As a person who watches too many car reviews, your channel is in my opinion one of the best. Videos are always informative and in depth but still to the point. Never dragged on longer than they have to be. Appreciate the good content and keep up the good work Matt!
Agreed. When I see a vid by Matt or by The Straight Pipes, no click bait needed. I just click. Good content requires no clickbait, that’s why Matt is successful at this. His content speaks for itself. Such a rarity these days.
You are 100% correct. From all of the automotive reviewers that I do watch. I feel like Matt describes and shows everything. Not many other reviewers show the key, to name one.
Golf Gti is the car of my dreams, but I live in a "fifth" country. Here politicians are the biggest thieves. the taxes are high, I saved money for 5 years to be able to buy a golf tournament in 2016. A golf in brazil costs the equivalent of two mustangs in the usa. Our currency is not worth anything, but I am in the fight. hug .
well, we have socialists here that are doing their worst to turn USA into a nightmare also. many people do not realize how blessed we are here. sad. blessings to you. and yes, the GTI is amazing.
Brasil? I live in Portugal and the Golf GTI starts at 50k € wich is ridiculous. Going with Polo GTI wich is about the same price as the Golf in the USA.
Most major industrialized nations have evolved into a hybrid capitalist/socialist form of government. , stay positive and keep the faith, God bless.Germany, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, France ect. Fortunate to have a social studies teacher in the 70’s who had his doctorate teaching high school. SDHS California. Hopefully your government will be led by the people and not corrupt politicians. We have our problems here too but thankfully our free press mostly fight to get to the truth. Anyways
I am heavily considering purchasing this car within the next few months. I live in Los Angeles and this car seems perfect for urban driving! You get so much car for the price :) love it!
I have that exact car accept in a manual... and it is GREAT! It really is a blast to drive and it understated yet really nice looking. Quite practical despite it's size and will not dissapoint if you want to joyride through the canion! Let me know if you have any questions about the car.
I owned a 2006 VW GTI with APR 2+ on it. I also had a trailer hitch installed as I would take this care and haul my racing motorcycle to track day event. At about 190K the fuel pump went out and was replaced. It ran well and then another fuel pump went. I had that car for 190k w/ no problems before the pump. I m sure this car would have lasted longer w/o the trailer pull. I also went 150 mph at one point and it still had more left and felt as steady as a resting brick. It was fun to drive and had a great sound system. This car is the best car I have ever owned. I traded it in on a 2018 VW GTI w/ an APR 1 mod on it. It is a sheer joy to watch. This is my 8th VW and only one of them was a dog. 2001 Jetta 1.8- the coolant "migrated" into the electrical system and cooked the system down. VW gave me about $2k for this 4 YO CAR. This last car totally made up for the rag, however.
I definitely prefer the analog gauge cluster to the digital (with the digital speedometer in the center, perfect). But I agree the SE is ideal. So much so, i just bought one. I love it!
I own this car (2018 SE DSG) and..it..is..amazing! It is precise, quick and a blast to drive at high speeds and back roads. The limited slip diff. Really pulls you in and right out of anything. Aftermarket is massive for the GTI's. If you really wanna turn it up, $700 for a stage 1 tune and that turns it into a ROCKET! I mean insanely fast! If you are on the fence like I was, go and test drive one. You wont be able to wipe the smile on your face.
My 2017 GTI Sport down shifts pretty almost instantly at speed every time, the only time the downshifts lag is when coming to a stop. It is an "automatic" but the term "automated manual" is more accurate because it is a dual clutch transmission. Solid review as always!! Glad you like the GTI, I love my 2017 Sport!
Bought a 2016 gti se with performance pack, xenon light package, and manual trans. Bought in Feb, 2018 for 23,000 out the door with 30,000 miles and it is certified. I absolutely enjoy every moment in that car.
My wife almost bought one but did not want the stick shift. It was a leftover model from the prior year so there was a killer deal to be had on it. They only wanted $21k.
My daily for the last year has been a 2018 RS3 in velvet purple (1 of 1). Got tired of putting so many miles on it so I decided to get a 2018 GTI as the new daily, I pick it up in 3 days!
Matt - don't self deprecate - you said six of the best auto youtubers "...and myself...." You're work is in that tier of those other people.... Always look forward to your reviews even if the car/truck/suv isn't interesting to me. Keep up the great work!
I own that exact car but a 2016 and love it. Getting 27mpg in mixed driving. I got a great deal on it buying at end of model year as new ones were were about to arrive at the dealership. I think what will help a bit with road noise and handling is better set of tires.
Yeah it blows my mind how people willingly pay 35+ for an autobahn when i got the SAME damn CAR minus the diff for 22,900. Aint no shame in the base model game cuz the gti's are the SHIT, even in its lowest form. What tune you runnin?
Reasons for wanting Autobahn over SE: -Dynamic chassis control -Adaptive cruise control -Dual-zone automatic climate control -High beam control -12-way power-adjusting driver seat -Fender premium audio system Reasons for wanting a GTI over R: -Lighter, more fuel efficient -Slightly better looking imo (red accents) -Has some features the R doesn't (sunroof, fog lights) -R was delayed until April and has no discounts -Wanting dark iron blue -Not caring about AWD or slightly more horsepower
I have a 2017 gti dsg transmission -normal mode with the shifter in its normal position sticks to efficiency and while shift gears roughly at 2000rpm , with the shifter placed in manual mode but still in normal mode you get better response from the paddles - sport mode with the shifter in its regular position , the transmission holds the gears longer and shifts roughly around 3000 rpm , placing the shifter in manual while in sport mode gives you the sharpest paddle shifter response
Nice review! I was shopping Golf Rs last year. Dealers here in the US will significantly discount GTIs. I ended up buying a 2017 SE manual for $25,300 early in the model year. Dealers in my area (3 in and around Austin, TX) would not discount Golf Rs at all. For me to have bought a 2017 Golf R would have been about 15K more than my SE. Autobahn trims were at or under 30K depending on the transmission. Still at least a 10K difference for the R. I think that 99 percent of the time you wouldn’t know the difference between a GTI and a Golf R. In 2017 the Fender stereo came with the SE. I would probably have to go with Autobahn this year just for that. I miss having auto climate control in my SE but really other than that I have no regrets. Fun cars to drive that are easy to live with. Also a great warranty on them now.
C0ACHMAYNE decent cars, bought our son (he paid half) a mint 09 w the MKVI motor as a late build, only 100km on the car w no accident history and mint rims w a set of winters. All service up to date and going to do the second DSG service earlier to be preventative. We added a Pioneer AVH-1300NEX Apple car play for full hands free w nav. It's a decent car, I don't mind it at all. I drive a stage 2+ 15 WRX though and prefer the awd over fwd all day long.
Nice review Matt! Really love this car. The best "hot hatch" on the market today. Can't complain, every time I drive it on the highway, I smile like I'm a freaking kid.
The slow shifts are because you're doing a gear change that it is the opposite direction than what the transmission expects you to do. Like if it thinks your going to change down next, but you manually select an up-shift, instead of just flipping clutches, it has to select the higher gear, then flip clutches and the actual gear selection is what takes the time.
