had 6 mk7s of various types from Golf 1.4 TSI to a 7.5R. All really good cars! Have 2 Mk8s now; these are better - perhaps not in every single way, but enough that I have no desire to go back.
that's so true!! at least in this car they have the dashboard over the digital cluster and isn't another tablet slapped there... Terrible trend these days!
I have a mk8 r and I don’t have any issues with the haptic buttons or the screen. Yes the screen is not the best but certainly not as bad as journalists are making them out to be.the early mk8 was a nightmare until they changed the steering wheel which sorted most of the glitches. I would much prefer my set up to having that ridiculous massive screen that nobody asked for. And the prices now are crazy I’ll be keeping my mk8.
I agree 100%. My R is a 2024 and I have zero issues with the buttons or the infotainment. I think what happened was…a lot of the press cars were early cars and VW hadn’t sorted everything out and it turned people off. I hate the massive IPad on the dash, it looks like an afterthought.
Exactly on point, the big crazy 100' screen its so ugly and it looks like an aftermarket screen from AliExpress, ill keep my Stage 1 40th Edition 23' GTI thank you.
I've had about 13 golf GTI's and VR6's over the year and now on my 2nd Mk8. The infotainment isn't that bad, yes the 7.5 was easier to use (I think the Polo GTI has the best, except the Satnav which is better in the Golf) but the buttons people complain about on the steering wheel I have never had issue with. Maybe early cars were worse? - mine was a 2022 and now a 2024, I find them better than the newer buttons. I have noticed the 2024 does have a few upgrades interior wise over the 2022 car - i.e. GTI on the seats and nicer door cards. My main gripe is the Climate Controls on the main screen - the Polo is better) I actually bought a 24 plate Mk8 over the 8.5 as I just don't like the massive screen - it makes it much harder to drive at night on dark roads! That was the main reason I didn't want a 8.5 and looked for one of the last mk8's
This bolt on gigantic infotainment screen trend that everyone is now doing needs to end immediately. Merc. Toyota. Lexus. VW. These screens are all tragic and redundant. The fact that everything is about driver safety and yet they allow a screen to block half the drivers sight over the dash is remarkable. Next generation of models I dare say this trend will be over and done with. Especially Merc.
I actually like it there - in my 2018 S5 it's perfect for glancing at it when driving. Size matters though, and I agree that in that Golf it's WAY too big
Especially the buttons. Infotainment is only irritating because of the integrated climate controls. Honestly, none of it is really a problem after a few weeks of getting used to it.
Its a good car no doubt but Its expensive and too closely priced to the MK8.5 R (appro. 5k). Plus the RRP is over £40k so it attracts the 'luxury' car tax.
I considered the GTI but found that I needed to spec it up to include a wheel upgrade (Queenstown + required DCC) and metallic paint at the very least. Which equates to approx 3k. So 43k without discount. To answer your question, 37k - 38k base
Mercedes... please take note with regards to VW bringing back proper buttons on the steering wheel. Touch swipe capacitive controls are a dreadful idea in a vehicle.
Thank you someone finally testing the base spec on the stock wheels with stock suspension. Mine arrives end of Feb and I can’t wait to relaunch my channel with it 😊
The touch buttons remain for the R model due to the R button on the steering wheel. This button doesent exist in any of the other models. Seemed not profitable to reproduce so many R Buttons just to implement the real buttons in the 8.5 Golf R.
I remember when a GTI was 25k ( Australian dollar) And it was fantastic Now here it’s knocking on 80k here in Australia And as a result I’m not answering
hot take, I don't mind the big screen, it's just a little bit into the dash line which means when i'm using navigation for apple carplay you really don't have to look down or take your eyes off the road to see the next turn or exit
Thanks for a great review. I have a humble 8.5 petrol DSG Style model, your question on shortcuts, on mine pressing the OK button while in the driving view (not the map or data views) bring up a list of options to change including lane keeping and speed warnings this may not be the same on the GTI though. Can always remove the GTI badges on the doors, some have done this ☺
Hey, for once I can chip in: I have been enjoying mine for 2 years now (Canadian 40th anniversary edition-sort of clubsport) and honestly it happened maybe 5-7 times that I did active the heated steering… couldn’t care less… great daily at this price point. I push it so gas mileage is 12-13L/100km but i love it … dcc is a must! great content , thanks!
