Judging by the comments, clearly a lot of people haven't watched right to the end where I summarise that yes some things have gone down but others have gone up too. I can't deny there are some negatives but we need to look at the bigger picture - wireless charging and wireless Apple Car Play for example make life a lot easier and are free on this Style model (Audi charge extra for it), trick ambient lighting, digital climate control for rear passengers etc etc. In response to this video, an industry professional has been in touch and confirmed that exposed door barrels are coming back because, as I suggested, it's to ensure access to the car is possible if the electronic opening process fails, not cost cutting. The suggestion it's to save money is ridiculous anyway because manufacturing a cap with a hole drilled in it is more expensive than one that doesn't need drilling. As for the pull down locker being deleted being due to cost cutting, as I suggested the space behind it might be in use by electronics now but on reflection, the most like cause is that this isn't a rehashed Mk7.5 dash, it's a completely new dash so nothing has been deleted as such, it's a completely different installation. The locker wasn't carried over a) to reinforce the fact this is a new dash in a largely all new car AND b) to add to the clean minimalist uncluttered look of the rest of the dash. Many Audis do not have this locker and this won't be due to lack of interior budget. I've kept learning things since I signed this off earlier today! The rear climate controls can be disabled, this is why they didn't work. If you play around with the digital instrument cluster configuration, you can get notice when the car is in 2 cylinder mode or coasting (interestingly it calls 'engine off altogether' and 'engine at idle with gearbox disconnected' both coasting). To be clear, the car doesn't use braking to harvest energy like an EV, it uses engine braking to do this, i.e. the alternator is driven by the crank when the engine is off and the car is rolling. A lot of people for some reason think the Mk8 doesn't have paint under the bonnet but this appears to be untrue (unlike with Mk7 which is grey primer under bonnet). I didn't want to mention it as until I see a different colour car I can't be sure they aren't all white under the bonnet. The exposed bolt heads on the door only visible when open are common to the Mk7.5 and are not new to the Mk8 (contrary to what the editor of a leading weekly car magazine tweeted recently). Apart from using the paddles, there is no manual mode on DSG with the new style shifter. I suspect like type 992 Porsche 911, Mk8 GTI/R will incorporate an additional button marked M to be able to select this.

Just fucking tablets everywhere. I hate that look. I also hate the body lines. Sad to see mk7 style gone

Another solid and thorough review Volks. In summary....(my views only) Pro’s of MK8: Fuel economy Cons on MK8: Literally everything else

Thanks for a brilliant and honest review. I think to many people have jumped to conclusions with this car without actually seeing one. To many people have been very quick to accuse VW of cost cutting and pointing out things that are not on the car but have completely ignored all the extras that they have put on.

Screens are what people want?! No no no no no! I don’t want touchscreens!

This review just seemed like an apologetic, dumbing down of the obvious flaws and penny pinching to me. I have liked many of your other videos and content but for the price of these cars I expect better quality. If the R or a facelift don't sort out the ugly bezelled screens and cheap interior and overall styling I won't be upgrading to one. Which is a shame as I am a huge VW/Golf fan, just not a fanboy or someone who makes a living in selling them to be biased.

My dealer told me the MK8 was designed for the far east markets, hence the looks as that's where they will sell more. He also didn't like it and thought VW are straying away from how we all like a Golf to look like. The missing bonnet struts is a disappointment for a car that's gone up in price. I'll be keeping my MK 7.5 R, much prefer the looks and interior to this.

Bought a 2017 Kia Ceed last year to replace my 2008 Jetta . Had it two months and hated it. Replaced with mk7 Golf. Far superior in every respect and saw a Golf 8 in the metal the other day and looks so much better than the pictures say.

Cost cutting or not, too many poor design choices interior and exterior wise.

Only thing that bugs me is the speedo screen is smaller than the 7.5 and surrounded by too much piano black plastic. Looks tacky at that level. I’m not a fan of how much is in my 7.5 let alone the 8. Good review though.

If you didn’t know the MK8 was the newer model and were given the choice of mk7.5 and 8 with both in front of you, same colour etc...I’m sure most would pick the mk7.5.

