The VW Golf R is the Ultimate Daily Under $50k!

[@janoycresnova9156]

This series couldn't have come at a better time! Im looking for a new daily. Same exact parameters: fun, practical, under $50k. Super pumped for this series! So far im leaning towards Golf R as i suspect there will be too much wheel spin with fwd cars. But I'm definitely going to test drive them all.

[@Realistick]

Awesome! If I were to say anything regarding FWD, AWD makes a difference with the GRC, but Honda in particular did a masterful job of making the power usable in the CTR without torque steer or wheelhop in most situations.

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

I can recommend the mk8 R!

[@BOOSTEDDUDE]

Let us know how it goes with the test drives!

[@karacha]

Frankly, both GTI and R are, for me at least, THE ultimate hot hatches. Amazing cars: small, yet practical, quick and fun. Manual or DCT, you can't go wrong here. I know many people will say that the manual is the way to go, but this auto is lightning quick... really terrific, and the paddle shifters are good. For me, I prefer the plaid seats (might be a GTI-only feature). Not only are they "classic" they are actually softer and more comfortable than the Vienna leather ones. Just IMO, of course.

[@shaglioni]

I also have to echo that this is one of the best reviews about the MK8 R without going into the nitty gritty details like earlier review videos from others. Very well done.

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

Got a mk8 Golf R new in Feb 2024, 6spd manual. Love it. Came from an old Mini Cooper with zero technology; the haptics are no big deal and can be customized

[@Realistick]

Congrats on the awesome ride! I think MK 8 6 spds will be a cool unicorn in ten years.

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

​@@Realistick thanks ...I'm really enjoying it

[@boyangyu7655]

Does it have terrible rev hang?

[@pipozZz]

This is the channel for the most comprehensive reviews I've found. Keep up the good work!

[@vr6gls]

I honestly love the DSG in my 2016 GTI. Granted it’s the 6-speed DSG, but I don’t have any of the complaints you have about the transmission. My two previous vehicles were manual transmission and my GTI is my first “automatic”. The DSG is plenty of fun, but in a different way. I love the DSG “farts”, the precise rev-matching and launch control. VW makes mediocre manual transmissions to be honest. I would rather have an excellent dual-clutch over a mediocre manual, that I will need to modify to bring it up to my standards. Also, the subject of a vehicle being fun to drive is a matter of opinion. However, people don’t buy hot hatches solely based on being fun to drive. A hot hatch needs to be able to do the boring, everyday stuff too. This is where your argument about the Golf R not being engaging falls flat to me. Let’s be real here, you aren’t looking to be “engaged” with your vehicle, every second of every day. I’m not hitting backroads every evening and the majority of my time is spent sitting in traffic. Oftentimes after a long day at work, you just want a quiet and relaxing drive home. This is where a lot of auto journalists miss the mark. Cars like the GR Corolla, Subaru STI and Type R can’t settle down and be a comfortable daily because they are primarily focused visceral driving dynamics. The beauty of the Golf R ( and the DSG) is that it allows the driver to have the best of both worlds. The car can be engaging when you want it to be. But it can also settle down and be comfortable when you need it to be. Isn’t that the entire point of a daily driver??

[@Realistick]

I think you may have misunderstood me, I agree with most things there... We all have a different idea of what is the most fun. I'm fine with the pains of the GR Corolla and appreciate the hard edge personality more than the well-rounded nature of the Golf R. Which is why I called the VW the best daily in the title and in the conclusion! The point of the series is not to buy the most multi-faceted car though. Where I disagree is in the subjective definitions. I see hot hatches as cars that provide a lot of performance in a practical form factor with enough creature comforts to daily them if you wanted. Which is why the CTR and GR Corolla (along with the old STI, Focus RS and Lancer Evolution) are more my style. The Golf R is fast and easier to live with, but it wasn't as entertaining to me and I'd prefer a car with less of a tech focus!

[@Tread1775]

Been a VAG guy for 20 years. Passat’s, GTI’s, S3, Jetta’s, and an Arteon. I’ve used APR for easy ecu tunes and DCT tunes. The DCT tune is fantastic, smooths the trans out and makes it even faster. All my cars were essentially sleepers. I loved the comfort on my 60 mile daily round trips. They were always ready to go when I was. I’m debating between Golf R, ITS, and WRX as a second car. Keeping the Arteon for road trips, but want a manual small car for fun. ✌️

[@mazpr2025]

​@@Realistick the GR is cool and everything, as I had mentioned in other posts, just hate that at the end of the day it suffers from the Neon/SRT4, Ford Focus/ST/RS identity crisis, at the end of the day it is a Corolla.

