I currently own a manual 2023 40th Anniversary Edtiion GTI (roughly $38,000cad) , and absoulutley love it. I do think the infortainment gets WAY more flack then it deserves. It takes an adjustment getting used to the infortainment, but once everything was set up to my prefrences everything has been perfectly fine. As a daily vehicle for southern ontario climate, i have no complaints. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fun car year round. 🙌

The amount of gloss black trim pains my detailing heart

Getting rid of the HVAC buttons/knobs is such a stupid design imo. I agree that it is dangerous to relegate them to being only accessible on the touchscreen. Other than that, I would love to get this car, coming from a mkV GTI.

Love the channel, hope you're doing great!

The piece "missing" from the trunk space is the Hazard triangle that comes standard in European models.

Love this video. Real world driving! Not that stupid slow driving you see in a lot of car videos

Topher is just clean and to the point, I don’t even know how we can stand Doug DeMuro’s bullshit anymore 😂

Wow, what a thrilling POV review of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI SE!

Just grabbed an S for 35k and Golf R's were selling at 55-60k at the dealership (even though both R's and GTI's were basically impossible to find in Phoenix) It isnt stretching your budget a little bit, its stretching it a lot. Infotainment system needs work but it doesnt dominate my drive, great car.

I have 235/35 19s on my gti...looks amazing...first set of 19s I've ever had ..and on such a little car I couldn't believe the fit so good...my first vw I usually drive bmw and lexus but I'm really enjoying the vw I'm kind of in love with it..to be honest

2:55 It's me, I'm people.

Awesome Video!

Great Work!!! Amazing review!!

Took the words out of my mouth with the review of this GTI. I knew I should have saved up for the R!

As a former Mk7.5 owner, the new interior controls are a huge step back. The MK7.5 had the best mix of physical and touch controls that were easy to use and navigate. I can't believe that those touch controls got thru on a big VW product especially when the performance and driving dynamics are even better than before.

This infotainment WAS a dealbreaker. I am infinitely happier in my Miata where no matter how slow the infotainment is, I can always control my HVAC and heated seats instantly. And the driving experience is better as well. It's obviously a worse single car solution but paired with a CX5, it's about perfect. And the best part is, hardly anyone likes driving in it so it's usually just me, an open road and gool ol' George (Soul Red) Mica.

FYI: Golf 8s in general that are built after December 2022 have gotten a new chipset and software which makes it a lot smoother/better.

I own one and it's one of the best daily I've owned! I love it so much :)

just got a 2022 s for 28k and im loving it. The touchscreen is easy to get use to and learn. Love this car

Chris, The tartan seats are classic.

SE Michigan FTW 🙌 nice review! Manuals are becoming so rare 😭

looks beautiful

S trim has infotainment knobs and it's around 4K cheaper than the SE . I feel like that is the sweet spot for the ‘23 GTI . I just ordered one and I’m so excited !

I recently bought this car. I, too was afraid that the infotainment was gonna be way too distracting for me for daily driving, but after using it for a few weeks, it's not that bad. It could be a lot better, but it's not as bad as everyone says. I would say that for me it was not a deal breaker. I was able to develop the muscle memory of the 2-step process HVAC control access where I only glance at the screen for a split second to change HVAC. Other than the underwhelming convenience of the infotainment, I love the driving. It's so simple and fun when you want it to be.

Hey @ 18:10 you seemed to enjoy holding it near its grip limits through that curve, despite the poor tire! It’s good to hear that one of its few shortcomings can be solved with a good set of tires.

The buttons and knobs were actually why I bought my Mk7.5 GTI (competitors at the time were experimenting with all haptic touch stuff but have since changed back). Wish they still made the 7.5R. I'd be in a Mk8 if it could be had with the 7.5 dash and wheel. I guess it forces analog folks up to Audi. No classic lights knob, hvac knobs/buttons is a deal breaker for me.

