THAT, is a deal breaker IMO I hope sales suffer and VW wises up...FAST. Not only is a touch screen and capacitive everything (more difficult to use) it's dangerous because you have to LOOK at controls instead of watching the road, try by feel and you'll touch the wrong area and down the rabbit hole you go trying to undo what you just touched...WHILE DRIVING.
Comapnies who do stuff like that must have watched that episode of SpongeBob where Squidward goes to the future and everything is chrome and said "let's do that"
Capacitive buttons are awful. I have them on a few things and they feel possessed, operating themselves when you haven't pressed them or not working if your hand is cold/damp. I had Bluetooth earphones that if a drop of sweat dropped onto it would either power down or activate Google assistant. I can imagine enjoying hustling a GTi on a B road only to find I've deafened myself or have boiling hot hands from activating the steering wheel. The lack of speed though is unforgivable. Even a cheap smart phone is fairly zippy UI wise yet ca systems feel like they have Intel celeron processors inside. Even my 7.5 is hardly quick but it is much faster than the mark 8. Technology focused and yet so sluggish
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000x’s. Hiring Jason is the smartest decision Hagerty has made since running Saturday morning commercials on Speed.
Le acabo de mandar este video a mi hermano en Canada, porque el tuvo la suerte de comprarse un 2020 GTI Mk 7.5 nuevo con solo 2 millas en el odómetro. Tuvo mucha suerte!
Thanks for ripping VW a new one for the stupid "capacitive touch", the absense of physical buttons and the whole stupid infotainment system crapola that feels like it's been designed by a still developing AI, and not a human!
Some of my favorite things about my 2020 GTI are the simple controls that I could find on a 1990 vehicle. They simply work and are intuitive. Those aren’t bad qualities.
I don't get this. Cadillac got grilled for its all touch button interface 8 years ago (2013 3rd gen CTS). Squeaks instead satisfying clicks. Feels cheap af.
@@JAnx01 Exactly. US manufacturers tried this stuff 8+ years ago. The Lincoln MKT/Ford Flex has the *same* touch capacitance buttons in the center stack and they are total garbage. Also, the "sliders" for volume and fan speed are the same to what you find here: not illuminated and sketchy.
My wife wanted a GTI, out of all the cars we'd driven she liked that one the best (and she's a hobbit at only 4'10" and it was one of the only cars where she could easily reach the pedals), so I bought her a Mk8. BIG mistake. See, she'd liked the Mk7 but they had already been replaced, and I thought it wouldn't matter as much to her. Well, it did and she didn't like the new GTI. Soooo, I ended up taking it back and getting a 2 y/o Mk7 and she was thrilled, and not only because of the styling and better interior, but also because it's red, her favorite color. Happy wife, happy life. 🤷♂
Happy wife, happy life bullshit is created by men who lives in miserable lifes and can't divorce because otherwise %50 of everything you have is gone. Real love isn't like this. So continue with your "happy wife, happy life BS" . You know you are one-sided in the marriage where women is OK with divorce anyway.
This is the best Mk8 GTI review I have watched yet. As a Mk7.5 owner, I’ve been struggling to see how anyone could like the Mk8 more. Everything about the interior driving experience seems worse. The interior styling and quality seem to have regressed. The exterior styling is okay, but not great. I’m so happy someone was finally honest and told it like it really is. Here’s to hoping the inevitable Mk8.5 fixes all of the shortcomings.
@Steve Dave I mean…no. We aren’t buying gti’s JUST because the layout of the controls are simple. Like someone else said, if refined NVH and logical controls are your jam, you could easily buy a new civic hatch or Mazda 3 hatch. Engine and performance are like a huge part of the GTI experience? The point is the previous gen didnt make you sacrifice the basics to get it. But they absolutely matter in the day to day.
@@layne4376 if you are into an 90+ degree sunny day in the summer coupled with an overly hot heated steering wheel while ripping through some mountain roads….boy does the GTI fit the bill!
It surprises even more in europe, where Seat (Cupra) are selling at least two cars (Formentor and Leon) as great as the Mark 7 GTi for way less money. I hope people working in Wolfsburg will wake the hell up.
@@mikoajpiatek6716 Those cars are based on the Mk7 GTI, and VW made sure that the engine tuning and transmission tuning in the Seats wasn’t quite as refined as the GTI. Both cars are excellent, and great value too for what they are.
93.2% agree! The nitpick is that UX and UI are NOT the same. One is user experience, the other is user interface. UX is more than just the interface, it's everything that influences a user's opinion of interacting with the product - so engine sound, ergonomics, even the smell of the interior are UX. The layout of the infotainment system is UI.
You realize the whole UX is probably outsourced to the lowest bidder, which means there is no time for iterative testing. A bunch of college grads build it, pronounce it "cool", and then the adults have to live with a lump of cr...coal.
Dear car makers, can we have a simple as little tech as possible car with just state of the art safety equipment and crash protection? I'm all for ABS, ESC, Airbags, Crumple Zones etc, but these wide screen dashboards, no buttons and stuff drive me nuts, needle gauges and my phone is all I need.
@@jeffk464 As soon as I saw OP's post, I thought of the BRZ/86. Just one button press for traction control off. No pedal dance, no infotainment menus. If the new Nissan Z didn't have last gen's interior, I might recommend that as well. Looks a little dated before it's even being produced though. Dunno about the new gr86 though, it now has an all digital gauge cluster from what I've seen.
I would be really interested in seeing how this breaks down in terms of what percentage of the market really wants that sort of vehicle. I have no idea.
This review is SO MUCH BETTER than all Golf GTI Mk 7 v Mk 8 reviews I have ever watched. Thank you so much for this absoutely brilliant, professionally produced, and extremely entertaining video. I loved it. As a German, I didn't know your website before, mate, but I will not forget it from now on. Liking and subscribing never felt any better 🙂
i bought a 2019 GTI base on liquidation in summer of 2020, one year later the same models in my area are selling for the same price that i payed! with 30 000kms!!!! like you say, good for people like us, keeping our resale high :)
At this point, it’s best to buy the MK7 R. Used prices are pretty decent (or were before the used car prices went insane), and not much more than the GTI. I own a MK7 GTI. It has over 100k miles. Will be paid off in a year. It’s modded more than the average owner who mods them. Still runs strong and I have no plans on selling it right now. If I need to rebuild the engine, then I will because putting $5k into a rebuilt engine will bring me more fun than buying a different car. Great road trip car. Great MPG’s (40mpg hwy with it being 400whp/410wtq), and while I’m in school, it’s just a great all-around car. I plan on either handing it down to my nephew once I’m in my career or building it to be a 600whp monster. Not sure yet, but it’s going to stay in the fam for sure
"If every new car" The high and mid tier cars have been like this for 3-4 years, now the low tier cars are following. This is the last stop. Only way to escape this is to buy super economy car sub 16k like nissan versa or toyota yaris.
One year later, VW has made some updates: -Lane Assist no longer auto activated - Software update improved infotainment performance, no more lags - Integrated shortcuts to access ESC controls, custom shortcuts - Recall available to fix widespread radiator issue - Steering wheel/control module replacement offered to those with assist system issues It’s not perfect, but after months of ownership - the infotainment is more of a learning curve that many have grown accustomed to.
yeah, the lane assist turning on on every start is a Euro thing - cars sold in Europe do it because of regulations (previously for better crash test scores, now a mandatory feature)
I can't imagine why they dropped the golf ball shifter, IMO round that is the optimal shape a shifter could have + the golf ball has always been their trademark.
I don’t understand this either. The golf ball style shift knob for the 6spd manual is a GTI trademark, and they got rid of it??? I can only think that all these young kids who aren’t really VW GTI enthusiasts are now infiltrating the company and think going a different route is the best option. No, it’s not. Stick to the GTI’s roots and people will continue to buy. Don’t, and they’ll go elsewhere because there are plenty of other cars out there just as fun nowadays.
Very well stated and honest review IMO. Being an owner of a MK7.5 and a past owner of a MK6 GTI after test driving the new 8 I just couldn't pull the trigger. Funny note, while I was test driving the MK8 at the Dealer someone wanted to buy my 7.5 haha. How disappointed they were when they found out I past on the 8. I think the 8 is a nice car, but I like simple, and my 7.5 S is just that. The new 8 just is too much of something the car simply didn't need.
It is so irritating to operate such panels with touchscreen why not the old plastic buttons they were so nice with a retro style. Plus everything is facing the driver like as if one was sitting in some sort of control room. There is no practicality left to be used in everyday life. If it is used in electric cars then along with panels the irritating buzzing sound would definitely send me to a 🏥 and would have been 😵. The consumer will definitely feel amazing for the first time but if he tries to implement it in his everyday work it would be a stress giver even whenever his/her hands would go over the steering wheel.