JAY KAY 37k is serious performance car money. Like Camaro 1le or mustang GT performance pack level money. I don't see the value honestly. At like 28-29k maybe but high 30s is obscene
Sorry Eddie, but none of those things are true. The GTI is great, but come on, keeps up with a GT? And VW interior is mostly plastic, Mustang has metal knobs, higher tech, etc. And used GTIs depreciate just as fast as Mustangs, if not even faster.
deadlywhiper321 it's a lot of money but I would pick the Golf R against the competition since its AWD and DSG but yeah, couldn't go wrong with a mustang or camaro which are cheaper.
My 2017 gti was 20k brand new out the lot it is completely worth it. For someone who loves cars this car is a great deal that will do the job till you can afford something faster
Test drove a 2010 GTI with the DSG this summer (ended up going with a G37) but I was pretty dang impressed, Car had some solid pep and even the older DSG was lightning quick. Friend also has a 08 with a manual and that too is a pretty fun car around town.
I just bought an SE manual 2 months ago and I love it. I got it in a year end sales event and I paid 26.5k MSRP was 31k. Couldn't pass up that deal. Plade seats are great and the large touch screen is was better than the S model. Autobahn is not necessary. SE is perfect.
I have a 2015 GTI SE I bought back in 2015. It has the lighting package so I have the better headlights, I have leather interior and the Fender audio system. I only paid $32,000 plus now it's full APR Stage 2 so for about another $2000. So I have an intake, full 3" catless exhaust, a turbo muffler delete and around 330hp. For $34,000 it's not a bad deal at all. A Golf R will get me off the line thanks to the AWD but after that it's lights out.
You will pay sticker for Golf R due to high demand low volume. GTI will be discounted 15% or so off list. So there is a 10k difference jfyi. Good review
The trunk cover slides down all the way to the spare giving you a deeper space. Also, the DSG box is a double clutch box, its not pretty fast, its near instant. Good review!
I own a GTI and just picked up an 18' ST. Both are great the GTI will have a nicer interior. If it breaks it's PRICEY. Also you could get the ST waaaay cheaper. I got mine with 7 miles on it for $17k. You can't get the GTI anywhere near that.
These cars a great. Ive owned one since sep. 2017 and logged close to 30k miles on it. Only problems i ever had was a bad battery, leaking water pump replaced under warranty, and a bad n80 purge valve. Other wise its a great car. Replace the wheels with lightweight wheels and summer tires, these cars are extremely quick for what they are. Going to tune really soon but as of now, it keeps up with many cars that rate higher power numbers. But the only gti to buy is the s. Anything above will be a complete waste. Dsg and manual are good. Dsg is more convenient and cheaper to mod. When you mod the manual, youll most likely need an aftermarket clutch eventually. I got a manual and thats whats holding me back from tuning since day one. Just got my clutch though
You're half correct - discounts can be found for the GTI, but the Golf R *is* selling at MSRP (at least the new 2018 model is). That's another reason why the GTI is a better value. The price gap is more than what MSRP would suggest.
Cold air intake downpipe and tune. A stage 2 GTI with a stage 2 APR tune and bolt ons goes from 220 hp and 258 torque to 340hp and 396 torque. Completely changes the GTI into a v8 slayer.
I have the 2018 GTI SE with leather upgrade. Sticker was 33,500 with monster mats and a couple other minor things. I got it for 31000 out the door. Tax and everything included. After I got it, I bought the black VW Pretoria wheels. Car is black as well. Looks great. The wheels really makes it look way nicer. Not a fan of the wheels that came on it
In Canada at least, by the time you get done pricing out an R it's more like $45-50k. Our pricing on GTIs is similar except we don't have your base. My 6MT Autobahn was $34k Canadian.
Correct, thats exactly what I did with mine. paid 26.5k after taxes, title, tags etc. I don't think its pricey at all for what you get. Plus the stage 1 tune is fantastic. Completely different car afterward
I paid 25,900 for my brand new 2017 sport. I've put another 3500 in mods and I'm now at 345hp and 396 ft lbs of torque. All that for less than 30k . MK7 platform is the best bang for the buck.
I live in SoCal, wouldn't trade my manual GTI for anything. Once you're used to driving a stick in traffic you barely think about it. DSG is fine too though.
Edward A love my DSG MK7 got it almost a year ago and the transmission is better than any out there it’s very smooth you don’t even feel the shift and they happen almost instantly
I don't know if the GTI peaked with this generation or not (now that the mk8 has been released...i want to like the new one, but there's something that just seems off)
Yeah, I have a mk6 2012 base GTI. I can tell you, these cars take full synth oil and they drink it. Lots of known issues with the mk6 that were fixed with the mk7 GTI. I'd get a mk7 if you guys were thinking of getting one. Idk how the oil consumption issue is with the mk7 though
I must admit I was kind of hesitant of purchasing a 2018 VW GTI SE a couple of months ago especially being a Honda guy my whole life. As much I wanted a manual, for family reasons, I had to look for an automatic and it had to be a hatchback for work reasons. After doing research on new hot hatches, what is out there that is fun and fast in an automatic with good paddle shifters that is around $30k? A Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring? That goes for +$29k msrp. I wasn't believing until a client of mine took me out for a spin in his GTI, then I was believing. The VW DSG is no comparison to the Honda CVT. You see it in this video the expressions that Matt gives or even Redline's review on how much fun they're having driving this car. To me, GTI is fun, a fast car, has a very nice interior, panoramic sunroof, and gets decent mileage too. Those are my 2 cents.
There's a different hatch for every folk: Pure Performance: Type R. Insane laprecord, corners like a monster and chassis is extremely plannted on track. Power and torque: Focus RS (if you are willing to deal with its issues), pretty inconsistent on track due to the way oil is designed. LUXURY and daily: Golf, that interior is above it's price bracket by far.
I love my GTI. Haven't had it in winter yet. Really don't want to have to buy snow tires. I don't like the auto start/stop. Everything else has worked out fine. It's a stupid thing but change falls out of my pocket all the time and there is no room between the door and the seat to grab it. For my budget I don't think I could of got a better car. Plus I get looks of thumbs up from people and compliments on it so of course bonus.
The manual in the GTI and R is pure garbage. You’d be an idiot not to go with the DSG. It’s a true dual clutch system, so essentially it’s an electronically assisted manual gearbox and not really an “automatic” traditionally speaking. In addition, if you mod the manual (even with a simple stage 1 tune), plan on doing an aftermarket clutch as well. As for the DSG, it holds a boatload of power with no additional mods needed.
Love your videos, Matt! Golf R doesn't have a sun roof. I know it adds "weight" but if I'm shelling out 40K for a car I expect a sun roof and could care less about the little added weight. The downfall for the 2018 GTI is not having the digital cockpit. I'm hoping the 2019 model will have the digital cockpit like the 2019 Jetta - however, knowing VW they'll probably charge 5K more for that one extra feature. However, with that being said, admitting the expectation of a digital cockpit in something that's meant to be focused on performance feels like such a 2018 "problem." Haha
15:30 - come to Europe, 2.0 is big here, and GTI's, although surprisingly not that rare, are one of the most powerful cars. At least in poorer countries, I'm sure it's nothing special in Germany. But I agree that stop/start isn't necessary if you only have a red light or two on the way.