I like having the latest and greatest technology in cars but the digital cockpit will age really fast vs regular dials. And why does every manufacturer is removing knobs/buttons? Love the mk7/7.5 Mk8 is very disappointing especially in the looks department.

The bezel of the screens are too thick but you know they did that to make them thinner in the facelift 8.5

When I first saw the MK8, I was disgusted. However, it’s slowly grown on me. I don’t love it, but it’s a change. Whether it’s a good change or a bad change is entirely subjective, but I see what VW is trying to push - although I must admit it isn’t for me (particularly the interior). I think they offer brilliant value... (I know I’ll get backlash for saying this, but come on, new car prices are shocking - £18k - £20k for a decent Polo/Fiesta etc.) I’d also be very surprised to see anyone paying list price, and the vast majority of sales will be on a PCP scheme anyway, so list prices will be irrelevant. I think they’ve specced all models particularly well, most people won’t need more than the base “Life”. VW is clearly aiming to compete with the premium hatches full on, a change from the previous generations which straddled between Astra/Focus pricing and A3/1 Series pricing. The tech for me - while a definite leap forward - is also a massive leap backwards. Yeah, it’s innovative, but in my opinion a car should never have such a distracting set-up. I shouldn’t have to take my eyes off the road just to change the Climate Control or volume of the stereo. Setting the NAV whilst on the move will also be dangerous. One of the things customers loved about the Mk7 was the fact it followed the VW’s formula of easy to operate, whilst still being plush. Personally I think they nailed this with the updated infotainment in the 7.5 facelift, it was simple and easy but never felt basic or lacking in features. In terms of driving dynamics, again, Golf owners have certain (maybe boring) expectations - so if that’s what they like, why would VW need to drastically change them? I can totally see why it’s subjective, but I feel people would only be complaining if VW barely changed anything like usual, so I appreciate the changes. I had a mk7 R a few years back, and I may consider a mk8 GTI in a couple of years if I can get my head around the technology.

Sterling review Andrew, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this extended and extensive look at the mark 8. As is often the case, an in the flesh and behind the wheel experience can result in different feelings than the initial online images, articles and video reviews deliver. I can see how the many pros balance out some of the cons. As always, most things deliver subjective views. If I’d listened to all the negativity about the T-Rocs hard plastics I’d not have parted with my up! GTI for an R-Line. In truth, how often do you touch the dash, it is solid and well built and the tech on the R-Line, plus the extra options I have, make it a great car for our needs. One final thing, more extended reviews like these please. As a big fan of yours, extended content like this is very welcome (time permitting to film of course). Thanks again, keep safe and well.

Where is knob or equivalent to adjust air distribution finely between, say windscreen and feet or anywhere in between. I just twiddle my knob in my MK7?

The Start/Stop function on the Mk8.. was there a button to disable that? or was it through a sub menu on the screen?

At the end of the day design / quality is in the eye of the beholder, personally I’m not a fan. I don’t like that most physical buttons and other features have been removed such as the cover on the cup holders the felt in the glove box, the gas strut on the bonnet etc etc... Come to think of it, if touch buttons are the way forward like on both the mk8 golf and new Leon, why hasn’t Audi done the same on the upcoming (and more upmarket) new A3? 🤔

Golf mk7.5 fanboy here.👍

The Golf 8 looks dated already, I don’t think this one will age well

Turning my favorite car into a mobile phone is just heartbreaking as well as a deal breaker. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the informative review. I ordered a Mk 8 1.5 150 Style having looked at the A3 (Aug/Sep 21). In price terms I thought that the Mk 8 was better value for money with newer tech. I've also ordered the Head Up Display and would be interested to see a review on that option. I initially ordered the IQ Lights but that was one option too far on the spec - you might as well hop up to the Audi. So price wise, I thought it was the better proposition. For me, I started my motoring in a Mk 1 CL(?) then had a lot of un in the Mk 1 GTI Campaign and then on to a Mk 2. So a good many years later I fin myself in a Mk 8 :-)

Some of you really should read the manual or watch guides on youtube if you dont know how to do something. Same sort of people who probably struggle to use a tv

That you for the video, very informative! I have one question (or two) if you wouldn't mind! Is there still a button or some way to switch the DSG to manual mode or does it have to be activated by using the paddles? Does it then go back to auto on its own after some time? Reason I am asking is I currently own a 2018 Golf R DSG which I drive in manual mode exclusively and the lack of a proper shift lever has me worried that I may find myself losing some control over the DSG due to the new design. Thanks!

