7 Reasons Why You Should AVOID The New 2024 VW Golf!

7 Reasons Why You Should AVOID The New 2024 VW Golf!

Eyeing the 2024 VW Golf GTI or R? With the Anniversary Edition off the table and only subtle tweaks for 2024, is it truly the upgrade you're hoping for? Let’s find out!

Almost nothing new

In the US, if you have your heart set on a new Golf, your options are the GTI and its sportier sibling, the Golf R because Volkswagen decided to retire the base Golf here in 2021.

So, while our friends across the pond in Europe are all excited about the latest Golf facelift, over here things are a tad more chill.

Now, we know that the GTI and Golf R have their die-hard fans (and for good reasons!). But if you're waiting for the 2024 models hoping for some groundbreaking changes, you might be a bit disappointed. The updates are, let's say, on the minimal side. So don’t wait for the 2024 Golf especially since there's some bittersweet news around the corner: the iconic six-speed manual transmission is taking its final bow after 2024.

Speaking of iconic, the term "hot hatch" might as well have a picture of the Golf R and GTI next to it in the dictionary. Yes, they are great cars, but here’s the scoop for 2024: power-folding mirrors across the board and rolling out some snazzy 19-inch wheels. Yep, that’s it.

But if you’re hunting special editions, there might be a special treat for you: the GTI 380 package. This is a special package that all manual GTIs will be fitted with for their final year of production. The 380 will be offered with exclusive features like an exclusive paint color, the black 19-inch wheels from the Golf R20 Anniversary Edition and standard adaptive dampers on all trims. Yes, it will be like a farewell tour for the manual.

Apart from these, nothing changes on the Golf R or GTI. Under the hood of the Golf R you’ll find the same turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that pumps out a solid 315 horsepower, attached to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed direct-clutch automatic transmission. You also get all-wheel drive as standard, torque-vectoring and adaptive shock absorbers. The aesthetics are also nice, especially for enthusiasts. The Golf R rolls on sleek 19-inch wheels equipped with summer performance tires. Inside, you get power-adjustable leather seats, a heated leather steering wheel, three-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof, navigation, a 10-inch infotainment touch screen with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto and a premium Harman Kardon stereo system. But we’ll come back to that.

The GTI is the smaller brother, powered by a 241-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine and you are also served with the choice of a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. And while the dual-clutch offers rapid shifts and a better fuel economy (we’ll get to that later on), there’s something genuinely satisfying about that 6-speed manual.

Annoying infotainment and driver controls

Alright, the Golf GTI and Golf R are cool, powerful and fun cars. So far we said it’s not worth it to wait for the 2024 models, but if there’s one reason why you should avoid them altogether, it’s the annoying media system. Let us break it down.

The interior of the Golf R, while sleek and modern, has taken a turn that might not sit well with everyone. The traditional tactile experience of hard buttons and knobs, which many drivers have come to love for their simplicity and ease of use, has been completely erased.

Now, nearly every function is integrated into a touchscreen display or a touch-sensitive pad. This shift to haptic controls, especially on the steering wheel, can be quite frustrating. Imagine driving hard and your thumb accidentally changes the driving mode or triggers the wheel-heating function. It's not just a minor inconvenience; it's a disruption that takes your focus away from the road.

The infotainment system, in particular, has been a point of maximum annoyance. While it boasts a large screen, especially in the SE and higher trims, its touch capacitive “slider” controls can be exasperating. The intuitive nature of simple volume and turning knobs is long gone. Sure, the base S trim retains these knobs, but as you move up the range, you're left grappling with a non-intuitive interface.

It's not just about nostalgia or resistance to change. It’s about poor functionality and user friendliness. The climate or volume control sliders on the 10-inch crisp touchscreen end up being more difficult than their physical counterparts. And while the Golf R does come standard with a premium 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and popular Apple CarPlay, AndroidAuto or Wi-Fi hotspot features, the overall user experience in the cockpit is still annoying.

#2024vwgolf #volkswagen

[racer]

This Clown says the ride is bad with 19" wheels, while saying buy the Civic Type R with 19" wheels and a unbearable daily ride. lol

[andrewwalkowiak]

I traded my 2022 Golf R for a 2024 Golf R. Same color and both 6 speed manual. So glad I did. Overall I feel a better build quality and some pretty special having the last of manuals of the North American VW Golfs

[donloesch]

All these reviews are not real world. I went from a mk7 gti to a mk8 gti and there is nothing wrong with it. I know where the controls are and have never hit something on the steering wheel I never intended to.