Good review, Matt. However, I have to take issue with your price comparison between the GTI and the VW R. I just purchased a new GTI Autobahn for $5500 under MSRP. Three dealers offered to sell me the same vehicle within $500 of one another. The same dealers I dealt with were asking MSRP +$5000 for the few Golf R's available. I suspect I could have managed to get a reduction from the second sticker price on the R but I'm certain it would still have been at least MSRP or more. That makes the price difference between the top trim of the GTI and the R between 7K and 10K. Of course, the R has features the GTI lacks, including the more aggressively tuned engine and the AWD system. But the power difference can easily be mitigated with stage one tuning. My previous GTI had an APR tune and was both fast and unfailingly reliable for 20K miles. If one is looking for a basis of a track car, the R is undoubtedly a choice with more potential. But even then, it's quite a premium to pay for that potential.
Technically it turns out that an auto manufacturer cannot refuse a warranty claim on a "tuned" car unless warranty problem can be shown to be related to the modification. Realistically, however, you don't want to get involved in a legal dispute with a corporation that has a room full of attorneys if you can help it. In my case, I owned my MK6 and I'm not sure how that differs from a leased situation. (My mother told me never to buy groceries on credit and I apply that lesson to automobile purchases. If I can't buy the car, I save my money until I can.) So I can't help you on that score. As far as hassles from a dealer for service and warranty work, that depends to a large extent on the dealer. In my case, the dealer who did my service was known to be "APR friendly" and I never encountered a problem with service. (I never had a warranty claim.) When I traded my MK6 two of the dealers I dealt with insisted that I have the car's stage one tune "reversed" before I traded it in. However, the dealer who had done my service made no such request. In fact, they felt the stage one tune was an asset, not a liability, in selling the car. Needless to say, for that and several other reasons, I ended up purchasing the new car from that dealer. As far as the effect on the car itself, the APR tune made a tremendous difference in the car's performance. The only downside I experienced was a 10% or so drop in mpg. And that probably had as much to do with my driving habits as the effect of the tune alone. I should note, though, that my car was a DSG, not a manual. The shop that did my tune (a very well known APR vendor) asked me when I had the tune done if it was a manual. If so, they would have warned me that I'd probably have to replace the clutch fairly soon after then tune. The DSG posed no such problem. Various other sources have echoed that warning. As far as APR Stage One effect on the Mk7 GTI, the claim is an even greater increase in HP and torque than I experienced with the MK6. I suspect the effect may be somewhat exaggerated but an increase in HP of 70 HP or so would be extraordinary. You might want to check some of the GTI enthusiast sites (e.g. VWVortex.com) to see if you can find some more detailed experiences with tuning a leased car and the specifics of the effect of tuning the MK7 model.
But its not as luxurys as the Gti. The interior on the GTI compared the focus, they are completely different. The Gti has a a better interior. And for performance, the focus st and the gti are almost the same in performance. And you can chip/tune both of them
220 hp...258lbs of torque?...thing probly feels super quick!Must be quicker then the civic si and new veloster thats for sure .Its deff worth the money for people who are into these.Personally 37k Id pick up a used golf r or s3 and with the extra money saved get an apr tune.I love the GTi just for 37k that seems around 5500 more then it should be 31 ish.
letsrun it! The hp/torque numbers on Volkswagens pretty interesting. I have regular mk7 golf tsi and it only has 170 hp but 200lb torque, makes it feel a lot more fun for sure
Jeez...Can't believe the back and forth comparing the GTI to the Mustang GT. The comparison is simply inappropriate. A much better comparison is between the GTI (or the Golf R) and the Mustang 2.3L Ecoboost. That was the comparison I undertook a few months ago when I was shopping. My impressions are based on extensive drives and price negotiations of each. Price. This is complicated. Based solely on MSRP's, the GTI Autobahn DCT automatic versus a similarly equipped Mustang 2.3L Turbo the GTI is about $3000 less expensive. That's due to the fact that adding options to the base price of the Mustang to make it comparable to the GTI Autobahn and the Golf R brings the MSRP to about $41,000. That makes it about the same MSRP as the Golf R. Real world pricing, though, is a bit different. The best offer I received for a GTI Autobahn was about $32,000. For the Mustang it was $37,000 and for the Golf R the best offer was the $41,000 MSRP. That makes the difference between the Autobahn and the Mustang about $5000 but makes the Mustang about $4000 less than the Golf R. Obviously, comparing different trim levels of the three or different real world experiences may affect these figures but that's how it turned out in my case. It's also worth noting that at least on the west coast R's are very hard to come by. Cars.com, for example shows only seven examples within 1000 miles of Seattle. Performance. Straight line performance for stock configurations is significantly better in the Mustang than in the GTI and roughly equal to the Golf R. Of course, the typical 0-60 measurement can be affected significantly by a number of factors including tires, elevation, measurement techniques and driver skills. Furthermore, both GTI's and R's are highly "tune-able" compared to the Ford. For less than $2000, for example, the GTI's performance can be brought to the stock performance of the Mustang and the R. And tuning the R can significantly improve its numbers for about the same money. Handling. With its performance, handling, and braking upgrades the Mustang 2.3L handles very, very well. In my opinion it's close to the handling of European RWD rivals. And for traditionalists RWD is inherently better than FWD. But VW has done a magnificent job in tuning the FWD GTI's handling. It's different from the Mustang but (imo) not necessarily worse. In fact, it's great fun. Furthermore, the AWD in the R erases any remaining deficit in the GTI's FWD, especially in messy weather. Finally, in terms of handling, the weight differences between the cars has to be factored in. The Mustang is about 500 lbs heavier than the GTI and over 200 lbs heavier than the Golf R. That's like the Mustang having a permanent penalty of a couple of linebackers in the back seat (assuming they could be squeezed in there). Practicality, Flexibility, and Daily Driving. I know, who buys a Mustang for its "practicality?" Well, if Ford sold Mustangs only to those who could (or should) afford a $35,000+ toy it would sell (or lease) very few. Some of us have to consider these factors in any car we purchase. And I know many self-styled "enthusiasts" wouldn't consider anything but a manual transmission in any of these vehicles. But again, Ford and VW sell many more of each with automatic transmissions. And in my case for reasons too complicated to explain, I had to limit my choice to an AT. It's not surprising that the GTI and Golf R are more practical and flexible than the Mustang. Each has second row seats that appeal to those other than the S&M crowd and back doors that provide access to those who aren't acrobats. The hatchback design only adds to those advantages. And all of that in a vehicle that's almost two feet shorter (!) than the Mustang making maneuvering in traffic and parking far easier. Furthermore, the VW's provide great visibility compared to the Mustang. Granted that the Mustang is better than the Camaro on that score, but that's a very low bar. The upgraded interior of the Mustang is a big plus over the base model. The LED cockpit provides some really nice eye candy. Though the GTI doesn't match that, the R does. All in all, I found the GTI/R more comfortable, convenient, and upscale for long drives. But I suspect that's a personal preference for minimalist design. YMMV. As far as the GTI versus the Golf R, an advantage of the GTI not often noted is the sunroof, a feature not available in the R and a much appreciated feature in rainy Seattle. Finally, there is the Mustang's 10 speed traditional AT versus the DCT in the GTI (six speed) and the R (seven speed). As someone who has driven manual transmission vehicles for many years I appreciate the manual option of the VW's DCT. It enables virtually the same control as an MT with quicker shifts than any human can accomplish. On mountain roads, it's a hoot and in the five mph slog on Seattle freeways allowing the transmission to do the shifting is a great stress reliever. Of course, the Mustang's AT can be shifted manually, as well. But managing 10 gears in manual mode is more an exercise in overkill than a realistic option. I ultimately chose the GTI Autobahn. My 14 y/o daughter lobbied heavily for the Mustang in the hope she'd inherit it in a couple of years but as her dad I get two votes to her one. The GTI provides all the performance and handling I can use on curvy mountain roads and down the line the opportunity to tune it for even more power. That, along with the much more practicality, flexibility, and advantages in daily driving and the savings versus the Golf R made the decision.