I hope they release a MK 8.5 later and fix all the mistakes in terms of quality

Lots of good detail in your review, but overall I think you're being way too positive, trying to brush off every negative point or downgrade (like mentioned in that video you comment on). Those are mostly valid points, but you just brush them off. Having just properly test driven a same spec mk8, my overall impression was that it was an annoying experience. The car drives good, seating position and comfort is good, but so stupid and so much worse to have everything controlled via the display.

A great review, thanks. Seen too many reviewers shouting hello Volkswagen and didn’t seem interested in getting to know the new system. I have a 7.5 and having test drove the MK8 I’m impressed a lot more in the ergonomics of this new model. Found myself having to look down at the screen to much on the 7.5. The dash setup feels roomier to me also on the MK8.

Best review I have seen of the 8 so far. Still not decided on if I like it more than the 7.5 but I’m very eager to see what the GTI and R models look and perform like in the real world 🙏 (I still love my mk5 GTI though but hey!)

I've watched both, your review and the slovenian man's and I don't think that your analogy with cathode ray tvs and tft, is what he really meant. I believe that the point he was making is that with Discover Pro, you're already getting plenty of screen real estate (9.2") while preserving physical controls. It's a compromise between the best of both worlds so it is a form of cost cutting. If haptic feedback was at least added in the MK8, this could be argued in the name of technology advancement, but in this case it does seem like VW is marketing it as an advancement whereas it's in reality a disguised form cost cutting. That's just my humble opinion. Great detailed video btw!

Oh and I had the chance to buy a new mk8 or buy the mk7.5 Gti performance pack and the latter was a no brainier. In fact having looked at the mk8 Gti pictures and videos, I think that Gti 8 looks even more hideous than the standard Mk8. Unless it significantly grows on me which if being honest has been the case with golfs in the past, I think they will do a face lift fairly quickly so no point in investing on mk8 right now. By the way good job on all your videos, been binging on them the past few days! Let me know when you want to sell your TCR!!!😜

Just been to a dealership to have a look around and play with one, Big VW fan here as you know on your channel Andrew, but i did not like the front end, and the interior was terrible imo ... Felt very cheap , the screen was covered in fingerprints, My polo gti+ felt better quality

Compared to my T-Roc and prevoius Golfs the ride is much better, the DSG box changes earlier giving a smooth power take off. You either like VW's or you don't, there's no mid ground, I'm pretty happy with my Style, the only want is folding mirrors as standard and a reversing camera but they are extra. In my job I drive all makes and models, pound for pound this isn't a bad motor, would I have a better mark if I had the cash, well no thanks, having bigger or better costs more to run and they brake down, have a look at the roadside, you dont see many Golfs waiting for the tow truck! A good review, as always an honest one!

Hate the screen being up high on top of the console just like the rest of the generic cars being lazy and not finding a way to integrate the screen into the dash. The 7 has it perfectly set into the dash.

I think the mk 7.5 had the looks nailed, the 8 looks poor the interior looks terrible with the large plastic surrounds around the screens although I like the rest of it, not putting the climate controls with buttons is a big mistake. There’s nothing wrong with buttons!

Great review, lots of detail and no dramas. Just bought an 8 Tsi 150 and now don't have to look at the instruction manual.

In your opinion - take advantage of good discounts on a mk7.5 or wait for the new one?

Front end looks like a Mk7 golf after a crash.. still hate it!