I swear, I need to open up a shop to solely retrofit physical buttons, switches, and rockers in place of capacitance and touch-screen nonsense. This shift towards it is driven by bean-counters and the UX "designers" that keep changing their minds every year, purposefully straying further and further away from RUDI-FUCKING-MENTARY design best practices.
@@realpillboxer It's goddamned sickening. Take mechanical switches and knobs that actually work in nearly all conditions and rarely need any attention aside from a cleaning, and replace them with high tech gadgetry who's sole purpose is to wow stupid young customers.
@@Andersljungberg people who care about cars talk all the time about Lotus. people who view cars as a necessary evil talk tesla... (except for the hopped up teslas with ridiculous 0-60, we all talk about that)
I have a 2024 GTI S trim and TBH… the haptic controls are not the worst. I’m already so used to it that it’s no issue. Also, knowing the button shortcuts make it easy to navigate AND the lag is now on par with other companies… not bad. AND the lane keep stays off now when you turn it off. I enjoy mine, but I get where this review was going. Great content, for sure!
Great job not glossing over the massive problems with the touch infotainment and climate controls like some car reviewers have. It's a deal breaker for the GTI and R. The other issues like lane keep assist are important too, great job.
I can’t express how much I enjoy Jason being on this channel. I watch all the major car TH-cam content but Jason doing these takes is by far what gets me fired up to hear what he has to say.
I LOVE your attention to detail Jason. This is the kind of stuff I pick up on as soon as I get into a car that some of my friends will be like ‘oh I never noticed’ 🤦🏼♂️
I own a mark seven and you are literally speaking the words from my soul. The mark 8 might seem futuristic in the first place but it was just destroyed by cost saving and that sucks.
As a former MK6 GTI owner and current MK8 owner I can hands down say the MK8 is the better made and far better driving car. Fit and finish is improved in the MK8 and the driving experience is leagues above. As for infotainment system, it's very intuitive and you become familiar within a few uses. Great tech as well.
@@kyledorton6181 None of the driving systems in the mk8 have been changed to its prior. No changes to any of the drivers assistance systems it still runs the same DDC kit, the train is still the EA888 just as the DSG/ DCC. The only area that's changed would be the interior and its design. I guess design will always be a matter of taste so i wont comment on any of that, i just like the fact that they put acutal sport seats into the mk8 unlike the mk7s but for me thats about it. What i'm trying to say is that there havent been any other changes to the whole car except the interior, the mk7 was engineered that well, the release of the c-class was delayed in that year with it beeing so ahead of its competition. The mk8 still runs the same engine tune as the mk7.5 had. You absolutely need to try one out for yourself. All im trying to say is that there is not much of a difference with the mk8 being a whole new generation what is actually really depressing, to the fact that it will be the last gti with a combustion engine and I dont think it makes up for the expectancies the community had for it. I dont mean to display any hate to you or any mk8 driver. I just wanted to explain why all the hate that was directed to volkswagen after its release. The mk8 sure is a great car with amazing driving experience and comfort/ sports performance, it just happens to be a common car with the drivetrain and its infotainment being spread across the whole board.
The 7 was a pinnacle in GTi design. My family outgrew it so I moved on but 3 great years with one. With an upgraded clutch and a tune that car ripped, and had brilliant driving dynamics. It took going MUCH pricier to achieve similar smiles in the sports sedan segment (because we don't get those sweet Euro wagons) I had to buy 2013 s4 to accommodate and that car was fast but never handled anywhere near my 2016 GTi w/PP on stock suspension and tire. The s4 had the sports diff, KW V2, 9.5" wide lightweight wheel and Firehawk Indy 500 and would still plow wide where the GTi would build progressively as it understeered, and then when timed right a hair of lift off would sort it back around. With out the sports diff the s4 would've been a mess, but it worked every turn to keep the car from tossing the front to the outside. Sure the s4 would obliterate most cars in a line (Tuned for 93 and a tune for the DSG), but things went belly up in a turn. The s4 sticker was actual a hair more than double the GTi's when new! In no way was it twice the car however. Now I have a 2018 RWD 340i MPPSK and while it lacks an LSD, the rest of the car is finally the savage straight line (if you haven't tried the B58/ZF8 combo, you're missing one of the best drivetrains made today imo) of the s4 but something much closer to the GTi in a turn. However considering that the new sticker on the 340i was TWICE what the GTi was. That should tell you the value the Mk7 GTi delivered. I moved on from the GTi looking for better with a touch more leg room in the back, and it took double the cost to finally hit that nail on the head. What a great car! I hope someone is still loving it today as I did.
I find it hard to comprehend that a company that made a car as amazing and brilliant as the Mk7 Golf, which is nearly universally loved by everyone, could mess up the Mk8.
@@lobsterwhisperer7932 Obviously you haven't done any comparing, Toyotas are amazingly reliable but will put you to sleep as are so boring to drive. VW's may not be the best constructed quality wise but are fun to drive as soon as you get in, for drivers that enjoy driving more than getting from home to the local Safeway and back..
Yea, a VW golf is no different from a Kia Seed and a Civic type r is no different from a Dacia Sandero. Do you suffer from blindness, nerve damage or some other sensory disabilities? @@lobsterwhisperer7932
I just got an mk8 golf r....many of the complaints have been fixed, especially the ux responsiveness as shown. Infotainment and lack of buttons aren't as bad as I thought. The steering wheel buttons are actually pretty good now.
I forgot how nice the MK7 interior really is having gotten so used it. On occasion when I have passengers who have sat inside for the first time, they aren't really car enthusiasts but have always mentioned how nice it is, and I am grateful I have not gone ahead an moved on to the MK8 now.
I work as service advisor for VW in uk and couldn't agree more. Also a huge VW fanboy owned corrados etc. I know that unfortunately even if they correct certain features for nex gen, it will never be the same. Thank you Jason!
I own a MK6 and this is ABSOLUTELY 100% accurate. I would definitely go with a MK7 vs a MK8 (thought there were some cost cutting issues going from 6 to 7 in the interior as well).
Thanks for an honest review, I'm based in Europe and indeed mk8 sucks big time - took it for a spin last week and it felt ultra generic, the hard plastics and cheap tablets are the antithesis of what golf used to be.. Hell, even to enter launch control you need to tap so many screens you simply don't want to bother. I won't touch it again for sure, it's a blind alley for the auto industry.
I loved my MK6 GTI and when I test drove a MK7, I immediately felt that it was a massive step forward on pretty much everything that made the GTI great. It’s sad to hear that it has reverted, because it sounds like the chassis and powertrain of the MK8 are the best yet. I think a lot of these cars with the large screens are going to age horribly.
Agreed. Stepping into my mk6 after using an MK7 is mind blowing. It’s like going from a fast Jetta into Porsche . MK7 is a real masterpiece. Also, this mk8 is fucking ugly. (But it does sound amazing in the cabin I’ll give it that)
I used to own a MK7 GTI. My son has a new Mk8 VW GTI w/DSG and its the best performing and driving GTI ever imo. The infotainment is cumbersome, but you used to it and the interior looks great. GTI's are about the driving experience, not the creature comforts. It looks the 2025 GTI's will have improved infotainment and a bit more more HP, which is great!
The 8th generation Golf (yes a GTI is just a trim/handling package on a Golf) is ugly and cheap. Looks like they hired someone from Chevy to redo the front end.
I had a MK7 Autobahn for 3 years, manual performance pack, loved the thing was a really wonderful car and the limited slip diff made it handle so well, the front felt very sharp. And it was quiet, and very comfortable, and the quality is impeccable for the price. Hard to top it.
Hm. I was disappointed when I saw the first release of the interior shots. I got excited after Savagegeese drove it. And now I'm just glad I bought my mk7 when I did. As a fellow mk7 owner and a fellow Jason, I'm inclined to trust this man.
I totally agree with everything you said about the screen and capacitive controls. Time and time again cars put everything into a screen and make the screen bigger, but it never actually makes the experience better. People defend the integration of every button into the screen by saying "it isn't actually that distracting" or "this is where everyone is going now" but User experience and user interface is so important yet so easy to screw up, and the screens can just never do it. They are ironically never easier to use for stuff like hvac and basic controls.
VW completely missed the mark on the interior. I simply don't understand why companies are going to capacitive touch buttons. Do their designers ever actually drive these things? I had a MK IV GTI that, sadly, was very unreliable. I still haven't forgiven VW.