It’s so mad to me in American reviews when they always talk about gti’s being so affordable yet in the uk they’re more expensive than 3 and 4 series’ and any other luxury saloon or hot hatch. Legit a really expensive car over here
Manuel will always be the only way ... For me ;) Nice review dude ! Damn time goes fast ... I remember your videos with your brz and here we are ! I'm really happy for you bud
I own a mk7, but there are some things wrong about this review like the gears arent closely spaced (I wish they were), this isn't really affordable compared to it's competitors but that's the price for refinement and you missed a storage spot under the seat and next to the wheel, love your reviews btw tho!
Hey matt i am sorry bro but i am forced to ask you this question . Can't you guys afford a new high quality microphone which can clearly detect your voice and perform some noise cancellation ? I love your vlog content but hate the bass coming through videos.
Just curious but where are people getting new golf R's for 40k and under? There asking high 40-50k in my neck of the woods, making a discounted Autobahn around 34k not a bad option..?
Strength Honor Exactly, people aren't accounting for inflation and rising prices. Newsflash: *everything* costs more than you think it should. Plus, the Autobahn is basically a FWD Golf R. It has all the same features, and even a few that the R *doesn't* have (like a sunroof and fog lights).
Matt Maran Motoring depends where you live... In canada they can't move them in western provinces... In southern Ontario dealers have a 2-3k markup on them (MSRP is 42k) they won't discount any GTI or Golf R in desirable colours. They're extremely hard to get and the resale value is insanely good. Used 2016 autobahn GTI's are selling for 25k-30k, 2017s are around 30-34k 2016 Golf R's are selling for 30-35k 2017s are going for 36k-42k (yes! Used Golf Rs in Desirable trims and colours are selling for More than their MSRP!)
Nice video and great car. A couple of things to look out for is to slow down a bit in your presentation. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but there's so many words coming at me and there's no pauses at all. Relax a little bit. Also the car was filthy... it would be nice if you could clean the cars inside and out before a video review. I appreciate that that's not always possible though.
Too bad there's nothing in that price range that's as good new. Other options are missing features (that some may see as trivial, like LED headlights, tails, and turn signals), ACC, etc.
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As a person who watches too many car reviews, your channel is in my opinion one of the best. Videos are always informative and in depth but still to the point. Never dragged on longer than they have to be. Appreciate the good content and keep up the good work Matt!
Thanks Alec, I really appreciate that!
I couldn't have put it better... 100% agree.
Agreed. When I see a vid by Matt or by The Straight Pipes, no click bait needed. I just click. Good content requires no clickbait, that’s why Matt is successful at this. His content speaks for itself. Such a rarity these days.
You are 100% correct. From all of the automotive reviewers that I do watch. I feel like Matt describes and shows everything. Not many other reviewers show the key, to name one.
Have you seen SavageGeese?
I bought a 2018 GTI s for 22k. I'm getting 37 miles to the gallon on the highway so far it's a great car.
Golf Gti is the car of my dreams, but I live in a "fifth" country. Here politicians are the biggest thieves. the taxes are high, I saved money for 5 years to be able to buy a golf tournament in 2016. A golf in brazil costs the equivalent of two mustangs in the usa. Our currency is not worth anything, but I am in the fight. hug .
well, we have socialists here that are doing their worst to turn USA into a nightmare also. many people do not realize how blessed we are here. sad. blessings to you. and yes, the GTI is amazing.
Brasil? I live in Portugal and the Golf GTI starts at 50k € wich is ridiculous. Going with Polo GTI wich is about the same price as the Golf in the USA.
Most major industrialized nations have evolved into a hybrid capitalist/socialist form of government. , stay positive and keep the faith, God bless.Germany, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, France ect. Fortunate to have a social studies teacher in the 70’s who had his doctorate teaching high school. SDHS California. Hopefully your government will be led by the people and not corrupt politicians. We have our problems here too but thankfully our free press mostly fight to get to the truth. Anyways
I am heavily considering purchasing this car within the next few months. I live in Los Angeles and this car seems perfect for urban driving! You get so much car for the price :) love it!
Do it. From one socal local to another. Tune it too.
South OC here. Mark V stage1 manual. Best acceleration of any car I have owned.
I have that exact car accept in a manual... and it is GREAT! It really is a blast to drive and it understated yet really nice looking. Quite practical despite it's size and will not dissapoint if you want to joyride through the canion! Let me know if you have any questions about the car.
craftmaster312 Dat Grammar
I owned a 2006 VW GTI with APR 2+ on it. I also had a trailer hitch installed as I would take this care and haul my racing motorcycle to track day event. At about 190K the fuel pump went out and was replaced. It ran well and then another fuel pump went. I had that car for 190k w/ no problems before the pump. I m sure this car would have lasted longer w/o the trailer pull. I also went 150 mph at one point and it still had more left and felt as steady as a resting brick. It was fun to drive and had a great sound system. This car is the best car I have ever owned. I traded it in on a 2018 VW GTI w/ an APR 1 mod on it. It is a sheer joy to watch. This is my 8th VW and only one of them was a dog. 2001 Jetta 1.8- the coolant "migrated" into the electrical system and cooked the system down. VW gave me about $2k for this 4 YO CAR. This last car totally made up for the rag, however.
Yep. GTI with SE trim is the sweet spot, especially if you're not a sucker who actually pays sticker. Make them an offer, they want to move inventory.
These cars are really good and they get better. Still loving my Mk6 Gti and 147k miles strong.
I definitely prefer the analog gauge cluster to the digital (with the digital speedometer in the center, perfect). But I agree the SE is ideal. So much so, i just bought one. I love it!
I went manual autobahn. It's a significant 300 lbs lighter than R, sweet analog gauges, and an awesome sunroof!
I love the DSG in this car so much. I actually like it more then the regular manual.
Agreed, DSG farts with a turbo back exhaust is addictive
I want this car with a manual but the wife won't let it happen, so hope this DSG is still fun to drive....
I own this car (2018 SE DSG) and..it..is..amazing!
It is precise, quick and a blast to drive at high speeds and back roads.
The limited slip diff. Really pulls you in and right out of anything.
Aftermarket is massive for the GTI's.
If you really wanna turn it up, $700 for a stage 1 tune and that turns it into a ROCKET! I mean insanely fast!
If you are on the fence like I was, go and test drive one. You wont be able to wipe the smile on your face.
Brutack I have the 18 SE manual and I love it. I go for a joy ride almost every day lol
Marlon Turner its awesome in everyway.Club VW!