I love my new VW mk8 GTD. I don't even mind the lack of buttons and I am even starting to get on with the haptic buttons. However, the software is very buggy and becoming an annoyance, I commute around 80 miles every day so need these systems to work. Here are my issues... 1. Sometimes speed limits are read in Kilometres per hour and not Miles per hour or vice versa; the car either accelerates quickly above the speed limit or slams the brakes on to slow down, 2. When the nav zooms in to show lane details on the motorway the lines start to float and nav info is lost on the display, very weird. 3. Sometimes my phone and apple car play connect and sometimes it dose not, this happens when connected by wifi or by the usb cable, today even after re-booting that load icon kept spinning around, I couldn't even select an alternative phone? 4. Sometimes when selecting the climate system it gives no options to change temp, alter settings etc. You have to stop and reboot which may take several tries. 5. There is no option to deactivate lane assist, I have to do this every time I start the car, I only want this on when using ACC, 6. When it works the voice recognition is great, but this is very hit and miss! Has anyone one else had similar issues? What did you do?. I suspect I'll need to call the dealer and hope there's a software fix / update available. This is a great car and it is a shame that VW aloud a car to reach the market with some many bugs! Any help or advice appreciated.

An absolutely brilliant review, Andrew. Many thanks. It will certainly be interesting to see the GTi and R variants and their enhancements. I think you were very impressed with the variable saloon lighting!!! All bes wishes, Andrew. 👍🏼

The car has been the victim of the bean counters .... if you want an example of extreme cost cutting by a manufacturer this is it..... the worst golf ever made. Well done VW. Clearly the financial damage the cheatbox has had on VW has been massive. A manual strut for a bonnet really sums up just how bad the car is. Having had a 7 would I move to the 8? For the money I’m getting a VW badge with a barely better than Hyundai interior so no chance.... The 8 really is a car only VAG fanboys could love!

Thank you Andrew. That was a very thorough and candid review. I also love the old school T. If I needed or wanted a new car, I’m sure I would buy the new Mk8. I bought a 2019 R two months ago. It was pretty much my dream car, given the circumstances of my life and finances.

That’s a fantastic review pal! You saw my comment on your last video saying “I want to like it” but this video has made my decision. Even know I still prefer the Mk 7.5 in looks, the Mk8 is definitely a great improvement with the tech. Cost cutting I wouldn’t say is a major issue, at least you can still control the climate control really easily unlike on any of the Tesla models where you have to go into the infotainment to adjust anything. People just need time to adapt to the future. At least if it’s built into the infotainment it is less likely for anything to go faulty. Fantastic review mate, I can’t believe you have less than 20k subscribers yet your content is better than most.

I don’t understand people criticizing cars going all digital but then praise Tesla, which are basically huge iPads on wheels, everything is tactile on those cars

Hopefully GTI and R will sexy it up, but from the front it is no looker, Mk7.5 was just perfect.

Golf 8 is a turd, hope it flops. Unfortunately this will make Toyota even more dominant in Australia, less people are ordering these. I am certainly ditching VW.

Interesting video - I'd watched that video from the "serious Eastern European Guy" before & good to hear another "take" on that. However, I really do not like some aspects of that interior very much - I can't help thinking that a lot of it IS down to price. VW Golf owners tend to be conservative (with a small "C" ), my parents, for example, have had a Mk7 & a Mk7.5 Golf. They're both in their 70s & I really can't see them getting to grips with the digital interior. As for myself, I love the ambient lighting - I wish my 7.5 had that! Having said that, I'd miss the climate control buttons - they just shout "quality" & are pretty intuitive to use. That slider just looks cheap. As someone who's never linked their phone (& doesn't intend to), that stuff just goes right over my head! Glove box? I'd just buy a rubber mat, like you said.... The styling? It's fine, I'd get used to the front end - the performance Golf 8s will look good, I'm sure! That bonnet stay would really irritate me though😂. One thing I read somewhere is that I think the upgraded audio is by Harmon Kardon & not Dynaudio? I love the Dynaudio system - it was in my old & current Golf & I wonder if anyone has tried the HK system yet? Verdict: great video, on the car: not sure. But, I didn't like the Mk7 when it was new & I ended up owning a 7 & a 7.5..... Congrats on hitting 20k subscribers, by the way👍👍

just leased that model auto and if no brexit deal it will go over £30k !! (Keyless entry is £400 extra). Quite nice to drI've but they will struggle at that price as there must be better value cars around.

Did you get the opportunity to test the headlights? If so i would value your thoughts. Plus how was the car from a squeaks and rattles point of view, this has put me of changing my current MK6 to some modern options (my test drive of the MK8 is next week so looking forwards to this). Well done for taking the time to produce this useful video.

