2022 VW GTI Review - It's a BABY Golf R!!

2022 Volkswagen GTI review by The Drivewire. The Mark 8 GTI has 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder.
Prices for the base model start at $30K and rise to $40K for the top level Autobahn trim.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
01:19 Exterior design
04:29 Cargo Space
05:09 Engine, Transmission, 0-60mph
05:45 Interior and Tech
13:21 Driving
20:00: Verdict

2022 Golf GTI Autobahn Numbers
BASE PRICE: $35,995
AS TESTED PRICE: $35,995
VEHICLE TYPE: Front-engine, FWD, 5 door hatchback
ENGINE: 2.0L Turbocharged I-4, DOHC, 4 valves
POWER: 241 @ 6,500 rpm
TORQUE: 258 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed DSG
0-60: 5.1 secs
CURB WEIGHT; 3,200 lbs
TIRES: Bridgestone Potenza S005, 235/35R-19 91Y
CARGO VOLUME 19.9 ft³, 53.7 ft³ with seat area
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON: 25/34/28 mpg
OUR OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 24.2 mpg
PROS: Super fun to drive, great engine, superb handling, a true baby Golf R
CONS: Disappointing interior quality, the infotainment system isn’t user-friendly

From the outside it definitely looks like a GTI in fact from the rear, it looks more like a refreshed seventh-gen model. It still has twin exhausts, a slightly new rear hatch design, a new taillight design, and the GTI logo has been relocated to the center under the VW badge.  

At the front, however, it’s a bit different. The hood slopes more and it has full-width running lights and quintuple-hexagon fog lights in the wrap-around honeycomb section below the bumper.

The Mk8 has the same chassis, now it's just a little stiffer. VW has reworked the suspension for better performance. A new Vehicle Dynamics Manager takes care of the electronic stability control, electronic differential locks, and adaptive dampers. 

The engine is a thoroughly reworked version of the 2.0 turbo four-cylinder which now makes 241 horsepower and a hefty 273 pound-feet of torque with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard. My tester was equipped with the optional 7-speed DSG which is $800 more. 

The goldilocks choice in my opinion would be the SE which includes a 480-watt Karman/Hardon audio system, a cool illuminated grille, enhanced infotainment features, and a sunroof. If you really wanted the leather seats you can option those as well.

[christophecouture]

Great Review ! Can't wait to pick mine up. It's funny you mentioned that it felt like it had more than 241hp because it actually does ! Deutsch Auto Parts put their Mk8 Gti on dyno and pulled out 255whp and 319wtq on a 4th gear run, which would put the car around 285 Hp and 357 lb-ft at the crank considering a 12% drivetrain loss. I was impressed when I saw the numbers.

[drumflip]

Great video and driving scenes. Got a 40th anniversary GTI on order, very excited.

[Rocky]

I’ve got the 2022 Autobahn. I had a 2016 R. I love the sunroof and the mesh. It’s nice having some light shine in. Funny that you hate it. The 19” wheels rock. The leather ventilated seats crush the cloth sheets. The interior accent lights are awesome and I love the golf ball display at night when you unlock the car. The electronics stink. It’s not ideal not having a fan speed knob. The volume slider isn’t clunky. It works great and it’s super easy to use. The radio is spectacular, particularly in surround sound mode. The satellite radio control is awful. No simple channel list. Instead you get menu driven categories. The favorites are even worse—you get tiles but not the songs that are playing. It’s terrible. VW also removed a small cubby on the left dash that I loved and a sun glass holder in the ceiling. I agree that the car feels more powerful than it is. It is more fun to drive than the R which was more powerful and much more effortless in its power. The R was very powerful in every gear but didn’t feel the road quite so much as the GTI. I like Econ mode for regular Highway driving. I’m getting 34-36 mpg in it on the highway. And there is a surprising amount of space in the spare tire area. I’ve got it fully loaded with tools, first aid stuff, coats, and other stuff. The emergency features are a huge upgrade. Blind spot lights, parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control are great. And the fog lights are really super cool. I totally agree though about your criticism of the infotainment system. It’s pretty terrible. But I still give the car an A.

[GTIclubdport]

I like the touchscreen digital cluster it looks modern..beautiful good job VW ..👍👍

[Vicdavies]

Someone who actually see’s it for what it is I have one and if you take the time to learn the buttons I am 67 and have no problems with it at all I love it

[corybureau]

the good ole DSG delay. my MK5 behaves the same way. its just the nature of a dual clutch transmission... the delay is the clutch and flywheel engaging. can't wait to get my MK8!! but might wait for the refresh if its confirmed to come to the US.

[stephenhill]

Nice review and very fair. The controls look tricky, especially if you're using your weaker hand. But that performance!!!

[isimonsez]

7:20 I like the mesh shade. I rarely open our sunroofs but the shade I like having open when the sun starts to set and at night. I think the mesh shade let’s in enough light during the day to not blind me but just enough to brighten the cabin a bit

[-loki-]

I think the 1974 Saab 99 EMS 3dr would be the first real hot hatch. The 99, 900, 900ng and 9-3 walked all over the GTI. I've owned a 2000 gti and a 2002 gti. The family had a ton of VW's including a 89 GLI wolfsburg that had 300k when it was sold and was still one the road for several years after it was sold. I've had more than a dozen 1982-1992 Saab turbos and I would much rather drive a late 80's 900 turbo that current on maintenance than a similar MK4 or older golf. No experience on the newer ones.

[edgarhenrique]

GOlf R...altas tecnologias chick eu Edgar desejo um desse🇧🇷✍️.

[asdpoi]

"Hardon Karmon" 😊 humor aside good one.

[ronburgundy]

A baby golf r would be a club sport or tcr

[KristofMachiels]

There are to many problems with the software of the Golf 8. At this moment a car I don’t want to have. Why don’t VW say nothing of this problem?

[limitededition]

Don't tell the MK8 fan boy's about how much cheaper the interior is than previous generations or how bad the capacitive buttons are or how horrendous that infotainment system is or how you keep pressing the heated steering wheel capacitive button on the steering wheel when you go through a spirited drive in the canyons. How much more hard plastic is in the interior or how now where the keyless lock on handle is located is now exposed. But hey it does 0 to 60 in less the then a second faster then MK 7.5. So we'll worth the price tag on MK 8. 😆😁

[tonyga]

What a mess of a front interior. Looks terrible and really let’s the car down. And that drivers dash… sorry, looks too small and so cheap.