Even though it won’t beat most mustangs and cars like that, it’s an amazing daily driver, handles great, and when you need it to, it can take off
I paid around $17k for my 2016 GTI sport 6 speed with 15k miles on it. Killer car. Above 30k, it gets harder to justify.
Any issues,?
Big FING Box I've put over 25,000 miles on it from November (a looong commute). Zero issues. Best car I've had in a long time.
Would you recomend as a first car?
My 2017 GTI Sport down shifts pretty almost instantly at speed every time, the only time the downshifts lag is when coming to a stop. It is an "automatic" but the term "automated manual" is more accurate because it is a dual clutch transmission. Solid review as always!! Glad you like the GTI, I love my 2017 Sport!
Bought a 2016 gti se with performance pack, xenon light package, and manual trans. Bought in Feb, 2018 for 23,000 out the door with 30,000 miles and it is certified. I absolutely enjoy every moment in that car.
a DSG and ECU tune make this car incredible to drive. dont know why they dont go ahead and make it like that from the factory
My wife almost bought one but did not want the stick shift. It was a leftover model from the prior year so there was a killer deal to be had on it. They only wanted $21k.
davva360 bruh the stick shift is more fun
My daily for the last year has been a 2018 RS3 in velvet purple (1 of 1). Got tired of putting so many miles on it so I decided to get a 2018 GTI as the new daily, I pick it up in 3 days!
How is it?
9:05
Matt - don't self deprecate - you said six of the best auto youtubers "...and myself...." You're work is in that tier of those other people.... Always look forward to your reviews even if the car/truck/suv isn't interesting to me. Keep up the great work!
I own that exact car but a 2016 and love it. Getting 27mpg in mixed driving. I got a great deal on it buying at end of model year as new ones were were about to arrive at the dealership. I think what will help a bit with road noise and handling is better set of tires.
I bought a '19 and it doesn't seem loud at all inside. Maybe VW went with a different tire this year.
The 2017 MK7 comes with 220 HP with performance package. Car and Driver got 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.
And can void your warranty in 1 second
Totally agree, get a GTI model UNDER $30k and it's worth it. $37k is nuts, no way. I have a tuned 2016 that runs 12s and still spent less than $30k !!
ShinyMike You may as well get a Golf R at that point.
Yeah it blows my mind how people willingly pay 35+ for an autobahn when i got the SAME damn CAR minus the diff for 22,900.
Aint no shame in the base model game cuz the gti's are the SHIT, even in its lowest form.
What tune you runnin?
Kyle Ebbitt I like the base model more anyways. It’s lighter weight.
Good luck with longevity...
Reasons for wanting Autobahn over SE:
-Dynamic chassis control
-Adaptive cruise control
-Dual-zone automatic climate control
-High beam control
-12-way power-adjusting driver seat
-Fender premium audio system
Reasons for wanting a GTI over R:
-Lighter, more fuel efficient
-Slightly better looking imo (red accents)
-Has some features the R doesn't (sunroof, fog lights)
-R was delayed until April and has no discounts
-Wanting dark iron blue
-Not caring about AWD or slightly more horsepower
I have that exact car accept in a manual... and it is GREAT! Coolest car I've owned.
I have a 2017 gti dsg transmission
-normal mode with the shifter in its normal position sticks to efficiency and while shift gears roughly at 2000rpm , with the shifter placed in manual mode but still in normal mode you get better response from the paddles
- sport mode with the shifter in its regular position , the transmission holds the gears longer and shifts roughly around 3000 rpm , placing the shifter in manual while in sport mode gives you the sharpest paddle shifter response
Nice review! I was shopping Golf Rs last year. Dealers here in the US will significantly discount GTIs. I ended up buying a 2017 SE manual for $25,300 early in the model year. Dealers in my area (3 in and around Austin, TX) would not discount Golf Rs at all. For me to have bought a 2017 Golf R would have been about 15K more than my SE. Autobahn trims were at or under 30K depending on the transmission. Still at least a 10K difference for the R. I think that 99 percent of the time you wouldn’t know the difference between a GTI and a Golf R. In 2017 the Fender stereo came with the SE. I would probably have to go with Autobahn this year just for that. I miss having auto climate control in my SE but really other than that I have no regrets. Fun cars to drive that are easy to live with. Also a great warranty on them now.
AS an Owner of a 2015 GTI in Autobahn trim, mine is still going great.
C0ACHMAYNE decent cars, bought our son (he paid half) a mint 09 w the MKVI motor as a late build, only 100km on the car w no accident history and mint rims w a set of winters. All service up to date and going to do the second DSG service earlier to be preventative. We added a Pioneer AVH-1300NEX Apple car play for full hands free w nav. It's a decent car, I don't mind it at all. I drive a stage 2+ 15 WRX though and prefer the awd over fwd all day long.
2015 gti S owner here love my baby
How many miles? Mines also a 2015 SE (bought in oct 2014), currently at 63k (yes i drive quite alot), still drives like the day i bought it
'15 Mk7 owner reporting in. 2 door S model with almost 60k on the clock. Not a single problem or issue.
Nice review Matt! Really love this car. The best "hot hatch" on the market today. Can't complain, every time I drive it on the highway, I smile like I'm a freaking kid.
The slow shifts are because you're doing a gear change that it is the opposite direction than what the transmission expects you to do. Like if it thinks your going to change down next, but you manually select an up-shift, instead of just flipping clutches, it has to select the higher gear, then flip clutches and the actual gear selection is what takes the time.
At 9:10 when he floors it - his reaction! Amazing. That's it, I"m sold :)
37k is golf R territory...
JAY KAY 37k is serious performance car money. Like Camaro 1le or mustang GT performance pack level money. I don't see the value honestly. At like 28-29k maybe but high 30s is obscene
bruh the refinement is insane and a tune keeps up with or beats a GT...and the handling is great. and they hold their value better than mustangs.
Sorry Eddie, but none of those things are true. The GTI is great, but come on, keeps up with a GT? And VW interior is mostly plastic, Mustang has metal knobs, higher tech, etc. And used GTIs depreciate just as fast as Mustangs, if not even faster.
Lmao Matt Maran for president 😂
deadlywhiper321 it's a lot of money but I would pick the Golf R against the competition since its AWD and DSG but yeah, couldn't go wrong with a mustang or camaro which are cheaper.
My 2017 gti was 20k brand new out the lot it is completely worth it. For someone who loves cars this car is a great deal that will do the job till you can afford something faster
Test drove a 2010 GTI with the DSG this summer (ended up going with a G37) but I was pretty dang impressed, Car had some solid pep and even the older
DSG was lightning quick.
Friend also has a 08 with a manual and that too is a pretty fun car around town.
I want to get a used GTI but I'm so scared of out of warranty repair shop costs with VW. What a sweet ride.
I just bought an SE manual 2 months ago and I love it. I got it in a year end sales event and I paid 26.5k MSRP was 31k. Couldn't pass up that deal. Plade seats are great and the large touch screen is was better than the S model. Autobahn is not necessary. SE is perfect.
Just picked up a 6 speed Autobahn this week paid $30,065. Now's the time the 2019's are coming in there's great deals to be had.