[@genzigzag]

Looking forward to this series! Thanks for doing this. As far as the Golf R, diesel gate killed VW fit and finish. I struggle with all that cheap gloss black plastic, no gas struts for the hood, and other little things that former VW owners will lament.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

How did diesel gate kill VW fit and finish? 🤔🤔 You do realize the MK7/7.5 gen Golf GTI/R’s had great interiors, gas hood struts, etc., and they were AFTER the diesel gate issue. It wasn’t diesel gate bud. It was COVID that f’ed it all up.

[@genzigzag]

I've owned 7 modern VW models you're used MK4 was terrible for reliability but interior quality was good, the MKV was very good for interior quality and features. MK6 wasn't great and the corner cutting across the entire VW product line became evident as the MK7 launched. The modern Passat for the North American market is a far cry from the old B5.5 and B6 and the new Tiguan and Atlas are also lack lustre. I'm not even talking about reliability which has been mediocre. I've moved on to Lexus, Mazda and Toyota.

[@damilolaakanni]

For VW in general, I think the build quality took a dip in the late 90's. It seems like it was the same for many other brands. Compare the MK4 Golf with the MK3, for example. While the MK3 didn't have as nice looking materials as the MK4, it was better built.

[@Realistick]

Thanks for watching! I think it was less diesel-gate and more so a deep change in management and design goals. The glossy stuff gets gross but I wouldn’t say the MK 8 is too bad quality wise when you also consider the features/performance/price, even if I do prefer the MK 7’s simplicity. I think they’re just trying to cost cut in areas they think people won’t notice (capacitive and digital controls are cheaper and people think they’re ✨fancy✨). If they get back to the days of making Audis with a little worse materials, sound deadening, and power, then I think we’d be in business. My 2¢

[@damilolaakanni]

@genzigzag my MK4 was reliable (apart from a few issues that weren't engine and transmission related), but the build quality was quite poor. In comparison, I rode in a few MK3s and they looked and felt better built.

[@Belogolovtsev]

I was going to buy Golf R a couple of years ago but mark ups were crazy and I got 2022 Acura TLX instead🤷🏻‍♂️ Great car as well, less fast but more comfortable. Waiting to see 2025 Golf R👀

[@spawn11]

Now mark ups on Golf R are gone...two years ago it was priced at 67,000$ in Canada😂😂😂 I was like WTF

[@trevorchampney3805]

Love this series!

[@rtep27]

3:30 They dropped the Haldex system and are now using a Magna torque vectoring rear diff in the new Mk8 Golf R/8Y S3/RS3

[@carlostorres-rivera7200]

I’m a millennial who only enjoys driving stick. I love the golf R and it was going to be my next car in about 3 years. Not anymore after they decides to scratch the manual transmission.

[@lronSausage]

All these car reviewers who bought and prefer their type R/gr corolla have a separate daily car. If you can only have one, the Golf R makes a lot more sense than the other 2.

[@Realistick]

Nope. I daily and primarily drive a GR Corolla (my other car is a half-done 90s mustang drift project). The Toyota is getting replaced with a Miata too. Not everyone buys cars because they make sense!

[@brianjurko9085]

First love your production value. Golf R is very nice. Nice seats, nice quality. BUT. I owned a GTI mark 7, and omg the engine and electrical gremlins. I was at the dealer a LOT. Plus the lack ok a back lit climate and volume at night was a dealbreaker when I looked. I bought the Type S and for a year not a single squeak, issue or complaint. The price was a premium but I feel I’ll get that back over the years in the lack of trips to the dealership (I hope)

[@BOOSTEDDUDE]

Dang you make this sound much more comfortable than your Toyota GR. I agree that it's terrible they got rid of the manual on the R!

[@jakethepitador2558]

On city streets, and not in full racing mode on a track, who cares about shaving a second off your times if you have to sacrifice the fun of a manual transmission. True enthusiasts get it, the rest don't.

[@mikelee7672]

I was so confused when you had it facing the water on that boat ramp😂

[@IllIIllllIlIlIll]

I had a $50K budget. Test drove in detail GTI and R. Couldn't possibly find a reason and even less a justification for another $20K for R. In many ways, GTI is better (LSD vs open diff on R, no powertrain power loss, less weight, etc.).