as an owner of 2 VWs, one with haptic touch steering pads and the other with buttons - there is absolutely nothing awful about them. They look better when active or off, and they work very well - being able to swipe the volume control or track/station select sliders is so much better than having to repeatedly tap, or hold down, like with the hard keys. Most people who actually spend time with them, or own them, recognize this. I'm fine with the buttons mainly because they're less demanding when it comes to cleaning, but as someone who enjoys a clean car, this doesn't bother me - so I have no desire to see the R ever go back to buttons.
I have a 2022 golf r manual and the buttons on the wheel aren't that bad. There was a problem with the lane keeping assist and the steering wheel was replaced. The issue sometimes still exists, but much less than the first steering wheel. I use apple carplay and don't use the menus that much at all. If you hit the R button when the car is first started, the main screen doesn't change, which i found out after having the car for a period of time. It is a great car and lots of fun. I also think that the 7.5 R would be much better without so much tech.
Mk8 with the volume knob and smaller screen is the sweet spot. But that chat assistant is pretty boss and the new gauges are much better and less cartoonish.
the reason why the mk8.5 R did not get the buttons on the steering wheel was due to the specific R button that allows you to switch modes. I guess production volumes where not high enough to try and make that steering wheel feature real buttons again
I heard that the reason the 8.5 Golf R still has the same steering wheel is because VW did not want to change the location or layout of the R button, so they just adjusted the sensitivity of the current buttons.
I had the 2008 rabbit 🐇 manual and that led me to get the gti mk6 then my current one mk7.5 and i would say that the mk 7 generation is the best. I don’t know if i would get the mk8 because it is way too expensive for what it is . At this price point i can get the a3 . I drove one as a loaner and it was a joy . 😊
a hill i will absolutely die on is i absolutely loved those tpuch buttons and it's reviewers like these that ruined innovation. never struggled with misclicks and they were super easy to see and keep clean. anyone who said otherwise never owned one or is just too clumsy to drive
Re:the new 8.5 screen. I think the problem they had, is that because so many functions are through the screen and the driver needs to use it so much, it has to be nearer eye-level. This means that, to integrate it into the dash, the top of the dash would have to be even higher than the top of the screen, which would reduce visibility.
re: Golf R steering wheel. Per the US Product Manager, the golf R is too low volume to justify the cost of doing a new steering wheel. The GTI wheel is shared across other models. Blame the R button.
No idea why these reviewers keep moaning about the Mk8 infotainment system. I loved it. The buttons on the steering may be touch sensitive but they are meant to use as sliders. So convenient to slide the volume up and down or increase/decrease the distance in cruise control.
Love the Alfa Romeo wheels! 8:01 but this car is a disaster otherwise. No HVAC buttons, goofy big screen on the dash, no real shifter. No two door coupe version. No reason to buy it.
Everyone rubbishes the mk 8 gti man I loved it, bitterly regret selling it, just to buy a q3 to please my wife damn, it had everything self steering, heads up display, 19 in Adelaide wheels, to tone grey leather with heated and cooled seats sunroof, self parking, and I’m 68 and brought back my youth stage 1 tune as fast and faster in a lot of respects the R, and never ever had a problem with haptics,
Could they not have upgraded the infotainment system without changing the dashboard, the integrated screen was better looking than this laptop glued to the dash
As a multi 911 owner, a MK8 GTi is my daily. Just so damn fun and easy to live with. I have no problem with the current haptic touch buttons on steering wheel. They work great for me and even better look good. The newer plastic buttons now low lower rent. New tablet infotainment screen is hideous and in line of sight too much for a drivers car, especially one this small. Simply put, the infotainment screen doesn’t fit the design or the character of the Germanic GTI. FYI: get base infotainment in Mk8 or Mk8.5 and you get genuine volume knobs. It still does everything you could ever need and looks significantly better.
