vague suggestion of a loan car from Volkswagen UK Press Office back in August but in the intervening 2 months I'd heard nothing. As this is easily the most important car ever reviewed on this channel I decided to take matters into my own hands and once again partner with VW Cheltenham to get behind the wheel. This is I suspect the first ever video review of a UK spec car and as a result reveals many things about this model that I'd not found out from any of the other reviews. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it.

I'd like to thank Mr. BMW, Joe Achilles for the inspiration to make videos like this 👊

[JoeAchilles]

Great video buddy and thanks for the lovely words in the description! Hopefully see you soon ;-)

[jackxxxx]

MK 7 - 7.5 owner when they found this... “O look, another video where I can say my car is better” Lol 😂

[Riceyminimad]

Its obvious that they've cut the budget on these cars. I still love my mk 7.5 Gti.

[-Dash-]

Usually when new Golf GTI is released I think "Yeah, i`d like one of those..." but not this time.

[catbiscuits]

A technically good car spoiled by sprinklings of true 'new car' annoyance.

[martymet]

I guess im one of the 10 percent that loves the look of the mk 8 (not the wheels)

[BaconSandwich]

Enough with those twisty-style rims already. They look like Halfords hub caps

[Schuler]

I’ll take Mk7.5 GTi anytime over this mk8 GTi, way better build quality and looks. Thanks VW!

[Fmandan]

I have a 2013 GTI MKVI, bought it new. 117K miles now here in the States. It's been absolutely perfect and it's still tight, fun to drive and looks nearly new. I'd buy another in a heart beat.
Update as of 3/28/24. I have put 100K additional miles on the MK6 GTI (217K) and now my son drives it. Still going strong! I bought a new MK8 380 GTI in Moonstone.

[faz_]

Really great comparison, I own both a MK1 GTI and 7.5 Performance, I love both for very different reason. I’d agree with you that the new MK8 doesn’t look anywhere near as good and I also struggle to get excited by it for a long list of reasons....

[reds]

Mk8 GTI doesn’t look ‘sporty’ whatsoever. It looks like a standard/mid range car, maybe it’s the colour (and the wheels of course). A huge downgrade looks wise, and £35k with no heated seats FFS! It may drive well, but surely many will not get that far due to the looks. So disappointed in it and then you factor in the touch screen crap and the cost cutting factors. So glad I went for the 7.5 PP.

[ScottPC]

I’m still a bit confused by the new golf, I’d rather a used 18 plate for the money! The new car seems to cut so many corners regarding quality...

[DP-zddp]

I saw a Mk 8 Gti the other day and in the flesh the standard wheels are even worse...😣

[stevieh]

All new cars these days. Don’t use your mobile phone wHilst driving. Everything is buried deep in a touchscreen display all over the dash. Heating controls. Climate. Radio. Phone. Satnav. Car menus. Settings. Might as well just go on your phone it’s the same thing

[RyanGarr]

The styling is ok. I like it. I’m just not a fan of all the touch buttons. It makes driving unsafe when you have to look away from the road to make sure your about to push the right button for something as simple as your volume.

[KieranRegan]

I much prefer the interior of the old car as well, that new steering wheel is terrible and the front seats aren't great either. They look like real cheap wing backs

[mikerogers]

I'm sorry, but it just comes across as cheap. Looks like VW have been cost cutting. 7.5 looks and feels so much better. Perhaps VW are trying to cover their losses from dieselgate!

[shotta]

It seems like the Mk8 just smacks of cost cutting with the epitome being the blank engine cover. If I was to upgrade from my Mk6 it would be the 7.5 for sure.

[cardiary]

It’s just such a shame that they cheapen them to save pennies...plastic a pillar covers, no gas struts for the bonnet...no proper headrests...such a shame.

[Coopjab]

My 7.5 will sadly be my last GTI. The interior looks like it was full of cost savings. I can't find a single thing that I like more about this car and that very surprising from VW.