[@Realistick]

$20k? I saw two $42k autobahn GTIs on Saturday at my local dealer! The R has the same features, AWD with rear torque vectoring and 75 more hp. I certainly see the appeal with the GTI (especially in S form), id probably buy a GTI before id get an R, but the appeal to the R is real depending on what you want🥸

[@NorthKoreasSon]

How long do you plan this series to be?

[@Realistick]

6 episodes including the conclusion!

[@NorthKoreasSon]

@@Realistick I'm hoping you'd do a snow or rain episode because that's where some of these cars shine such as the corolla

[@Saboda53]

Why is the FIRST question “is it fast”!?! I want the car that’s MOST FUN TO DRIVE. 🤷

[@MrMara7hon]

Very interesting take on the Golf R! It seems like for a lot of car enthusiasts the Golf R is almost too good at being *good* to be fun, which takes some of the joy out of it. I’m interested to see what you drive next!

[@edwardgrant69]

The mk8 is great man. You should drive it at your local dealer if they allow it.

[@peteripsen460]

I have a manual Mk 7 and I was waiting for a Mk 8.5 Golf R in hopes that they would fix the capacitive button problem. However, now that there will be no manual, I will be looking elsewhere. Goodbye, VW.

[@BOOSTEDDUDE]

At least you can still get the GTI's in manual.

[@timcarb3470]

Golf r is the greatest car ever for the money brand new

[@Gdj_Ga]

Always great content. Thank you. As a former VW fanboy I’ve had enough. The loss of 2drs (2015) that ridiculous touch screen and now manuals in the GTI and R going away. It is time to move on. Sorry the brand is no longer for me.

[@kirk8359]

I’m with you, owned seven 2 door GTI’s, stopped buying them when they built them to please a broader market with 4 doors and an “automatic”. Still lost what to buy, stuck in sedan limbo for the last 5 years.

[@Realistick]

Thanks for watching! I feel the same way with them axing the manuals. They’re off my personal radar at this point.

[@sokratzmmf]

I almost bought one, but saw so many lemon buyback GTI/Rs listed for sale. Got an Acura instead.

[@faunastation5147]

It looks good from outside❤❤

[@bf6639]

You look like the evolved version of Teddy Baldassarre.

[@tj_perry]

So while not exactly apples to apples, which would you prefer between this and the A5 you've reviewed? From the perspective of a great daily hatch with AWD I mean.

[@Realistick]

I'd probably prefer the A5 if I was to own a separate fun car. The quality of the A5 and the controls are much better. If I had to own only one car of the two, the manual mk 8 would be it! The R is more entertaining and still pretty nice to live with.

[@Lolingtoner]

Will you try out the I30 N as well for this series?

[@Realistick]

Not exactly the I30 but the Elantra N here in the US will make an appearance!

[@ascott2168]

Has anyone owned a Golf R, w/o mods, past 100K miles and didn’t drive it like a Fast & The Furious character ? Curious about the long term reliability.

[@J.R.F.23]

True the VW Golf-R type is a blast to drive and is deceivingly fast. I for one can’t get over the looks of it. Mind you I love hot hatches. From an aesthetic standpoint it’s NOT hot looking; it’s only hot driving.

[@splatbubble]

If they offered the plaid cloth seats in this thing I'd have two. :)

[@MRDARRENGER]

They have only ever offered the plaid in the GTI which continues to be offered.

[@splatbubble]

@@MRDARRENGER well aware!

[@dustinr16]

Just bought a 2024 Golf R manual on June 1st for below MSRP ($52 CAD). So far I’ve been enjoying it. It’s the most feature packed, well rounded hot-hatch out there. In Canada where I’m located the GR Corollas still have huge dealer markups. The GR Corolla is based on a 6 year old Corolla econobox with no adaptive dampers and an unusable back seat for anyone over the age of 5. The WRX costs almost as much as the Golf R without half the features. In Canada the RS model (basically a de-contented TR trim is $45K lacking the Harman Kardon stereo and navigation). The Civic Type R and Integra Type S also have huge markups and are near impossible to buy ($75-$85K CAD minimum), and neither have AWD. The Golf R is clearly the winner in the segment for overall value, performance and features. Glad I got a manual Golf R while they were around. Spec’d mine with carbon fibre interior package and no sunroof in Lapiz Blue with the 19” Pretoria wheels (which aI much prefer over the Estoril wheels).