@@whatthe6532 Yeah as an owner myself I think the steering wheel complaint is so tired considering the UX of the car has other more prominent issues (like the lack of physical HVAC controls). Just my opinion.
that won't apply to the 8.5 any more, I believe. But agree, the haptic touch steering wheel is not a problem, in fact, I now prefer that setup. But i have even less desire to get the knobs or the small screen from an S - with the volume slider that works so well on the steering wheel right under my thumb so I don't need to look, why bother with the option of reaching out to turn the dial? The volume slider on the base of the screen is something i typically only use when I'm stationary and the engine is off, but ACC power is on meaning that slider works, but the steering wheel controls do not.
as long as it doesn't have a manual, it isn't the facelift we needed. These are hot hatchbacks...cars to be enjoyed on backroads, not 1000 hp lamborghinis...you don't need automatics in hot hatchbacks.
“ Every GTI since 1976 , has had a red stripe through the front grill “ The Mk4 didn’t , and I don’t think a MK3 did either . Although the MK2 , I seem to remember has .
I've put 600 miles onto a new LCI M2 during in the run-in period, havent gone over 4k RPM, have give it full throttle once in 2 months and still shifted at 4k RPM, driving very very slowly and carefully and I'm getting 20mpg... how the heck are you getting 38mpg out of yours?!
Coming from an earlier mk7 GTI and then a mk7.5 GTI, test drove the mk8 GTI and it was just awful inside. The gloss black everywhere. The gear nub. The cheap plastics. It felt awful to be in. The 8.5 doesn’t seem like it’ll be enough to sway me (we don’t have them yet in Australia). And so I bought, a very low mileage final build 2020 mk7.5 fully optioned GTI and I’ll have it forever.
They should have made the manual gearbox available in the base GTi. Otherwise everyone is tempted to just go with the Clubsport, specifically considering the price difference in some countries.
Thank you for reallt ppy drumming home the importance of physical buttons on the wheel - reviewers truly shouldn't let up on this. The argument "oh its not that bad" just doesn't work because - its not better is it? Don't just settle for less than
rundown of the mk8.5 .. buttons - slight improvement (honestly the haptic buttons issue is way overblown) , power - slight improvement , wheels - downgrade (def dont look as good), infotainment - downgrade (screen looks plopped onto the dash / sticks out / too tall ) , bumper changes - slight improvement (they look good) , light up logo - downgrade (looks dumb like something from wish/pepboys)
I'm working on the Golf, I find it an absolute tragedy that we are sending the production to mexico in 2027. It feels like abandoning an icon. The Golf is what made VW what it is today. That being said. I absolutely LOVE my Mk8 GTI even with the stupid touch controls on the wheel. And the 8.5 is even better in every aspect.
I like a big screen because it's easy to see, don't have to squint. That screen looked just about right, not too big like its gonna distract you, not so small that you have to lean over to see. I hope Golf carries on as long as it can because there's no more Focus, no more Megane hatchback, not sure if Hyundai are continuing the i30 what with all the hugely impressive EV stuff they're doing. VW could soon stand alone, expect for maybe going up against the Japanese automaker's small cars.
Ive got the pre facelift and really love the touch sliders on the steering wheel. I thinks the buttons are a downgrade 🤷♂️ (The R keeps the touch steering wheel because of the R button)
Mechanically the mk 8.5 seems to be a great car, the seats are amzing but that screen needs to be ripped off the dash immediately! Price wise in Ireland the clubsport is about 70k, hard to justify that imo
I cannot look past the the front light running through front and the illuminated logo. I previous GTI owner and really love these cars but that front lighting setup just turns me away. Does anybody else feel like this ?
I can’t get past bolt on screens that look like an afterthought. Not in any car. Integrated screens are the way forward. As soon as I saw that behemoth of a screen that looks like an aftermarket bolt on, that was me done. Yep, a car has to look good on the outside but as a driver, you have to live with the interior and ergonomics. That monstrous screen makes it a no from me.