You should give a newer one the chance if you can. The mk6 and mk7 are amazing cars, the mk4 and mk5 and a lot of issues that they were trying to work through. If you get one that was decently maintained, you will have a great time. I've had a mk7 gti and now a mk7 golf R, put about 50,000 miles on them in less than a year (combined) and not a single reliability issue, just oil changes and tires.
@@Mgoblagulkablong Yeah, I know it is cheaper to build. But it doesn't work well, it is dangerous to use while driving, and customer satisfaction will be terrible.
I LOVE my 2018 mk7.5 GTI!!! I have the only model year that gets the "SE" trim but also gets to still keep the plaid seats!!! I AM IN LOVE WITH MY CAR!!!!
I firmly agree with you on the infotainment and steering wheel side to this as.. I used to work for a company that brought VAG group cars (Seat/Skoda/VW/Audi/Porsche etc) off the RoRo ships and into a compound, other duties included 'Pulling' stored cars for loads (to go out to PDI centres/dealerships etc) or moving cars (compressing them together to make space for new cars coming in. And it was always done in a rush (when you're dealing with thousands of cars at a time you need to get things done. So.. We would jump out of a mini bus, into a car, get it started, drive for between 2 to 8 odd minutes and park up. On the Mk7s (and earlier) no probs, you could clear screens (here in UK it's often damp and thus gets frosty easily), get the radio on and whatnot within seconds (you get used to quickly flicking switches, turning dials, belting up and starting cars VERY QUICKLY), but... Come the Mk8? Jeeeeeezus what a hassle!! What annoyed me most was the FIRST screen that came up was the childish namby pamby "I want to warm my hands", "I would like fresh air", "I would like to warm my feet" option screen.. WTF?!?!? JUST GIVE ME COLD TO HOT, HOW FAST FAN AND WHERE!!! FFS!! So, Mk7 (& 7.5s) were and STILL are (to me) the ones to go for 🤔👍. DON'T get me wrong, I DO like the shape/style of the Mk 8, it's just if the skin was Mk8 laid over the 7/7.5 then PERFECT!!! 😎🇬🇧
@@Gertso Did you have a lot of problems with the windscreen? I had 3 VW's so far, never had a cracked windscreen. I am looking to replace my Passat (B7) with a Mk 7.5 Golf R.
I replaced mine about 3 years in after numerous small cracks finally built up enough to be annoying. I do mostly blame this on Houston roads being very treacherous though. The real issue with the car was having to replace the fuel rail around 35k and the freaking gas tank around 70k. The fuel rail was under warranty thankfully but the gas tank was not. They did have a recall for the two previous models for this issue but still would not honor it.
I'm not even that into VW, I watch these videos because of Jason and end up learning a ton, loving a new car, and excited about the history and future of cars!
I owned a MK7, and who cares? It’s still probably almost identical on a backroad while being so annoying to use. I loved how nice it was as a daily driver and weekend car, not how fast it was.
Jason is Amazing!!! He deserves a raise. Based on his comments I would think he is some where near my age. That make his commentary even more relevant for me (and my other gen x’ers). I will like to disagree with him on a point regarding the Corrado. While I do agree it is beautiful and I fine example of its type, it does not sound better than any other engine. Nothing compares to a healthy big block Chevy or big block Ford.
oh man, thanks for this review. I'm so glad I didn't wait for the new GTI and got my 35th anniversary edition GLI instead. Currently still not a fan of all digital displays and no buttons? PASS. Physical touch feedback is still a must to keep your eyes on the road.
GREAT video. One of the better (for any topic) I've seen in awhile. We just bought the 2011 GTI for our son and have enjoyed learning about the ownership community.
As a GTI/VW fanboy I really appreciate Jason putting down some hard truth to keep VW honest. VW if you’re listening…I’m ready for a new car and the MK8.5 better come soon with fixes for all these bad UI/UX decisions!
last summer I was debating between a used mk7.5 or a new mk8, and ultimatly I went with the 7.5 because of it's usability and how simple it was. Plus it was easier to find in a manual.
Makes me appreciate my MK7.5 even more 🔥 the looks of the MK8 aren’t terrible in person & I like the upgrades they threw under the hood. The interior is a -10 for me though & that’s what really killed this whole car for me. I also didn’t agree with the placement of those fog lights. Needless to say, the 7.5 is still king looks wise in my book. The MK8 doesn’t sound too bad though on the roads
Same! I bought extended warranty with my 7.5, and will likely trade when it gets to 5 years (to avoid the VW gift of dreadful later years reliability), but I don’t think it will be to a Mk8 GTi. Ah well.
As someone who has owned 4 MK7s (2 Sportwagens, a 5 door, and a Golf R) as well as convinced at least 6 other people to get various MK7 models, the interior of this MK8 is my biggest let down. I have warmed to the styling over time, but the lack of physical controls and degradation of quality means I will be skipping this generation of Golf...
I bought a MK6 2 Door GTI New on a whim in 2013 and 10 years later it's still my daily driver and I love it. Approaching 200k miles...Stupid reliable, fun and still looks great. Never thought I'd enjoy this car so much.
Well done Jason. I adore my Mk7 wagon. The UX will absolutely prevent me from considering a mk8 until they inevitably put all the buttons back in the mid cycle refresh.
7.5 owner here. Each generation has taken a bit to grow on me, but the 8 never has. I just don’t like the styling. Maybe I’m bias but for modern GTIs I feel the 7.5 is the best looking. Amazing video by the way, subscribed and can’t wait to see more.
Lol, I was just about to comment about that, thought it was part of the hud. It must be the outtake where the cafeteria tray he throws makes it’s way to the windshield.
The mark 7 had one of my favourite interiors of any car I've been in, the UI and infotainment system was perfect! Just enough buttons to be usable, not so many that it became cluttered and ugly. Just by a used mark 7 till VW fixes the mark 8
@@scott5860 It's really as silly as the people who complain that the bezel on last year's flagship monitor by their favorite company was too thick, so it's inferior to the new one. Regardless of being fundamentally identical. You know, the ones who rush out to buy the latest phone just because it's the latest phone. The form over function crowd. The ones who are enamored by shiny, flashy distractions instead of the driving experience, intuitive controls, and ease of use, and ease of personal maintenance/repair.
I never knew that the mk7 was that good in quality that it made mercedes have second thoughts on its c class. That really highlights how great vw interior quality was in previous generations
CAMMISA, this was and still is and for ever will be the world's f...ing best introduction. I am using it in my English classes on how to write introductions. ........LOVE YA!
I love how Jason can review any car by starting from the perspective of a 40-year-old Volkswagen. Also, 8:04 accidentally switching the heated steering wheel is a minor annoyance. Lewis Hamilton managed to accidentally hit the brake balance button by his AMG Mercedes steering wheel and couldn't slow in time for a corner and went straight off the road.
It was 109ºF when we were filming the GR86/GTI Icons episode. 109ºF. Adding a heated steering wheel in those conditions was more than a minor annoyance.... it was somewhere between "third-degree burns" and "a mass human tragedy..." lol.
Hello fellow R friend! I've got a 16 R, but was contemplating going mk8 to trade up, but after all this it's looking like the 7.5 is the way to go. How is the infotainment on it? And is mk7.5 digital dash?
@@AngySumo Do you track your car? If so then get the mk8 R. If not then the mk7.5 R is great, I also have a '19. The infotainment works well mostly because you just use Carplay or Android auto, however a big negative for me is that nothing you do in Carplay can be displayed in the gauge cluster (haven't tested Android). The navigation is...well it's as terrible as most built in navs. The digital dash has never given me any issues but it's mostly pointless since I leave it on the same setting all the time.
@@davebrochu I actually work at a track so I take it on occasionally but it's not the primary purpose, it's just a really nice daily that I can whip around if I get the urge to lol. But thank you guys for the insight! I've got the android auto/Carplay on mine too but it's a pretty small and very dated screen now
Exactly what I have been saying all along. That infortainment alone is keeping me from even considering the MK8. I'm a happy MK7 owner and I'm keeping it for life. Love everything about it, especially the HVAC and infotainment and interior quality, superb for a car its price.
Just taken delivery (untested) of a MK8 GTI (UK Spec) and yes I hated it for a couple of hours, but once I got used to the virtual buttons (much the same as we all transitioned from Nokias to smartphones), I started to REALLY like this car. Forget the lack of buttons, it's not a big deal..... it handles and performs REALLY well, and is composed enough to be able to chuck the dogs and the kids in the back and tootle down to the shops for a pint of milk in a way that you just can't do with a Type R or an AMG45. Once you get used to it (which, granted takes more work than a buttoned car) the MK8 is easily better than the MK7 in almost every other respect.