[@Realistick]

Nice car! Though the backseats of the GR Corolla are not that bad😂

[@b8addict]

Me too.. took delivery of my lapiz blue 6MT late June in Canada for under MSRP. I had an order for an MSRP ITS as well as a circuit edition GR at MSRP but it was early 8000 more for a less feature rich car. It felt more dynamic to drive but struggled to put power down in first gear even on completely dry roads. Never had a chance to drive the GR but I feel the R was the right choice especially in Canada. Thousands of dollars cheaper than both vehicles. The golf R manual was 52,500 for me. The GR circuit would be 59,000 and same with the Integra before luxury tax on the two vehicles(as the golf R skips that being under 55k in BC Canada).

[@nobass_stub1394]

I looked at the Golf and it was all nice and modern like a freshly built Modern Art Museum, but under the exterior of the new age features I realized all I REALLY wanted was some OG Abstract fun. VW has lost the plot!

[@bucknut2000]

Interesting saying the manual needs to be more agressive. Your in 3rd by 60. A lot of people on the forum wish the 6 gear was a little taller. I like mine so far, but it id a bit video game like.

[@Realistick]

For me, I think it was more because it felt like the engine was getting taken out of boost going from 1st to 2nd. I think the gearing of the 7 speed feels right for the Golf’s powertrain so I want something more like that! I haven’t driven the Manual Golf much (which is why I spent 15 seconds on it 😂 ) so maybe my opinion would change if I drove it more.

[@TheFastradaArchive]

Should I wait for the 2025 golf r to drop so 2024 golf r drops in price?

[@jermainelee1060]

335 hp crazy power

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

Did you test different ride modes?

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

...you seem critical of the ride 🤷

[@Realistick]

Yup! It insulates well, but the springs have their limits as this is still supposed to be track-capable. Probably the most smooth car in the series in comfort mode.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

"There's a squeek or two in this interior" - Every VW and Audi after 5,000 miles 😂

[@closg9309]

22k miles on my mk8 = 0 squeaks or rattles

[@anthonykiedis1765]

@@closg9309 consider yourself lucky. Not typical of VAG quality

[@MRDARRENGER]

After 2 years, zero interior squeaks. Much better compared to my Mk7.

[@anthonykiedis1765]

@@MRDARRENGER glad newer VWs are slightly less shitty.

[@jet_black]

Golf R won't overheat also.

[@brianjurko9085]

Try the Integra type S … I just put my money where my mouth is. Yes it’s more but so worth it

[@Realistick]

ITS is in the series for that reason exactly!

[@josephkorger]

Funny enough I’ve borrowed this exact car on Turo. Knew immediately when I saw Washington DC. Good time!

[@LoveLikeaHurricane]

I hear for some owners they had to do carbon cleaning on this car like every 40 k. I didn’t have any issues with my 07 gti. But it’s discouraging to think to have reliability you have this additional maintenance

[@Realistick]

That’s a good point that applies to most cars these days that’s commonly ignored. $200 and it saves you a headache long term!

[@ij6708]

It's not a dedicated hot hatch but I favor the Mazda 3 Turbo over anything else in it's segment. Not as fast but definitely a nicer interior to be in and won't become a money pit once the warranty ends. Plus a ecu/gearbox tune really wakes up the car

[@drewwilliams2793]

I actually don’t mind the capacitive controls on the steering wheel but the infotainment is as bad as everyone says it is. The manual is just ok, in day to day use, I think the gearing is too short (especially first). There’s just so much power that you’re at redline almost faster than you can react. Larger bumps definitely crash through the interior but I think a lot of that has to do with the 19s. I run 18s as a winter set and the ride is a little bit better (and quieter surprisingly but Blizzaks are great tires). The quality of materials is generally good and the seats are the best (with the caveat that they’re either the weakest cooled seats imaginable or mine don’t work right). But the worst part is VW’s are just terrible cars in general. Mine is currently at the dealer for the 5th time in less than a year for a defective third brake light, dome lights that turn on and off randomly (which has been very dangerous at night), and a whole host of phantom check engine lights. Alas, while there’s a lot to like about the car, I can’t wait to get rid of mine because it’s cursed by the ghost of Ferdinand Piëch. I even did my part to #savethemanuals and VW just didn’t deliver

[@LaureenDepaula]

281 Ward Parkways

[@soultanasmaga9661]

N

[@tislam410]

I'm debating between the 2025 VW Golf R MK 8.5 or the 2025 Audi A5 when they arrive next year. Leaning at this point towards the 25' VW Golf R. Great video!

