2023 VW GTI | Feisty Machine

We are pretty late to the party, but here is our video on the new MK8 2023 Volkswagen GTI. The GTI featured in this video is a 40th Anniversary Edition (Canadian Version) and is priced at $38,000 CAD ($33,000 USD). The MK8 gets a horsepower and torque bump to 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

If you’re looking for a Volkswagen and live in southwestern Ontario, make sure to check out Dalmar Motors in London, Ontario:

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0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - 0-60 MPH Test
2:03 - Exterior Design
6:22 - Interior Design + Infotainment
14:06 - Trunk Space
15:03 - Driving Experience + Conclusion
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#VolkswagenGTI #Volkswagen #GTI

[FallenArtemie]

The 40th edition is actually kinda the perfect spec. The Canadian version gets the bigger screen while the US version doesn't but honestly, not a problem since it keeps the volume knob. What I love the most is the colors for the 40th edition, a sharper red, a darker grey, and a nice white. I really wish they sold the Urano Grey on the other trims.

[Dagot]

Great review! Thanks! I've had a 2022 GTI Autobahn, red, MT, and it's a great ride. I wanted to get an R, but the prices are now way out of my price range. As you mentioned, the absence of a knob or two is very annoying. It never stops being annoying. When driving, especially at speed, it takes too much interaction with the touchscreen (and too much time with eyes off the road) to do a simple thing like turn on/off the AC, turn up/down the temperature, increase/decrease fan speed. It's inexcusable. Did it stop me from buying the car? Hell no.

[biggranny]

This car looks great in red with this 40th anniversary edition, makes me reconsider my WRX lol. The DSG is very fast, but could use some stickier tires. Your better 0-60 times was probably from the tires warming up. I can imagine you can break 5.5 seconds easily on a prepped drag strip with some sticky warm tires.

[GGDAWG]

Don't believe the overexaggerated reviews on how bad the infotainment system is. The press had only used the car for one day and making a big deal about how hard it is to use. After owning it for a few days, it is very responsive and easy to use.

[kwillee]

This is on the top of my list… once the 8.5 mid cycle refresh fixes the infotainment

[nassermansour]

I'm normally anti 4 door, with a few exceptions. I really like everything about this GTI .

[ACCELERTV]

You have to pick one - Volkswagen GTI, Hyundai Kona N or Mazda 3 Turbo?!

[eriknippak]

I think the fender lip is to cover the wider tires. The tires cannot protrude outside the bodywork.

[westonraske]

Nice review. One of the first detailed ones out there on the 40th Anniversary edition. I picked up my DSG version in Pomelo Yellow in St. John's NL in late March. No dealer mark-up so I agree you get a lot for your $$. One thing I noted... it does have launch control. Didn't look like you used it in your 0-100 km/h runs?? Mid 5's is about right though, so maybe it wouldn't have made much difference. I think the 1, 500 models for US consumption are equipped a little differently, so I'd like to see someone compare them directly. In Canada, you get the larger infotainment screen, HUD, and Harmon Kardon sound system. In the US, from little snippets I've seen on YouTube video shorts, it looks like they have the smaller infotainment screen, with a knob on each side. Also, they have adaptive cruise control, which my Canadian car is missing. What other differences there may be, I'm not sure. Great video. Enjoyed it, liked it, and subscribed!

[SharonJebitok.]

This is so cool, happy 40th anniversary GTI ❤️ in N.America and 45th in Europe. Great art of work 👌 🎨

[charlottetownspud]

i just purchased a 40th Anniversary in Urano
grey. fun little car

[rgames]

The base modal has vol and turn knobs. New things I did notice over the 2022 version was GTI embossed in the seats (nice touch) and red stitching on the steering wheel. The gloss black in the center could also be new.

[manjunathachourad]

I was not holding myself to see the full review video by watching the shorts of this car . Finally i got what i wanna see 😂. Thanks dude, i appreciate it ✌

[ShadowF]

struggling between an R or GTI, the R just costs way too much. And have my eyes on a 2024 autobahn so this was very helpful!

[mattthompson]

Why didn’t you use the launch control for the 0-60 test?

[spdandpwr]

For those wondering about the infotainment, I had the same concern. In fact, I was going to straight-up avoid this car because of it. Anyway, because of lease pricing and the overall awesomeness of the car, I took the chance. Best decision I've made. Infotainment is a non-issue and I actually interface with it regularly to do everything. There's a shortcut button to get to your climate, there's shortcuts that you can create when you slide down on the screen, and the volume can be precisely controlled by pressing it like a button. I've acclimated to this and can say that I actually can navigate it faster than my iDrive 7.5 on the BMW

[frankspatone]

Thanks for the excellent review. I've been in the market for a 2019 (MK7.5) Golf R or GTI as a daily driver.

Had an opportunity to pick up exactly one of these 2023 40th Anniversarythe other day (albeit in manual), but I just couldn't do it, primarily because the anemic, force-fed haptic feedback, allegedly unfriendly menu layout for the most basic of functions, and lack of knobs and buttons...plus I'm really keen on leather seating.

Can anyone here give some feedback or validate on whether these new controls are really as bad as they appear to be?

Thanks!

[onejay]

I love how vw will not let any other brand dethrone them with the gti on what you get for the money. The interior on this car for 31k with the s is crazy.

[michaellin]

Can this car last me 10 years if I take care of it? I'm kinda worried because I've had Honda's all my life and they are reliable as hell.

[HarryTwatter]

just bought my 40th in 6 speed. I'm not a street racer so I don't care about times. This car is so fun to just drive around.