You are spot on. UX makes or breaks the cars these days. I was terrified when car companies came up with adding touch screens. Ever since I've been praying they see the light and give us satisfying buttons again. I don't want to have to buy a car, where I have to press a virtual button for a basic feature. It's like the few generations unreliable VAG engines. I really wanted to buy a VAG car of that age, but I couldn't risk the engine, so I waited.
Another excellent video and review from Jason. LOVE my MK7, keep turning down trade-in offers from VW for MK8. My MK7 has been the best DD car I have ever owed; I am an old man. Just does everything so well. Nearly 140K; only issue has been one headlight and rear license plate bulb. Just follow the maintenance guide and it has been epically dependable and fun to drive.
Great review. You really covered the ergonomic issues with the UX well. This was more complete and useful than a fanboy reporting back after a couple of hot laps. I subscribed.
Aside from the excellent presentation, the production value of these reviews is second to none. The rear quarter shot at 2:07 where the window light is filtering through the atmospheric smoke to highlight the red paint on the bumper is gorgeous. This attention to detail does not go unnoticed. Great work!
The best part about this show is the drive at the end. Jason, brilliant opening to your show this week. Next time do a similar skit. (: Oh and what’s next?
Great review and as a 7.5 GTI owner I see no reason to get a Mk 8 GTI, the looks, the interior all seem to have taken a step backwards to varying degrees. I guess dieselgate and the spend on BEV have lead to the march backwards.
Great review. I have a 2018 Alltrack 6spd manual and they are offering me a pretty decent trade-in value to switch into a 2024 GTI Performance (Canada) 6spd manual. The GTI is faster and tighter, obviously, but I love the Alltrack's AWD, especially when the snow is down. (So much fun...!) I can foresee times where I would prefer the GTI, and times where I would prefer the Alltrack, so that's a bit if a wash in terms of deciding what to do. Of course, having a brand new car would be nice too I guess, but that aside, what is steering me toward keeping my Alltrack is the lower quality interior of the Mk8 and the new infotainment system, which on at least 1st use seems to be a majorly frustrating PITA. Glad to see I'm not the only one scrathing my head about this new interior... I may end up with my 2018 Alltrack for awhile longer yet. Cheers!
Hahaha, love the intro... that used to be me, however recently VW has been missing the mark in the North American market... it makes me sad... the Golf and GTI/R are last of the true VW's. Still all the cost cutting sucks
Honestly, I think people are overreacting to the haptic buttons and infotainment system. I've been driving the mk8 gti s ( which actually has knobs!) for about 5 months, and I've gotten used to them. Are buttons better? Yes, but these things are not a deal breaker, and the actual driving experience definitely makes up for it. The material is not cheap.I know it's personal preference, but I actually like how sleek the interior is. Not much clutter.
Jason always knocks it out of the park. His enthusiasm for the VW brand has lit my passion for them as well. Now I just need to get the 16V Scirocco back on the road.
Finally a journalist that says the truth about touch screen and capacitive EVERYTHING!!!
THAT, is a deal breaker IMO I hope sales suffer and VW wises up...FAST. Not only is a touch screen and capacitive everything (more difficult to use) it's dangerous because you have to LOOK at controls instead of watching the road, try by feel and you'll touch the wrong area and down the rabbit hole you go trying to undo what you just touched...WHILE DRIVING.
Comapnies who do stuff like that must have watched that episode of SpongeBob where Squidward goes to the future and everything is chrome and said "let's do that"
Capacitive buttons are awful. I have them on a few things and they feel possessed, operating themselves when you haven't pressed them or not working if your hand is cold/damp. I had Bluetooth earphones that if a drop of sweat dropped onto it would either power down or activate Google assistant. I can imagine enjoying hustling a GTi on a B road only to find I've deafened myself or have boiling hot hands from activating the steering wheel. The lack of speed though is unforgivable. Even a cheap smart phone is fairly zippy UI wise yet ca systems feel like they have Intel celeron processors inside. Even my 7.5 is hardly quick but it is much faster than the mark 8. Technology focused and yet so sluggish
Yup. And imagine living in a cold climate and having to wear gloves or mittens lest you freeze your fingers off.
Many journalists do
matt from carwow, just to name one of them
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 1000x’s. Hiring Jason is the smartest decision Hagerty has made since running Saturday morning commercials on Speed.
Le acabo de mandar este video a mi hermano en Canada, porque el tuvo la suerte de comprarse un 2020 GTI Mk 7.5 nuevo con solo 2 millas en el odómetro. Tuvo mucha suerte!
@@luisquintero2992 ya hablababla nudududu djidjimidji, kukhu chuchu!
This is on my mind after every video he does. By far the best auto journalist making content today
Why? he's a prick
Easily. I just found this channel and I can't stop watching videos. The cinematography, scripting, and Jason are awesome
As a UX designer and MK7 owner, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for this review!!!
UX designer for the automotive industry?
The intro alone deserves an award
This intro was hilarious! Well scripted! Jason is amazing
@@tunanocrust2642 The amount of effort put into these videos is outstanding.
+1 ... "I'd like to thank the Academy" ... Too funny!
Min 3:42 Golf 8 is a COST REDUCTION from Golf 7 ! 🏆🏆🏆
@@CristianP well that was the point from the start!
Thanks for ripping VW a new one for the stupid "capacitive touch", the absense of physical buttons and the whole stupid infotainment system crapola that feels like it's been designed by a still developing AI, and not a human!
Some of my favorite things about my 2020 GTI are the simple controls that I could find on a 1990 vehicle. They simply work and are intuitive. Those aren’t bad qualities.
For those in cold climates (think 10 below) that have to try to adjust controls with gloves on...good luck with that hvac touch screen.
I don't get this. Cadillac got grilled for its all touch button interface 8 years ago (2013 3rd gen CTS). Squeaks instead satisfying clicks. Feels cheap af.
Clearly VW isn't paying attention to the mistakes of other brands... or it's just purely a cost-cutting decision.
@@JAnx01 Exactly. US manufacturers tried this stuff 8+ years ago. The Lincoln MKT/Ford Flex has the *same* touch capacitance buttons in the center stack and they are total garbage. Also, the "sliders" for volume and fan speed are the same to what you find here: not illuminated and sketchy.
My wife wanted a GTI, out of all the cars we'd driven she liked that one the best (and she's a hobbit at only 4'10" and it was one of the only cars where she could easily reach the pedals), so I bought her a Mk8. BIG mistake. See, she'd liked the Mk7 but they had already been replaced, and I thought it wouldn't matter as much to her. Well, it did and she didn't like the new GTI. Soooo, I ended up taking it back and getting a 2 y/o Mk7 and she was thrilled, and not only because of the styling and better interior, but also because it's red, her favorite color. Happy wife, happy life. 🤷♂
My husband just bought me a 2020 GTI. Same story: I’m short and love the size. Well, and the plaid seats & hatchback.
Bro how you returned a new car
@@lordchadwickedwardsiii4093 Probably rolled it into the new one, can't imagine he didn't eat some depreciation though
@@SrKinko If it was in the 2021-2023 they probably evened out with the car prices back then
Happy wife, happy life bullshit is created by men who lives in miserable lifes and can't divorce because otherwise %50 of everything you have is gone. Real love isn't like this. So continue with your "happy wife, happy life BS" . You know you are one-sided in the marriage where women is OK with divorce anyway.
This is the best Mk8 GTI review I have watched yet. As a Mk7.5 owner, I’ve been struggling to see how anyone could like the Mk8 more. Everything about the interior driving experience seems worse. The interior styling and quality seem to have regressed. The exterior styling is okay, but not great. I’m so happy someone was finally honest and told it like it really is.
Here’s to hoping the inevitable Mk8.5 fixes all of the shortcomings.
@Steve Dave I mean…no. We aren’t buying gti’s JUST because the layout of the controls are simple. Like someone else said, if refined NVH and logical controls are your jam, you could easily buy a new civic hatch or Mazda 3 hatch. Engine and performance are like a huge part of the GTI experience? The point is the previous gen didnt make you sacrifice the basics to get it. But they absolutely matter in the day to day.
@@layne4376 if you are into an 90+ degree sunny day in the summer coupled with an overly hot heated steering wheel while ripping through some mountain roads….boy does the GTI fit the bill!
@@layne4376 Only if the button is on the left side, then it can counteract the heated button when I eventually turn the wheel back the other way!
It surprises even more in europe, where Seat (Cupra) are selling at least two cars (Formentor and Leon) as great as the Mark 7 GTi for way less money. I hope people working in Wolfsburg will wake the hell up.
