2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review - Quick Drive
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 9
Stan Powers
Well, this GTI Quick Drive finally did it for me, AlexAs none of the SoCal Acura dealers would budge a single dollar off MSRP for the new RDX - I switched gears and built a 2018 GTI (White/SE/Leather/DSG) on Edmunds and hit Request a Quote. Within 48 100% hassle-free hours my new GTI was in my driveway (Thank you, Alhambra VW) Initial impressions: Quite satisfied with the standard suspension (vs going with Autobahn for DCC) and our California High Desert roads are the acid test, believe me. Stiff, sure, but compliant - well balanced. DSG is smooth as silk - I think reviewers must be cut & pasting from old reviews when they write about it being jerky at slow speeds - I sense none of that at all - and the purported lag time from letting go of the brake and applying throttle is insignificant/non-existent. My manual-obsessed VW driving colleague drove it yesterday, Man, this DSG is nice - I might have to get a DSG next time. Build Quality/Fit and Finish is everything everyone says and more - significant cut above this price point. You really do have to spend some time in it to appreciate just how refined, solid and substantial it is. Not a single creak or rattle - feels like Im in an Audi (was just in a friends new A6 and Ive got to say if one closes ones eyes. The doors are quite heavy. Cabin is quiet for this class. Road noise well controlled. Stock (non-Fender) Audio is better than Id expected. Great to be able to load 24bit FLAC music files onto an SD card. Seats/ergonomics are very good (Im 60. My only real gripe is that darn translucent moonroof screen cover - but I knew that going in (thanks to you. Im going to heavily tint the moonroof with ceramic film. Would have been nice to option out of the moonroof - so it goes. Upshot: Nothing in this class, at this price point, ticks as many boxes for me as the GTI. Fun Factor: Very HighThanks again, Alex - Ive said it before, but your reviews are just superb - A/A is the Gold Standard.
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Well, this GTI Quick Drive finally did it for me, AlexAs none of the SoCal Acura dealers would budge a single dollar off MSRP for the new RDX - I switched gears and built a 2018 GTI (White/SE/Leather/DSG) on Edmunds and hit Request a Quote. Within 48 100% hassle-free hours my new GTI was in my driveway (Thank you, Alhambra VW) Initial impressions: Quite satisfied with the standard suspension (vs going with Autobahn for DCC) and our California High Desert roads are the acid test, believe me. Stiff, sure, but compliant - well balanced. DSG is smooth as silk - I think reviewers must be cut & pasting from old reviews when they write about it being jerky at slow speeds - I sense none of that at all - and the purported lag time from letting go of the brake and applying throttle is insignificant/non-existent. My manual-obsessed VW driving colleague drove it yesterday, Man, this DSG is nice - I might have to get a DSG next time. Build Quality/Fit and Finish is everything everyone says and more - significant cut above this price point. You really do have to spend some time in it to appreciate just how refined, solid and substantial it is. Not a single creak or rattle - feels like Im in an Audi (was just in a friends new A6 and Ive got to say if one closes ones eyes. The doors are quite heavy. Cabin is quiet for this class. Road noise well controlled. Stock (non-Fender) Audio is better than Id expected. Great to be able to load 24bit FLAC music files onto an SD card. Seats/ergonomics are very good (Im 60. My only real gripe is that darn translucent moonroof screen cover - but I knew that going in (thanks to you. Im going to heavily tint the moonroof with ceramic film. Would have been nice to option out of the moonroof - so it goes. Upshot: Nothing in this class, at this price point, ticks as many boxes for me as the GTI. Fun Factor: Very HighThanks again, Alex - Ive said it before, but your reviews are just superb - A/A is the Gold Standard.
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Jared Jackson
I leased a 2018 GTI. Despite the apparent higher pricing, my lease came in only 29/mo more than a Civic SI. Was an easy choice to take the GTI. Admittedly Mazda gave me the best offer on a Mazda6 but no manual option with the Turbo Trim. The new Tealish Metallic Green looks so good. With the red accents is kinda Christmasy. In pictures the car looks bland, but its truly much more handsome in person. The Gas mileage is actually better than advertised. In Eco Mode I easily get 38mpg highway. And the Think Blue economy driving trainer kinda makes driving efficient engaging. When I have to drive slow with my daughter, I at least get to try and go for a high score. So far my best is 81/100 40. 13 mpg. I typically drive more on the aggressive side and combined driving Im getting around 26mpg. Personally Im super happy with it and it works perfectly for my family needs and my need for enthusiasm. I have had zero issues so far, but Im still glad I leased. VW includes maintenance and everything in their leases, including gap coverage. Having a German sports car with complete peace of mind is such a wonderful thing.
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I leased a 2018 GTI. Despite the apparent higher pricing, my lease came in only 29/mo more than a Civic SI. Was an easy choice to take the GTI. Admittedly Mazda gave me the best offer on a Mazda6 but no manual option with the Turbo Trim. The new Tealish Metallic Green looks so good. With the red accents is kinda Christmasy. In pictures the car looks bland, but its truly much more handsome in person. The Gas mileage is actually better than advertised. In Eco Mode I easily get 38mpg highway. And the Think Blue economy driving trainer kinda makes driving efficient engaging. When I have to drive slow with my daughter, I at least get to try and go for a high score. So far my best is 81/100 40. 13 mpg. I typically drive more on the aggressive side and combined driving Im getting around 26mpg. Personally Im super happy with it and it works perfectly for my family needs and my need for enthusiasm. I have had zero issues so far, but Im still glad I leased. VW includes maintenance and everything in their leases, including gap coverage. Having a German sports car with complete peace of mind is such a wonderful thing.
