The Volkswagen Golf GTI is regarded as one of the cars that started the hot hatchback madness. A lightweight small family car, a fruity motor, great driving dynamics at an affordable price is exactly what the Golf GTI has been synonymous with. The 2022 VW Golf GTI has arrived in North America, and it packs a punch. However, while it is quite an interesting car, it isn’t without its flaws. YouTuber Doug DeMuro highlights those very important issues of the new Golf GTI, while also mentioning all of its quirks and features.
Where The Golf GTI Stands
The new 2022 model is the eighth-generation model of the Golf GTI. The model has been around for around 50 years. The original Gold GTI made its debut in the 70, and the new model is built to the same formula of practical but fun.
The Golf GTI starts from around $30,000 in the US. It means the Golf GTI competes against the Subaru WRX and the Hyundai Elantra N, both of which are hot, but not hatchbacks. However, they do bring more powerful engines to the table. The GTI sits below the Golf R in the line-up.
2022 Golf GTI Specs
The Golf GTI uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The performance specs are largely similar to its European spec model. The new GTI is capable of sprinting from 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds and on to a 155mph top speed. Things might seem great on paper with the brand new 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, but Doug points out that this version is far from being perfect.
Doug DeMuro’s Thoughts On The Golf GTI
Doug highlights that Golf GTI’s flaws are largely in the interior. The YouTuber points out two major flaws in the car. The first issue he highlights is related to its technology, primarily with the touchscreen infotainment system. While the system isn’t that bad, the overall design makes it difficult to use. The biggest complaint that Doug had with the car VW integration of the climate controls within the touchscreen system.
The way the system is designed involves a touch-capacitive ‘Clima’ button between the center air vents to be pressed. It then brings up the climate control on the screen above, and only then can you operate and change the settings. This makes a simple traditional system into an unfriendly mandatory two-step process that takes the driver’s eyes off the road for a longer duration. The only one-step process allowed by the system is the temperature adjustability slider. Tap with two fingers, and it also allows to adjust the heated seat function, but the system does not respond well as Doug demonstrates in his video. The stereo volume control is also integrated similarly and is also a touch-capacitive slider.
The second issue with the system is that the screen is not large enough. To save costs and not provide a dedicated vehicle function screen, VW decided to bury the features into one screen behind multiple menus. The size of the screen being small does not allow it to be good at multitasking.
The Stuff Doug Loves About The Golf GTI
While Doug was left puzzled about the infotainment screen design, the other tech found on the Golf GTI did leave him impressed. One feature in particular mentioned by Doug was the driver’s digital gauge cluster. The system is highly configurable and reads out clearly as well. It is also great at multitasking, offering the driver more information assisted by the steering-mounted controls. It even features a full-screen map that would be useful to the driver. He points out that VW has removed physical buttons entirely from the car, in place are capacitive touch buttons for absolutely everything.
Additionally, Doug does claim to like the way the Golf GTI offers a simple and restrained styling, especially the integration of the front fog lamps. More importantly, he also enjoyed driving the car. It is where the Golf GTI shines. Doug claims the car is “a ton of fun” to drive as they have mostly been over the years.
The GTI’s True Essence
They say that everything in the world that is great has its flaws. The Golf GTI is exactly that. The car is great, but its interior design flaws do leave room for improvement when it comes to the technology department. The issues pointed out in the video are genuine complaints that customers have voiced ever since the new model was introduced. However, we do hope that eventually, Volkswagen will correct these issues when the model is due for a significant update.
Source: Doug DeMuro / YouTube