Great review and much appreciated. Baffling that your channel doesn't have more subs but seems like it's steadily rising.

Great video Andrew, probably your best to date. By far the best review of a mk8 and it’s a car you really have to learn and view from VW’s logical if complicated train of thought to really understand. I honestly don’t sense much cost saving, I just see new solutions - most of these more expensive (2 bonnet catches, engineered drink holder). You even get half a battery cover on an 8 to shut up the 7.5 fraternity 😂😂 Wearing a VR6 T shirt in an e-TSI forced a wry smile 👍

There seems to be a lot of tyre or road noise. Mk7 golf is the same. On the Mk6, it was near silent

I've yet to see a proper review of the tech. Please show us you operating the controls while on the move. People don't sit in stationary cars adjusting them. Voice control is a con as for voice control to work i would assume background noise would have to be kept to a minimum. So if i am listening to guns and roses at moderate levels through my dynaudio system will voice control work or will i have to turn the music down first? Please demonstrate that this wouldn't be a problem.

Styling is obviously subjective and I never liked how the golf looked, except for maybe the mk III so I quite like the new one.

I'm really not a fan of those door handles. I've first experienced them in an A4 and I thought I had pulled the whole damn thing off. Just feels wrong and you don't even get a place to rest your thumb and assist the opening. As for the looks of the MK8, I get that style is subjective and it's not that the car looks terrible, but I can't recognize it as a Golf. To me it looks weird and disproportionate. And inside the cabin there's so much frame on those screens I can't help but think it looks tacky.

Ouch .. that is an ugly bloated baby. Saw one in the metal at the local VW dealer. Even the salesman agreed that initial customer feedback had been on the muted side as far as looks are concerned. Shame that, as people aren't buying the car just because it goes on forever without refueling with no regard for its looks. Maybe for the over 60's fuel economy is their most important priority, but not all Golf buyers are over 60. Me... I'm actually 69 and still own my trusty R32.. now theirs a car with the wonderful engine, the same as emblazoned on your tee-shirt. Wish VW still made it... what an engine.. solid , trusty , powerful and goes on forever... fuel economy... whats that?

One of the most precise reviews, I‘ve seen so far about Golf VIII

I just don't like the look of the 'upside down' headlights. The touch screen is too far away from the driver and will be a source of annoyance. Also the painted inside door frames is a giveaway to cheapness & the new A3 has the same......

My Dad has a Golf Match Bluemotion 7.5 with the 1.5 tsi and that has the mild hybrid tech which helps to charge up the 12 v battery and it will switch into neutral on the DSG when coasting and drops down to two cylinders under a light throttle. Best mpg I’ve seen is around the 65 mpg mark and that was on a run down to Bolton along the M6/M61, with ACC set to an indicated 66 mph.

Sorry Andrew, Don't like this review, and disagree with commentary on trim quality, user controls for heating and ventilation. Also lack of cover to hide objects from view stored within the cup holder. VW used to be synonymous with quality??

Those blower controls are a problem.

Shame this fella doesn't look at the difficulty of changing - on the move - screen demist to an auto setting which for me is at least once a day. That's where the loss of buttons makes the touchscreen so difficult and as far as I'm aware you cant change those settings via voice control? It was why I didn't buy one last year and stuck with Beemer Wife now looking at swapping her 67 plate 150Tsi GT and she was disappointed over the loss of the bonnet strut and frankly the explanation given here that the 2 catches prevents it is nonsense My 2Series has both. VW def have cut the interior spec over 7.5 still a nice car just not a cut above other brands as much as 7.5 was. Wife may still swop as its closest dealer for us but she's looking at 1 Series

Another piece of stupid design is evident in those with DSG box. There is now a stupid little drive by wire rocker knob which one probably has to glance down and askew to find it! Previously but perhaps a bit notchy was a decent size lever that again fell naturally to the hand. When will this stupidity end?

Great review, thank you! I think the MK8 will be one those cars which is a ‘slow burn’. The styling has not won everyone over but maybe in the metal the design is more striking than the pictures suggest. I was one of those that did think VW were starting to cut a few corners with quality, but as has been said, it is swings and roundabouts in the grand scheme of things. I am very happy with my 7.5 but I look forward to seeing how the GTI/R models look in the MK8 flesh in the future. What is certain, I am sure VW still have a winner on their hands, it has just not won people over initially.