[@Realistick]

Thank you! It’s one of the best one-car solutions. It’s looking like it will be a nice update. I’m excited to try one out when I get the chance!

[@DynamicAttraction]

go for the Golf R, even in resale value a Golf R is the top line spec of the brand and less of them on the road will retain some value after years. A regular A5? not a s5? or rs? that thing will be worth nothing in just 4-5 years

[@tislam410]

@@DynamicAttraction Thanks for the suggestion brother! I'm definitely leaning that way. Yes, regular A5. Basically a full fat 25' Golf R will start in a similar price range as an entry-level 25' A5. I'm trying to keep my budget to $50K. Currently driving a 19' Genesis G70 3.3T. My heart tells me to go Golf R MK 8.5 once it arrives stateside lol

[@DynamicAttraction]

@@tislam410 ye def the golf, I own a 2024 mk8 golf R its been about 8-9months great car so far lets say i drive it for 5 years i will lose about 35% of its value on resale but a regular a5 in 5 years will lose 60% easily in my area you might have 20+ golf R's in a 100km radius of my province but you will easily have 500+ a5s the less availability of the R will give it some retaining value + VW talks about ending the golf line by 2027 to focus on electric lines if thats true a Golf R will grow in value if they stop production especially if its a manual R

[@SamsonRoy-s5k]

4587 Billy Haven

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

To be fair, you haven't spent enough time in the mk8 to make a judgement about the haptics.

[@figmo7494]

Too bad V.W’s are such junkers after the warranty runs out.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I understand that you’re on this “quest” to find a hot hatch car to replace your GRC (correct me if I’m wrong but I thought that’s what you mentioned in a previous video). In either case, I do find it odd that you’re comparing everything to the GRC. I say that because I’ve driven the GRC, and I wasn’t impressed at all. I will admit that I am not a Toyota fan. And yes, I do own a MK7 GTI, BUT I have admitted that the GTI also is not the greatest car ever either. It’s fun for what it is, and I bought it new in 2017 for $23k. So for what it offered, especially in the tuning world, it was a bargain. But regarding the GRC, I simply didn’t get any of the thrills that you seem to get from it. I had way more fun in my test drive of a Hyundai Veloster N!! The GRC felt like a basic Corolla that they just slapped AWD on. Other than the AWD, everything else felt numb and cheap. So I don’t understand the high praise you give of the GRC. The Golf R is not the average aggressive hot hatch. But everyone knows that about it, and at least it sticks true to its roots in that regard. I would say the Golf R is not only one of the best performing AWD hot hatches out there in terms of street performance, but also the most comfortable and daily’able one if you wanted it as your only car. Not everyone is in their 20’s lol.

[@NorthKoreasSon]

What a bad take. The gr corolla is the most fun when you push it to the limits. You probably haven't done that

[@Realistick]

I disagree with the numb feeling, but yeah, around town it’s a rough ride and the interior is cheap🥸 It’s just a fast, capable car on any kind of road with a much more charismatic engine and a steering/chassis setup that’s a bit more communicative. It feels much more simple than a lot of modern sport compacts too, which I personally appreciate. It’s not perfect to me, so Ill use the Toyota as a benchmark and my own money to show which is my favorite!

[@streamius]

GR ride is my biggest issue. Everything else is darn near perfect. They should have done adaptive. Golf R, Civic Type R and Elantra N all do.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

@@NorthKoreasSonnot really a bad take because limits are very very very very very very rarely reached in the street, which this car is driven 99.9% of the time. So actually feeling how it is as a street day today vehicle is the most logical sense of trying the car out, which I did, and I was left very unimpressed.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

@@Realistick​​⁠but it isn’t fast at all. Doesn’t even hit the 4s 0-60mph time stock, which is pretty poor given its power numbers and AWD drivetrain. If simple is your way of saying how basic and cheap it feels, then I don’t know what to say. For its price, it’s way too cheaply felt inside and out. The price is at least $8k MSRP too high IMO, given its competitors in the same price bracket. Also, Toyota reliability is a big concern since it’s just a 3cyl but also has turbo tech, and Toyota, as much as they are know for their reliability, hasn’t had their hand in turbo tech for basic car in a long time. So who knows how reliable it will be in the long run after hundreds of thousands of miles, let alone when tuned hard like other hot hatches. If you want a connective AWD car, just go buy an EVO. That will make all modern cars feel numb, including the GRC. 🤷‍♂️

[@kirk8359]

Weird that you’re reviewing an old car as though it was just introduced. Impressive how much you can talk.

