VW Golf GTI mk5 vs mk8

Grudge match!

The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI mk8 promises to be the most sophisticated version yet of the German brand's famous hot hatch. But is it the best? In this CarGurus UK review, Dan Prosser pits it against the all-conquering mk5 GTI in order to find out.

Read our full VW Golf mk8 review:

Mk8 Golf
Pros
Desirable image
Great to drive
Comfortable ride

Cons
Fiddly infotainment system
Rivals offer more interior space
Not significantly better than a Mk7 Golf

Mk5 Golf
Pros
Broad range of engines and trims means there's a Golf for everyone
Sophisticated suspension delivers great handling
Plenty of interior space

Cons
Lower-spec models are a bit basic
Reliability issues mean you need to buy carefully
Some diesels are a bit noisy

#vwgolfgti #golfmk8 #golfmk5

[ramman]

The mk7, 7.5 for me the quality difference really makes the mk8 look like a backwards step regardless of what happens under the bonnet

[deanheylen]

Still have my MK5 GTI after 12 fantastic years with it. Very little went wrong and was easily fixed. Car is showing its age through minor issues such as the ceiling material coming loose now and sagging a bit, but it is still mechanically sound. MK5 has already secured its spot in the hall of fame.

[Diminish]

Dude I sold my MK5 a 4 months ago. I've owned it for 12yrs. I recently purchased the MK7.5 and I got to be honest I regret selling my MK5 and this video makes me want it back!

[EmanuelePolimeni]

Mk5 is probably my favourite hot hatch of all time, considering how it blends performance with every day use

[tmilko]

My MK5 R32 will never be sold, love the GTI too!

[-DC-]

The cost cutting in VAG products is really beginning to show, great content on this channel 👍.

[DarrenJMHughes]

Happy Mk5 GTi owner here. Great review and it’s not really surprising that the Mk5 is better than the mk8.

[jamesoc]

Coming from a MK5 GTI owner who has driven the MK7 GTI, performance, club sport and R all of which are great cars. I found none of them gave me anymore enjoyment / smiles per miles than the MK5 for the money.

[davidhuysmans]

There are so many new cars that came on the market lately, and aren't better than the previous model. Just my opinion.

[ROMANERUIZA]

I always believed that the real "game changer" in the lot had been the MK5, and it seems like I'm not the only one with such thoughts. I still remember the cravings of having one of those back in the day, that no other GTI generation had (nor has up to this day) caused in me. Every Golf after the MK5 has felt like a minor update, not a major upgrade like it should have been.

[michaelw]

I have a mk6 that I bought new over 10 years ago, which is basically a mk5 with different headlights and an updated interior.... there’s a reason I’ve held onto it, it’s a fantastic car and I just don’t feel the need to buy a new one. If anything I really dislike that they’ve gone to a nearly all glass cockpit; I want physical buttons for the most commonly used functions.

Thing is, if you want the mk5/6 platform to be a more interactive driver’s car, the aftermarket is seemingly endless and it’s very easy to sharpen it up. I run mine at track days and through the corners it’ll trade punches with Porsches.

[kiantaylor]

Love my mk5 gti. It’s my first car and I’m definitely a lucky kid. 170, 000 miles and still running very strong (because I do all the maintenance)

[jordiskillerboy]

mk5 gti owner here, thought it was a very nice video to watch, this reminds me again why i bought it and why i would never get rid of it😁

[StakedWealth]

Car design is in decline as everything around. MK5 takes my vote!!

[natestrand]

Still got my mk5, 13 years running strong. It’s relatively easy to work on yourself as well. Only thing that was a pain was replacing the timing belt, but I got it done with help from a friend. Another thing to note with these FSI engines is the carbon build up on the intake valves, that’s the next thing I’m going to work on in the coming months.

[parvindermander]

I currently have a mk5 GTI manual and just love it, good quality examples are going up in value.

[KarlkEst]

Golf GTI should be easy to use but the interior of mk8 is not that. Fussy climate controls, materials seem lower quality after dieselgate.

[lidiyarenjan]

everyday regret selling my mk5, the best car i ever owned, period. hope i will get one one day. It had 265kms and the engine was butter smooth!

[myobkenobi]

Was going to replace my MK5, but what do you replace it with? After test driving a few possible replacements decided to keep it. It now has a remap which has not only boosted performance, but made the general fuel economy better, and i've added an Android head unit which is a nice upgrade to the original, allows me to use apps like Torque pro to connect to a bluetooth OBD2 connector and see all kinds of car information.

[GODEW]

Mate..please try MK6 you not regret I believe that's the Golf which cannot be replaced with any other Golf. Its like a toy, brilliant control so pleasant to drive and never feels like cheap from inside...what a masterpiece