2018 VW GTI - Is it Still the King of the Hot Hatch?

For 40 years, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has been the benchmark for performance hatchbacks. The 2018 VW GTI is based on the seventh generation Golf MQB platform which provides a very capable platform for this sports hatch. This GTI also comes with a few changes in terms of styling and lighting and tech features.

[tjet]

Happy 2017 GTI owner here. I live in a major city with lots of traffic. It’s a good idea to downshift the DSG manually when you are crawling along in traffic so you don’t have turbo lag every time you have to accelerate. That is the only part I think is a hassle with my GTI, but other than that, the steering and breaking really sold me on this car. Watch the sport mode; by driving up the RPMs, you end up using a lot more gas than in drive mode.

[dhdoctors]

No sun roof on the R was a deal breaker. Bought the GTI autobahn.... king of fun and style.

[CACHMAYNE]

I have a 2015 GTI. and I love it. 0 issues., glad to see not much has changed. Best daily. I'm also from BC. Love this channel.

[walt]

Purchased a new 2018 GTI SE and WOW, what fun. This is my second (first was a 1985 GTI). Can't believe how much of a car you get for a 27K price tag. Mine has the DSG trans and leather. It is truly the perfect car. So much fun to drive. VW has really stepped up their game with quality control as well. Car is tight and well balanced. Luv this car!!

[sdagle]

Traded BMW 235i on current 2017 GTI. Really like the GTI better. 235i is a great car, but IMHO not as good a driving experience. Definitely better for your ego, if that's important. GTI is reminiscent of my '72 2002 owned decades ago. Brian mentioned GTI is lighter than the "R". The heavier the car the slower it the responds to driver input. The quick response is a big part of the fun factor. Lots of things go into making a great driving experience, seats- driving position, feel of the controls, power, response and others, they all come together in the GTI to
make you want to hop in the car and go somewhere . . . anywhere.

[rypn]

appreciate the review from a Canadian perspective.

[Lawman-]

I bought the base GTI, loved it for several years. Now, I'm going for the Golf pick it up in two can't wait!

[brianreardon]

Hey i leased a 2016 golf r for 2 years.. had 2 gti before that.. now I have a 2017 gti sport ... so I think im pretty good at comparing the 2 .. yes the golf r feels abit more faster in a straight line.. but.. the gti feels lighter, more fling about around turns...more playing.. a tad bit of wheel spin... the golf r is great. But if going alittle faster is all you want .. get the r ... if not the gti is a fun car to drive.

[NikMorales]

Just bought a DSG MK7 a couple days ago, this car is such a blast

[tdf-styb]

I got a gti 7.5 with dsg and it is awesome ! Puts a smile on my face everyday, yea it’s not the most powerful car out there and can’t lap the ring in record time but it’s FUN .

[ChristianC-gyym]

I have a pre-facelift Mk7 GTI and I love it. Stage 1 APR turns it into a pocket rocket. It's the most fun car I've driven in a while. I was initially going to upgrade to the Golf R. However, once I laid my eyes on the RS3 I had to go for it... If I was to choose between the S3 and Golf R, I'd gone with the Golf R.

[IvannaNukya]

I love my 2013 gti I get soooo much versatility . It was super fun on a track and it gets 35 mpg at 65 on hiway which is amazing for the performance of this car. 28mpg doing 80 hiway is great!! It also has so much room and so comfy compared to others in its class great car

[pault]

I test drove the GTI and it was fun no doubt but ended up buy the R. The R is thrilling. Heart pounding fun. It is in my opinion the king of hot hatches. Sure it’s heavier but tracks a corner or curve like it was on rails. No wheel spin ever. Thanks for the review.

[unfilteredvoice]

Good review!! My GOLF GTI is the best car I've ever owned. Hands down. Love this car.

[MCougar]

Great review! You can tell you have kids, showing car seat fitment and the goldilocks reference made me smile. I appreciate it since car seats are a big issue finding a fun car. I think the bargan is the base model GTi, you still grt all the good performance, seats, brakes, etc. For way less. Thanks!

[markday]

my perfect cars have a 2017 GTI and this is my third GTI.

[michaelbailey]

I have a 2015 with APR Stage 1. Best car I've ever owned, Mk8 will have to be a big step up for me to upgrade.

[jobro]

Really glad see that 2 children seats can fit in the back. Gonna be enough to convince my GF that I'm buying it for future "family purpose" and not only because it's a fun hatch.

[benefactor]

Great review! Just FYI on the pricing bit - I have a 2017 GTI Sport DSG (US trim, basically comes with lighting package, performance package, nicer wheels and proximity key) and I got it for 25k USD in April 2017, 5k off MSRP. Has everything besides leather, sunroof, and driver assistance stuff (I didn't want any of those options). Cheapest golf R in my area was on sale for about 38k, major price difference. For track performance, the GTI and the R are very close because of the power to weight ratios as you mentioned. Would only consider the R if I wanted to heavily modify it or lived in a place that had a lot of ice and snow.

[lViperr]

The best of VW and in my opinion, best hatchback.