Will this 2024 facelift revive the VW Golf ?

[@torsung81]

Kudos to VW for bringing back some buttons! It takes character to admit one made a big mistake and try to rectify that mistake. (I'm looking at you, Mercedes, bmw and audi.. )

[@hughlevantjames905]

speaking of character and admitting mistakes: dieselgate..

[@torsung81]

@@hughlevantjames905 lol, but that didn't really matter tho? Anyway, they're doing this out of greed, not because they want to make better cars. Let's pad them on the shoulders, tho. Maybe they'll continue improving 😅

[@lolwutf]

@@torsung81 They only improve when people stop buying their cars. Recall original release of Golf 8 - hard plastic, glossy plastic, capacitive buttons. VW cuts costs wherever it can, but still very basic Golf trim with 1L TSI engine and manual transmission costs from 30k euro! At the same time Chinese and Korean automakers are stepping up in quality and keeping prices relatively low. European carmakers could face grim future, if they wouldn't do anything quickly enough.

[@DigitalGrotesque]

It took them 4 years (!!) to swap out a steering wheel and add an LED to their touch slider. During this time, Chinese manufacturers develop entire generations of impressive cars! At this rate, VW is doomed..

[@AndreiAnastasescu]

When they launched the golf 8, they said that "customers wanted capacitive buttons" and now they haven't said we were wrong, just that costumers weren't.uying the car as much as Volkswagen wanted. They haven't admitted anything!

[@IvanGorn]

This one looks much better than the original 8. It's looks more golfish.

[@MLife1972]

I misread your comment as 'goldfish'

[@Wisdom_Gate123]

True...

[@ZenzDeluxe]

I don't get how you could say the original 8 looks bad when looking at this one... It's clearly a continuation of the same design language. 7 or 7.5 looks much more "classic Golf" than 8 or this new 8.5.

[@RH191UD]

I don’t understand this obsession with the high-gloss black plastic interior/exterior trim. It scratches so easily and doesn’t look good. It feels like built-in obsolescence. Capacitive buttons and shiny, black plastic trim need to disappear. Infotainment screens could also do with being smaller and less distracting, especially when the climate controls aren’t physical. It cannot be safer doing it this way. After all, we are operating heavy machinery at speed. Being able to develop muscle memory for ventilation, lighting, while keeping your attention on the road is vital for safe operation. That can only be done with physical switch gear, IMHO.

[@axnlogix]

Yeah - conforming to evolution and change of tastes is rather difficult. You have to understand that the current generation are already sitting on their tablets and smart phone that have developed muscle memory on interfaces that can easily be transferred. Similar to know where physical button are, you still need to discover where they are to start the muscle memory. Where the physical feedback from physically pressed buttons to indicate an input is now replaced with audio-cues on button presses on touch screens to indicate. My Audi is all touch screen and it did not take long to navigate that without taking my eyes off the road similar to my VW that had physical buttons where I still needed to look just as well to ensure I've accomplished what I wanted. Totally agree with the black plastic trim. It degrades fast.

[@MLife1972]

Totally agree on the shiny, black plastic. I test drove a new Mazda 3 and it was already scratched after only being at the dealer for a week. The console is where you put cups, coins, keys and jewellery so having the most heavily used part of the car in piano black is an instant fail.

[@brianfunt2619]

Bigger screens are not any more distracting and make it easier and safer to operate while driving. But of course the climate controls should not be on the screen or capacitive!

[@ramp7857]

I think the gloss black trend we're experiencing is exactly like what we had with chrome on the past.

[@dd4886]

Thank you, you mentioned every single gripe i have with this interior that i was about to type. All that emphasis on increased safety this and that yet can't put physical controls for a/c and volume? Criminal... Very good point about muscle memory. In a touch screen interface, the tactile feedback is poor and is the same for everything (flat glass) and it's not the same thing at the same place at all times (icons, menus change depending on where you are in the system). the manufacturers have to understand that we haven't evolved as humans even though the technology has. And the voice based bs is just another trick for data mining so they can already charge you for the car and cash in even more by selling your data to ad companies.

