New VW Golf Review: They Finally Listened!

The Volkswagen Golf has been updated!

VW has released a mid-life facelift for its world-famous hatchback, and Mat’s got his hands on one to see just what’s new on this Mk 8.5 edition.

In terms of the design, it’s all pretty similar to the Mk 8! Up top the DRLs have been updated and the option to fit a full-length light bar, while the lower bumper has also been tweaked. But apart from that, it’s all pretty similar to the previous edition. Along the side, there’s a selection of new alloy wheel designs to choose from, while at the back the taillights have been updated, as have the lower bumper. Thankfully though, VW has finally done away with fake exhaust tips!

On the inside, there are a few changes over the previous edition, with the main one being the large infotainment screen which comes as standard in all cars! The system has also been updated and is a bit less laggy than before. The digital dial screen has been revised, and thankfully the touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel have been swapped with physical buttons! Ultimately the Golf is quite a nice place to sit - most of the cabin is fitted with quality materials, and the seats are pretty comfortable, too.

Regarding the engines, the Golf range starts with a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol that can put down 115hp or 150hp. There’s also the option for a 2-litre turbo diesel, which also delivers either 115hp or 150hp. Both cars come with a manual gearbox as standard, but automatics are available, too. There’s also a plug-in hybrid available, which uses the 1.5-litre petrol coupled with an electric motor to deliver either 204hp or 272hp.

The range starts from £27,000, rising all the way up to £37,000 (excluding the GTI or R, of course). So is it still the class leader? Or should you choose something like an A3 instead? Stick with Mat and see for yourself!

Chapters
00:00 Reversing Camera
00:28 Design
01:40 Price
02:02 Interior
05:02 Back Seats
06:28 Boot
07:38 Annoying Features
09:15 Good Features
10:45 Engines
12:59 Town Driving
13:56 Motorway Driving
14:39 Country Road Driving
15:34 0-60mph
16:03 Verdict

[vladzubac]

they almost fixed it. if they would have included normal rotative buttons for climate controls, that would have been fixed!

[pAirA_]

Props to VW for actually fixing the disastrous steering wheel buttons, thought they'd be more stubborn on that. Although I suppose the angry customers and the resulting loss of demand had something to do with it

[harrisonhealey]

The MK7.5 is hands down the best version out there. Why? Because it keeps things simple and practical. Unlike newer cars that make you rely on touchscreens for everything, the MK7.5 has physical controls for stuff like heating, ventilation, and volume. You can adjust these without taking your eyes off the road, which is super handy.
Plus, the quality is top notch. It’s got that perfect mix of modern tech, like Apple CarPlay, without shoving a huge infotainment screen in your face. It’s all about balance, you get the cool tech you need without the distractions you don’t. The MK7.5 just gets it right.

[PushyPawn]

If any car companies are reading this: *No manual buttons* = *No Sale*

[elestromusicgamesfun]

As a Mk 7, 5 owner I do love my buttons and dials. VW, LISTEN to what he says! NO ON wants those sliders or touch and NO ONE asked for them.

[proxyhx]

We're in 2024 and yet car infotainment displays still can't provide a smooth 60Hz (or higher) image and well made animations to go along with it.

Scrolling through a menu shouldn't give you a distasteful feeling in my humble opinion. It's not the end of the world, but everything is in the details.

[jado]

Volkswagen were the cars in which you could just sit down and start driving. Everything was just perfectly in place. You could just drive without need for having a detailed study of your car‘s operating features. Which customer has ever asked for touch sliding buttons or control via touchscreen for functions so regularly used like a climate control? Hope Volkswagen turns around.

[miscusername]

The centre display looks like a trucker's laptop set-up for watching TV on the motorway.

[robinhosleftfoot]

0:59, that radiator needs covering to avoid stone chip damage

[ebra]

VW still got it wrong. We want ALL of the climate controls to be real buttons. Why are they continuing to annoy their customers?

[dennischeng]

Mk8 is a huge stepback in design but now i am happy that VW has done it right ! Mk7.5 is still the pinnacle though.

[chk]

The extended part of the compartment in the door, where you lost your key, is actually meant for the safety vest. This way, the driver and passenger have it immediately at hand and it doesn’t take up too much space. Greetings from Bavaria.

[ffotograffydd]

I currently drive a Golf 7.5 and even that has commonly used functions that are only available via the screen, including changing the driving mode. Hiding basic functions on a touch screen is really annoying, and is one of the reasons I won’t buy another VW. At least they’ve fixed the steering wheel issue that people were having, now they just need to fix everything else they’ve broken.

I remember reading that Nissan has said they won’t put commonly used features, such as driving modes, temperature controls, etc, on the screen because they consider it to be distracting and dangerous. They definitely have a point.

[LolloPlaysClash]

drag race every golf 8.5 available:
- petrols: 115-150-GTI
- diesels: 115-150-(+GTD even if it’s 8 and not 8.5, but would be interesting)
- phevs: 204-GTE

[Matty]

Golf looks much more cheaper looking, yet it's more expensive than ever to buy.

[thedaveaftertomorrow]

That screen stuck to the dash is a joke

[Sachin]

flip camera on the golf is a old feature

[KALA.]

Touch sensitive controls on the dashboard are causing too many accidents on the roads. You have to look at the screen / controls to adjust anything

[cameltorun]

Wow! Basic Golf in UK is £27035? I have recently checked Volkswagen page in Poland and catalogue list price is 116.635pln and that is £23005

[Taylor___]

@2:30 How is this any different to using your mobile phone whilst driving? It's mental! I'd also find that screen super distracting. I prefer the screen being intergrated in the centre console lower down.