The MK8.5 looks much better. It’s how the MK8 should have looked in the first place. Physical buttons will always be better than Haptic Touch. I also really like the wheels on the MK8.5, but anything was better than the standard MK8 wheels. 🤢 However, the MK7/ MK7.5 was the sweet spot in design for me.
Great points made. Someone needs to be fired for that horrendous fender-to-door lettering. And the new screen, looks like an afterthought when its not integrated. Not as bad as the early C-Class mercs that looked like they took a thick old clunky tablet and slapped it on the dash though😂
Yeah I agree with you on the merc. Remembered 10 years ago, after I saw that ugly pad in Merc A180, I didn't even bother to test drive, went straight to the next door bought a Audi S3 😂😂😂
DUDE agree with you 100%. The GTI logo on the door is ugly AF and the floating massive table is hideous. Also the from grill has a cut out for the sensor just so... they could have the light up VW emblem. WTF? I'll stick with my MK8 at least till we see the MK9.
Likes touch buttons -> opinion instantly invalidated. Why all of the mk8 guys are butthurt about the facelift, because it is better and they don’t have it? 😂 Display is an upgrade, reduced area of ugly gloss black plastic, more usable screen space, better performance. GTI logos are tacky, can be removed easily. Logo, oh well, who cares, sad about the radar cutout. Otherwise design language is much cleaner, new wheels are exciting and special. Mk8.5 is exactly how Mk8 should have been in the first place.
Yep, the new 8.5 wheels are very much like the Alfa. I'm not a fan. I was not a fan of the standard ones on the 8 either. The new GTI badge on the side is becaue of the new GTE. The GTE now has the EV charging port where this badge is on the 8. Also the GTE never had the side badge, so rather than redesign, they just stuck the letters GTE, GTI and R on the door 😕.
I’m right there with you. They put the GTI lettering below the mirrors because on the GTE’s, they have the flap (like your fuel flap) for your charger on the driver’s side where the old cool logo used to go, so since they could no longer do what’s on the MK8, they changed it to basically placing what’s on the rear hatch under the rear view mirrors. Terrible. Wheels? HORRIBLE! Takes it from sporty to utilitarian. I hate them. The front grill? No good. It was graceful, now not, and bottom heavy. The lights? What are they doing? Trying to look like Toyotas and Hondas? Grrrr. Then on the inside, that massive touch screen? Horrible! The only thing they did right was the power bump. Why didn’t they do that with the 2022’s- 2024’s? They could have. Same engine as in the VW Atlas in the USA that puts out 269 hp. Then there’s the fact of no manual. Nope, I’m thankful I bought my 2023 40th AE manual. Not perfect, but better looking than the 2025’s.
I hate it! Mk8.5 is VW trying to put final nail in the GTI coffin. They put more design work under the ID line up and thats where all the money is being spent.
Do yall other mk 8 owners notice she doesn’t pop all the time ? Even when she’s warmed up anyone know exactly why that happens lol? My reasoning is she’s 2000 km away from a oil change
The new screen on the interior is wayyyy too big and the wheels look worse as well. Also the steering wheel. Otherwise it’s alright I guess but happier with my mk8 for now
No manual is a no go, that is the main reason I got a MK8 and did not wait for the 8.5. Most of the complaints people have with the 8 cause me no issue like the streering wheel. Now I do wish there was climate buttons or knobs.
LOL half? Not even close. The reason they ditch them is because no one buys them. My dealership has 5 including a Golf R manual. Been sitting there forever. Some even sold the car back after a month because they realized manual sucks in everyday driving.
That screen on 8.5 is an abomination
The MK8.5 looks much better. It’s how the MK8 should have looked in the first place. Physical buttons will always be better than Haptic Touch. I also really like the wheels on the MK8.5, but anything was better than the standard MK8 wheels. 🤢
However, the MK7/ MK7.5 was the sweet spot in design for me.
I have a mk8 aswell and agree with you there's not enough significant changes to get the 8.5
Well duh, you aren’t the target market.
The screen on mk8.5 is just look stupid. I saw this in early March and went to get the Mk8, well I still could. . 😅😂
Well done VW for completely ruining the Golf, the mk4 was the most beautiful followed by 5 then 6. But this 8 is a totally a total piece of shit
Great points made. Someone needs to be fired for that horrendous fender-to-door lettering. And the new screen, looks like an afterthought when its not integrated. Not as bad as the early C-Class mercs that looked like they took a thick old clunky tablet and slapped it on the dash though😂
Yeah I agree with you on the merc. Remembered 10 years ago, after I saw that ugly pad in Merc A180, I didn't even bother to test drive, went straight to the next door bought a Audi S3 😂😂😂
New 8.5 is getting 20hp increase so that’s a plus 👍🏻
I agree with everything you’ve said.