I've been shopping in this segment and just put down a deposit on a 40th Anniversary. One factor I want to mention to people, if you are really shopping, is availability. Right now, the Civic Si, Corolla GR and Elantra N might as well be dust in the wind. In most cases you'll be looking at a minimum 6-8 month wait - or longer in some cases. Additionally, with incoming cars getting snatched up while still in transit, it is difficult to even find these cars to test drive, let alone buy. And given the availability, we all know ADM comes along with it. I searched hard for these three cars and came up empty handed for even a TEST DRIVE. I don't know about you, but I can't buy a car without test driving it first. On the other, the GTI and WRX are out there, and not getting marked up. You can find one, put a deposit, wait a few weeks, and it will show up. Considering how good all of these cars are, I don't think it works to anyone's benefit to write one or the other off.

Thank you for the review! I really want an Autobahn, really want the chassis control and the heads-up display. I started after a Golf R Anniversary edition but those things are hard to get AND going for $15k over MSRP in my area. So not gonna happen. Waiting around for an autobahn in manual, we shall see….

Really nice to see someone driving a manual for a change

love the color

Hi Topher! Thanks for your awesome review per usual! Quick question, hows the torque steer? Is there any? Doesn't look like it from you driving....or you are really good at correcting it.

I saw a GTI give a Camaro the business this morning. There was a lot of exhaust noise from the Camaro, but the GTI was in the wind.

You make really good and descriptive videos, i really appreciate your effort. Could you possibly make a video about VW Polo Gti 2021- and ongoing model? i am consindering buying one in the fall and would like a video from you.

Other than the heating system controls not been real dials etc .This could be the best interior at the moment .The check cloth is so cool ..even Porsche should offer it

15:44 I love the Firestone Indy 500's on my MK6 GTI

40th anniversary is where it’s at. Special colors, limited edition, blacked out roof, adaptive suspension, club sport wheels, summer tires, plaid seats, all for a few grand more than the s model.

Looks and sounds like a dream.

Hello from England-great review. I'm thinking about buying one of the last mk8 gti manual transmissions I can buy here (there's only two cars available just now on the uk vw site!).

Driving my 23 GTI SE manual on the highway everyday gets me around 40-45 mpg, gas is expensive where I'm at, so I cruise doing the speed limit or maybe 5 miles over, I've had it for a year now, and even though I hate some things about it, such as the buttons and what not, I love the car in general, and I don't plan on getting rid of it anytime soon.

Great presentation..👌

I just realized what I dislike about this and most other current instrument displays: they look video games! At least, in my ‘19 Mazda MX-5, I have what appear to be real, authentic gauges. I love that!

For real world prices great value for a sporty - efficient - highly practical - stick shift option. Don’t love the styling esp. up front but it’s ok enough.

If I had to choose one reason to buy this it would be that the back cam comes out of the logo and u open with the logo it’s really cool ngl

16:04 very true, I got rid of the stock Michelin all season on my mk7.5 after a year or so. Very underwhelming stock tires, especially when I have a set of winter tires for winter capability,

The tires in the 40th and I believe the Autobahn are very nice. In the past 2 weeks I don't think I've squealed the tires even with spirited driving on curvy roads in NW Arkansas

That empty space in the rear is for emergency equipment required in European countries. It’s a traffic triangle and a few other things. Shame they didn’t just add it in the US models

This looks like a lot of fun! The lack of knobs would probably be a deal breaker for me though

Bought a 40th AE 6 speed and absolutely love it. The shift knob is the weak point imo and will get replaced soon. The 40th AE does come with summer tires and DCC, so it does handle a little better than the SE would.

Some SE GTIs have synthetic seats, new modern flat VW logo on the steering wheel and Harmon Karden speakers. The those rims are nice tho. Mine came with the the older style GTI rims so must be manufacturing supply issues.

Nice reveiw

Still love the GTI but I just recently got a 2023 GLI Autobahn and rn it’s a better buy for the money I feel!

I own a 2024 gti S now. The infotainment system leaves a lot to be desired but not deal breaker. Driving feel is great though. I owned a mk7 before and the mk8 feels much more refined and fun

I like how 2nd gear is tall enough that you don’t have to shift before reaching 60mph.