[@ergosteur]

Great update! Lots of subtle changes but all together a great improvement. Love the physical controls making a return, the large screen but not looking obnoxious, backlit controls, no fake exhaust, and just general styling changes to look more “Golf”. Glad to see VW listening and making changes!

[@4dMiNi5Tr4t0r]

Underrated by many probably, but the test of the rear legroom is still one of the best features of an Autogefühl video for me.

[@uniszuurmond]

Perhaps I am not the target generation, but what I do not like in this (and other modern cars): - Glossy plastic on the key fob, centre console, steering wheel and exterior trim. - "Stuck on" infotainment screens. The previous design was beautifully sculptured and integrated, this looks like an afterthought. - Ambient light that is more than just ambient inside (especially in multiple colours) - it could simply have been a warm ambient light. - Overdesigned front and rear lights. I usually find the bottom of the range has the simplest lights. And I do not like the trend of illuminating logos (or multiplying them like Mercedes-Benz). - No gas strut for the bonnet.

[@N1ckZ]

Yeah you are definitely not the target. I like almost all the things you mentioned. Just buy an old car. Also, how often do you really open the bonnet? The gas strut doesn't matter at all.

[@claudiolopes8287]

@@N1ckZ they will matter after some years, they offer them in standard A3, why not on the same car with a different badge?

[@KillerAlzu]

The "stuck on" display is definetly a huge mistake... Otherwise i like it very much

[@richardrichard9631]

It'd better than the pre face lift, but still not a lover of the style.

[@uniszuurmond]

@@richardrichard9631 , I agree the lights look better post-facelift. But I still prefer the Golf 7.5 - it was the perfect package in my opinion.

[@TheGhiaDriver]

It's definitely an improvement and kudos for listening to customer feedback but still feels like the mk7.5 was a high water mark. Too much gloss black plastic, stuck on screen, lack of physical buttons for basic controls, no gas struts feels cheap, R line bumper is over done with the lower grille but the hybrid one is quite clean and tasteful, much prefer that. Would also be nice to have more colour and trim options, it's very drab. For me the Golf 4, 5 and 7 are the ones that I prefer.

[@ericstockmann2487]

I must say that the sound when you open the trunk is one of the most satisfying sounds ever

[@MrFotisPsofakis]

It depends on the pricing. Its not fair to pay almost 40.000 € for a golf with hard plastic on the rear doors!!!!

[@David_Journey]

Also they saved on sound insulation in last generation

[@cantstartit]

I so agree we need a GTD brilliant power amazing mpg

[@ManualFlying]

If they add back the buttons in the center console like the ID2 concept car, this may almost catch up to the 7 Golf. May* because the 7 golf still uses higher quality materials with normal cup holders and a sliding door to hide it.

[@pinkypoohable]

One thing I like about VW is they pay attention to constructive criticism of their customers. The reason why they have great cars. The new Golf looks like the small car brother of my 2023 VW Tiguan R.😍

[@aarc2010]

I like the facelift more than the original version. Better head lights styling and more physical buttons.

[@darknessislight3689]

I wish we 🇺🇸 still got the regular Golf 🥺 the GTI and R are fantastic 😊 some of us want a non-performance version. Gorgeous car and color 🥰

[@gordonnorris4202]

The price and reliability are be the only things that can revive the golf. That is why it was a big seller in the past, it offered quite a lot for the money, plus it was known for its reliability.

[@moza7826]

Reliability haha not with new generation of golf. I had a 2020 golf mk8 r line and it was the most unreliable car I have ever owned

[@gordonnorris4202]

@@moza7826 that is what I'm saying that Golf lost the supremacy because of big price and low reliability...to revive it has to bring back the old benefits that vw golf brought to its consumers

[@ScottPC]

The R on the door needs to be back on the wing! Looks so weird!

[@fuhrerhosty]

Or if it has to be in the front at least put it on the front fender. The door placement looks really awkward imo.

[@YZJB]

@@fuhrerhostywing = guard = fender depending on where you’re from

[@adampetrus2204]

looks awful, real solution to this is to debadge it :D

[@whatthe6532]

my thought exactly

[@bentocknell3567]

Yep that looked wrong to me to. I was already thinking I'd have to ask the bodyshop to move it.

[@pavelppp888]

As a person working on the golf project for vw, I think this facelift is a very good outcome for model!