@@mikoajpiatek6716 Those cars are based on the Mk7 GTI, and VW made sure that the engine tuning and transmission tuning in the Seats wasn’t quite as refined as the GTI. Both cars are excellent, and great value too for what they are.
From all the UX Designers and auto enthusiasts, we salute you Jason! Bravo!!!
THANK YOU! Now get all your UX friends to go get jobs at car companies. These people need HELP!
Who did they hire for the UX and interior? I seriously would like to know their rationale for what they created
93.2% agree! The nitpick is that UX and UI are NOT the same. One is user experience, the other is user interface. UX is more than just the interface, it's everything that influences a user's opinion of interacting with the product - so engine sound, ergonomics, even the smell of the interior are UX. The layout of the infotainment system is UI.
And a big middle finger to the manager heads who thought that they know better than their designers.
You realize the whole UX is probably outsourced to the lowest bidder, which means there is no time for iterative testing. A bunch of college grads build it, pronounce it "cool", and then the adults have to live with a lump of cr...coal.
I feel absolutely the same preference for the mk7 GTI
It seems like that the mk8 has so much marketing/gimmicks that it becomes way too much
It does...
You are probably the only journalist out there that understands the true meaning of the Golf and GTI.
Dear car makers, can we have a simple as little tech as possible car with just state of the art safety equipment and crash protection? I'm all for ABS, ESC, Airbags, Crumple Zones etc, but these wide screen dashboards, no buttons and stuff drive me nuts, needle gauges and my phone is all I need.
Hyundai sells its i30 N in race-ready TCR spec for about €150k inc factory support. Not great for the school run though.
Gr86
@@jeffk464 As soon as I saw OP's post, I thought of the BRZ/86. Just one button press for traction control off. No pedal dance, no infotainment menus. If the new Nissan Z didn't have last gen's interior, I might recommend that as well. Looks a little dated before it's even being produced though.
Dunno about the new gr86 though, it now has an all digital gauge cluster from what I've seen.
I would be really interested in seeing how this breaks down in terms of what percentage of the market really wants that sort of vehicle. I have no idea.
Veloster N
This review is SO MUCH BETTER than all Golf GTI Mk 7 v Mk 8 reviews I have ever watched. Thank you so much for this absoutely brilliant, professionally produced, and extremely entertaining video. I loved it. As a German, I didn't know your website before, mate, but I will not forget it from now on. Liking and subscribing never felt any better 🙂
the MK8 has been the best thing to ever happen to the MK7. Prices on 7 GTI's and R's won't be going down soon because of the 8. Thanks VW.
Yup as someone who's looking to potentially buy an MK7 GTI, this video doesn't help at all lol
Hopefully that means I can get a new Mk8 in 2-3 years to replace my Veloster N for around $23-25K
i bought a 2019 GTI base on liquidation in summer of 2020, one year later the same models in my area are selling for the same price that i payed! with 30 000kms!!!! like you say, good for people like us, keeping our resale high :)
@@DanielE-oq1dt Just buy an M2 for that price in 2-3 years. Much better car.
At this point, it’s best to buy the MK7 R. Used prices are pretty decent (or were before the used car prices went insane), and not much more than the GTI.
I own a MK7 GTI. It has over 100k miles. Will be paid off in a year. It’s modded more than the average owner who mods them. Still runs strong and I have no plans on selling it right now. If I need to rebuild the engine, then I will because putting $5k into a rebuilt engine will bring me more fun than buying a different car. Great road trip car. Great MPG’s (40mpg hwy with it being 400whp/410wtq), and while I’m in school, it’s just a great all-around car. I plan on either handing it down to my nephew once I’m in my career or building it to be a 600whp monster. Not sure yet, but it’s going to stay in the fam for sure
If every new car is eventually going to be like this I’m starting a molotov business
lmao
To destroy factories 🏭? 😂
"If every new car" The high and mid tier cars have been like this for 3-4 years, now the low tier cars are following. This is the last stop. Only way to escape this is to buy super economy car sub 16k like nissan versa or toyota yaris.
Buy an old one and learn to fix it. Keep forever.
@@BillLaBrie This is the true answer.
One year later, VW has made some updates:
-Lane Assist no longer auto activated
- Software update improved infotainment performance, no more lags
- Integrated shortcuts to access ESC controls, custom shortcuts
- Recall available to fix widespread radiator issue
- Steering wheel/control module replacement offered to those with assist system issues
It’s not perfect, but after months of ownership - the infotainment is more of a learning curve that many have grown accustomed to.
yeah, the lane assist turning on on every start is a Euro thing - cars sold in Europe do it because of regulations (previously for better crash test scores, now a mandatory feature)
Not perfect is putting it very mildly
I can't imagine why they dropped the golf ball shifter, IMO round that is the optimal shape a shifter could have + the golf ball has always been their trademark.
Yea it’s literally called a Golf. They replaced it to sway buyers into “upgrading (downgrading)” to the DSG
Costs +30 cents more, Controller without knowledge about cars said no!
Probably cost cutting, because they want to use the same shift nob for absolutely every single car they make...
@@carllinden533 That being said, I wonder which car is getting the Limited Edition Giant Hands Version?
I don’t understand this either. The golf ball style shift knob for the 6spd manual is a GTI trademark, and they got rid of it??? I can only think that all these young kids who aren’t really VW GTI enthusiasts are now infiltrating the company and think going a different route is the best option. No, it’s not. Stick to the GTI’s roots and people will continue to buy. Don’t, and they’ll go elsewhere because there are plenty of other cars out there just as fun nowadays.
A great, unbiased review as always. Jason is the TOP of automotive reviewers.
Heh, I try to be unbiased... (Thank you!)
He does not bs, if it’s good he says it. If it’s bad, HE will say it!
@@JasonCammisa shut up man, acting like you're the one in the video ;)
@@homeo7785 ummm…
Min 3:42 Golf 8 is a COST REDUCTION from Golf 7 ! 🏆🏆🏆
Very well stated and honest review IMO. Being an owner of a MK7.5 and a past owner of a MK6 GTI after test driving the new 8 I just couldn't pull the trigger. Funny note, while I was test driving the MK8 at the Dealer someone wanted to buy my 7.5 haha. How disappointed they were when they found out I past on the 8. I think the 8 is a nice car, but I like simple, and my 7.5 S is just that. The new 8 just is too much of something the car simply didn't need.
This was the best review of *anything* I have seen in ages.
Meet Jason Cammisa!
second best for me. the one he did on the 86 (also featuring this very GTI) is amazing
Every video i watch with Jason i say the same thing... 😃😃
@@giorgosg3900 ...then you haven't seen the legendary W800 review... ;)
Basically, just buy a Mk7.
Amazing argument for this conclusion thoughtfully laid out over ~13 minutes and well worth watching in full.
I can’t agree more, the 7.5 is just a dream to drive. This video really makes me appreciate the steering wheel and climate buttons.
Capacitive panels have killed the car interiors we all fell in love with!! And it is across price points. Don't think they're going to go back now!!
when they see those customer satisfaction surveys (just like Honda), most will. Only a few will stay the dumb course
It is so irritating to operate such panels with touchscreen why not the old plastic buttons they were so nice with a retro style. Plus everything is facing the driver like as if one was sitting in some sort of control room. There is no practicality left to be used in everyday life. If it is used in electric cars then along with panels the irritating buzzing sound would definitely send me to a 🏥 and would have been 😵. The consumer will definitely feel amazing for the first time but if he tries to implement it in his everyday work it would be a stress giver even whenever his/her hands would go over the steering wheel.
Stop buying them and the manufacturers will quickly fix the
“ problem “
You vote with you wallet .
@@papa_pt Tesla gets away with it for the most part because it works flawlessly 90% of the time.
@@madfrosty5228 there's very little else to buy though, if you don't want a base model car every maker is on board with the big touch screen now.
Lotus ends up looking brilliant when they give the Evora future-proofed physical buttons and a double din head unit.
I swear, I need to open up a shop to solely retrofit physical buttons, switches, and rockers in place of capacitance and touch-screen nonsense. This shift towards it is driven by bean-counters and the UX "designers" that keep changing their minds every year, purposefully straying further and further away from RUDI-FUCKING-MENTARY design best practices.
@@realpillboxer It's goddamned sickening. Take mechanical switches and knobs that actually work in nearly all conditions and rarely need any attention aside from a cleaning, and replace them with high tech gadgetry who's sole purpose is to wow stupid young customers.