[xbdkpdc]

Why do most reviewers of the new Golf's infotainment system keep moaning about lack "tactile" knobs and buttons while, again, most rave about the interior of a Tesler? Not a knob or dial anywhere, just that awful ipad thing in the middle of the dashboard.

[wayaj]

I bought a ‘23 black mk8 R 6mt. I don’t have any issues with the infotainment really. The “no buttons” isn’t the issue with it, haptic feedback works well.

My biggest issues with the car are that the digital cockpit views don’t save so they switch to back to default for each driving mode. That and chilling around 3k rpm when cruising going 70 mph in sixth gear.

What pleasantly surprised me was there engine. It had the purest purr I’ve ever heard out of a 4 cylinder. It pops wildly when down shifting too and sounds AMAZING. I’m loving the car and if you can get one msrp it’s not going to depreciate like any other German sport car.

[leonardwall]

Bought a 2023 R Anniversary edition. Criticisms of the infotainment are likely made by folks that can't operate an IPhone. This guy probably never drove an R. and is including comments made by other reviewers. I drove the Civic and Corolla. Meh. Why woukd I sacrifice amenities, comfort and apeed for track performance. If I wanted a track car I'd buy one

[markday]

Dropping the golf from North America.
IMO is a big mistake VW. WHY?
Love my 2019 GTI and plan on keeping it for a long time.

[peptors]

Where did you get your comparison prices from? I looked into the Civic Type R b4 purchasing a 2023 R 20th. Of the 35 Honda dealers I called
, the lowest price had a 10K mark up. If you think the ride on the R is not comfortable, suggest you try the Type R and then report back.

[ReconRangersPasukanKhusus]

I bought a month ago de Golf 8 R. I think the car is more for Europe and especially the German Autobahn. The performance, steering, handling and the brakes are awesome, and the dsg is really quick. The infotainment is soso but the driving, Harman Kardon sound system and leather sportseats makes it all good.

[panagiotisnikoloudakis]

Two comments on this video:
1. Narrator speaks way too fast = headache.
2. I got confused = should I buy or avoid?

[ulwylxm]

I have always owned vw products and they are the best cars out there . The maintenance 👨‍🔧 not so much . If you have it under warranty you are good to go 😊

[johnh.heartland]

This is an ultimate dailiy driver car, I put 10K miles on the 2023 GolfR 20th edition with 6 speed Manual, I traded it in for the 2024 GolfR with the DSG. Pricey but the overall performance is worth it.

[ruskmob]

I have the 2024 6speed mk8R and I love it everything about it

[ave]

I'm getting the 2021 GTI 2.0T Autobahn with low mileage, because it still has an Automatic Shifter and a hand break stick, and the Fender Premium stereo is very good . New GTI and R Golfs - more electronics Does Not make a better car !

[pzath]

I got a 2021 GLI Autobahn that I got as kinda a settle since golf R's were so hard to find at the time. Seeing if I should really go for these last manual version. The price is steep, at this price point I can buy a luxury vehicle not sure if the performance warrants the price tag. This is coming from a life long VW lover and owner.

[robertdelvecchio]

2024 GolfR = New & Improved - admittedly buttonless instruments need getting accustomed to - driving experience is spot on perfect, and way ahead of 2015 model i traded (19" wheels and lively engine help) - "mature" look and design amongst its peers tends to keep it understated but while in the cockpit you feel the dominance of its composure - probably the best hot hatch out there....but i'm biased - after 9years (66, 000+miles) of a Lapis Blue DSG, its Pure White DSG for me this time - Loving every mile - Fahrvegnugen !!

[SynNickel]

Should change the title to "7 Reasons to buy a new GTI"

[flyfishermanman]

Should my Golf 1.5 R 2024 AUTOMATIC stay in manual gears when I use my paddles on the steering wheel and stay in manual because mine keeps going back to D within a short distance surely if I choose say M7 it shouldn’t change back to D Can anyone Please Advise Thanks in Advance

[K_k]

I’m just waiting for an Urano grey 40th anniversary to come up on the market near me 😂. No reason for a ‘24.

[thomasschmitz]

Wie cool der alte und der neue Golf schon als Standard Version aussehen...
Also so einen hätte ich gerne !!