I love the golf but they have become so expensive. However still cheaper than most electric cars. I hope the new polo is still petrol and the gti version stays below 33k
Best choice for looks, the R only available in three colours 😱 but it is expensive in comparison to the R, if they did the R with more colour options it would outsell the GTI ! Standard spec can sometimes leave others more desirable ? But them buttons on the steering wheel 😱 who thought them positions were ok, certainly not someone designing a car for the people🤯 volume up ……..volume down 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 menu scroll, turn, menu scroll 😤😤😤😤😤 what an own goal they didn’t learn anything from customers !
Still got the awful Halfords style lettering on the doors. Also the centrally aligned GTI lettering on the back. If they fixed both of those they might be on to something.
I don't know if it's me but the older GTI first generation looks way better than the modern versions of this car. They should have kept the coupe GTI it looks better than it's 4 door counterpart
The new infotainment screen isn’t too big. It’s too tall. A shorter, wider screen, would have looked much better.
So it s too big
As an owner of multiple GTI’s over many years, I will continue to hold on to my 7.5…
Best one
Keeping our Mk 7 GTI .In 10 years depreciation is just £18,000. That is what some EV’ s lose in a year or two !
GTI 6,Stage 2 Revo,DSG, Downpipe,182000km Run und Run😎💪
had 6 mk7s of various types from Golf 1.4 TSI to a 7.5R. All really good cars! Have 2 Mk8s now; these are better - perhaps not in every single way, but enough that I have no desire to go back.
Wow, I loved this video. I loved seeing the differences in the golf models and trims current year and year to year
These stupidly big screens are ruining cars. At least have it integrated
that's so true!! at least in this car they have the dashboard over the digital cluster and isn't another tablet slapped there... Terrible trend these days!
I have a mk8 r and I don’t have any issues with the haptic buttons or the screen. Yes the screen is not the best but certainly not as bad as journalists are making them out to be.the early mk8 was a nightmare until they changed the steering wheel which sorted most of the glitches. I would much prefer my set up to having that ridiculous massive screen that nobody asked for. And the prices now are crazy I’ll be keeping my mk8.
I agree 100%. My R is a 2024 and I have zero issues with the buttons or the infotainment. I think what happened was…a lot of the press cars were early cars and VW hadn’t sorted everything out and it turned people off. I hate the massive IPad on the dash, it looks like an afterthought.
i agree, Older models were much more appealing, I'll stay with my 1983 and 1986 GTI,
had mk 8 gti from the start of production, in november 2021 they fixed everthing software wise, so everything i heard from journalists was bull#hit
Exactly on point, the big crazy 100' screen its so ugly and it looks like an aftermarket screen from AliExpress, ill keep my Stage 1 40th Edition 23' GTI thank you.
I've had about 13 golf GTI's and VR6's over the year and now on my 2nd Mk8. The infotainment isn't that bad, yes the 7.5 was easier to use (I think the Polo GTI has the best, except the Satnav which is better in the Golf) but the buttons people complain about on the steering wheel I have never had issue with. Maybe early cars were worse? - mine was a 2022 and now a 2024, I find them better than the newer buttons. I have noticed the 2024 does have a few upgrades interior wise over the 2022 car - i.e. GTI on the seats and nicer door cards. My main gripe is the Climate Controls on the main screen - the Polo is better) I actually bought a 24 plate Mk8 over the 8.5 as I just don't like the massive screen - it makes it much harder to drive at night on dark roads! That was the main reason I didn't want a 8.5 and looked for one of the last mk8's
This bolt on gigantic infotainment screen trend that everyone is now doing needs to end immediately.
Merc. Toyota. Lexus. VW. These screens are all tragic and redundant. The fact that everything is about driver safety and yet they allow a screen to block half the drivers sight over the dash is remarkable.
Next generation of models I dare say this trend will be over and done with. Especially Merc.
