Are the MK8 Buttons as Terrible as They Say?

A lot of the talk around the MK8 GTI and Golf R has been about how the new haptic feedback buttons and touch-sensitive buttons have ruined the car... But have they? Today we do a deep dive into the new MK8 interior and find out if the new radio, dash, and steering wheel are a deal-breaker!

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All of our MK8 Videos!

Hagerty - The Mk8 VW GTI isn't as good as its predecessor. | Revelations with Jason Cammisa | Ep. 11

Top Gear - FIRST DRIVE: New VW Golf GTI Mk8 2020: In Detail, Interior, Full Driving Review (4K)

Throttle House - 2022 VW Golf GTI vs Golf R Review // Thrifty Meets Drifty
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[strokeFORever]

You're not allowed to use your phone while driving yet manufacturers bury the controls in a giant touchscreen...

[CatonsvilleCentralRwy]

I’m disappointed they didn’t find a way to replace the steering wheel with a touch sensitive slider mounted on the dash

[christopherbatty]

MK7 R owner here. That interior is a masterclass in design and ergonomics. This MK8 is a giant leap back. Safe operations to radio and climate controls are physical buttons. Yes you have to briefly glance to touch the button, but were talking a much more prolonged glance to use even haptic "buttons". I have never gotten in my car or had anyone ride along with me in MK7 and say "you know what, there are way too many buttons in here". Thanks Paul, for posting. As usual, the comedic elements are gold.

[NelTV]

I take issue with your analogy.

A virtual keyboard on a smart phone is not as good as a physical keyboard was on older phones for typing messages, but it is a good compromise for a modern device which gets used in a many different ways such as watching videos where more screen space makes a big difference to the user experience.

The same can't really be said for a car's controls, which should have a primary focus of allow the driver to make inputs with ease and with minimal need to take their eyes off the road. Touch controls in cars fundamentally compromise this which is why most people don't like them, and voice control isn't great either - when it actually understands you it still takes more thought process to tell it what to do than to just quickly press a physical button or to turn a dial.

[abiopc]

Eliminating a physical keyboard from a phone allows for a bigger screen for content consumption. Eliminating a physical button and substituting it with a touch sensitive control has zero advantages. Burying basic controls in a screen menu has also no positives.

[Drewdownkali]

Yes they are right. You need to be able to push buttons without having to take your eyes off the road. With touchscreens you have to look to see what you are pushing. This is just plain dangerous. We need the tactile feel.

[audikris]

When stationary - the haptic buttons are great - when moving, they are terrible, because you have to LOOK at them.

[Boostlagg]

Its very clear the only reason VW removed physical buttons was for cost savings. There is a reason why the twin Audi A3/S3 has physical controls, people prefer it and will pay for it.

[Amir-kcyu]

The difference with having touch buttons on a car compared to a phone is that the buttons on the car don't change functionality. They do the exact same thing at all times which takes away the point of touch as the same area can have multiple functions depending on needs.

[jvb]

B
No “buttons” “knobs” on an iPhone are fine, you are looking at the iPhone .
No “buttons” “knobs” in a car are not, you are looking at the road.

[F.S]

1:25 completely different dude. I don’t endanger my life because I can’t feel keys on my phone.
However, I do endanger my life if I fiddle unsuccessfully with buttons while driving…trying to turn off my music…or turn on beams…or turn them off quickly

[scotturich]

Just wait until your on a bumpy road and those slider buttons become even more a pain in the ass.

[jdemara]

Haptic touch buttons are difficult to find and touch in the exact spot needed while driving, especially on a bumpy road. I personally wouldn’t buy the MK8 for this reason alone. Have to push a button to get to a different screen to set your climate control? Terrible. Such a let down :(

[mllh]

Shark Tank: There are no physical buttons, and for this reason...I'm out

[jpsulisz]

I drove a MK8 Golf here in Minnesota when it was near 0 and the controls flat out refused to work for a minute - just didn't register any touch on startup

[Shioyi]

On the Mk7 gti you can hold the volume buttons on the steering wheel so you don’t have to press it 15x lol, I use it all the time

[leventece]

I use the “Hey Volkswagen” voice command function on mine. Tell the GTI you’re cold or warm, and it adjusts the temperature. You can use it to turn the seats on too. It also knows if you’re the passenger or driver. Keeps your eye on the road and hands on the steering wheel. I loved my 7.5, and I absolutely love my Mark 8. The drive and feel is what I care more about.

[DCassidy]

When there are other options on the market that don't have frustrating interfaces, I can't help but look to them for my next car.

[cwx]

This has been the MOST optimistic review of what is easily the worst infotainment system in any car today.

[Michael-ucpn]

"and the rear temperature controls here and here, and the rear heated seat controls, all of which your kids are going to kick the living s*** out of!" 😆