2025 VW Golf 8 Mk8 FACELIFT - IS it now BETTER THAN a Mk7?

***EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS ONE OF, IF NOT 'THE' BIGGEST CHANNEL ON KZbin FOR MK8 GOLF CONTENT, IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE I WILL ONCE AGAIN BE OVERLOOKED BY VW UK WHEN IT COMES TO OPPORTUNITIES TO GET EARLY ACCESS TO THE NEW CAR. ALL I WANT TO DO IS PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY, UNBIASED, UNIQUE CONTENT FOR YOU GUYS USING MY MANY DECADES UNRIVALLED EXPERIENCE OF THE BRAND. IT'S THEREFORE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT YOU SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY COMMENTING AND SUPPORTING ME IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT GOAL***
In this video I share with you all the info I've been able to collate on the new 2025 Mk8 Golf facelift (which we in the UK will call the Mk8.5). As well as presenting all the key information for GTI & R, I share with you my opinion on whether it can finally eclipse the benchmark Golf for many, the much loved 7.5 (Mk7 facelift) and can exclusively say why we can blame the hybrid for the GTI and other performance Golfs having one hideous new design 'feature'.
Mk7.5 GTD Bilstein B6 video is here;
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[@garymcgregor7048]

Come on guys, you watch it you love it. Press the like and subscribe. It takes seconds and costs NOTHING. support these channels.

[@maverick4177]

🤣 that door badge is an utter abomination I like the Alfa esque wheels though

[@Tarmac76]

They're an homage to Detroit wheels from the Mk V. Source: Andreas Mindt, Head of Volkswagen Design

[@parvindermander5664]

Them GTI badges on the doors look silly

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

I think I would retrofit the Mk8 or 7 embems.

[@tomweller1318]

Why do we need a 42inch tv bolted to the dash. It’s only really used for your radio/music as the nav is better on the virtual cockpit display and even better with a heads up display. Oh and if you have CarPlay you just ask it to play whatever dreadful music takes your fancy.

[@AUDIDOIT]

More the concern it will be distracting? It looks huge and un cohesive to the dash? Like an afterthought?

[@DrFod]

I actually prefer the old screen. The new one is too big and they've made no attempt to integrate it into the dash. The other changes are quite welcome though.

[@jonathanprescott5292]

I went from a 7.5 gtd to an 8 gti (a nice example with quite a few options) and I initially I was unsure if I’d done the right thing. After a few days though, you find your way round the infotainment system and I tend to use the voice control regularly. I’ve never even used the temperature sliders and tend to just press the temperature area in the corner to bring up the menu for the heated seats and fan etc. I also tend to slide the volume on the steering wheel, so the touch buttons don’t bother me. My girlfriend wants a golf 8 now so she will probably wait until there are some nearly new mk8.5s about

[@geronimooo260]

Let those Mk7 hardcore fans moan all they want, the 8 is a better car

[@jonathanprescott5292]

@@geronimooo260 in all honesty I was probably one of those fanboys and never planned to get another golf. The GTD was my second mk7 and id had it 4 years which was a year longer than I planned to keep it. Glad I upgraded though

[@TraceyAllen]

@@jonathanprescott5292if you touch the temp slider with 2 fingers it will just turn on or adjust the heated seats.

[@BM-235]

Agree with all of that. The Mk 8 R is better in every way than a 7/7.5. More go, better AWD system, better ride, quieter. On the negative side, the interior materials are not as good; had to buy a gas strut for the bonnet. Don't need an iPad stuck on my dashboard.

[@Scalbow95]

The new infotainment looks like a half arsed tablet plonked in the middle top of the dashboard. I don't want a computer onboard tbh, just basic nav and an awesome stereo with good phone connectivity

[@mazpr2025]

not to hate on 8.5, but that is the one thing I do not like of the newer one, the screen is way too big, has that Tesla screen look.

[@focusrssteve]

Thank you, agreed 👍

[@horatiotimewaster5755]

It does look tacked on. I was hoping VW would fix the half baked look of the MK8 instruments, but no. The MK7 looks so classy/ Audi-esque in comparison.

[@GLA45Amg716]

I’m getting this. Without a doubt.