I must say, the car looks way better in real life than in photos/videos. It drives well, has comfortable seats and pleasant materials on surfaces you touch every day, like steering wheel and door handles. Sadly, VW has dropped its “form follows function” in certain areas. Air vents are positioned to kill driver wrists on hot summer day. There are no headlamp washers to clean them from autumn dirt. And good luck adjusting anything on cold winter day wearing gloves. Everything shines like Christmas tree at night, but LEDs ran out when building climate/volume slide-bar. Any why the *** there is no night mode for map display?

You said they may have removed the locker at 12:50 because they may have had to put electronics behind it, yet at 20:50 you show us putting your extended arm up behind it. Maybe you should have re-edited the video to adjust your reasoning

I saw two mark 8s at my dealer in March before lockdown. One was black and the other a bright orange/yellow metallic. I would not go for that exact colour, but I thought the design suited a bright colour more. I will definitely consider a mark 8 when my 7.5 GTI PP lease ends in exactly one year from now. Thanks for the in-depth review, really helpful.

Useful insight. Thanks. The exposed key ‘ole will be infinitely more practical when actually needed. The bonnet strut will never need replacing. So, both are good. But, no lined glovebox - quelle horreur! And in time, the touch controls will seem dated and slow to respond - just the same as the touch response of a when-new iPhone 8 seemed speedy, compared to an iPhone 11 it now seems annoyingly slow. Looking forward to the 8.5 update - hopefully it won’t have upside-down headlights :-/

Thanks for a very helpful review. Had an original 7 for 7 years which I loved. Replaced it with a 7.5 which was destroyed in a flood at 130 miles! Now considering an 8.

Is this a keyless model you have? I bought one recently and the keyless works only after touching the handle twice to open. Are you having the same situation?

Mk8 is a step back. To much tech, loss of physical controls. Then the mk8 is just FUGLY.

I don't think it's the quality ovwr the older Golf's it's the fact that the quality is now no better than even a Kia. For example the famous bonnet struts. Yes I get your argument, but, testers and reviewers always make the point of say in things like 'this is why the Golf is better' blah blah. So when it's not there, what's the point of paying the extra. Also every reviewer used to criticise other makes for the touch stuff, now the Golf has it everywhere, it's OK lol. Its just the fact that the reviewers have been caught out by the new Golf, they've backed themselves into a corner over the years using the Golf's perceived quality as an excuse to make it win a test, and now it doesn't have that advantage over its rivals.

What a car. I think it’s lovely. I love the interior. The ‘dashboard’ looks fabulous. The vents looks quite Audiish I think it’s great nice review 👍🏻

My first Golf was a mk4 and I had that for 12 years. I loved it, it wasn't high performance only 100bhp but it never let me down. But sadly she was getting on and needed an upgrade so bought a mk7 GT...love it. But like many people we've been eagerly awaiting the mk8. But watching your video and many others you've basically come to the same opinion. The technology has been improved as we can see clearly inside the car. What annoys me about the car is the lazy styling on the exterior. If you squint the cars look similar with the headlights being the only source of telling them apart. If VW stuck with the opinion of " if a car is good why change it" then why not hold on to the 7.5 for another year or two before making the 8? Anyway, I know one problem they still haven't fixed and thats water coming through the drivers window when rolled down with either rain and washer fluid.

Hi there! Wow I’m impressed how well you show all the things. I really like that. M name is Tom, I’m 48, I’ve got mk5 2006 tsi match 110ph. Planning buy golf 8 about end of February. Still I’m not sure what version should I buy, of course financial aspect is most important. Btw can you spend couple of minutes and tell me what different is between Life version and Active? Because I thing about those two. I guess after a long investigation life is a basic and active more rich in features. I would focus about “winter pack” I mean heated windscreen( I can past that), heated seats( I love to have it), ambient lighting ( I would have this changing in interior but is not end of the world if is only 10 modes if I’m right). What do you think would I feel any different jump from 1,6 110 ph to 1.0L tsi, I don’t know- 130-150? Smaller engine but faster? I’m not so friendly with all of that. I don’t need super fast Gti etc. I would take something minimum the same or slightly stronger. I’m generally doing max 4K per year. Work shop ones in the year going from Kent up to the mountains. That’s it. So think about white, manual, petrol, about 2020. Please let me know any suggestions what should I keep in Mind. Greetings from Kent, Tom.