Mine came with good year eagle f1 thinking about going to pilot sport 5

I own the same car and my only gripe is the Infotainment screen. In colder months, it just doesn't turn on at all, and you have to cycle it 2-3 times with the power button. Sometimes the reverse camera stays a black screen. Just small gremlins, however the car drives great, and handles great. I've slept in it numerous times, i'm over 6-2 and have driven it up and down the east coast in all weather conditions. I would absolutely buy it again.

I was literally just shopping these

I understand the times we're in, but $35k+ for not even a top ranging GTI makes a bit queasy.

I have an id 3 and have the same infotaiment system i think its more fun than old fashion nobs like the golf mk7

OMG a Manual Golf ❤

The piece that's missing in the boot door is a warning triangle

2:50 This is where the warning triangle usually is in. In germany you have to carry one with you by law otherwise you'll get a fine.

Being a VW diehard, I always had a wish that Tedward did Vws on a regular basis. Ask and u shall receive. Love both channels.

It's so good, I love my Autobahn.

I love this carr!!! With A Few Specs that can be improved or changed but its a really great car... id honestly buy it if i could but got to ship it across to my country which is a bit costlyy

As a small daily-able sporty car, there are some things I absolutely LOVE about this as a 2017 RS3 owner - cloth seats (and that plaid, absolutely WOW!), steering wheel looks great, shifter position seems good. The reason I would personally never buy this car is the touchscreen. I think I could eventually get used to the haptic touch controls on the wheel but I absolutely hate touchscreens and although I don't plan on trading in my RS3 for a newer audi any time soon, I don't think I would even want to anymore. I hate that Audi elected to remove the mmi wheel as an alternative to using the touchscreen- it always feels so dangerous to me and I hate it. I've never been the biggest fan of BMW and still don't really like what they're doing with the iDrive 8 (i think?) huge screen, but regardless, they retained the wheel and I like that a lot. Plus, with VW/Audi interior design there seems to be a whole bunch of gloss black everywhere now which just looks and feels so cheap. Wish they'd go back to faux wood/aluminum trim- sure it doesn't look brilliant or integrate with the touchscreens as well but it sure beats gloss black. From a driving perspective though, this thing is absolutely brilliant if you can actually buy it at MSRP. Unfortunately I think that's gonna be kinda hard to do- recently saw a Golf R with a 10k markup in my area (putting it just above 50k), and I'd be surprised if this doesn't get the same treatment as that. Fantastic review as always though man! Really no one else scratches the POV itch quite like you. Your channel is like my comfort car review place on youtube haha.

What are your thoughts on the 40th anniversary version. Basically an s version with active dampers

If this GTI had the simple HVAC, Radio setup and steering wheel setup without all the haptics (like from the Jetta Sport) I would be sold. Chilling with my 2015 with 189,000 miles for now.

The Golf R would be my dream car at this point in my life, but to be a true daily driver and a car I can also comfortably take on road trips, the GTI really is very tempting having a bit better fuel economy and better yet, runs on regular! I much prefer the front end of the R, and that larger spoiler out back is great, but ugh…my inner pragmatic adult tells me to get the GTI instead and save a fair bit of change.

Nice review. With manual, cloth seats and base audio, this could work around 30-32K. At over 36K as optioned and with that infotainment, not a good deal.

Awesome daily for sure.

@thetopher where would you rank this, the Elantra N, gr Corolla, and WRX if you had to rank them 1-4, and why?

Would you take this or a Mk7.5 as a fun daily? I’ve been looking at used GTI’s and these 8’s are going for a few thousand more but not much…

Only issues I have with the car is the gearing I thinks it's too long and the touch controls and infotainment

The gloss black would drive me crazy for daily driving. Impossible to keep clean and dust free

Wish you could review the m140i but theyre not available in the US i've heard. :(

I LOVE VOLKSWAGEN!!!!

Looking at this, is the gearing shorter vs MK7. it looks like second tops right at 60 or a tad above. Ive been looking at the Golf R partly due to shorter gearing but found its market price is 55 to 57K.