[@crazyforiegner2]

I disagree, the lack of a manual gearbox is definitely something people care about. The whole point of a sporty car like the GTI is to have fun driving it. Having driven a MK 7.5 GTI manual and automatic, the manual as a lot more fun to drive in my opinion.

[@volkswizard]

OK, manuals still have some love particularly in the USA and on the internet but like 3 doors that also have a following, demand is massively lower when it comes to selling them, new or used. I agree about the interaction and fun factor, I'd never have a PDK Cayman GT4 for example but the GTI is primarily a rational daily car not a sports car, particularly for the first owners who manufacturers are primarily catering for. Would I prefer a 245 GTI manual over a 300 PS Clubsport? No way! That car was a lot of fun and with 300 PS and front wheel drive I needed to keep my hands on the wheel to manage that grunt which was fun and engaging in itself. Autos are also better on fuel and quieter when cruising due to taller additional top gear which matters for a well used daily. And VW clutches are now ****

[@crazyforiegner2]

@volkswizard I still think the golf gti is a good daily even with a manual gearbox due to the electronic handbrake and the gearing. I would've thought 300bhp is too much to have fun on British roads but I haven't driven the clubsport. Will perhaps test drive one as they look great.

[@eamoneejit7482]

@@volkswizardDo you mean by ‘**’ that the manual clutch is not great? I have a Mk7 1.4 TSI with DSG whose clutch & mechatronic failed at 55k miles. Other than that I really like it and would only swap it for a 7.5 or a pre facelift Tiguan as I’m too old and decrepit for sport suspension. Always fancied a GTI, but I bet on black and it came up red

[@danteburritar2822]

riding around in an automatic is not driving imho 😂

[@andywright1634]

It's actually pissing me off that I have been looking at several manufacturers for my next car, and all but one is ditching manuals. I mean, just give us the option, it's cheap tech/already available to have as an option.

[@johnyacoub69]

I owned a 7.5R, my wife had a 7.5 Golf SE, and we each had 7.5 GTIs in Autobahn trim. (I also had two Mk7 GTIs). All really good cars. On balance, I would take our current Mk8 Golf R and GTI hands down over their predecessors.

[@ruki9043]

The people that hate on the mk8s are the people who don't own one. I love my mk8r so much fun to drive

[@geronimooo260]

@@ruki9043Exactly, same here, Il love it. The 7/7.5 owners/fans who cannot afford a Mk8 love to hate them. Shame

[@Mikey-tg8ns]

mk8 R is way better than 7.5 lol.

[@billx4266]

@@geronimooo260 What a stupid assumption. Are you stupid?

[@charlienelson2002]

Fantastic review.

[@V_Dubya]

Get those doors debadged 😂 . They look super weird

[@richy_rude]

yeah they look weird AF. They should be on the wing if anything.

[@fireblade6756]

nope u r wrong the old screens on the MK8 look away better than that big ugly screen sitting on the dash in the update , glad i got my MK8 R the way it is thanks!!!!

[@volkswizard]

Can always trust an owner to say their car is the best 😂😂

[@richy_rude]

the one on mk8 looks more integrated, whereas the mk 8.5 looks more plonked on.The infotainment unit on mk8 is crap though, so I won't miss it on mine.

[@justinonimus2916]

I took one look at the 8.5 interior and purchased a 2024 Mk8 Golf R. The haptic steering wheel is fine with me, and I avoided the hideous screen. No problems with the infotainment so far.

[@visionsinblue7093]

Love the mk8.5 Cloverleaf alloys!! 🥰 I'll be getting those for my mk7.5 haha

[@eamoneejit7482]

Illuminated badge to me means Wolseley! Just my age I suppose. Also, Autogefuhl’s presenter is Thomas Majchrzak, not Robert. Perhaps you were thinking of his uncle? 😉

[@jimmyjt16]

It looks exactly the same as the 8 and a new 8.5 GTI starts at 40k which is scandalous for a Golf.

[@GTI.OWNERSCLUB]

Hi wizard! I think is only a light restyling

[@TheCarGuru]

Makes me love my MK7.5 GTI even more! 😊

[@colinw1591]

Thanks Andrew. Am sure the majority of these improvements will be welcome, although for me, the lack of a manual gearbox on any GTI model is a deal breaker. As for not painting the engine bay on a premium product, is beyond me. Good review 👍

[@user-xm6ro1ep5d]

The Golf R 7.5 is probably one of the most coplete cars for me, and it has a very enjoyable infotainment Hopefully the last touches on the 8.5 make it worth the switch

[@serkanonf]

Camouflage wrapped golf looks beautiful 😅

[@volkswizard]

Agreed, wish they'd offer that as an option!