Still not a fan. I'm gonna hold on to my MK7 for as long as possible. Maybe VW will listen and upgrade some of the cheap corner cutting.

The vw tv advert says it all emphasis on the tech for gyrating passengers! Waiting for the R but I feel the increased price is going to be the killer.

Rear climate buttons can be turned off so kids don’t play with them, that’s what’s probably happened. I have the same in my 2018 Touran.

Loving my 7.5 GTE, I think it looks much better than the mk8. Might change to a Cupra Born in the future

Still, I don't think you can beat a diesel yet. This appears to come close but I dislike petrol so I can't even bring myself to buy one. The fuel economy isn't all that great when you consider if I drive like a nun I can get mid 50's Mpg from a 53 plate Fiat Stilo Jtd. If it was doing 60+mpg that would be worth shouting about. Golf GTD estate will hopefully be my next car.

Good review. Sorry I am disappointed by the new golf and have already moved on to another brand. I think my love affair with the golf has ended.

Great review mate I’m going to buy one the interior wins it for me.

I dont like it. The front looks droopy and ugly. The interior looks like a peogeot, not necessarily a bad thing but not what you'd expect on a VW product.

A video FULL of excuses! It's obvious you have been wowed by a load of gimmicks. I love how every cost cutting measure you have an excuse for: -There is no telescopic (gas strut) on the bonnet, just a stick - but there are 2 catches now! (like the 1 catch was ever a problem, 2 catches gives you what exactly?) -The glovebox has no flock lining - but hey what would you put in there that might rattle, and you can always stick some pads there. -The A-pillars are not fabric but plastic - but hey they can get dirty so are easier to clean now. -No protective tray above the pedals - but think about all the heat from the electronics, they need air! (that one had me crying with laughter...my 7.5 digital dash of course is not electronic, so don't need air) -There is no key barrel cover - but that was always fiddly to remove (like if your ever had to remove that during ownership, once maybe) -The cubby locker is missing - but i don't really use it much, it's possible it wasn't cost cutting - maybe no room there. -There was a whistling when i got the car - but that might be the car adapting t o being used. -We have this digital climate control display, but it doesn't seem to be working - but it might be taking a bit of time to boot up. -No headlight switch - most people just set it to auto and forget about it so it makes sense to make it a button like that. ....It may not look as good as the older two - but there are favours to be had when it comes to CO2. Some other points With regards to the gloss black plastic complaint - it was about huge amounts of it surrounding the instrument cluster itself, reflecting all over the place. You can see how much of a mirror it is in the video 25:52, but you neglected to point this out, like the other video had said about gloss black plastic. The frameless mirror was introduced on the 7.5 but was dropped on the 2019 models (part of numerous cost cutting measures on the final 2019 run) Your GTI has the basic mirror similar to the mk8 It also didn't go unnoticed that most of your comparisons were you jumping in to the much older looking mk7 and not the more modern 7.5. The silver stitching matts have been an option on the mk7, premium mat - possible your mk8 matts are nothing more than the premium mat option. The wireless charging for the phone is not grippy enough, so your phone slides around and it disconnects charging frequently. No sunglasses holder - i guess people have new eyes nowadays that no longer require sunglasses.

Sounds like a really good car with money spent in the right areas. I'm not surprised you like the engine, I've owned a few 1.4TSi's and the engine is great, especially in the Leon with DSG. I get 50mpg without trying, mid 60's with a good run and keeping it below 60mph. The money I save buying the petrol model outweighs any fuel saving (diesel is more expensive to buy, then there's adblue...) Anyway, really enjoyed your review, you covered all the things I wanted to know. One thing though, how many Car wow suitcases fit in the boot? 😉

i had a 1.5 2019 plate hated the long gearing for economy it was boring, went to a three cylinder tsi 110 and love it

One thing you didn’t mention was the reflection of the dash grill on the windscreen in strong sunlight which is quite irritating. Also on my loan car there is a speed related noise coming from the passenger side which sounds like a grommet is missing and allowing wind to come into the cockpit. The adaptive cruise control has a mind of its own and assumes you want to travel everywhere at the speed limit rather than the one you have previously set. I keep this functionality switched off. Otherwise its a car that grows on you as you appreciate it’s talents.