DUDE agree with you 100%. The GTI logo on the door is ugly AF and the floating massive table is hideous. Also the from grill has a cut out for the sensor just so... they could have the light up VW emblem. WTF? I'll stick with my MK8 at least till we see the MK9.
Ive heard the mk9 will be all electric or hybrid. Ill be keeping my mk8 forever!
Likes touch buttons -> opinion instantly invalidated.
Why all of the mk8 guys are butthurt about the facelift, because it is better and they don’t have it? 😂
Display is an upgrade, reduced area of ugly gloss black plastic, more usable screen space, better performance.
GTI logos are tacky, can be removed easily. Logo, oh well, who cares, sad about the radar cutout.
Otherwise design language is much cleaner, new wheels are exciting and special.
Mk8.5 is exactly how Mk8 should have been in the first place.
Everyone knows those big floating screens are ugly.
Electric says Joe Biden I say no with anything Joe Biden might have anything to do with
Mk8.5 looks better. Screen is a bit much but not a deal breaker for me
I currently own a 7.5 R. More than happy with my car lol...
He is 100% spot on I totally agree with him
The biggest mistake is putting audi rims on a gti :/
I like the 8.5 I’m getting it for sure.
Yep, the new 8.5 wheels are very much like the Alfa. I'm not a fan. I was not a fan of the standard ones on the 8 either.
The new GTI badge on the side is becaue of the new GTE. The GTE now has the EV charging port where this badge is on the 8. Also the GTE never had the side badge, so rather than redesign, they just stuck the letters GTE, GTI and R on the door 😕.
I’m right there with you. They put the GTI lettering below the mirrors because on the GTE’s, they have the flap (like your fuel flap) for your charger on the driver’s side where the old cool logo used to go, so since they could no longer do what’s on the MK8, they changed it to basically placing what’s on the rear hatch under the rear view mirrors. Terrible. Wheels? HORRIBLE! Takes it from sporty to utilitarian. I hate them. The front grill? No good. It was graceful, now not, and bottom heavy. The lights? What are they doing? Trying to look like Toyotas and Hondas? Grrrr. Then on the inside, that massive touch screen? Horrible! The only thing they did right was the power bump. Why didn’t they do that with the 2022’s- 2024’s? They could have. Same engine as in the VW Atlas in the USA that puts out 269 hp. Then there’s the fact of no manual. Nope, I’m thankful I bought my 2023 40th AE manual. Not perfect, but better looking than the 2025’s.
I think the material choice is what throws it off the wheels because the form is great. It’s a trend to have these brushed chamfered areas
Hi Shep,
I dig the rims. The rest of t I agree with you.
I hate it! Mk8.5 is VW trying to put final nail in the GTI coffin. They put more design work under the ID line up and thats where all the money is being spent.
Imho the mk8 is ugly, but mk8.5 is so much much better. But mk7.5 is still king.
Agreed 👍🏾
How can the 8.5 be “so much better” when it’s basically the same thing
WRONG
Nothing ugly about mk8 its same as 8.5 minus the ipad screen that is ugly
Good review. I agree with much of what you said.
Do yall other mk 8 owners notice she doesn’t pop all the time ? Even when she’s warmed up anyone know exactly why that happens lol? My reasoning is she’s 2000 km away from a oil change
Never really does in Race mode. Only when in special mode when I release the gas around 4.5 rpm. That's on my R.
Criticism of a car he just didn't wait for instead..funny
Very happy with my current mk8, no reason to upgrade 😂
What makes it have more horses?
Im guessing different tuning
The tune. A lot of people speculate that the turbo has been undertuned for reliability. There’s a lot of room left as we all know.
The new screen on the interior is wayyyy too big and the wheels look worse as well. Also the steering wheel. Otherwise it’s alright I guess but happier with my mk8 for now
No manual is a no go, that is the main reason I got a MK8 and did not wait for the 8.5. Most of the complaints people have with the 8 cause me no issue like the streering wheel. Now I do wish there was climate buttons or knobs.
i thought it came in manual?
@@brycepr1967
The 8.5 will be dsg only
@@bryce850 damn i guess im getting a mk8 then. thank you
@@brycepr1967
That's why I did.
Eliminate half of sales by ditching manual? Check
Exactly!
LOL half? Not even close. The reason they ditch them is because no one buys them. My dealership has 5 including a Golf R manual. Been sitting there forever. Some even sold the car back after a month because they realized manual sucks in everyday driving.
This is just a lot of hot air. You can't review a fucking car you don't own or have never driven.
Dude, go to school instead of talk about your parents car.
😂
Let the kid be a kid. Weirdo.
mk 7.5 is still the best looking generation imo, and no touch button bs inside
Im 50/50
No touch is great, only non MK8 owners complain about it. NO
Buttons on the steering wheel is a step backwards. Love the 7.5 but 8 is much better .
@@ShepsGarage is mk8 your favorite ?