[@Sidmi5utc]

Where was that ? I didn't see it 😛

[@serkanonf]

@@Sidmi5utc 😜

[@kevinclarke9933]

Love this channel.

[@volkswizard]

I appreciate that a lot Kevin, thanks so much

[@jonathonbrett-qn1ic]

Looking forward to the test drive Andrew Fantastic as always. Thank you VDub

[@GLA45Amg716]

They need to add purple to the mk8 next year. I’d get that

[@Kmb4545]

When will the R facelift be available to order ?

[@Mavericks104]

Yerrrrrr I won’t be getting rid of my GTI TCR any time soon 😆

[@kevinneary2283]

Personally I think VW are running out of ideas with the Golf GTI . As you say Alfa wheels. The front grill area looks cheap . As for the interior dashboard it doesn’t blend . ipads are for home or office not cars . Give us some buttons 😂

[@roch145]

VW isn't running out of ideas, rather they are being overly restrictive on costs. Virtually every design decision they make is driven by cost - not by creativity, or benefit. No pneumatic hood strut - cost savings. Cheap plastic interior materials - cost savings. No climate control or radio buttons - cost savings. No under hood body color paint - cost savings. Yet the starting price of the car is very high.

[@athollsymington7260]

Informative as ever, thank you. Look forward to your vid after driving it. Door badges look cheap & mis-placed! It will be interesting to see if the GTD is continued over.

[@peterbest5938]

Excellent content as always.

[@husienjuhari7459]

VW, please bring back Tornado Red paint color 🙏

[@garymcgregor7048]

Makes me want a 7.5 gti more than ever after seeing that..seen a 18 reg with high on the miles, been doing 30k per year recently for 14k. In grey. Lookes lovely. Is it a car to get or to swipe

[@grahamatsea3575]

Well a VW main dealer only offered me last week 17.5k for my 19 GTI PP atlantic blue with 36k miles, dsg and it's mint so I would say wait for a better deal. Needless to say I decided to keep my car and at 60 yoa it might see me out !!

[@darrencottrell5541]

As a long-term subscriber, I have to say that Andrew's content has always been that of the consummate professional (and informative journalist), whilst still retaining his 'regular petrolhead' enthusiasm that is relatable to us all. Andrew is also a great guy; what you see on the channel is what Andrew is like in person. He deserves much bigger subs and recognition, and the channel needs your support to not only grow but to continue. If you've not already done so, please hit the like button and, most importantly, subscribe. Another top quality addition to the channel, Andrew.

[@ameerlicious]

i think the new center screen is a bit bothersome and not very seamless. Plus i kinda got used to the haptic buttons and not really a problem for me

[@katiecannon8186]

I really don’t like the big screen at all. Also, ChatGTP doesn’t seem like a brilliant idea. I actually love the haptic buttons.

[@gardupgti4609]

Thanks - very informative. Those wheels don't look right to me.

[@isharsingh8048]

I think the Golf peaked with the 7.5. This 8.5 is a welcome improvement over the 8, but the cost of these new cars is ridiculous. The 7.5 is great value compared to the 8/8.5.

[@mazpr2025]

I have the MK8R, everywhere and I mean everywhere I go, I get compliments. People out of the blue of all ages approach me on how nice it looks, that it is the first one they have seen, etc. The infotainment complaints is way over-rated, there are plenty of shortcuts, I have no issues with the steering wheel or display. The price is about right, all vehicles have gone up in price, Compare the yr cost of the dollar from 2019 vs 2024. The car has now a sunroof and the RS3 4wd system, not even an Audi has it. That it went about 4 to 5k more is justified, it has MYVW for four yrs (saves on auto insurance), two yrs service and if I recall four yrs road side assistance.