Thanks Andrew, I have a 1.5 Style DSG 150 ps on order which was ordered about 5 months ago. Delivery has slipped fro 1st Sep tp 3 week in Oct...we will see! However I was thinking should I go for another brand and model but your great ,honest review has persuaded me to stay with my order. Our other car is a Golf 66 reg 2.0 TDI 150 ps DSG Match model which we both love to drive with only 25k miles on the clock and it drives like a dream so no way was I accepting a £9500 part ex price with our vw dealer. BTW We Buy any Car have recently offered me £11750 for it and we have decided we love it so much we are keeping it. Well done for a great review and I have now subscribed. ps your comment about the Korean key batteries failing is so true. We are on our third but that is my only complaint with the car.

Is the wireless CarPlay reliable. If you navigate with it and stream music/podcast and wireless charge does it get hot to the point of uncomfortable to pickup? Thanks

It's a Vw group car it's probably knows you are making a test and it's gone in to cheat mode.

There is so much more to build quality than if the glovebox is lined. It’s the finish and processing of plastic moulds and welding of the panels, of which VW consistently nail. Regarding cost cutting, you don’t add quilted fabric seats and ambient lighting if you want to save money. As good as other compacts have got in terms of build quality, they still lose the last 20% that a VW has; from how the door hinges are finished, to the consistency of the colour of the black plastics (it’s varies a lot in Japanese cars) I’ve sat inside an 8 and it feels more expensive than a 7. Some plastic parts in the 7 would creak (not many at all) they seem to be totally solid on the 8.

Shout out to the cathode ray tube, my grandfather helped work on that thing!

Too much electronics, too much touch screens. This will be a major distraction while driving since you can't feel any knobs at all. Very dangerous for a driver. Plus with too much electronics I wonder how DIY friendly is this. I'm keeping my MK5 for sure.

Good review Volkswizard. Ive just bought a late 7.5 GT Edition Wagon, 1.5 Tsi. I did look at the mk8s side by side but on first impressions I think the 7.5 pips it on the interior fit and finish. I understand tech sells cars and touch screens and buttons are on trend. I suppose the trade off is that they can add or omit options through software now instead of physical trim pieces and buttons. Looks-wise they have grown on me a lot, but still think the 7.5 looks slightly better.

It’s nice, but not floating my boat. Test drove a couple of mk7s earlier in the year and was very uninspired. Just nice, no sense of occasion about them. Went for a mk2 A5 in the end.

The MK 8 is aluminium bonnet too rather than steel on MK 7 so it’s more expensive still

Well this definitely looks much better than what I was expecting. I watched the comparison video which you mention, and the biggest issue I had was that he was comparing such different trims. You can't compare a base model to an R, there will be significant differences in the trim levels. Still not a fan of the front look or the amount of touch buttons in the interior though. There would have to be some very significant upgrades with the mk8 R to justify upgrading it over a 7.5.

Good review! That engine-off coasting function, can that be turned off? I prefer feel of engine braking rather than “coasting” when off the accelerator. How did you find the responses in give and take/cut and thrust situations where any hesitation or delay in engine response/gear selection can be annoying? Also, the various display configurations, are there driver configurable presets and does the car “know” which driver is using the car so brings up their preferences automatically? Shared car use could be a pain otherwise.

Its a Golf, thankfully it's not radically different on the outside from the mark 7, these things seem to go in cycles 4 was crap 5 was good 6 was crap 7 was good so this 9 should be great.

I cant believe ur trying to sell us the cupholders or this climate set-up of the mk8

So was going to look into one of these, but I think now we will just get the MK7.5 GTI. For £20k would you get the standard MK7.5 Golf GTI with lower miles or go for the MK7.5 Golf GTI Performance with some more miles? Worth the upgrade?