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Joseph Brenyah
Hello Alex, my wife and I are buying a second car. We have a VW 2018 atlas. Thats for the family. She drives that most of the time. I want something sporty and practical. We are torn between the VW gti 2018 se Dsg with leather and the Kia stinger base model rwd. I will be driving it most of the time and I like the gti but she is not a fan of the gti and says it has no style. She likes the stinger. But we are all looking for a practical second car. Currently I drive a 2007 vw rabbit with 17xxxx miles on it. I love it thats why I want to go for the gti but she is kinda not happy with it. Pls advise me.
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Hello Alex, my wife and I are buying a second car. We have a VW 2018 atlas. Thats for the family. She drives that most of the time. I want something sporty and practical. We are torn between the VW gti 2018 se Dsg with leather and the Kia stinger base model rwd. I will be driving it most of the time and I like the gti but she is not a fan of the gti and says it has no style. She likes the stinger. But we are all looking for a practical second car. Currently I drive a 2007 vw rabbit with 17xxxx miles on it. I love it thats why I want to go for the gti but she is kinda not happy with it. Pls advise me.
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YasumotoUS
Autobahn has pricing around 31. 5k - 32. 5k depending on the transmission in the mid-atlantic states. If you can afford the financing or to buy it outright, thats not bad considering the feature set and the mature stance of the GTI. The Civic Type-R, while a statistics monster and likely a true drivers vehicle, is a design abomination outside of enthusiast circles -- it makes the WRX STI look tame by comparison. A controversial statement, I know, but as a Honda automotive owner for nearly a quarter century, I feel like I can comment on their current offering legitimately.
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Autobahn has pricing around 31. 5k - 32. 5k depending on the transmission in the mid-atlantic states. If you can afford the financing or to buy it outright, thats not bad considering the feature set and the mature stance of the GTI. The Civic Type-R, while a statistics monster and likely a true drivers vehicle, is a design abomination outside of enthusiast circles -- it makes the WRX STI look tame by comparison. A controversial statement, I know, but as a Honda automotive owner for nearly a quarter century, I feel like I can comment on their current offering legitimately.
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Chris A222
Love your reviews Lease is almost up on my 16 SE. Ive had no issues at all with the car-dont understand all the comments about poor reliability. My only criticisms come to the DSG always lugging the engine and going for top gear as fast as possible in normal driving, and the ride is just a bit too stiff for me. Great for canyon carving but not ideal for the poor roads here in New England. I was surprised by you A- score for ride. As far as fuel economy Im around 28MPG overall with 30k miles.
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Love your reviews Lease is almost up on my 16 SE. Ive had no issues at all with the car-dont understand all the comments about poor reliability. My only criticisms come to the DSG always lugging the engine and going for top gear as fast as possible in normal driving, and the ride is just a bit too stiff for me. Great for canyon carving but not ideal for the poor roads here in New England. I was surprised by you A- score for ride. As far as fuel economy Im around 28MPG overall with 30k miles.
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—TheManInDboX —
Motortrend did a test. 2016 GTI PP with a manual does 60 in 5. 6 and the DSG in 5. 7 the manual with Randy Pobst at the wheel the manual transmission was faster all the way around. granted we are not all Randy Pobst. but I can continuously beat the same DSG on mid Ohio. actually switching drivers, and running a DSG I cant beat my manual time. not claiming to be Randy Pobst. but manual is still faster.
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Motortrend did a test. 2016 GTI PP with a manual does 60 in 5. 6 and the DSG in 5. 7 the manual with Randy Pobst at the wheel the manual transmission was faster all the way around. granted we are not all Randy Pobst. but I can continuously beat the same DSG on mid Ohio. actually switching drivers, and running a DSG I cant beat my manual time. not claiming to be Randy Pobst. but manual is still faster.
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PistolPete63
Great review I own that exact model but a 2016 and average 25-27mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Currently have 20, 000 miles on my car and only had 2 problems, defective passenger seat airbag sensor and defective battery both of which were fixed under warranty. Super fun to drive and easy to maneuver and park in the city but also great on long drives as well. Pretty versatile little car.
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Great review I own that exact model but a 2016 and average 25-27mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Currently have 20, 000 miles on my car and only had 2 problems, defective passenger seat airbag sensor and defective battery both of which were fixed under warranty. Super fun to drive and easy to maneuver and park in the city but also great on long drives as well. Pretty versatile little car.
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Joe Pah
Great review Alex. Question: Your graph comparing vehicle lengths. If the Elantra Sport GT is 11 inches longer, why is it so close to the GTI on your graph, while the Honda Civic Type R is 9 inches longer but it is shown as much longer than the GTI on your graph? And should the comparison on the graph be Honda Civic Si, and not the Type R, like your audio?
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Great review Alex. Question: Your graph comparing vehicle lengths. If the Elantra Sport GT is 11 inches longer, why is it so close to the GTI on your graph, while the Honda Civic Type R is 9 inches longer but it is shown as much longer than the GTI on your graph? And should the comparison on the graph be Honda Civic Si, and not the Type R, like your audio?
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leojsayta
Alex, I think you really dropped the ball by not mentioning VWs perverse promotional stunt featuring monkeys in glass bubbles being forced to inhale VWs clean diesel fumes. I think many people would like to know what they are silently supporting when they buy a VW product. It certainly would have affected my 2017 purchase of a VW group car.
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Alex, I think you really dropped the ball by not mentioning VWs perverse promotional stunt featuring monkeys in glass bubbles being forced to inhale VWs clean diesel fumes. I think many people would like to know what they are silently supporting when they buy a VW product. It certainly would have affected my 2017 purchase of a VW group car.
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