How many people talk about Lotus and how many people talk about Tesla
@@Andersljungberg people who care about cars talk all the time about Lotus. people who view cars as a necessary evil talk tesla... (except for the hopped up teslas with ridiculous 0-60, we all talk about that)
I have a 2024 GTI S trim and TBH… the haptic controls are not the worst. I’m already so used to it that it’s no issue. Also, knowing the button shortcuts make it easy to navigate AND the lag is now on par with other companies… not bad. AND the lane keep stays off now when you turn it off.
I enjoy mine, but I get where this review was going. Great content, for sure!
9:25 Wait so you're telling me this car has been equipped with RGB interior lighting? I'm sold! **forgets all about car's other problems**
Don’t forget the HUD!
What problems? This is literally a updated version of the mk7.5, in all aspects?
@@thrashingjustin not really😅
A lot of stuff are the same tbh…. Check video’s on comparison of the 2 cars
Oh good whats specs inside of that infotainment system a low budget smartphone?
RGB makes a faster broo. RGB all the things
Jason Camissa needs more recognition , he's simply brilliant.
Great job not glossing over the massive problems with the touch infotainment and climate controls like some car reviewers have. It's a deal breaker for the GTI and R. The other issues like lane keep assist are important too, great job.
That was a surprising unbiased review from a very vw biased Jason Canmisa!!!!
I can’t express how much I enjoy Jason being on this channel. I watch all the major car TH-cam content but Jason doing these takes is by far what gets me fired up to hear what he has to say.
He's the new Clarkson.
100%
I LOVE your attention to detail Jason. This is the kind of stuff I pick up on as soon as I get into a car that some of my friends will be like ‘oh I never noticed’ 🤦🏼♂️
12:47 dang, jason got so mad with the car's infotainment that he punched and cracked the windshield!
So it is just not me who thought the glass had a crack 🤣
press cars are meant to be destroyed
A Russian loaner perhaps ?
Cost cutting included a thiner windshield I see....
I thought too but it’s the réflexion of a trim
I own a mark seven and you are literally speaking the words from my soul. The mark 8 might seem futuristic in the first place but it was just destroyed by cost saving and that sucks.
True that, I too have mk7 and I have a connection both physical and emotional 😇
@@mammutty1 Yup i loved my mk7 6sp.
Yup
As a former MK6 GTI owner and current MK8 owner I can hands down say the MK8 is the better made and far better driving car. Fit and finish is improved in the MK8 and the driving experience is leagues above. As for infotainment system, it's very intuitive and you become familiar within a few uses. Great tech as well.
@@kyledorton6181 None of the driving systems in the mk8 have been changed to its prior. No changes to any of the drivers assistance systems it still runs the same DDC kit, the train is still the EA888 just as the DSG/ DCC. The only area that's changed would be the interior and its design. I guess design will always be a matter of taste so i wont comment on any of that, i just like the fact that they put acutal sport seats into the mk8 unlike the mk7s but for me thats about it. What i'm trying to say is that there havent been any other changes to the whole car except the interior, the mk7 was engineered that well, the release of the c-class was delayed in that year with it beeing so ahead of its competition. The mk8 still runs the same engine tune as the mk7.5 had. You absolutely need to try one out for yourself. All im trying to say is that there is not much of a difference with the mk8 being a whole new generation what is actually really depressing, to the fact that it will be the last gti with a combustion engine and I dont think it makes up for the expectancies the community had for it.
I dont mean to display any hate to you or any mk8 driver. I just wanted to explain why all the hate that was directed to volkswagen after its release. The mk8 sure is a great car with amazing driving experience and comfort/ sports performance, it just happens to be a common car with the drivetrain and its infotainment being spread across the whole board.
The 7 was a pinnacle in GTi design.
My family outgrew it so I moved on but 3 great years with one. With an upgraded clutch and a tune that car ripped, and had brilliant driving dynamics. It took going MUCH pricier to achieve similar smiles in the sports sedan segment (because we don't get those sweet Euro wagons) I had to buy 2013 s4 to accommodate and that car was fast but never handled anywhere near my 2016 GTi w/PP on stock suspension and tire. The s4 had the sports diff, KW V2, 9.5" wide lightweight wheel and Firehawk Indy 500 and would still plow wide where the GTi would build progressively as it understeered, and then when timed right a hair of lift off would sort it back around. With out the sports diff the s4 would've been a mess, but it worked every turn to keep the car from tossing the front to the outside. Sure the s4 would obliterate most cars in a line (Tuned for 93 and a tune for the DSG), but things went belly up in a turn. The s4 sticker was actual a hair more than double the GTi's when new! In no way was it twice the car however. Now I have a 2018 RWD 340i MPPSK and while it lacks an LSD, the rest of the car is finally the savage straight line (if you haven't tried the B58/ZF8 combo, you're missing one of the best drivetrains made today imo) of the s4 but something much closer to the GTi in a turn. However considering that the new sticker on the 340i was TWICE what the GTi was. That should tell you the value the Mk7 GTi delivered. I moved on from the GTi looking for better with a touch more leg room in the back, and it took double the cost to finally hit that nail on the head. What a great car! I hope someone is still loving it today as I did.
Well...guess I'm going to step up my babying of my MK7. The interior of the MK7 was one of its best attributes.
My fellow BMW owners sat in my 2015 MK7 and were shocked and jealous of the black leather interior in mine.
I find it hard to comprehend that a company that made a car as amazing and brilliant as the Mk7 Golf, which is nearly universally loved by everyone, could mess up the Mk8.
speak for yourself, driving a Golf is no different from driving a kia,toyota etc
@@lobsterwhisperer7932 that wasn't the case then years ago, Volkswagens used to feel so nice that you didn't mind them breaking down all time
@@lobsterwhisperer7932 Obviously you haven't done any comparing, Toyotas are amazingly reliable but will put you to sleep as are so boring to drive. VW's may not be the best constructed quality wise but are fun to drive as soon as you get in, for drivers that enjoy driving more than getting from home to the local Safeway and back..
Yea, a VW golf is no different from a Kia Seed and a Civic type r is no different from a Dacia Sandero. Do you suffer from blindness, nerve damage or some other sensory disabilities? @@lobsterwhisperer7932
I just got an mk8 golf r....many of the complaints have been fixed, especially the ux responsiveness as shown. Infotainment and lack of buttons aren't as bad as I thought. The steering wheel buttons are actually pretty good now.
I forgot how nice the MK7 interior really is having gotten so used it. On occasion when I have passengers who have sat inside for the first time, they aren't really car enthusiasts but have always mentioned how nice it is, and I am grateful I have not gone ahead an moved on to the MK8 now.
Yeah, the MK7 is really a great car.
I mean everything was soft touch, everything was padded, it is beyond nice. Same for that gen euro passat. But this? And the ID is no better.
Everyone comments on the blue lighting on the door card. A little feature I take for granted - is it really that unique?
Everybody who see mk7 interiors says the same. It's beautiful. I agree and I see it everytime a drive mine
I work as service advisor for VW in uk and couldn't agree more. Also a huge VW fanboy owned corrados etc. I know that unfortunately even if they correct certain features for nex gen, it will never be the same. Thank you Jason!
I own a MK6 and this is ABSOLUTELY 100% accurate. I would definitely go with a MK7 vs a MK8 (thought there were some cost cutting issues going from 6 to 7 in the interior as well).
Thanks for an honest review, I'm based in Europe and indeed mk8 sucks big time - took it for a spin last week and it felt ultra generic, the hard plastics and cheap tablets are the antithesis of what golf used to be.. Hell, even to enter launch control you need to tap so many screens you simply don't want to bother. I won't touch it again for sure, it's a blind alley for the auto industry.
I loved my MK6 GTI and when I test drove a MK7, I immediately felt that it was a massive step forward on pretty much everything that made the GTI great. It’s sad to hear that it has reverted, because it sounds like the chassis and powertrain of the MK8 are the best yet. I think a lot of these cars with the large screens are going to age horribly.
Agreed. Stepping into my mk6 after using an MK7 is mind blowing. It’s like going from a fast Jetta into Porsche . MK7 is a real masterpiece.
Also, this mk8 is fucking ugly. (But it does sound amazing in the cabin I’ll give it that)
I used to own a MK7 GTI. My son has a new Mk8 VW GTI w/DSG and its the best performing and driving GTI ever imo. The infotainment is cumbersome, but you used to it and the interior looks great. GTI's are about the driving experience, not the creature comforts. It looks the 2025 GTI's will have improved infotainment and a bit more more HP, which is great!
11:43 Wow the blue last-gen GTI looks just so much better than the current-gen GTI.