Weird to see a mk7 golf with a manual handbrake and mk7.5 with analog dials... the virtual display is standard in the UK for the GTI.
I have a 2015 GTI SE I bought back in 2015. It has the lighting package so I have the better headlights, I have leather interior and the Fender audio system. I only paid $32,000 plus now it's full APR Stage 2 so for about another $2000. So I have an intake, full 3" catless exhaust, a turbo muffler delete and around 330hp. For $34,000 it's not a bad deal at all. A Golf R will get me off the line thanks to the AWD but after that it's lights out.
You will pay sticker for Golf R due to high demand low volume. GTI will be discounted 15% or so off list. So there is a 10k difference jfyi. Good review
Jody McCullough yeah but even with discounts you will pay msrp out the door
I paid 26k for a 2018 SE, MSRP was above 32k
Julien Nguyen really? How? I’d like to be proven wrong
The manual transmission version is far more fun to drive. The clutch and trans are light and fast to shift.
The trunk cover slides down all the way to the spare giving you a deeper space. Also, the DSG box is a double clutch box, its not pretty fast, its near instant.
Good review!
I own an ST and have never drove a GTI but I sure would love too one day to compare them.
I've driven an ST and own a GTI. The ST is like wallmart, the GTI is like Nordstroms, much more class and refinement.
I own a GTI and just picked up an 18' ST. Both are great the GTI will have a nicer interior. If it breaks it's PRICEY. Also you could get the ST waaaay cheaper. I got mine with 7 miles on it for $17k. You can't get the GTI anywhere near that.
These cars a great. Ive owned one since sep. 2017 and logged close to 30k miles on it. Only problems i ever had was a bad battery, leaking water pump replaced under warranty, and a bad n80 purge valve. Other wise its a great car. Replace the wheels with lightweight wheels and summer tires, these cars are extremely quick for what they are. Going to tune really soon but as of now, it keeps up with many cars that rate higher power numbers. But the only gti to buy is the s. Anything above will be a complete waste. Dsg and manual are good. Dsg is more convenient and cheaper to mod. When you mod the manual, youll most likely need an aftermarket clutch eventually. I got a manual and thats whats holding me back from tuning since day one. Just got my clutch though
I wish all GTIs had 280HP and 270 torque and the golf R should have 370 hp and 390 torque
My GTI has 330 HP and 380 lbs of Tq with a few upgrades from unitronic
@@thaddix80 which upgrades do you have done? are you not worried about your car getting flagged by the dealer
I have the Plaid interior, 6 spd manual. I don't see enough manual GTIs out there. It's alot more fun !
Matt - GTI’s don’t sell for sticker. The Autobahn is really a $32k car while the Golf R is $38-40k.
You're half correct - discounts can be found for the GTI, but the Golf R *is* selling at MSRP (at least the new 2018 model is). That's another reason why the GTI is a better value. The price gap is more than what MSRP would suggest.
Go straight to stage 2 and then you have a true v8 killer.
true
Not even close
what exactly is "stage 2" my good fellow?
Cold air intake downpipe and tune. A stage 2 GTI with a stage 2 APR tune and bolt ons goes from 220 hp and 258 torque to 340hp and 396 torque. Completely changes the GTI into a v8 slayer.
dean marriott Some people gotta get into the euro life to understand join us
I have the 2018 GTI SE with leather upgrade. Sticker was 33,500 with monster mats and a couple other minor things. I got it for 31000 out the door. Tax and everything included. After I got it, I bought the black VW Pretoria wheels. Car is black as well. Looks great. The wheels really makes it look way nicer. Not a fan of the wheels that came on it
Missed a couple storage spots. Under the headlight switch and under the driver seat
Edit: love your content btw!
I just got this car yesterday love it
Look for the little yellow line where the commercial is located and right after that is your payoff run.
In Canada at least, by the time you get done pricing out an R it's more like $45-50k. Our pricing on GTIs is similar except we don't have your base. My 6MT Autobahn was $34k Canadian.
Have always wanted a gti and it might be my next daily driver but they are a little pricey compared to some similar cars
travis branum it’s worth it just get an S and apr stage 1 tune and you’ll be happier than ever
Correct, thats exactly what I did with mine. paid 26.5k after taxes, title, tags etc. I don't think its pricey at all for what you get. Plus the stage 1 tune is fantastic. Completely different car afterward
I paid 25,900 for my brand new 2017 sport. I've put another 3500 in mods and I'm now at 345hp and 396 ft lbs of torque. All that for less than 30k . MK7 platform is the best bang for the buck.
its nice looking for sure. Paint color is really nice. Just a little too tame for my taste, but I dont think you could go wrong with a GTI.
Niiiiiice, have been waiting for you to do the 2018 volkswagen GTI!
Thank you for this video Matt. I live in the LA area so I’m going to go for the dsg transmission.
I live in SoCal, wouldn't trade my manual GTI for anything. Once you're used to driving a stick in traffic you barely think about it. DSG is fine too though.
Edward A Get the manual, there are few better sensations than a perfect rev match.
Me too, I live in Seattle with crazy traffic and wet hills. The DSG is my pick for this new GTI. Manual for open roads not the congested city.
Hard to go wrong with either one, but I think the manual is worth it even in LA.
Edward A love my DSG MK7 got it almost a year ago and the transmission is better than any out there it’s very smooth you don’t even feel the shift and they happen almost instantly
Love your videos but the camera is so shaky and the mount is creaking. Its just very distracting
I don't know if the GTI peaked with this generation or not (now that the mk8 has been released...i want to like the new one, but there's something that just seems off)
Yeah the mk7.5 is widely considered the best gti
Yeah, I have a mk6 2012 base GTI. I can tell you, these cars take full synth oil and they drink it. Lots of known issues with the mk6 that were fixed with the mk7 GTI. I'd get a mk7 if you guys were thinking of getting one. Idk how the oil consumption issue is with the mk7 though
I guess the US don't get the Activ Info Display as standard?
I’m enjoying my GTI but the sound from my 2013 GLI was much better in my opinion it was subtle and not a drone like exhaust sound in the cabin
I must admit I was kind of hesitant of purchasing a 2018 VW GTI SE a couple of months ago especially being a Honda guy my whole life. As much I wanted a manual, for family reasons, I had to look for an automatic and it had to be a hatchback for work reasons. After doing research on new hot hatches, what is out there that is fun and fast in an automatic with good paddle shifters that is around $30k? A Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring? That goes for +$29k msrp. I wasn't believing until a client of mine took me out for a spin in his GTI, then I was believing. The VW DSG is no comparison to the Honda CVT. You see it in this video the expressions that Matt gives or even Redline's review on how much fun they're having driving this car. To me, GTI is fun, a fast car, has a very nice interior, panoramic sunroof, and gets decent mileage too. Those are my 2 cents.
For family reasons, you couldn't get a manual?
My wife wasn't feeling the manual since she would drive it too. "Happy wife, happy life". But I'm liking the dsg, it works great.
Ahh that makes sense. Didn't consider that angle.
There's a different hatch for every folk:
Pure Performance: Type R. Insane laprecord, corners like a monster and chassis is extremely plannted on track.
Power and torque: Focus RS (if you are willing to deal with its issues), pretty inconsistent on track due to the way oil is designed.
