VW Golf GTI Review: Is it Still the Hot Hatch King?

Check out the best VW Golf GTI deals on carwow: https://bit.ly/Buy-Sell-WOW Is the VW Golf GTI still the hot hatch king in 2026, or has the Mk8.5 facelift missed the mark? Mat’s diving into this updated GTI to see if the new 12.9-inch infotainment screen finally fixes the lag and if the extra 20hp makes up for the loss of the manual gearbox. Whether you’re hunting for a performance bargain or weighing it up against the BMW M135i, we’re finding out the truth about the GTI’s performance, practicality, and the return of physical steering wheel buttons. Stick around to see if these mechanical tweaks—and that controversial illuminated VW badge—are enough to keep the GTI on top! Chapters 00:00 Engine: Is the 265hp EA888 finally enough? 00:31 0-60mph & 1/4-mile: Is it faster than the old GTI? 00:59 Brakes: Do the red calipers offer enough stopping power? 01:36 Chassis: Does it handle as well as a Honda Civic Type R? 03:23 Sport Driving: Is it still a "manual-less" masterpiece? 07:28 Price Check: Is £39,000 too much for a Golf? 08:01 Design: Does the light-up badge look cool or tacky? 09:38 Interior Truth: Is the new 12.9-inch screen actually laggy? 11:18 Back Seats: Can you actually fit three adults? 11:33 Boot Space: Is 374 litres enough for real life? 11:55 3 Annoying Features: What drives Mat mad in the Mk8.5? 13:47 Daily Driving: Is it still the best all-rounder? 14:39 The Verdict: Should you buy, sell or avoid? Sell your car for free with Carwow: https://bit.ly/Sell-Your-Car-For-Free-0508 Check out Mat's preferred trim & engine for each car: https://bit.ly/Mats-Engine-Choice