I actually like it there - in my 2018 S5 it's perfect for glancing at it when driving. Size matters though, and I agree that in that Golf it's WAY too big
Seriously, I think the infotainment and button issue is so freakin overblown. I don’t like it, but it’s just not that bad, people.
Especially the buttons. Infotainment is only irritating because of the integrated climate controls. Honestly, none of it is really a problem after a few weeks of getting used to it.
@@mrjkstark I 100% agree - I'm on my 2nd mk8
A good seat and a proper engine is all I’m after. So what if there’s no buttons
Its a good car no doubt but Its expensive and too closely priced to the MK8.5 R (appro. 5k). Plus the RRP is over £40k so it attracts the 'luxury' car tax.
Who worries about luxury car tax..just pay it...
Speak for yourself ! Makes a big difference !@@alanwayte432
So how much would you price it at, base model that is?
I considered the GTI but found that I needed to spec it up to include a wheel upgrade (Queenstown + required DCC) and metallic paint at the very least. Which equates to approx 3k. So 43k without discount. To answer your question, 37k - 38k base
@@alanwayte432 Speak for yourself, It makes a huge difference !
Press the end button on the left stalk and the option to deactivate the speed warning appears on the dash.
Mercedes... please take note with regards to VW bringing back proper buttons on the steering wheel. Touch swipe capacitive controls are a dreadful idea in a vehicle.
Sometimes I don't think these manufacturers have the capacity to ditch the capacitive.
You can’t compare a VW to a Mercedes 😂 VW have terrible interiors
How is it that the new M135 sounds like a hair dryer but the GTI has full pops and bangs from factory? This sounds great for what it is!
Cannot wait for you to review the new R!
Thank you someone finally testing the base spec on the stock wheels with stock suspension. Mine arrives end of Feb and I can’t wait to relaunch my channel with it 😊
I like the Golf 7 more. Backlights are very nice in the 8.5.
But rather have an R than a GTI.
Nice animations and detailed review!!!
The touch buttons remain for the R model due to the R button on the steering wheel. This button doesent exist in any of the other models. Seemed not profitable to reproduce so many R Buttons just to implement the real buttons in the 8.5 Golf R.
I really don’t understand why people think the haptic feedback buttons are bad. I have them in my car and love it.
consumers are spoiled by design..
Wearing gloves..lack of feel, etc. PIA
same here; no desire to go back, and we own one of each right now.
I remember when a GTI was 25k ( Australian dollar)
And it was fantastic
Now here it’s knocking on 80k here in Australia
And as a result I’m not answering
This design is the equivalent of cheap "gaming" peripherals. Red = gamingness and tunningness.
The red has always been part of the Golf design.
hot take, I don't mind the big screen, it's just a little bit into the dash line which means when i'm using navigation for apple carplay you really don't have to look down or take your eyes off the road to see the next turn or exit
Thanks for a great review. I have a humble 8.5 petrol DSG Style model, your question on shortcuts, on mine pressing the OK button while in the driving view (not the map or data views) bring up a list of options to change including lane keeping and speed warnings this may not be the same on the GTI though. Can always remove the GTI badges on the doors, some have done this ☺
Hey, for once I can chip in: I have been enjoying mine for 2 years now (Canadian 40th anniversary edition-sort of clubsport) and honestly it happened maybe 5-7 times that I did active the heated steering… couldn’t care less… great daily at this price point. I push it so gas mileage is 12-13L/100km but i love it … dcc is a must! great content , thanks!
Good looking car but that tablet ruins it
as an owner of 2 VWs, one with haptic touch steering pads and the other with buttons - there is absolutely nothing awful about them. They look better when active or off, and they work very well - being able to swipe the volume control or track/station select sliders is so much better than having to repeatedly tap, or hold down, like with the hard keys. Most people who actually spend time with them, or own them, recognize this. I'm fine with the buttons mainly because they're less demanding when it comes to cleaning, but as someone who enjoys a clean car, this doesn't bother me - so I have no desire to see the R ever go back to buttons.
@13:50 They say it was the only way to keep the R button on the wheel. Otherwise they could have just picked up the new GTI wheel.