[@francisdoran971]

Why, Pavel, is there such fascination with piano black, which gets very dirty looking and scratches so easily as well? Is it used to keep weight down while attempting to look classy, at least in the showroom? What was wrong with what went before, matt rubbery plastics for cubby holes which gripped coins and reduced rattles of whatever was thrown into them. Asking purely to understand why the choice of piano black material was decided upon? Overall nice looking car, buttons welcome back on steering, good to see the variant/estate also being highlighted, with a nice flat loading lip and decent boot. It looked like there was enough space under the boot floor for at least a space saver spare wheel. Is that the case? Will there be any space under the floor in the phev model? Will the electrified models be able to tow? Thanks.

[@Ambienfinity]

Looks promising! Certainly hasn't lost its DNA as a Golf. Look forward to seeing how it drives, and in due course, hearing about owners' experience of functionality and reliability.

[@izidor]

I really like this Golf. They did a great job with this one. Only the screen is still a thing i dislike and ofc the price. The screen still looks like a tablet placed on the cockpit. It should be more integrated, like audi does.

[@oliverstemp9132]

Other than putting all those sensors back in a position where they can break it looks like a really good update. I like it. Although I think people are just getting used to it

[@jonathanbender4691]

Lack of gas struts for the bonnet seem to ruin the premium vibe.

[@rogersharpe2490]

The Golf 7.5 face lift was the best ever version of this legendary car.

[@SwiftHDX]

I'm curious, is VW now sticking with the high gloss buttons on the steering wheel for the production model? If I recall correctly, on the preview they were normal matt buttons.

[@musguelha14]

I think lower trims will get matte buttons.

[@Gazer75]

Hope not. All this glossy stuff is a fingerprint and dust magnet.

[@thore8978]

yeah its awful but to be honest, its not that bad, easy to clean and only a small surface.

[@lektuvaas]

Really need back those physical knobs for AC control

[@mart_en]

A big Car magazine wrote, that VW has improved the quality of the materials in the interior and put in more soft touch surfaces. Is that true ? Because at least in the video I can't see any new soft surfaces that had been hard pack before. The dashboard and materials of the upper front doors had been soft touch already before. What is the difference now ?

[@dr-ok3sn]

no info about the HP/PS of the Diesel? and where's the GTD?

[@ToniCur88]

Thank you autogefuhl. This is the one I was waiting for. Still a driving test would be nice.

[@TheMstwntdLMSV123]

They did a really good job with this refresh. It's such a shame they're discontinuing the manual transmission for the GTI and R models.

[@tsaki_titan]

Why tf would you even want it in a manual???

[@MishtahPoog]

It's especially frustrating with all these small quality-of-life updates. Now, if you want a manual you have to settle for the older model years with the capacitive-touch wheel, no illumination on the touch bar, etc.

[@Lobo-ih3bh]

@@tsaki_titanbecause some people know how to and enjoy driving.

[@tsaki_titan]

@@Lobo-ih3bh sounds like a load of BS honestly. Changing gears from Limpopo To Pretoria is tiring enough can't imagine doing it everyday

[@TheMstwntdLMSV123]

@@tsaki_titan just because you don’t enjoy something doesn’t mean others don’t too

[@chuerk648]

That's it, I usually tend to fluctuate between what car I want after I finish school. But I've made up my mind now. This is the car I'm gonna get once I graduate from college, this car was designed specifically for me, I think I'm in love. Thanks again for a great video, Autogefühl!

[@thore8978]

If you like this, look at the VW 2 all which is coming end 2025 :D

[@stuartfrost6464]

Awesome 😎... I currently have a Golf R-Line in White with Sunroof ( hopefully this option is available still). Loving the changes and hoping for other options on alloys. A great review BTW 👍🏼

[@Ostap1974]

Thanks for prompt video. For me, G8 looks better from outside. But from interior prespective, it still falls behind G7.5. That said, I expect G8 Variant to get higher sales than before, mainly because of overgrown Škoda-Passat.

[@LeoNidasPlayForFun]

I don't know about you, but I don't like the new bigger display. The old one, inside of dashbord, looks more integrated, more slick.