[@paulbutler6588]

Gti on door makes it go faster lol does gti stand for G od T he I diots at vw

[@wayneofwolves2807]

Love the Hyundai power Blue 😂😂😂😂😂

[@simonehayes4911]

Will stick with the F40 M135i xdrive over any modern performance golf thanks. Far superior in every way 👌

[@billx4266]

Thanks for your useless contribution

[@graham.w89]

Love this type of video over the DIY /fixing ones .Keep up the good work

[@garysimpson3900]

The GTI door badges are awful, as with previous GTI's the wheel designs don't do anything for me and I still lament the passing of the 2 door Golf version.

[@tomsandford6133]

Great video.

[@shiugen676]

Same hardware and software that is now in the ID7 which is already at dealerships, if you want to check it out (albeit screen size might be slightly different) otherwise same

[@katiecannon8186]

I really don’t like the large tablet. It’s so much more elegant to integrate screens like the pre-facelift mk8

[@tonyjazz4073]

The best review of the 8.5 so far. Bought my Mk8 GTI a month before your CS so have followed since. Not a fan of larger screens; looks like a distraction even more than the current one i.m.o. Slight performance increase plus dull looks under the bonnet? Expect to pay £45K with add on's no doubt. Not for me but will take a look when, if ever, it arrives in the UK.

[@volkswizard]

Thanks so much Tony. It did look from certain shots that short people wouldn't be able to see over that screen towards the centre of the bonnet but I think that was just the angle it was photographed from as it seems similar to what BMW are doing now and that works OK. Let's hope there will be some keen discounting because those silly RRPs are fine when supply was tight due to semiconductor shortage but things are very different now so if they want to sell cars we need sensible pricing.

[@vr6280]

My main concern is on my mk8 Golf now driving at night, especiailly on unlit motorway sections even with the screen set to black background, dimmest settings and ambiant light turned off and colour scheme set to red it is too bright and affects your night vision of the road. I can't see how the bigger screen won't make that worse. Despite this I do actually love my mk8 Golf (R-Line DSG 150PS) - although I am tempted with the new Polo GTI?

[@mooferoo]

All i wanted from the mk8 refresh was knobs back for the fans/AC, but it looks like they didn't do that.

[@volkswizard]

There was no chance they could do that as it would involve a massive redesign inside plus loads of other manufacturers have ditched climate specific control panels and had little or no grief from the press.

[@reds005]

Not with that carbuncle of a screen stuck on the dashboard

[@resnonverba137]

VW lost me as a customer after generally awful customers service for my three years of ownership. The final straw was the refusal to rectify corrosion on the lower front wing behind the front wheel arch when the car was only three years old. The latest reincarnation of the GTI here is an improvement in my opinion. I quite like the wheels but the large and oddly positioned badging reminds me of the short-lived large Polo logo that Ralph Lauren tried a few years ago.

[@danielrussell446]

Hi Andrew a great review on the 8.5 as you know I’ve had a 7 7.5 and a 8 and I do have a soft spot for the older ones they were so well made and felt luxurious. I was happy with my early 2020 8 life but the software issues and general decline in quality made me so unhappy and some areas of the spec were downgraded on the 8 but it was comfortable and took all that a young family placed on it I do like the new badges and colour scheme but wish VW had better integrated the larger touch screen and the interior still seems sombre compared to the 7/7.5 I hope the standard spec has improved across the range I cannot understand why the radar has gone back to the bumper with all the issues on the 7 I believe VW have gone with fashion and less with substance on the update a shame as the 8 is a good car and could have been made better

[@kratos9223]

Thank you, Andrew! Great review! I owned a 7.5 R with the radar elegantly integrated into the front badge. VW probably had the most elegant solution for concealing the radar. Now, I suppose illuminated badges take precedence. What else can we expect from a company that seems to have lost its way?

[@volkswizard]

Thanks you Kratos! Curry recipes, illuminated grille badges, misguided badge placement, it's not a good look is it?

[@malcolmscott4150]

Do you have uk release date? Like the evolution and power bump for GTI and likely $60k AUD whenever it gets down under to a shrinking market sector now Megane RS is no more :(

[@drwhotardis]

My current daily driver was bought brand new in 2018 for AUD$33k including extra for the 5 year warranty (was 3 years back then). As a Mk 7.5 Golf GTI Original (2 door/manual), I'm very happy with the way it looks and goes. So far I've seen and read nothing that prompts me to spend AUD$66k+ for the new Mk8.5 GTI. Sticking with what I know. By the way the wheels that came with my car are black versions of those you put on your GTD with a red stripe around the rim.

