Has anyone ever had a passenger get in the back of their Golf, tap the plastic sills and then spend the entire journey complaining about how awful it is? No, because it never happened. Real people don't go around car cabins tapping every piece of trim to see what they're made from. I've owned my GTI for 2 years and I couldn't tell you what the dash and door sills feel like because I've never had cause to touch them. Why would I?

Good review! Like the 1080p 50 frame res for this video. Moving up in the world! Lol. Keep up the good work 👍

Great review Tom, good to see an Aussie journalist that’s not afraid to get some action shots a la Chris Harris

Comprehensive and detailed video as always. 🇦🇺👍

best/my fav australian car reviewer...keep up the good work.

Wow. That top looks really cute on you, Tom. Very thorough review btw.

I think you’re assessment is spot on, I think the Golf 7 in general is ever so slightly hampered by road noise, not chronic but if it had bit of extra refinement in that area it’d make a good difference. Nice to see VW finally getting those added extras that you mentioned as standard, arguably they should’ve always been so but bottom line is if you’re in the market for a sporty hatch it’s bought it more in line with Asian competitors which at this stage of its model cycle keeping it reasonably up to scratch and relevant.

I’d love to see you review the upcoming Renault Megane RS Trophy, Tom. I bet you’d have a blast!

As a viewer in the US, I value sites like Chasing Cars to get an international perspective on vehicles and to see the variations in models and trims in other countries. Here in the US we don't get the digital cockpit in the 2019 GTI. It was initially promised but VW has been burned in the past by Americans' price sensitivity in various models, including the GTI. Consumers as a whole simply aren't prepared to pay what Europeans and others pay for the GTI and that's reflected in some feature content available here. On the other hand, I was surprised to hear that the MT is not available in Australia (and the reason for it.) Personally I'm a fan of the DSG in the GTI but if the MT weren't available in the US the howls of protest would be deafening. The "take rate" for the manual transmission is 50% for the GTI in the states. As usual, an excellent comprehensive and fair evaluation of the GTI. Thanks very much.

I had one of the very first deliveries of Mk7 GTI back in 2013. Had an unofficial "order" with my favourite VW dealer for 2 years prior. Sadly, the family got bigger and i sold it after 4 years. Loved every minute driving it. 2 years on now and the new family car (Passat) is doing well, but my work hack (a much older GTI) is up for replacement.. i promised myself a 2 seater sports car but here i am, looking at Golf GTI videos again haha

Great video Tom and great all rounder - RS280 may also make good daily now dual clutch available :)

Looks simple and clean. I like it 😎

Nicely done review.

Yes. pleasing car review on VW's perennial hatchback classic, the GTI ! Mind you, a limited slip diff though a nice addition is hardy new, given my E Type Jag sported one for the rwd back in 1961. And as for exhaust note thrill, I cast my mind's eye & ear, back to 'fire-walling' 72 straight (unmuffled) cylinders on take off of Ansett-ANA's Douglas DC6B's in those heady days of yours. Mind you. At night, the electic blue flames were a sight to see, when an Imperial 'TON' of water was injected for that take-off 'winning edge'. So, all in all, I expect GTI mark 8 to excel in 2020 perhaps even besting the 'N' though, on reflection, maybe not.

Great reviewer

I’ve had my GTI-P since new and it’s undoubtedly the best car I’ve owned. A great allrounder. However you neglected to mention one of the best features that I saw you use: the adjustable arm rest on the console!

We got a 2016 GTI-P still love it the same as on day one. It's the perfect "everything car".

Great review. Does the reversing camera have active guide lines or are they static?

In the US market the GTI makes more power then the N at the wheels. APR got over 260hp at the wheels. The N is measured from the crank.

love it!!!

Happy to swap my 2013 90tsi 'shopping trolley' for your long term GTI for a day or two. Simply so you can understand the developments in the mk7 over 6 years. 😉

Love your hat!

I picked up my Mk7.5 'Facelift' Golf GTi on March 28th here in the UK and I immediately noticed it to be a lot more throaty than the 2016 model I was trading in (both had/have performance packs). I was informed by the dealer that VW now fit a bigger bore exhaust system which would sort of explain it. Sounds great!

Just a great all-rounder.

