2021 VW Golf review – is it the best Golf ever? | What Car?

Look! It's a new Volkswagen Golf! But what's new with this eighth-generation model? And what's it like? Watch on to find out everything you need to know!




What Car? is the UK's biggest car-buying brand and has been helping Britain's car buyers make purchasing decisions for more than 40 years. Our tests are widely regarded as the most trusted source of new car advice.

This channel brings you trusted reviews on all the new models on the market, all the latest first drives, reader reviews, and great car-buying advice.


Follow What Car? here:


#VWGolf #Golf #VolkswagenGolf

[ewaf]

Noting beats simple dials and buttons for AC and heating

[DanLMH]

Feel like the MK7 will end up being a 'modern classic' in a few years. Not loving the interior on this one 🙁

[slapshot]

This current obsession with wholly impractical touch screens in cars has got to stop.

[Jaykae_t]

Manufacturers need to stop with all of these touch sensitive buttons, it's overkill in this Golf. Just give us physical ones ffs!!

[charles-davidberube]

The massaging seats are basic...
Dude, it’s a freaking golf! Not a mercedes s class! What were you expecting?
The simple fact that it has such a feature is amazing!

[johnparker]

As with many others I think they have destroyed the excellent internal ergonomics by going all digital. My mk7.5 1.5 turbo match run out model was packed with free extras so all I had to add was the rear camera (a must have add on). Pretty much the perfect all round car and I love it!

[TheRustedPixel]

I've been watching tons of finacial videos about how they say never buy new cars, the lose value rapidly in 3 years, get in on the fourth year and you're not losing much. Why am I saying this? Well, I've been excited about the Golf mk8 for a while but after seeing this (and that odd face at the front and cheap plastic back on the infotainment system) I'm set on getting a 7.5GTi golf. That car is still extremely handsome with, a probably, better looking interior too!

[Elias_Giannakakis-GTI]

My daily driving car is a vw golf mk6 and one of its main advantages is that, if needed, my 67 year old father can easily get in and drive it whithout the need of an "eurofighter typhoon" pilot with an ordinary driving From what I see in the mk8 golf there is no way for an average "old" driver to enjoy this car. So my point is that vw golf was a car that everybody could easily drive, it gave every driver regardless of age the feeling of an easy car to live with ....now you have to adjust a great number of functions, only to just get to start the car....

[archiebarber]

No physical aircon controls, so stupid

[nzroversfan]

Years ago the next Golf always built on the last ones strengths and then made the oppositions job that bit harder. The Golf 8 hasn't done that and it looks as if those with a certain agenda have got their way. Hopefully the Golf 9 will return those winning attributes to VW.

[mutley]

Somewhat difficult to operate a touchscreen safely whilst DRIVING. Its a car, not an ipad.

[simbagambe]

Golf reminds me of IPhone. People love to criticise it for the sake of it (rightly or wrongly) but we will see 1000s of these on the road.

[rich]

Completely negative review for what is a truly well conceived car.
The new technology is happening, accept it and recognise how good this new tech is on the Golf.
Confusing for the first 5 minutes; intuitive once the basics have been grasped.
This car is superb

[magnuspersson]

So "build quality" in a car is judged by how the instrument panel feels to touch?

[shanecolton]

As a big VW fan this is the first proper review I've seen of the mk8. I've recently bought a MK7 GTD and in love with it. I am hugely disappointed in VW as they have moved away from the ergonomics that most love about the MK7. I can't stand the touchscreen temperature gauges and fidgety audio systems....one can get them on a Renault of a Toyota sure, But at least unlike most journalists who will try plámás VW just 'cuz its a VW'; fair dues to What Car for saying it as it is. However you have gutted me by revealing the harsh truths!lol

[Incomudro]

I'm in the USA, I drove a MK6 GTI for 3 years, and have had my MK7 GTI since it debuted.
I thought I would stick with the Golf platform when the MK8 rolled around - but they lost with that interior.
VW used to lead the way in the interior dept., but Mazda (say Mazda 3) is miles ahead of them there now.
My next car will not be a MK8 unless VW sees it's error and adds manual controls mid model, and ups the interior quality.

[Horizon.]

Big mistake with what they have done with the technology. It will alienate a lot of buyers given this car is typically bought by people of all ages and demographics, I can’t help but think that older people will be overwhelmed and rightfully so. The climate controls are the final nail in the coffin. The moment you can’t adjust the basics without using a touch screen is the point in which it’s a major distraction. The 7.5 quality looks better also, even the infotainment system looks shockingly bad in terms of its design and the UI. Also are there even two cup holders? On the pre production models there clearly isn’t

[Cee-Real]

Anybody who has a Golf 7 knows that on a cold morning the infotainment screen becomes a little unresponsive.. but the car is saved by actual dials and manual controls.

I can already see the impending customer backlash for when this all digital car becomes unresponsive on cold mornings..

Even the most basic functions like headlights, climate control and heated seats need the touch screen..

And some might not care but they got rid of the hydraulic springs that keep the bonnet up without you having to use a manual stalk.. they also only seem to have one cup holder instead of two and also got rid of the little compartment you used to be able to store your glasses in.

The Golf 7.5 will see a spike in sales.

[zumik]

No touchscreen wiper controls or turn signals ? I will wait for Golf 9 in that case !

[tartanwallpaper]

This review is a million times better than the Autoexpress review.