LUXURY and daily: Golf, that interior is above it's price bracket by far.
I love my GTI. Haven't had it in winter yet. Really don't want to have to buy snow tires. I don't like the auto start/stop. Everything else has worked out fine. It's a stupid thing but change falls out of my pocket all the time and there is no room between the door and the seat to grab it. For my budget I don't think I could of got a better car. Plus I get looks of thumbs up from people and compliments on it so of course bonus.
The manual in the GTI and R is pure garbage. You’d be an idiot not to go with the DSG. It’s a true dual clutch system, so essentially it’s an electronically assisted manual gearbox and not really an “automatic” traditionally speaking. In addition, if you mod the manual (even with a simple stage 1 tune), plan on doing an aftermarket clutch as well. As for the DSG, it holds a boatload of power with no additional mods needed.
The transmission is a bit lifeless, but still better than a Subaru or Hyundai gear shift.
Automatic is automatic. Don't try and make it sound like a manual.
Love your videos, Matt! Golf R doesn't have a sun roof. I know it adds "weight" but if I'm shelling out 40K for a car I expect a sun roof and could care less about the little added weight. The downfall for the 2018 GTI is not having the digital cockpit. I'm hoping the 2019 model will have the digital cockpit like the 2019 Jetta - however, knowing VW they'll probably charge 5K more for that one extra feature. However, with that being said, admitting the expectation of a digital cockpit in something that's meant to be focused on performance feels like such a 2018 "problem." Haha
15:30 - come to Europe, 2.0 is big here, and GTI's, although surprisingly not that rare, are one of the most powerful cars.
At least in poorer countries, I'm sure it's nothing special in Germany.
But I agree that stop/start isn't necessary if you only have a red light or two on the way.
I like it enough to have it's twin in my garage.
Good review, Matt. However, I have to take issue with your price comparison between the GTI and the VW R. I just purchased a new GTI Autobahn for $5500 under MSRP. Three dealers offered to sell me the same vehicle within $500 of one another. The same dealers I dealt with were asking MSRP +$5000 for the few Golf R's available. I suspect I could have managed to get a reduction from the second sticker price on the R but I'm certain it would still have been at least MSRP or more. That makes the price difference between the top trim of the GTI and the R between 7K and 10K.
Of course, the R has features the GTI lacks, including the more aggressively tuned engine and the AWD system. But the power difference can easily be mitigated with stage one tuning. My previous GTI had an APR tune and was both fast and unfailingly reliable for 20K miles. If one is looking for a basis of a track car, the R is undoubtedly a choice with more potential. But even then, it's quite a premium to pay for that potential.
Technically it turns out that an auto manufacturer cannot refuse a warranty claim on a "tuned" car unless warranty problem can be shown to be related to the modification. Realistically, however, you don't want to get involved in a legal dispute with a corporation that has a room full of attorneys if you can help it. In my case, I owned my MK6 and I'm not sure how that differs from a leased situation. (My mother told me never to buy groceries on credit and I apply that lesson to automobile purchases. If I can't buy the car, I save my money until I can.) So I can't help you on that score.
As far as hassles from a dealer for service and warranty work, that depends to a large extent on the dealer. In my case, the dealer who did my service was known to be "APR friendly" and I never encountered a problem with service. (I never had a warranty claim.) When I traded my MK6 two of the dealers I dealt with insisted that I have the car's stage one tune "reversed" before I traded it in. However, the dealer who had done my service made no such request. In fact, they felt the stage one tune was an asset, not a liability, in selling the car. Needless to say, for that and several other reasons, I ended up purchasing the new car from that dealer.
As far as the effect on the car itself, the APR tune made a tremendous difference in the car's performance. The only downside I experienced was a 10% or so drop in mpg. And that probably had as much to do with my driving habits as the effect of the tune alone. I should note, though, that my car was a DSG, not a manual. The shop that did my tune (a very well known APR vendor) asked me when I had the tune done if it was a manual. If so, they would have warned me that I'd probably have to replace the clutch fairly soon after then tune. The DSG posed no such problem. Various other sources have echoed that warning.
As far as APR Stage One effect on the Mk7 GTI, the claim is an even greater increase in HP and torque than I experienced with the MK6. I suspect the effect may be somewhat exaggerated but an increase in HP of 70 HP or so would be extraordinary. You might want to check some of the GTI enthusiast sites (e.g. VWVortex.com) to see if you can find some more detailed experiences with tuning a leased car and the specifics of the effect of tuning the MK7 model.
FYI there's also a hint of green in the paint
Best Car you can Buy for under 30,000 dollars. The Gti is truely one of the best cars you can buy on the market.
What about the new civic si and all the features it offers? and 0-60 times are very similar to gti
Focus ST has more features standard with st2 and st3 trims for cheaper then GTI and SI and it's faster then them.
But its not as luxurys as the Gti. The interior on the GTI compared the focus, they are completely different. The Gti has a a better interior. And for performance, the focus st and the gti are almost the same in performance. And you can chip/tune both of them
ST, GTI and WRX are comparable, the Si isn't
J.A.G. You can even get these for under $20k at some dealers
Greatly review Matt awesome work
I seriously want one.
seriously?
220 hp...258lbs of torque?...thing probly feels super quick!Must be quicker then the civic si and new veloster thats for sure .Its deff worth the money for people who are into these.Personally 37k Id pick up a used golf r or s3 and with the extra money saved get an apr tune.I love the GTi just for 37k that seems around 5500 more then it should be 31 ish.
letsrun it! The hp/torque numbers on Volkswagens pretty interesting. I have regular mk7 golf tsi and it only has 170 hp but 200lb torque, makes it feel a lot more fun for sure
Oscar Guerrero my 2007 ford focus got destroyed by a tsi jetta on the highway trust me I know what ya mean lol
It's underrated from the factory. Tests have shown it to be more like 250 hp stock.
ArcadianGenesis damn so that with the dsg makes it a pretty great street weapon
Who are all the youtubers in the pictures at the beginning at 30 seconds. I know redline, tflcar, engineering explained, alexonautos who am I missing
SaabKyle and Nik Miles.
Matt, If you want to do a 2018 Golf R Review, come on down to Pensacola FL and you can review my Golf R.
Why doesn't it have a boost gauge for the turbo?
Man that's the color I want too.
Great review just what i was looking for!👍
job well done matt-man, give me the stick all day bro
Got mk7 new base for 21k otd... you cannot beat that
Nice video. A Swiffer Duster does wonders though. 😉
Jeez...Can't believe the back and forth comparing the GTI to the Mustang GT. The comparison is simply inappropriate. A much better comparison is between the GTI (or the Golf R) and the Mustang 2.3L Ecoboost. That was the comparison I undertook a few months ago when I was shopping. My impressions are based on extensive drives and price negotiations of each.
Price. This is complicated. Based solely on MSRP's, the GTI Autobahn DCT automatic versus a similarly equipped Mustang 2.3L Turbo the GTI is about $3000 less expensive. That's due to the fact that adding options to the base price of the Mustang to make it comparable to the GTI Autobahn and the Golf R brings the MSRP to about $41,000. That makes it about the same MSRP as the Golf R.