VW kept the same steering wheel buttons on the Type R because of the R button itself and it's function. I don't mind them at all on my 24 GTI. 😎
I have a 2022 golf r manual and the buttons on the wheel aren't that bad. There was a problem with the lane keeping assist and the steering wheel was replaced. The issue sometimes still exists, but much less than the first steering wheel. I use apple carplay and don't use the menus that much at all. If you hit the R button when the car is first started, the main screen doesn't change, which i found out after having the car for a period of time. It is a great car and lots of fun. I also think that the 7.5 R would be much better without so much tech.
14:40 Seriously not an issue for anyone who actually owned a mk8.
Happens alot in cupra. Getting a golf next month
Mk8 with the volume knob and smaller screen is the sweet spot. But that chat assistant is pretty boss and the new gauges are much better and less cartoonish.
the reason why the mk8.5 R did not get the buttons on the steering wheel was due to the specific R button that allows you to switch modes. I guess production volumes where not high enough to try and make that steering wheel feature real buttons again
Awesome review. I just subscribed ❤
I heard that the reason the 8.5 Golf R still has the same steering wheel is because VW did not want to change the location or layout of the R button, so they just adjusted the sensitivity of the current buttons.
Not a fan of that slapped on tablet look. All they needed to do was update the software and chips on the current cleaner looking screen setup.
100%
While he was demonstrating the function of the system, I was focused on how his hand looks tiny working the screen 😂
💯
I had the 2008 rabbit 🐇 manual and that led me to get the gti mk6 then my current one mk7.5 and i would say that the mk 7 generation is the best. I don’t know if i would get the mk8 because it is way too expensive for what it is . At this price point i can get the a3 . I drove one as a loaner and it was a joy . 😊
Just make the screen a bit bigger.
The pre facelift size was perfect, bigger ain't always the solution 😃
Phew! I thought you were going to go R-rated & insert your scan tool into the OBD port for one moment there!
a hill i will absolutely die on is i absolutely loved those tpuch buttons and it's reviewers like these that ruined innovation. never struggled with misclicks and they were super easy to see and keep clean. anyone who said otherwise never owned one or is just too clumsy to drive
Great review mate
Re:the new 8.5 screen. I think the problem they had, is that because so many functions are through the screen and the driver needs to use it so much, it has to be nearer eye-level. This means that, to integrate it into the dash, the top of the dash would have to be even higher than the top of the screen, which would reduce visibility.
I've done 50k in my mk8 and never had an issue with the steering wheel buttons
The MK8 clubsport has the best front bumper/facia. I have a 7.5 SE. I love the front bumper/facia on it, and the headlights.
Great video Raz & Jamie. Always love your productions.
Much appreciated! :) - Jamie
re: Golf R steering wheel. Per the US Product Manager, the golf R is too low volume to justify the cost of doing a new steering wheel. The GTI wheel is shared across other models. Blame the R button.
No idea why these reviewers keep moaning about the Mk8 infotainment system. I loved it. The buttons on the steering may be touch sensitive but they are meant to use as sliders. So convenient to slide the volume up and down or increase/decrease the distance in cruise control.
Love the Alfa Romeo wheels! 8:01 but this car is a disaster otherwise. No HVAC buttons, goofy big screen on the dash, no real shifter. No two door coupe version. No reason to buy it.
a ) no one wants a manual also you have people that have kids and want a hot hatch. calm down
Everyone rubbishes the mk 8 gti man I loved it, bitterly regret selling it, just to buy a q3 to please my wife damn, it had everything self steering, heads up display, 19 in Adelaide wheels, to tone grey leather with heated and cooled seats sunroof, self parking, and I’m 68 and brought back my youth stage 1 tune as fast and faster in a lot of respects the R, and never ever had a problem with haptics,
Could they not have upgraded the infotainment system without changing the dashboard, the integrated screen was better looking than this laptop glued to the dash
Absolutely 👍
Hi , thanks for the Video , did you hear anything about an Golf R Clubsport for 2025 ??? They say , that they Work on a Clubsport Version of the R
I wanna see this new golf vs the civic and Elantra n on the track and see if the improvements made it better than or just as good as them 2 on track
As a multi 911 owner, a MK8 GTi is my daily. Just so damn fun and easy to live with. I have no problem with the current haptic touch buttons on steering wheel. They work great for me and even better look good. The newer plastic buttons now low lower rent. New tablet infotainment screen is hideous and in line of sight too much for a drivers car, especially one this small. Simply put, the infotainment screen doesn’t fit the design or the character of the Germanic GTI. FYI: get base infotainment in Mk8 or Mk8.5 and you get genuine volume knobs. It still does everything you could ever need and looks significantly better.