[@권용대-b5v]

Looks amazing. My wife bought a VW Polo Mk 5 before dating me and that car is still active with a baby seat. Golf Mk 8.5 seems to be the natural next step for us!!

[@sShamSss]

like the improvements overall. But the outlined VW badge and the gloss key FOB are cringy. The infotainment system is great but the implementation is not typical VW

[@adambraunstein3283]

I think the 8 was already looking fab but 8,5 looks even better!

[@Wisdom_Gate123]

This car is not for the older generation. If you find yourself ticking most of the "I don't like, I dislike", look else where!

[@GLA45Amg716]

Mannn I love it. But they need to give the golf R like 360 HP and a wide body stance. Would be super nice.

[@anteram]

again they didn't return the shock absorber for the hood....🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@stevehunter7402]

interior screen is too large. instead of nonsense like climate “sliders” and illuminated grille, I prefer physical controls and better build quality from the plant in mexico. I have the last generation of vw golf wagon (estate) sold in Canada. It is a shame the direction the automotive industry is going.

[@MLife1972]

Small changes externally but it looks so much better than the original Mk 8 and I love the ice blue colour - similar to Hyundai's N series cars.. Very disappointed with the piano-black centre console - yet another backwards step. Hopefully that's just on the R Line and the other versions retain the matte version.

[@Gazer75]

Hope they bring back the e-Golf as well. I'm not a big fan of the ID3 and upcoming ID2. If they could fit 40kWh+ it would be great. And some kind of temperature management. Fast charging my e-Golf in sub zero temps has not been fun with 20-30kW.

[@mistertee5000]

I really wish VW would bring back the Golf and Passat wagons to Canada. I would buy immediately!

[@water8750]

The ability to turn off "features" is important on any car, like in some volvos and minicoopers still at least you can turn off location, bluetooth, lane assist, etc. That is something that actually is the most important

[@rampanttwattery4844]

Looks like a good update, the car is almost as good as the mk7.5 now….

[@scaleartsg]

golf 7.5 is the just nice design. Glad VW stuck to this design language. Now the way forward is to keep it more reliable than before!

[@Carswatchesandfish]

The new place of the camera can cause costly damages even by small hits to front bumper.

[@TalismanPHX]

I thought the same thing, one good curb strike and the sensor is going to be broken or at least need realignment 😮

[@lawrencemitchell5983]

Looks good....and I like the exterior color too 👍. Thanks Thomas.

[@stinger71]

So, no more 3 cyl 1.0 tsi?

[@backwoodsbungalow9674]

At 8:52 the biggest improvement is the PHEV which gets 20kWh battery with 11kW AC charging and 50kW DC charging. ✌

[@ItsMe_Sam]

The interior is incredible! Love this!

[@oneonone8855]

I do like the facelift. Especially looking from outside. Lights look amazing. some things i do not like; - I would rather have them switch the plastic to the Golf 8 Plastic, those grey buttons. - And also change the Carbon Fiber to Wood. - Sensor in the logo rather than its lit up. - Remove light trim in the front - Camera hidden in the back logo to not get a dirty camera lins.

[@atuatasi89]

Bought my mk8 gti almost two months ago…….. wish I woulda known they were doing these types of updates only soon after 😑😑😑😑. Still love mine though!!

[@panagiotisnikoloudakis4949]

Great video as usual well explained I never miss one from you. I liked when you said "leave your comment manufacturers will read it". I only have one concern being a group VW customer. Please do not cancel the rocker switch for the dsg on the central console. No "sports" car must have a lever on the seering wheel column like the new Superb. Golfs are known for being all well rounders i.e. they combine looks , sportiness whilst being family cars which are nice to drive as a daily even the GTIs. I know some would dissagree with me saying AMG has the automatic gearbox lever on the steering column for years but hey! This is the only reason I am not a Merc customer! The feel is old school in my opinion. Thx for reading my post keep on making wonderful looking cars 😊.