Real world pricing, though, is a bit different. The best offer I received for a GTI Autobahn was about $32,000. For the Mustang it was $37,000 and for the Golf R the best offer was the $41,000 MSRP. That makes the difference between the Autobahn and the Mustang about $5000 but makes the Mustang about $4000 less than the Golf R. Obviously, comparing different trim levels of the three or different real world experiences may affect these figures but that's how it turned out in my case. It's also worth noting that at least on the west coast R's are very hard to come by. Cars.com, for example shows only seven examples within 1000 miles of Seattle.
Performance. Straight line performance for stock configurations is significantly better in the Mustang than in the GTI and roughly equal to the Golf R. Of course, the typical 0-60 measurement can be affected significantly by a number of factors including tires, elevation, measurement techniques and driver skills. Furthermore, both GTI's and R's are highly "tune-able" compared to the Ford. For less than $2000, for example, the GTI's performance can be brought to the stock performance of the Mustang and the R. And tuning the R can significantly improve its numbers for about the same money.
Handling. With its performance, handling, and braking upgrades the Mustang 2.3L handles very, very well. In my opinion it's close to the handling of European RWD rivals. And for traditionalists RWD is inherently better than FWD. But VW has done a magnificent job in tuning the FWD GTI's handling. It's different from the Mustang but (imo) not necessarily worse. In fact, it's great fun. Furthermore, the AWD in the R erases any remaining deficit in the GTI's FWD, especially in messy weather. Finally, in terms of handling, the weight differences between the cars has to be factored in. The Mustang is about 500 lbs heavier than the GTI and over 200 lbs heavier than the Golf R. That's like the Mustang having a permanent penalty of a couple of linebackers in the back seat (assuming they could be squeezed in there).
Practicality, Flexibility, and Daily Driving. I know, who buys a Mustang for its "practicality?" Well, if Ford sold Mustangs only to those who could (or should) afford a $35,000+ toy it would sell (or lease) very few. Some of us have to consider these factors in any car we purchase. And I know many self-styled "enthusiasts" wouldn't consider anything but a manual transmission in any of these vehicles. But again, Ford and VW sell many more of each with automatic transmissions. And in my case for reasons too complicated to explain, I had to limit my choice to an AT.
It's not surprising that the GTI and Golf R are more practical and flexible than the Mustang. Each has second row seats that appeal to those other than the S&M crowd and back doors that provide access to those who aren't acrobats. The hatchback design only adds to those advantages. And all of that in a vehicle that's almost two feet shorter (!) than the Mustang making maneuvering in traffic and parking far easier. Furthermore, the VW's provide great visibility compared to the Mustang. Granted that the Mustang is better than the Camaro on that score, but that's a very low bar.
The upgraded interior of the Mustang is a big plus over the base model. The LED cockpit provides some really nice eye candy. Though the GTI doesn't match that, the R does. All in all, I found the GTI/R more comfortable, convenient, and upscale for long drives. But I suspect that's a personal preference for minimalist design. YMMV. As far as the GTI versus the Golf R, an advantage of the GTI not often noted is the sunroof, a feature not available in the R and a much appreciated feature in rainy Seattle.
Finally, there is the Mustang's 10 speed traditional AT versus the DCT in the GTI (six speed) and the R (seven speed). As someone who has driven manual transmission vehicles for many years I appreciate the manual option of the VW's DCT. It enables virtually the same control as an MT with quicker shifts than any human can accomplish. On mountain roads, it's a hoot and in the five mph slog on Seattle freeways allowing the transmission to do the shifting is a great stress reliever. Of course, the Mustang's AT can be shifted manually, as well. But managing 10 gears in manual mode is more an exercise in overkill than a realistic option.
I ultimately chose the GTI Autobahn. My 14 y/o daughter lobbied heavily for the Mustang in the hope she'd inherit it in a couple of years but as her dad I get two votes to her one. The GTI provides all the performance and handling I can use on curvy mountain roads and down the line the opportunity to tune it for even more power. That, along with the much more practicality, flexibility, and advantages in daily driving and the savings versus the Golf R made the decision.
It’s so mad to me in American reviews when they always talk about gti’s being so affordable yet in the uk they’re more expensive than 3 and 4 series’ and any other luxury saloon or hot hatch. Legit a really expensive car over here
Great job Matt.
This one with this specs or the wrx that you reviewed a couple of moths ago? I care about engine response, steering and most important fun factor
One thing i miss from my gti to my Focus ST is the fuel economy. The GTI is way better the the ST
Manuel will always be the only way ... For me ;)
Nice review dude ! Damn time goes fast ... I remember your videos with your brz and here we are ! I'm really happy for you bud
I own a mk7, but there are some things wrong about this review like the gears arent closely spaced (I wish they were), this isn't really affordable compared to it's competitors but that's the price for refinement and you missed a storage spot under the seat and next to the wheel, love your reviews btw tho!
I think you only get the storage space under the seats if you don't have powered leather seats
Hey matt i am sorry bro but i am forced to ask you this question . Can't you guys afford a new high quality microphone which can clearly detect your voice and perform some noise cancellation ? I love your vlog content but hate the bass coming through videos.
So, you think you can shift quicker than DSG does?
How do you improve something when the manufacturer hates it's customers?
Great review man! I don't think the 2018 SE comes with Plaid seats though. You had a big grin every time you punched it :-)
Manual all the way!
I love GTI's but that price doesn't make any sense
Imad S go for a base model. This is the top line trim with every option. A base model can go for under $25k.
True, I instead opted to get a used R for around 30k. But even before an Autobahn MK7 GTI was 30k if I'm not mistaken.
Just curious but where are people getting new golf R's for 40k and under? There asking high 40-50k in my neck of the woods, making a discounted Autobahn around 34k not a bad option..?
Strength Honor Exactly, people aren't accounting for inflation and rising prices. Newsflash: *everything* costs more than you think it should.
Plus, the Autobahn is basically a FWD Golf R. It has all the same features, and even a few that the R *doesn't* have (like a sunroof and fog lights).
If you're in America, Golf R MSRP is 40k. Any Golf Rs that are higher than 40k must dealerships dreaming of getting an unrealistic markup.
For the DSG it's 42k.
Matt Maran Motoring depends where you live... In canada they can't move them in western provinces... In southern Ontario dealers have a 2-3k markup on them (MSRP is 42k) they won't discount any GTI or Golf R in desirable colours. They're extremely hard to get and the resale value is insanely good.
Used 2016 autobahn GTI's are selling for 25k-30k, 2017s are around 30-34k
2016 Golf R's are selling for 30-35k
2017s are going for 36k-42k (yes! Used Golf Rs in Desirable trims and colours are selling for More than their MSRP!)
Nice video and great car. A couple of things to look out for is to slow down a bit in your presentation. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but there's so many words coming at me and there's no pauses at all. Relax a little bit. Also the car was filthy... it would be nice if you could clean the cars inside and out before a video review. I appreciate that that's not always possible though.
What? Road noise? Reviewers usually claim it has the plushness of a Rolls Royce.
Mine is quiet. He must be driving a Chinese knock off.
I like the rims better on the base S model. This looks like a fan
Too bad there's nothing in that price range that's as good new. Other options are missing features (that some may see as trivial, like LED headlights, tails, and turn signals), ACC, etc.
You didn't cover new electronic features such as lane assist, park assist, pilot assist