Well they didn’t work for thousands of real drivers otherwise VW wouldn’t have spent tens of thousands to go back.
I am a real owner/driver and like em.
@@whatthe6532 Yeah as an owner myself I think the steering wheel complaint is so tired considering the UX of the car has other more prominent issues (like the lack of physical HVAC controls). Just my opinion.
that won't apply to the 8.5 any more, I believe. But agree, the haptic touch steering wheel is not a problem, in fact, I now prefer that setup. But i have even less desire to get the knobs or the small screen from an S - with the volume slider that works so well on the steering wheel right under my thumb so I don't need to look, why bother with the option of reaching out to turn the dial? The volume slider on the base of the screen is something i typically only use when I'm stationary and the engine is off, but ACC power is on meaning that slider works, but the steering wheel controls do not.
Hi. Another great video. I do love a golf but I've always wanted an Audi mk3tts, have you done a video on one ever?
Remote keyless entry on the base model?
The touch buttons on the steering wheel are not as bad as you make it out to be.
Nice video transitions!!!!
as long as it doesn't have a manual, it isn't the facelift we needed. These are hot hatchbacks...cars to be enjoyed on backroads, not 1000 hp lamborghinis...you don't need automatics in hot hatchbacks.
Sir, what brand are your sneaks?
Love my 2015 GTE, not a huge fan of the massive 8.5 screen but the power gains are nice.
Lovely car. Really like the standard wheels also
Anyone know if the light VW logo and light strip on the front can be switched off?
The mk3 and mk4 GTI didn't have the red grill line (~1992-2004)
Any news 📰 on the upcoming Mrk 9 GTI?
“ Every GTI since 1976 , has had a red stripe through the front grill “
The Mk4 didn’t , and I don’t think a MK3 did either . Although the MK2 , I seem to remember has .
I've put 600 miles onto a new LCI M2 during in the run-in period, havent gone over 4k RPM, have give it full throttle once in 2 months and still shifted at 4k RPM, driving very very slowly and carefully and I'm getting 20mpg... how the heck are you getting 38mpg out of yours?!
Coming from an earlier mk7 GTI and then a mk7.5 GTI, test drove the mk8 GTI and it was just awful inside. The gloss black everywhere. The gear nub. The cheap plastics. It felt awful to be in. The 8.5 doesn’t seem like it’ll be enough to sway me (we don’t have them yet in Australia). And so I bought, a very low mileage final build 2020 mk7.5 fully optioned GTI and I’ll have it forever.
Great video as always
They should have made the manual gearbox available in the base GTi. Otherwise everyone is tempted to just go with the Clubsport, specifically considering the price difference in some countries.
Thank you for reallt ppy drumming home the importance of physical buttons on the wheel - reviewers truly shouldn't let up on this. The argument "oh its not that bad" just doesn't work because - its not better is it? Don't just settle for less than
I'm sticking with my MK7.5 R Variant 😊
Would get one if the monthlys weren't so bad. Miss my old 7.5
rundown of the mk8.5 .. buttons - slight improvement (honestly the haptic buttons issue is way overblown) , power - slight improvement , wheels - downgrade (def dont look as good), infotainment - downgrade (screen looks plopped onto the dash / sticks out / too tall ) , bumper changes - slight improvement (they look good) , light up logo - downgrade (looks dumb like something from wish/pepboys)
I'm working on the Golf, I find it an absolute tragedy that we are sending the production to mexico in 2027. It feels like abandoning an icon. The Golf is what made VW what it is today. That being said. I absolutely LOVE my Mk8 GTI even with the stupid touch controls on the wheel. And the 8.5 is even better in every aspect.