[@haydensmith888]

I wish they would include roof rails on the Golf hatch

[@mrgr]

I just wish the infotainment is intagrated into the console. Hate the monitors in cars. We need it intagrated as in golf 7

[@meirionjones6929]

I'm sure if VW really wanted to, and really cared about all their customers, they could still give us the manual box option for Gti customers like me who held off buying a Mk8 due to the software/steering wheel buttons but now don't have a choice - wouldn't really affect fleet average C02 as most people choose the DSG box and they already have the box from the Mk8 ready to fit ! - if enough people complained you never know !

[@BIGGIEBAG-XL]

I’m sure I’m in the minority, but this made me buy a 2024. Can’t stand the huge tv looking screen and the buttons on the steering wheel look very outdated. I think the MK8 looks much more modern and sleek from an interior perspective. The MK8.5 exterior updates look fine (subtle and not much difference really). Love the haptic controls and so do most people that actually live with the car for more than a 2 hour review.

[@paulwavemusic]

It’s great that they listen and bring back buttons, backlight sliders… but in general the update is quite lame… very cosmetics. I’m missing the multifunction rotation button from Tiguan, middle part between seats no changes:( having 6, or 7 as a reference the savings done on 8 are still there… + the inductive pad for just one phone, the logos on the doors are barely visible - likely cheaper to produce than before. Pitty to not to have automatic opening for the front engine cover. From quality - savings perspective seems to be same 8:( I can bet that the gloves locker is still bare plastic - on previous it was covered by soft material. Changing lamps and tablet inside is not enough to call it “new”. 😢 I wonder why they showed great prototypes recently.. maybe we have to wait for 9….

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

The Passat PHEV wagon that you briefly showed is what I want. Hope you get around to reviewing it. Of course VW won't sell it in North America, but I sure would like one. The 2024 Golf does not seem any better than my 2019 S wagon with manual trans. 55K miles and best car I've ever owned in the past 60 years. Nothing VW currently sells in the US could replace my wagon.

[@White_Rose_Al]

Looks a million times better than the MK8, let's hope it doesn't require all the MK8 software updates

[@Ljbuddy12]

I was recently in the market for a new Golf R but couldn't find a dealership willing to sell at MSRP. Every dealership had huge mark-ups so I ended up purchasing a New WRX at MSRP.

[@thomdigiacomo5154]

I’m glad to see that the auto manufacturers are listening to your suggestions which mirrors many consumers regarding bringing back specific haptic buttons and removing fake exhaust ports. One other item that many consumers want retuned is the manual hand brake which served as a third brake and assisted you in controlled braking in snow and ice. What is your opinion on the return of the manual hand brake.

[@mattalki]

The best change: No more fake exhaust! My least favorite change: 13" screen is way too big. It looks like a laptop is stuck to the dash. It looks bad on Tesla and it looks bad here. Otherwise, it looks pretty good! I still wish we got the standard Golf in the states.

[@hannuhedman5882]

The PHEV versions certainly are much more interesting now than before.

[@arkas150]

I have always liked the VW Golf line-up, but this looks much better. Especially on the inside.

[@timbang8920]

I will absolute upgrade my Golf GTE 7.5 - 2018 model with the new Golf GTE 8.5. Fantastic that the battery now is around 20 kWh and you can charge with 11 kw AC/50 kw DC. Can't wait to see which prices we get here in DK! And cool the entertainment is the newest from VW with Apple Carplay wireless.

[@sye8346]

Will there be a GTD?

[@JoeDirt7799]

I absolutely love my mk 7.5, but I'd love this in type R

[@_analog_photo]

Looks much better. Sensors and radar in front are positioned too low: it can be damaged easily, and repair for small parking mistake will be painful.

[@TalismanPHX]

Volkswagen, please bring the Golf and Golf Wagon back to the United States 🇺🇸 🇺🇲 😊

[@fearlessleader8623]

I havent searched up a VW in over 20 years...this Golf R had me looking up the review, so that should say something

[@morpheus6394]

Why is the golf not provided for in South Africa????😭😭 We are the One of the biggest consumers of this product, please brimg it back to South Africa, PLEASE.

[@rich495]

The scrolling indicators look good, why aren’t rear indicators made more prominent?

[@Fabbyyy]

Finally illuminated vw logo 💪💪

[@mick1967]

Revive? It never died. I own my fourth VW Golf GTI (7) since 1985. I never liked the Golf 8 and wanted to wait for Version 9. But this facelift makes me thinking.