[@ivanb3303]

Hairdryer will shift those pesky side badges

[@johnacteson5503]

I haven't met anyone yet who's said," your mk8 r wagon is a bit shit,mate. Especially that dashboard".

[@volkswizard]

I guess that says a lot about the influence scope of traditional car journalism. I actually bought a modern car mag this week as it was bundled with a classic car mag. Only one had page after page of EV bullshit and still nobody is that interested in them.

[@markrennie6659]

Door badges and unnecessarily large infotainment screen aside, 8.5 GTI looks good to me. Those exterior tweaks are somehow greater than the sum of their parts too, front end just looks more cohesive. I’m going to be very interested at sub-£40k but will otherwise be spending my £££s elsewhere. Great content as usual thanks Andrew! 👏🏼

[@flyingcod14]

Nice review but still doesn't look as good as the 7.5 GTI. Are you planning to do a review of the Polo GTI Edition 25?

[@volkswizard]

I asked VW for a loan of Polo GTI Edition 25 and they said they weren't going to register a press car which is a bit weird. If I come across one from another source I will for sure.

[@MrCungaLunga]

Its all better on mk8 and just front light could be better..

[@steveglover5032]

I got the MK8 Golf. The facelift don’t excite me enough to upgrade to it. Hopefully they got rid some of the bugs that the MK8 suffered with. Time will tell.

[@charlienelson2002]

Electric cars have a lot to answer for. The dagger badges look much better. The MK7.5 will be hard to beat, yet the MK8.5 is probably being downplayed in the foreseeable interim.

[@kieranmanners170]

The wheels to me look like the skoda Xtreme wheels at first glance, but when you uploaded the alfa clover wheels they do look uncanny really.

[@thomasj5083]

How will that big touchscreen be usable? The only comfortable way to use the existing Golf 8 screen is to put your hand on top and use your thumb. That isn't going to work here as it's simply too big. Have VW learnt nothing? Also, that lack of illumination on the heating buttons certainly bothered me. You simply can't see them in the dark so have to remember where they are. Glad the haptic buttons have gone!

[@22cheddar]

Can i ask, what weels and tyre spec you have on the GTD shown at the start? Many thanks!

[@kevdavies3445]

wont be swopping my tcr soon good appraisal

[@pgrewcock]

Remove those door badges terrible...and those wheels aren't much better...😢

[@GLA45Amg716]

Getting the 25 gold R

[@trentguild6086]

Squinty-er headlights are a downgrade, back to old tech on the steering wheel controls is a downgrade, lighted badge is a downgrade, giant screen sticking up from the dash is a downgrade. Glad I got an MK8 R.

[@tdmtam]

Possible future car, but going to stick with my mk7 GTI performance for now.

[@chroniccrypto75]

Screen is a little too big 😂

[@AUDIDOIT]

Great resume Andrew. It is a shame they have penny pinched in some areas on the facelift 8 again. This machine is not budget, and I am sorry a floppy plastic engine cover and fiat panda bonnet stay really does not appeal to your avid GTI enthusiast. I have still to drive a mk8, the Racingline R is a real testament to the chassis potential. I am sure the new improved infotainment design will help sell the cars, silencing certain car testers. The door badges as you say are embarrassing, and I am sure die hard GTI owners will remove them. Wonder if the bonnet of the facelift still weighs a tonne? Probably why they did not spray the underside, to save weight and dissipate heat more efficiently. Keep up the great work Andrew. 🙂

[@plank770]

Wheels are similar to Skoda Octavia vrs.

[@smiddysmidton8313]

For the life of me i cannot understand peoples obsession with VW using a bonnet hood prop instead of gas strut in the MK8 ??? Here we are again shouldn't even be mentioned! Most Japanese makers have always used them as they are superior. Toyota has always and still uses them and noone says anything but VW, never hear the end of it.

[@volkswizard]

I am pretty sure the switch to a manual stay wasn't cost related and more to do with crash legislation for example if a pedestrian lands on bonnet, a manual stay will flex, a gas strut won't. Whatever, once Golf 8 was crashed tested, this was a fixed part of the build as changing it would involve retesting which wasn't going to happen for a facelift (my guess anyway). The issue is that early on some reviewers stated that it was an example of cost cutting because Golf has had a gas strut since Mk4 and is part of its premium feel which Toyota doesn't have. They conveniently ignored the fact that the bonnet now has 2 locks and 2 catches instead of one which actually cost more overall.