My thoughts exactly. I haven’t driven the new one yet but I’m sure the mk7 is a better driver too
But it still has that weird red eyeliner
The 8th generation Golf (yes a GTI is just a trim/handling package on a Golf) is ugly and cheap. Looks like they hired someone from Chevy to redo the front end.
Now this is the type of reviews we need. Honest!
I had a MK7 Autobahn for 3 years, manual performance pack, loved the thing was a really wonderful car and the limited slip diff made it handle so well, the front felt very sharp. And it was quiet, and very comfortable, and the quality is impeccable for the price. Hard to top it.
This is exactly what I foresaw from what I could find out about the mk8 15 months ago. Bought an mk7.5 GTI then and boy am I happy with that decision.
Hm. I was disappointed when I saw the first release of the interior shots. I got excited after Savagegeese drove it. And now I'm just glad I bought my mk7 when I did. As a fellow mk7 owner and a fellow Jason, I'm inclined to trust this man.
I totally agree with everything you said about the screen and capacitive controls. Time and time again cars put everything into a screen and make the screen bigger, but it never actually makes the experience better. People defend the integration of every button into the screen by saying "it isn't actually that distracting" or "this is where everyone is going now" but User experience and user interface is so important yet so easy to screw up, and the screens can just never do it. They are ironically never easier to use for stuff like hvac and basic controls.
Thank you, Jason! I realize it's tough for VW to try and "upgrade" or "out-do" the Mk7, but they went the wrong direction.
VW completely missed the mark on the interior. I simply don't understand why companies are going to capacitive touch buttons. Do their designers ever actually drive these things?
I had a MK IV GTI that, sadly, was very unreliable. I still haven't forgiven VW.
it's cheaper to build
It's cheap and looks FuTuRiStIc(retches).
You should give a newer one the chance if you can. The mk6 and mk7 are amazing cars, the mk4 and mk5 and a lot of issues that they were trying to work through. If you get one that was decently maintained, you will have a great time. I've had a mk7 gti and now a mk7 golf R, put about 50,000 miles on them in less than a year (combined) and not a single reliability issue, just oil changes and tires.
@@Mgoblagulkablong Yeah, I know it is cheaper to build. But it doesn't work well, it is dangerous to use while driving, and customer satisfaction will be terrible.
It’s why I went for the 2022 arteon se it has physical buttons the other trims lack it
I LOVE my 2018 mk7.5 GTI!!! I have the only model year that gets the "SE" trim but also gets to still keep the plaid seats!!! I AM IN LOVE WITH MY CAR!!!!
Having a MK 7.5 and watching this is the most joyous affirmation known to humankind…
This guy is the Deadpool of car reviewers! MAXIMUM EFFORT!!!!!
But with the voice that’s a blend of Bob Ross & George Carlin
I firmly agree with you on the infotainment and steering wheel side to this as..
I used to work for a company that brought VAG group cars (Seat/Skoda/VW/Audi/Porsche etc) off the RoRo ships and into a compound, other duties included 'Pulling' stored cars for loads (to go out to PDI centres/dealerships etc) or moving cars (compressing them together to make space for new cars coming in. And it was always done in a rush (when you're dealing with thousands of cars at a time you need to get things done. So..
We would jump out of a mini bus, into a car, get it started, drive for between 2 to 8 odd minutes and park up.
On the Mk7s (and earlier) no probs, you could clear screens (here in UK it's often damp and thus gets frosty easily), get the radio on and whatnot within seconds (you get used to quickly flicking switches, turning dials, belting up and starting cars VERY QUICKLY), but... Come the Mk8? Jeeeeeezus what a hassle!!
What annoyed me most was the FIRST screen that came up was the childish namby pamby "I want to warm my hands", "I would like fresh air", "I would like to warm my feet" option screen.. WTF?!?!? JUST GIVE ME COLD TO HOT, HOW FAST FAN AND WHERE!!! FFS!!
So, Mk7 (& 7.5s) were and STILL are (to me) the ones to go for 🤔👍.
DON'T get me wrong, I DO like the shape/style of the Mk 8, it's just if the skin was Mk8 laid over the 7/7.5 then PERFECT!!! 😎🇬🇧
VW: Ferrari put capacitive panels in the Roma, we too shall put them in the Golf.
Ferrari seeing every GTI review: Crap, we done goofed.
Ferrari: what-a mistake-a to make-a! (Slaps forehead)
(Watch Allo Allo if you dun geddit)
@@blitzy99 I didn't get it and read it in Mario's voice. And I laughed :D
I’m sure the story behind the cracked windshield is a good one… excellent review Jason… thanks for producing outstanding content!
That's the fifth Mk8 with a cracked windscreen I've seen. I'd say VW is using crap glass.
@@PepperSnek can confirm as a Mark 7 owner.
@@Gertso Did you have a lot of problems with the windscreen? I had 3 VW's so far, never had a cracked windscreen. I am looking to replace my Passat (B7) with a Mk 7.5 Golf R.
I replaced mine about 3 years in after numerous small cracks finally built up enough to be annoying. I do mostly blame this on Houston roads being very treacherous though.
The real issue with the car was having to replace the fuel rail around 35k and the freaking gas tank around 70k. The fuel rail was under warranty thankfully but the gas tank was not. They did have a recall for the two previous models for this issue but still would not honor it.
@@Gertso Yep. When I had my 17 Mk7, the glass cracked immediately after purchasing it. Then the replacement glass from the dealer was crap too.
I'm not even that into VW, I watch these videos because of Jason and end up learning a ton, loving a new car, and excited about the history and future of cars!
Even when I saw this car the first time I knew it wasn’t going to be better than the Mk7.
Yes keep those mk7 values strong 😀
watch other rewiews, new gti is better in driving and handling
I owned a MK7, and who cares? It’s still probably almost identical on a backroad while being so annoying to use. I loved how nice it was as a daily driver and weekend car, not how fast it was.
@@valdzeelis25 Like jason said, that is mostly due to the aggressive tires in the front and not in the back
Amen to that 👍🏻
Yes! More Cammisa content! Always something I look forward to.
Jason is Amazing!!! He deserves a raise. Based on his comments I would think he is some where near my age. That make his commentary even more relevant for me (and my other gen x’ers). I will like to disagree with him on a point regarding the Corrado. While I do agree it is beautiful and I fine example of its type, it does not sound better than any other engine. Nothing compares to a healthy big block Chevy or big block Ford.
Exactly the reason I appreciate more the "simple interiors" from BMWs this days, i like phisical buttons, and one touch screen is enough.
good thing with BMWs is the engine bay is made out of the same plastic as those buttons
YEAH BUT the outside is going downhill
BMW: You vant ze simple interior, we have no choice to make ze grille huge!
BMW design these days is the last thing to love about the brand. :)
@@Fattony6666 ah they went with the Mopar supplier
oh man, thanks for this review. I'm so glad I didn't wait for the new GTI and got my 35th anniversary edition GLI instead. Currently still not a fan of all digital displays and no buttons? PASS. Physical touch feedback is still a must to keep your eyes on the road.
GREAT video. One of the better (for any topic) I've seen in awhile. We just bought the 2011 GTI for our son and have enjoyed learning about the ownership community.
So you created another loser?? 😂😂😂
As a GTI/VW fanboy I really appreciate Jason putting down some hard truth to keep VW honest.
VW if you’re listening…I’m ready for a new car and the MK8.5 better come soon with fixes for all these bad UI/UX decisions!
This series needs to be its own channel.
last summer I was debating between a used mk7.5 or a new mk8, and ultimatly I went with the 7.5 because of it's usability and how simple it was. Plus it was easier to find in a manual.
Makes me appreciate my MK7.5 even more 🔥 the looks of the MK8 aren’t terrible in person & I like the upgrades they threw under the hood. The interior is a -10 for me though & that’s what really killed this whole car for me. I also didn’t agree with the placement of those fog lights. Needless to say, the 7.5 is still king looks wise in my book. The MK8 doesn’t sound too bad though on the roads
Same! I bought extended warranty with my 7.5, and will likely trade when it gets to 5 years (to avoid the VW gift of dreadful later years reliability), but I don’t think it will be to a Mk8 GTi. Ah well.
@@colino72 I mean, aside from the water pump, the MK7s are pretty reliable as long as you stay current on maintenance.
Love my 7.5, detest the 8. When it's time for a change will move over to Audi or BMW. You screwed up bad VW, hope you correct course.
The mk8 looks 10x better than the mk7. But I agree with you on the interior.
Have a 7.5 2018 and funny I get a lot of compliments.