[@kresimirkalman6113]

much better, this ih how Golf 8 should look like from start

[@NiceGuyAidey]

Hate the Sensor being back in the lower grille , opens it up to knocks and errors again, not keen on the GTI boot badges being on the sides now, also the screen is a bit intrusive, other than that its looking ok

[@the_freedom_quest]

The Golf has become too expensive

[@olafleonhardt1158]

You could have mentioned the new flatter headlights.

[@KV89-b3c]

Nice video! Already updated? I feel like the 8 came out last year :D

[@Jushwa]

The 200hp awd golf, i wish we got that here in Canada 😭

[@robertc7892]

Hey Thomas... Do you know if they will still have the Alltrack trim on this 8.5 facelift? thanks

[@azzeea2949]

so much technology and fancy design, a front end collision would cost you thousands in whatever your currency is (minimum 6,000EUR for example for a minor knock)

[@jet_black]

Please for the love of God bring this exact spec to the states!!!!

[@foregonereality]

I recall buying my brand new Golf V back in 2007 which had everything I could ever want. It had dials and buttons where the VIII does not have - also had a gas strut for the bonnet and was much, much cheaper. I understand inflation but how can a car that drove better, quieter with higher material quality be half the price of a new Golf VIII today?

[@burddog0792]

The front sensors will get dirty very easily.

[@Bixten33]

Skipping the best 'model' of the Golf, the Sportsvan, was a huge mistake...

[@thug3m]

"I need to put my knees somewhere else" :D

[@vr6280]

I actually preferred the fake exhaust than the new "blocked off look" now. Front bumpers look better, but concerned the screens might be a bit much when driving at night - the mk8 is a bit too bright for night driving now on un-illuminated roads (even with mood lighting turned off and screens set to dim and red with black background)

[@alikooti7368]

Amazing review as always. Thank you. Just a proposal, perhaps to mention the pricing within few seconds, would also be helpful.

[@autogefuehl]

Thanks 🙏

[@autogefuehl]

Pricing is usually not out when we do first static review

[@ram64man]

The headlight and rear light indicator is terrible, you can’t hardly see it from t0 let alone 90 degrees , it will easily get washed out and the iq rear is right out of us market look terrible it needs a major change, even thf default Id 3 light isn’t prominent enough when turning

[@joetacchino4470]

Hope we get the PHEV here in the US!

[@thore8978]

Looks great! i love it.

[@lancecahill5486]

Not a fan of the “sporty trims” in the lower half of the front end.

[@JMNTN]

I hate how the r-line still gets the exact same bumper as the gti. Such a dumb cost cutting measure. Back in the mk6 and 7 days you where an idiot for putting a gti bumper on a base model, now you can order one from the factory.

[@spartannl8227]

I drive a Golf 8 1.5 eTSI Style from March 2020, a German import. I've always had the matte buttons on my steering wheel. Lucky me 🙂, but hey, I had to suffer quite enough with the quality (or the lack of it) of the infotainment system... I hope for new Golf 8.5 owners those issues are now all resolved... Overall, apart from the bigger center console touch screen (which is too bulky for my taste, I prefer my/the previous one), the front bumper (I prefer the older design here as well), some lighting adaptations (I have the outstanding IQ-lighting, which to this day is still so amazing, but the new facetted rear lighting are really beautiful, but are rather AUDI copy-paste...) not that much has changed.

[@adampetrus2204]

The infotainment should be resolved from 2021 on the pre-facelift and make sure that you got the latest software on the pre2021 model, should resolve a lot of things too. This one's going to be OK, they listened to the feedback. 🙂

[@PenFriends]

Not with the price increase!

[@pkaps5799]

Golf must be the best hatchback, a class on its own, I would only compare it with the A3 but the A3 is more expensive.

[@KHD1982]

12 inch is massive 😮 10 inch may look better

[@minidof]

Too bad the capacitive buttons disappears. They work amazing in the I'd serie. It's a lack of autogefuhl to not know how to use them correctly.

[@markomrako5844]

I like it. Hm, you didn't mentioned completely new design and optics of the front lights ... instead, the first thing you emphasize is illuminated vw logo. Thank you for video