[@roch145]

@@volkswizard The only reason it has two hood latches is because of regulations. I have a 2006 BMW that has two hood latches because it made sense, long before there was any regulatory requirement . VW has consistently de-contented their cars over the years, so it's very reasonable to conclude the pneumatic hood strut was removed for cost savings.

[@stco2426]

@@volkswizard I was told that early mk7s had stays due to 'crash protection' but when folks complained they had to stay their bonnets (sorta) VW put in a gas strut as all (I think) ealier VWs had, well in recent times, as you say. All mine, too. I was told this by someone who used to work at a UK VW dealership. I think it was cash rather than crash-related. My Mk7 GTD has a gas strut. Maybe VW is rolling out the same BS?

[@awdixon74]

17" wheels do fit quite happily over the 340mm Performance Pack size discs. I'm running a set of Mk5 Monzas on mine over winter.

[@peterdavies1185]

I am going to hang onto my TCR for a long time !!

[@Tarmac76]

The wheels are inspired by the Detroit wheels from the Mk V. Source: Andreas Mindt, Head of Volkswagen Design. By the way, mocking someone's appearance and saying how you think they look "knackered" is ironic since you're looking pretty rough yourself. Keep it classy.

[@volkswizard]

Right, but they are the Monza 2 wheel, just black and diamond cut edge that was used on Edition 30 in some markets so the press release I read wasn’t wrong as style is same as mk6, just colour scheme is different. And I never look at Detroits and think Alfa 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@gerrym4377]

I don’t think Andrew’s comment about the man was judgemental, he did look knackered (tired) and he explained it was due to his workload and pressure. You then mocking Andrew in your comment in a general and nasty manner demonstrates an actual lack of class and invalidates any point you tried to make.

[@Tarmac76]

Saying Andrew looks rough isn't mocking him, he probably looks like that due to his workload and pressure.

[@BrakRulesAll]

That iMax mega-screen sticking up in the middle of the dash is a HUGE fail for me. How big is big enough? Apparently they are going to keep growing until they block the windscreen. Completely ridiculous, unnecessary, and ugly. Getting rid of the haptic steering wheel switches is a big win, but still no volume dial for the infotainment, big fail. Hood prop rod, lack of paint under hood, hard door panel tops in the rear (a thing for quite a while now on many of their cars) all huge bean counter fails. They jack up the price but don't fix annoying crap like this, while also decontenting other stuff. The freaking passenger-side sun visor on the wife's GLI doesn't extend like the driver's side does. Whoever came up with that brilliant cost saving idea shoudl be fired immediately. Also loss of 6MT is a HUGE fail, and not just for journalists - take rate for manuals here in the states for both the GTI & R are still very high. A lot of us (like me) will be very disappointed with this development. I'll stick with my 7.5 R, which I'm still quite happy with 4 years later.

[@r3games1985]

Other than the 265hp it's a step back in all the areas. The front end looks uglier and that masive info screen is clownish.

[@rob_lightbody]

I have 7.5x17 "Brooklyn" wheels on my 7.5gti and they're great. Standard fitment in other markets and far better at dealing with terrible road surfaces in the west of Scotland. (this comment is related to a comment made in the video about standard 17s on the 8.5 too)

[@gtiak274]

Golf 7 especially the TCR and clubsport are the best golf's ever made! Golf 8 is ugly...

[@mazpr2025]

Let me follow up on my other comments I had seen several mk7.5R and had pictures on my phone from FB Marketplace etc. Then I purchased my MK8R, got used to it parked in my garage and so on, and one day browsing through my saved photos, cleaning them up saw the ones from the mk7.5, and strangely enough, imo, looks dated now with this new release. From 2018 to 2025 the difference in inflation is 20%, so what used to be $1.00 in 2018 is now $1.20. So a vehicle that cost $35,000 in 2018, to buy the same car now in 2024 would be around $42,000. MK8 went through substantial upgrades, at least MK8R, upgraded fuel pump, injectors, turbocharger, transmission, calipers and moonroof to name a few. In 2019 a VW Gold R was MSRP $42,000, multiplied by 16% (to be conservative) for inflation to match 2025, $6,720. Which means a 2019 Golf R, following a conservative inflation matchup is $48,720, which is standard across the board. Average income has increased about the same, 18 to 20%.