As someone who has owned 4 MK7s (2 Sportwagens, a 5 door, and a Golf R) as well as convinced at least 6 other people to get various MK7 models, the interior of this MK8 is my biggest let down. I have warmed to the styling over time, but the lack of physical controls and degradation of quality means I will be skipping this generation of Golf...
I bought a MK6 2 Door GTI New on a whim in 2013 and 10 years later it's still my daily driver and I love it. Approaching 200k miles...Stupid reliable, fun and still looks great. Never thought I'd enjoy this car so much.
Well done Jason. I adore my Mk7 wagon. The UX will absolutely prevent me from considering a mk8 until they inevitably put all the buttons back in the mid cycle refresh.
Jason is literally the only reason I watch Hagerty. Love this dude.
He's pretty great!
@@Hagerty and he's so humble!
7.5 owner here. Each generation has taken a bit to grow on me, but the 8 never has. I just don’t like the styling. Maybe I’m bias but for modern GTIs I feel the 7.5 is the best looking. Amazing video by the way, subscribed and can’t wait to see more.
Great video. Love the huge crack in the windshield, too. :D
For the record, that was NOT me who broke the windshield!
Lol, I was just about to comment about that, thought it was part of the hud. It must be the outtake where the cafeteria tray he throws makes it’s way to the windshield.
I came here to say this lmao
@@JasonCammisa Methinks thou dost protest. :)
The mark 7 had one of my favourite interiors of any car I've been in, the UI and infotainment system was perfect! Just enough buttons to be usable, not so many that it became cluttered and ugly. Just by a used mark 7 till VW fixes the mark 8
100%
A mk 7 interior just looks dated now...
@@scott5860 Yeah, if you're 14 years old.
@@chonjacki Oh dear.... keep telling yourself that so you feel better about it
@@scott5860 It's really as silly as the people who complain that the bezel on last year's flagship monitor by their favorite company was too thick, so it's inferior to the new one. Regardless of being fundamentally identical. You know, the ones who rush out to buy the latest phone just because it's the latest phone. The form over function crowd. The ones who are enamored by shiny, flashy distractions instead of the driving experience, intuitive controls, and ease of use, and ease of personal maintenance/repair.
I bought my mk7 the day it came out. I put on 8yrs and 200k miles. Best daily driver ever!!!
I never knew that the mk7 was that good in quality that it made mercedes have second thoughts on its c class. That really highlights how great vw interior quality was in previous generations
You guys are absolutely incredible with these productions, it’s so enjoyable to watch!!!
CAMMISA, this was and still is and for ever will be the world's f...ing best introduction. I am using it in my English classes on how to write introductions. ........LOVE YA!
I love how Jason can review any car by starting from the perspective of a 40-year-old Volkswagen. Also, 8:04 accidentally switching the heated steering wheel is a minor annoyance. Lewis Hamilton managed to accidentally hit the brake balance button by his AMG Mercedes steering wheel and couldn't slow in time for a corner and went straight off the road.
It was 109ºF when we were filming the GR86/GTI Icons episode. 109ºF. Adding a heated steering wheel in those conditions was more than a minor annoyance.... it was somewhere between "third-degree burns" and "a mass human tragedy..." lol.
@@JasonCammisa where was the other link you referred too?
Ah yes, this makes me even more pleased with the decision to go for a '19 R.
Hello fellow R friend! I've got a 16 R, but was contemplating going mk8 to trade up, but after all this it's looking like the 7.5 is the way to go. How is the infotainment on it? And is mk7.5 digital dash?
@@AngySumo I have a 7.5R and it's perfect. Everything has a real button. The dash is great, it gives you all the information you need.
@@AngySumo Do you track your car? If so then get the mk8 R. If not then the mk7.5 R is great, I also have a '19. The infotainment works well mostly because you just use Carplay or Android auto, however a big negative for me is that nothing you do in Carplay can be displayed in the gauge cluster (haven't tested Android). The navigation is...well it's as terrible as most built in navs. The digital dash has never given me any issues but it's mostly pointless since I leave it on the same setting all the time.
@@davebrochu I actually work at a track so I take it on occasionally but it's not the primary purpose, it's just a really nice daily that I can whip around if I get the urge to lol. But thank you guys for the insight! I've got the android auto/Carplay on mine too but it's a pretty small and very dated screen now
ditto, keeping my 18 R
I can't wait for him to do one of these video on the 2024 Mustang.
Seems like VW really dropped the ball on this one. I'll wait for the facelift to see if they fix UI/UX problems
Exactly what I have been saying all along. That infortainment alone is keeping me from even considering the MK8.
I'm a happy MK7 owner and I'm keeping it for life. Love everything about it, especially the HVAC and infotainment and interior quality, superb for a car its price.
Just taken delivery (untested) of a MK8 GTI (UK Spec) and yes I hated it for a couple of hours, but once I got used to the virtual buttons (much the same as we all transitioned from Nokias to smartphones), I started to REALLY like this car. Forget the lack of buttons, it's not a big deal..... it handles and performs REALLY well, and is composed enough to be able to chuck the dogs and the kids in the back and tootle down to the shops for a pint of milk in a way that you just can't do with a Type R or an AMG45. Once you get used to it (which, granted takes more work than a buttoned car) the MK8 is easily better than the MK7 in almost every other respect.
Agreed 100% with all he said! The facelifted Mk7 was the best design, features and usability. Mk8 is a big regress.
I, at first, didn’t like Jason’s reviews. I’ll admit it now, I was wrong and he’s pretty damn great. Much respect! Great reviewer and easy to like.
You are spot on. UX makes or breaks the cars these days.
I was terrified when car companies came up with adding touch screens. Ever since I've been praying they see the light and give us satisfying buttons again.
I don't want to have to buy a car, where I have to press a virtual button for a basic feature.
It's like the few generations unreliable VAG engines. I really wanted to buy a VAG car of that age, but I couldn't risk the engine, so I waited.
Another excellent video and review from Jason. LOVE my MK7, keep turning down trade-in offers from VW for MK8. My MK7 has been the best DD car I have ever owed; I am an old man. Just does everything so well. Nearly 140K; only issue has been one headlight and rear license plate bulb. Just follow the maintenance guide and it has been epically dependable and fun to drive.
Great review. You really covered the ergonomic issues with the UX well. This was more complete and useful than a fanboy reporting back after a couple of hot laps. I subscribed.
Aside from the excellent presentation, the production value of these reviews is second to none. The rear quarter shot at 2:07 where the window light is filtering through the atmospheric smoke to highlight the red paint on the bumper is gorgeous. This attention to detail does not go unnoticed. Great work!
The best part about this show is the drive at the end. Jason, brilliant opening to your show this week. Next time do a similar skit. (:
Oh and what’s next?
Great review and as a 7.5 GTI owner I see no reason to get a Mk 8 GTI, the looks, the interior all seem to have taken a step backwards to varying degrees. I guess dieselgate and the spend on BEV have lead to the march backwards.
Great review. I have a 2018 Alltrack 6spd manual and they are offering me a pretty decent trade-in value to switch into a 2024 GTI Performance (Canada) 6spd manual. The GTI is faster and tighter, obviously, but I love the Alltrack's AWD, especially when the snow is down. (So much fun...!) I can foresee times where I would prefer the GTI, and times where I would prefer the Alltrack, so that's a bit if a wash in terms of deciding what to do. Of course, having a brand new car would be nice too I guess, but that aside, what is steering me toward keeping my Alltrack is the lower quality interior of the Mk8 and the new infotainment system, which on at least 1st use seems to be a majorly frustrating PITA. Glad to see I'm not the only one scrathing my head about this new interior... I may end up with my 2018 Alltrack for awhile longer yet. Cheers!
You rightfully grilled them for their "innovations"
Hahaha, love the intro... that used to be me, however recently VW has been missing the mark in the North American market... it makes me sad... the Golf and GTI/R are last of the true VW's. Still all the cost cutting sucks
I love that you pronounced the Škoda brand with Š. You truly are amazing and that is not a shame.
ask Hagerty... How much does it coast to replace a windscreen on a new golf GTI?
It coasts one Gold Coast ticket
love my mk7! As soon as I saw the new interior I got worried for the mk8.
Honestly, I think people are overreacting to the haptic buttons and infotainment system. I've been driving the mk8 gti s ( which actually has knobs!) for about 5 months, and I've gotten used to them. Are buttons better? Yes, but these things are not a deal breaker, and the actual driving experience definitely makes up for it. The material is not cheap.I know it's personal preference, but I actually like how sleek the interior is. Not much clutter.
Jason always knocks it out of the park. His enthusiasm for the VW brand has lit my passion for them as well. Now I just need to get the 16V Scirocco back on the road.