Good review as always Tom, but suggest you go back to the 30P frame rate. Running at 50P is really showing the shaky movement of the camera despite gimbal.

Awesome review mate! I got a Golf 2018 but I feel it’s too low for me, I am 6ft. How do you feel? I am thinking of switching to Toyota Rav4 2019. What do you think?

Eita carro lindo esse golf GTI ☝️🤜🤛

Fantastic review of a lovely car. I'm torn between the new Polo GTI and the Golf GTI... Is it worth the extra $15K AUD to step up to the Golf GTI? $50K is a lot of cash for a Golf GTI even though there is a lot of inclusions.

In my US GTI the Sport mode setting amplifies engine noise in the cabin via a special set of microphones and speakers just for that purpose. Did VW include this idiocy in Australian GTIs?

Hey Tom, great review but the one thing I hear about the Golf's is they are great while they are running but they're often in the shop and costly to repair. Can we get a video from you on the reliability of popular cars?!?!?!? Thanks!

Great review! As good as the GTI is (I owned a MY16 manual) I think the R is the better car and worth the extra $

Can’t wait for the RS5 review

The only problem i have with this GTI: the new model, the Golf VIII, is month away..so i would defineteley wait for the the Golf VIII GTI!

Why don't you guys ever get a smaller number plate holders since you have small number plates on the front?

So as an everyday car would the GTi be the pick from the i30N and the Honda?

It's such a gem. Want a Golf R with a manual transmission.

I WISHD ID HAD GOLF GTI AND RS2000 ESCORT MKII-MK5

How is the reliability of the VW DSG gearbox these days?

It’s all very well reviewing cars, and you do a nice job, but it’d be helpful to talk about reliability of the reviewed vehicles, servicing and long term maintenance costs and the cost of owning outside the warranty period plus after sales service of the manufacturer’s dealers. I wouldn’t touch a VW. Last week I took a test drive of a VW vehicle and the staff member with me divulged that many of their vehicles still come back on a tow truck. He was new there and honest. He said they just weren’t made for Australian conditions.

Actually I prefer the cabin quiet no exhaust sound just engine is fine with me , and why does the US get the crappy rims vs European models???

NO manual is a deal breaker for me

Motor journalists like to mention how car interiors start to look "aged" or "dated" but they forget to think about how the newer versions almost always cut costs by implementing cheaper materials.

I don't understand why you'd buy a 2019 Mk 7 when you can wait and get a Mk 8 next year?

🔥🔥🔥🔥

My 2019 GTI has 169 kw and 6-speed DSG 🙃

Cannot understand how Australia gets a better GTI than the U.S. market. WTF? Oh wait, no 6M version for you guys. Who the hell wants an automatic GTI?

P plate Legal?

Cant wait for mk8 golf gti and r

7:48 Sound Test

I've always wanted this GTI, but I live in the USA, where VW dealerships are the worst, and VW reliability here is shaky. I tend to keep cars 10 years and I don't want an endless money pit.

Usa you can only buy a manual but it has 228hp

i think those alloys are a bit gross haha, the black ones look nicer

I30n sounds way better

Who gets a GTI in Automatic?

It's cheaper in Australia with same specs as usa under conservatives government 6 yrs

I really hate, when wanting to buy a car, especially of German make that you are forced to buy "packs" rather than individual extras AND when you buy a pack because you want a sunroof for example you are forced to give up tartan seats and must have the leather ones. It keeps me away from purchasing these cars, on principle alone if nothing else.

The GTI seats are overly bolstered which makes them very uncomfortable. The Mazda3 seats are much better.

eh, too many mk 7/7.5's on the road to not make me double take on a GTI or R. They just got boring.

I would trade my Toyota Camry in for vw golf gti

4:36 ? rofl

You are very handsome, have you thought about coming to America?

kjlh

For me i won't call the golf a true hot hatch coz vw has destroyed the then legend. Each and evey new gen golf is a shitty 2.0 l 4 popper than cant even compete with a fwd civic r. Neither its fun nor as dynamic as its competitors. How long they can go with the 4 cylinder crap box, the same idiot company has a 5 cyl engine reserved for extra vagant RS3 that don't sell half as much as any iteration of golf... Put that inline 5 in the golf and reclaim the throne....

I don't know what it is about this guy, but he really annoys me. Like when you hate someone's face for no reason.