My last two cars were manual F80 M3 and manual 992 C2S and l like my GTI better! M3 was very fast C2S was insane fast and the GTI is way more public road user friendly fast...and fun! I also don't mind the infotainment at all as pretty intuitive to me and I love the clean no knobs or dials look. Steering wheel controls very user friendly. As noted in review the shifter is exquisite, super smooth and fun to drive!

So glad I picked up my 7.5 as the 8 is a major step backwards for VW.

Sweetness. I still love my mk6 GTI though.

I don’t know if should get this or the si

the mk8 is my first GTI, but I feel like there is still too much rev hang. If you wait 1.5 seconds between the shifts like in this video, it's perfect. If you're trying to drive more aggressively, it's pretty annoying. Maybe a tune would help?Handling is much better now that I changed rims & went summer tires(the A/S were soo soft feeling). Still needs something...maybe lowering springs, sway bar or something. Pretty fun car though.

When I bought my last vehicle, this was the same config (including color) I drove although the one I tested had the Harmon Kardon. I think I could have dealt with the infotainment, but the steering wheel is what drove me away. Frustrating to use, you accidentally hit buttons, they don’t always respond when you intend to push them and the fact that the voice commands wouldn’t allow you to change the temp in the car. If they change the steering wheel back to something with actual buttons, I will gladly trade my Accord in for one. Would like to try the DCT since it would be nice to have an auto since my ND2 Miata is obviously manual

They still haven't fixed the touch controls? I thought VW setup a focus group to fix it

I wish this car was more practical for my lifestyle they look like the ultimate daily driver to me.

Good car to have fun. Don’t miss your 6 k oil change and 80 k oil separator replacement :)😊

if VW brought back physical controls for most-used systems, id probably buy it. looks like it does everything else really well.

When I was shopping for a new car last year the GTI was on my list due to the fun I had driving a previous gen on a test drive. All the touch buttons immediately removed it from my list. Definitely a deal breaker for many I think.

Anyone cross shopping this against new WRX? Which one is more fun to drive in northern climate? Not interested in anecdots (head gasket bs, etc.). Looking for first person experience.

Literally, my car

Of all Golf GTI'S which should I get?

Bravo bravooo 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

I really want to like this car. The GTI has always been enticing for me because I'm looking to get a more fun car, but coming from more normal cars, I can't really take the hardcore-ness of the GR Corolla or the Elantra N. The GTI seems to offer a lot of driving dynamics without too much sacrifice in refinement. But the infotainment and the price is really difficult to justify. I think the Mk 8 GTI is best in its base trim, because it's about $30k, and it has slightly more buttons and plenty of the essential features you would want, which makes it very enticing over something like an Si or the other hot hatch base trims, and it means that it's shielded from comparisons to the Golf R.

Kudos for them actually having a spare in the back instead of some shoddy repair kit. HOWEVER, yea that infotainment and those capacitive touch buttons are egregious to say the least.

I have the 22 SE mk8. I gotta say, the infotainment has been a non-issue since leaving the AC on Auto has been pretty good and the steering wheel controls are adequate for music. It's a little laggy when tapping stuff in Android Auto though. The driving experience makes up for it. One thing I hate is the gloss black center console, it's satin plastic in my car...if mine was gloss I would've probably passed on buying it. Not sure why they changed it from a good to bad when people already hate the infotainment.

Where I live the Golf R is $52K and the GTI is $36K so big jump in price there.

What do you use for your camera pov??

im surprised at the curb weight being sub 3200 lbs, pretty impressive actually given the level of sound insulation these have compared to similar cars.

Touchscreen infotainment is definitely a dealbreaker for me. I’m surprised the DOT hasn’t stepped in to ban anything that makes you take your eyes off the road to make even the simplest inputs.

The only thing I don't like is how VW handles it's radio, specifically Sirius XM. No other car does this. You can't scroll through the channels, you either have to scroll by category or pull up a channel list. ANd you can't blame that on the lack of buttons because Honda doesn't have a channel knob but the way they do it works well