Got mine last week. Couldn’t be happier. Don’t think I’ll ever need more in a car that what the 8.5 GTi delivered
I like a big screen because it's easy to see, don't have to squint. That screen looked just about right, not too big like its gonna distract you, not so small that you have to lean over to see. I hope Golf carries on as long as it can because there's no more Focus, no more Megane hatchback, not sure if Hyundai are continuing the i30 what with all the hugely impressive EV stuff they're doing. VW could soon stand alone, expect for maybe going up against the Japanese automaker's small cars.
Ive got the pre facelift and really love the touch sliders on the steering wheel.
I thinks the buttons are a downgrade 🤷♂️
(The R keeps the touch steering wheel because of the R button)
Those sliders are literally meant to mimic buttons. Buttons are the standard, can't be an downgrade, but glade you like them nonetheless.
Ignorance is bliss…
You are choosing form over function then, nothing wrong with that apparently.
The mark 7 and 7.5 are still the best imo
Mechanically the mk 8.5 seems to be a great car, the seats are amzing but that screen needs to be ripped off the dash immediately! Price wise in Ireland the clubsport is about 70k, hard to justify that imo
4K difference between this and the R makes no sense.
Had am MK6 and to me it was the best generation! Of course opinions vary! 😊
I just bought a 24 gti s. I didn't want the 25. The screen size is overkill. Imo.
I think the lighting on the logo just doesn't do it for performance cars,it's an electric car thing😅
I cannot look past the the front light running through front and the illuminated logo.
I previous GTI owner and really love these cars but that front lighting setup just turns me away.
Does anybody else feel like this ?
Had the Mk8 for a week. Steering wheel buttons aren't that bad. I would love normal buttons 100%. But I can easily live with these.
How does this compare to the new JCW ?
I can’t get past bolt on screens that look like an afterthought. Not in any car.
Integrated screens are the way forward. As soon as I saw that behemoth of a screen that looks like an aftermarket bolt on, that was me done. Yep, a car has to look good on the outside but as a driver, you have to live with the interior and ergonomics.
That monstrous screen makes it a no from me.
They have quite a few of these at dealers ready to go
Shows every golf but the 1 that sold the most in UK and Europe mk4 ☠️
Not a good Gti though.
I've failed to like that gear box design without the actual handle it just doesn't
feel right
screen too big
I love the golf but they have become so expensive. However still cheaper than most electric cars. I hope the new polo is still petrol and the gti version stays below 33k
14:25 WHEELy disturbing
Best choice for looks, the R only available in three colours 😱 but it is expensive in comparison to the R, if they did the R with more colour options it would outsell the GTI ! Standard spec can sometimes leave others more desirable ? But them buttons on the steering wheel 😱 who thought them positions were ok, certainly not someone designing a car for the people🤯 volume up ……..volume down 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 menu scroll, turn, menu scroll 😤😤😤😤😤 what an own goal they didn’t learn anything from customers !
Haptic steering wheel takes the R off my list. What a shame.
"Attainable" at 40k? Sure...
Still got the awful Halfords style lettering on the doors. Also the centrally aligned GTI lettering on the back. If they fixed both of those they might be on to something.
Mk5 is a go kart great cars
I always wanted one however the BW reputation for reliability always made me change my mind.
I miss my MK7 GTI Performance!
About the haptic buttons... The strategy originally was to reduce moving parts, "less to lose function"... Which I am glad went back to buttons!
First of all, the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car. Lol.
Mk7 ❤❤❤
Not a fan of this gen front end design
I don't know if it's me but the older GTI first generation looks way better than the modern versions of this car. They should have kept the coupe GTI it looks better than it's 4 door counterpart
Be careful, don t crack the engine head, they are great at that :)