[@PlaceHandleHere]

For $47K+, you can get a BMW 330i with x-drive, and 0-60 times that beat or exceed this, and one of the best-tuned automatics in the biz. The market is FLOODED with barely used 2023/24s too. Seriously, at one point, I don't care if the Bimmer doesn't hold its value as well as this R does, because, I'd rather have a car, at this price-point, with proper RWD architecture as its base.

[@Realistick]

Honestly, that’s a great point. I think I like the form factor of the Golf R but a CPO BMW is one hell of a performance deal if you’re not looking for a “pure” sports car.

[@cmcolombianSh]

Golf R does 0-60 a full second faster than a 330i x-drive. 4.1 vs 5.2. I’m not sure where you got this info.

[@Realistick]

@@cmcolombianSh You're right, I was thinking he was talking about the 340i, which you can get lightly used for a similar price to the R and that will be just as quick or quicker!

[@PlaceHandleHere]

​@@cmcolombianSh Um, I got this info from his test. Did you not just watch this??? Besides, in real-world conditions, even the 1-second advantage still doesn't offset the ridiculous price-penalty VW is forcing on the public by keeping inventories super low in an effort to create artificial exclusivity. Not to mention, VW's less than stellar build quality/reliability issues using all those cheap mechanical plastic parts they're infamous for. This is purely a price comparison argument, and it's way over-priced.

[@steve8803]

@frankl6080 why is it that the market is flooded with barely used bmw's? Sounds like a lot of buyers remorse. Also, AWD is significantly better for my usage.

[@ericreynolds8257]

FIRST

[@Realistick]

🥇

[@henrycruz45cal]

Such an outdated screen size! I had to squint to see it

[@shanewilfon6860]

With my Tesla I flirt with 3 seconds 😂😂

[@ij6708]

No kid nowadays looks at a Tesla and aspires to own one. It doesn't get your heart going or your palms sweaty just a boring appliance vehicle. Simply put, it has no soul

[@tanpen15]

@@ij6708 facts

[@JacesOwnWorld]

It’s too bad you are reviewing the MK8 gen. The majority of people don’t like the MK8. You should have waited to do this test with the MK8.5 Golf R. Much better in design and ergonomics.

[@Realistick]

Because an even bigger screen fixes the ergonomics😂 jokes aside, I am sure the buttons on the wheel and the light up sliders help but that wouldn’t have been transformative for me. More so, I was only interested in personally buying a MT model so I wanted to drive a MK 8 for this series in particular. I’ll make a mk 8.5 video whenever they actually hit the streets and we’ll see what they improved!

[@basslover352]

I literally have no issues with the touch control steering wheel on my mk8. People who haven't lived with it for sometime and are quick to come to conclusions based off initial reviews don't have a say imo. You have to apply pressure to the touch controls on the wheel, not just brush against it plus the subtle yet noticeable haptics let you know when you do something. It was a sore point when I was interested in the car but now that I've lived with it for a year I have minimal complaints about it. New mk8.5 doesn't change the fact you have to use the infotainment touchscreen for hvac still. That's something that is still a little bit of an annoyance to me but I generally set the temp and fan before I set off anyways. New one arguably does not change the user experience and I don't care for the AI assistant or use voice assist.

[@betteheadbettehead4800]

​@@basslover352same!!!!

[@jtkent28]

As an mk8 GTI owner for over a year now, I can say the haptic buttons on the steering wheel don’t bother me at all. And the infotainment system (on the S model I have) works just fine. I loved my mk7.5 and in a couple ways it’s a better GTI, but overall the mk8 is the superior car. I do like what the mk8.5 is bringing minus the obscenely big screen and lack of MT.

[@Wind_slash0]

Should've just waited for the mk9, bro. It'll be the end all be all of golf's and come in the only correct transmission for racing to grocery stores, dct.