[@martinboath7022]

Shout out to my clubby at 9 min13!

[@slamminx3]

“The ‘craptic’ buttons have gone”, that was on purpose right? 😂

[@volkswizard]

Most definitely!

[@David-kq1jc]

Sorry not sorry I’m in Love ❤with my 7.5 GTD it’s a beast …the 8.5 does not look very aggressive in my humble opinion 😂

[@sokratzmmf]

VW jumping on the useless AI hype train. The car is for driving not for chatting with a bot.

[@lfcbb0422]

Hey, is there any way i can ask some questions about the Golf MK2 i bought? Maybe instagram?

[@NiceGuyAidey]

😄😁😆Not a chance , The Mk8 will always be let down by it's interior and the Mk8.5 will be no better imo.. The Exterior looks nice, Apart from the radar now being back down in the grille where it can be knocked out of sync, and the rear GTI boot badges on the side do not look right.... oh and it starts at £43k ,apparently

[@GA-dv4ty]

I’ll stick with my 7.5 GTI, think VW have gone backwards with this overpriced MK8.5 😢

[@robjw7250]

I preferred my 7.5 GTD to mark 8 GTD. Gutted they are discontinuing the GTD into the 8.5 version.

[@georged6717]

im sorry but its still looks cheap and another step back from the 7.5. who wants a light up emblem over the radar being in the grill. it looked terrible on the 7's and it looks terrible on the 8.5 just makes me want to keep my 7.5 even more

[@horseathalt7308]

*The problem is that VW lost the plot after Golf II, and never cared about that fact after that time.* The truth is that this car (or any of them since MK III) isn't even actually a genuine "Golf" at all. The last REAL Golf was the MKIII. The closest thing to a true Golf was the Up! GTI, now it too is gone. VW and its path to being all EV is killing the company.

[@focusrssteve]

Sorry but the front end is awful, and wouldn't convince me to give my 7.5, so my answer is no.

[@enigmatwist6548]

I’d wait for the special edition

[@allin4once]

I have an MK7.5 and would generally agree with the community consensus that the 7.5 is the best GTI.....BUT, if you're an enthusiast, the DAM undefeatably traction/stability control NEVER ceases to cause me rage!!. The fact that no-one ever fully defeated it, as of early 2024 means it will probably never happen. What a shame!! I am Stage 2 ECU and TCU tuned, and it's better than stock in terms of overcoming the traction control, but it SUCKS BAD if you want to track or drag race your car.

[@h4rms]

I like the 8.5 wheels, glad the craptic buttons have gone, info screen is looking like a tesla and finally annoyed that the front cam has moved lower, this is open to damage..

[@vr6280]

I don't like the new diffuser on the R-Line - I preferred the fake exhausts (and I'm not a big fan of that - but It looks worse now)

[@volkswizard]

I’m undecided on that personally

[@kentowers2802]

Peak golf to drive is clubsport S Peak golf as daily hot hatch is 7.5. There’s just nothing wrong with it New mk8 clubsport in my local dealer for 50k and 2 golf R in showroom for 60k! Who is going to buy them? The interior is nowhere near the mk7.5 in terms of quality I think it’s the interior quality which needed addressing not adding more lights and screens

[@volkswizard]

Apparently they've improved the interior material quality but haven't seen any evidence of that, the piano black console was in the pre-facelift. It will be interesting to see if they have upgraded the carpets as they were base level spec and even the floor mats were a massive downgrade on those in 7.5

[@1066gaz]

No manual gti, slapped on large info screen on the dash, in your face, just like with ev's. No sporty 3 door, and the madness continues. VW you are a joke. The 7.5 will never be beat, just shear perfection, and it all went down hill from there.

[@lilmoesieable]

The mk8 is already better than the mk7😅

[@olnaj]

I miss the manual. Such a shame it isn't an option

[@ghostinthemachine76]

Those GTI wheels look like Octavia vRS wheels.

[@leemiguel3437]

VW f*cked around and got found out. No bonnet struts and cheaper interior 🤦🏻‍♂️ 7.5 all day long.