The $42,000 VW GTI - Still the People’s Hot Hatch?

The Volkswagen GTI has always been the “affordable hot hatch,” but now the 2025 VW GTI Mk8.5 can push past $42,000. Has the GTI lost its way, or is it still worth the money? In this episode, we dive deep into the new VW GTI Mk8.5 — what’s changed inside and out, how it drives, and why pricing has climbed so high. We compare it to both the VW Golf R as well as an unexpected competitor, the Toyota GR Corolla, and ask the big question: is the GTI still the benchmark hot hatch in 2025? Chapters: 0:00 This GTI is $42,000?!  0:41 2025 VW GTI Specs: How Much Does it Weigh?  1:15 First Driving Impressions 1:18 The Manual is GONE: Here's Who to Blame  2:15 Why the GTI is Still the Hot Hatch King  2:53 New Mk8.5 Exterior Design Changes  3:21 Which GTI Trim Sells the Most? (S vs SE vs Autobahn)  4:37 The BIGGEST Mechanical Upgrade  4:59 GTI vs GR Corolla: Refinement vs Raw Power  6:27 2025 VW GTI Pricing: From Base to Autobahn  8:21 The GTI's True Competitor in 2025  9:33 Resale & Reliability: GTI vs GR Corolla  11:54 Pesky Details: Shifter Paddles & Wheels  13:29 They FINALLY Fixed ONE Thing (But the UX is Still Awful)  16:10 The Great Debate: Leather vs Tartan  17:46 Final Verdict: Refined GTI or Muscle Car Toyota?  18:22 My Wishlist for the Perfect GTI  18:53 Behind The Scenes #VWGTI #VolkswagenGTI #HotHatch #GTIMk85 #2025GTI Our reimagined long form interview show, the MotoManTV Podcast, where we talk to the key people shaping the car, technology and business worlds, is now live ‪@MMTVPodcast‬ As well as at most podcast platforms, including: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/90b... https://open.spotify.com/show/0V4AKzL... Connect with us here:   / motomantv   https://x.com/motomantv Proudly shot on Sony’s Cinema line of cameras.