Golf Mk 8 GTi Reviews

[Amalgam]

Volkswagen Golf GTI 2021 Review – International - www.carsales.com.au

[Ralfi]

Volkswagen Golf GTI 2021 Review – International - www.carsales.com.au

Sounds good, but a key area...

“Apart from delivering Australia the latest engine technology, there isn’t much more you could ask from the new Volkswagen Golf GTI.”

Anyone else think we’re missing out on a lot here??

[genebaby]

We are getting the short end from the VAG in a few ways now and into the future, because they don't NEED to give us the same tech for emissions and fuel economy reasons.

The Skoda Karoq loses the 1.5 and DSG for the old 1.4 and a torque converter. The Golf never saw the 1.5 and still won't next year with the MK8, which will also go to a torque converter for the regular cars.

The GTI TCR, when they eventually arrive, go back to a 6 SPD DSG and lose a bit of torque compared to overseas.

Australia is where car companies can put the low tech stuff so they can save the new stuff for markets that demand it.

[Dutch77]

Can’t say I’d be upset at missing out on a PPF - sure they supposedly regen more easily than a DPF but no thanks..

The ‘latest tech’ has made the RS3 lose its appeal. Even Audi had the brains to take a pass for the R8 and stick with the ‘old tech’ for Australia because R8 buyers are ‘all about the engine’.

Certainly a boost for 2017-2018 RS3s which is where I’d head if I wasn’t divorced first.

[Amalgam]

Somehow I can’t get the link to work. I keep getting an error message.
Anyway if you would like to see a video review from our favourite Polish/German car reviewer go to

autogefuhl on YouTube.

[Mr T.]

Somehow I can’t get the link to work. I keep getting an error message.
Anyway if you would like to see a video review from our favourite Polish/German car reviewer go to

autogefuhl on YouTube.

Thomas is great.

VW Golf 8 GTI FULL REVIEW - driving the Mk8 Golf GTI 2021 - Autogefühl - YouTube


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ralfi]

Thomas is great.

VW Golf 8 GTI FULL REVIEW - driving the Mk8 Golf GTI 2021 - Autogefühl - YouTube


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for that.

The negatives are outweighing the positives at this stage.

That software decision blunder is a safety hazard...very big let down.

[Sydneykid]

This is year 8 with Golfs and Polo's and I have never changed the temperature once, it's on 22 degrees and it stays there. I use Apple car play so Siri adjusts everything I need audio wise, I can't remember the last time I used the VW's ICE controls. Swapping comfort to sport settings I almost always select when I get in the car, very rarely play with them on the move. Cruise control is probably the only control I use regularly whilst driving. Of course I fiddle around with the "toys" before I settle on what settings I like, but that soon wears off. I buy GTi's for their performance and handling, their ability to be a daily driver and at the same time a Sunday driver's car. From the reports so far it seems the Mk8 is noticeably better in the things that I like and use and maybe not as good in the things that I don't car much about. So I have one firmly on my list.

Cheers
Gary

[Amalgam]

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTi MK8 Real World First Drive // Jonny Smith - YouTube

Another review from UK Jonny Smith

[Ozsko]

It is funny how people like to express their dislike on things before they have used or bought a car. It appears people who hate a technology such as Start/Stop for instance know more than those already driving the car and how they absolutely must turn it off straight away. When electronics in cars began to appear everyone lamented the loss of the simple car but try turning that back and there would now be a riot. I will leave the room now as I know the instance I illustrated will be unpopular.

[Ralfi]

2020 Volkswagen Golf GTi MK8 Real World First Drive // Jonny Smith - YouTube

Another review from UK Jonny Smith

Thanks for that. Everything seems very refined again. I bet it’ll drive nicely.

But those touch screens are what other manufacturers apparently tried & reneged on in their next model, due to lack of tactile response, which is essential in a car.

I know in my current MK7, I dread touching the screen for too long as I often miss the function I want to select due to bumps in the road/suspension. I need to stabilise my hand with one finger on the dash as a ‘floating’ hand moves around too much with the car’s movement.

If every function in the MK8 requires touch screen interaction, then it’d drive me insane...

[Dutch77]

It is funny how people like to express their dislike on things before they have used or bought a car. It appears people who hate a technology such as Start/Stop for instance know more than those already driving the car and how they absolutely must turn it off straight away. When electronics in cars began to appear everyone lamented the loss of the simple car but try turning that back and there would now be a riot. I will leave the room now as I know the instance I illustrated will be unpopular.

I'm in the middle - I think the final set up in the Mk7 was a good balance.

The look of the current high end Audis with all screens looks amazing, a bit less so on the Mk8 design. However I'd still prefer my HVAC controls as they are now - but admit it would not be a deal breaker and I'd get used to it.

As for stop/start - always turned off. Only exists to assist in the fuel cycle tests, and annoys me no end in real life.

[Jondalar]

Yeah Thomas is great and very reserved in his criticism usually, so when he says he hates the touch screen system and shows how slow to respond it is, that puts myself and my wife off the Golf 8 big time. Perhaps in a couple more years they will sort it out, but my wife has gone from "must have a Golf 8" to "I don't want a Golf 8". It's also amazing how car makers keep adding touch screens when they are very hard to use while on the move. I've got the 9inch in my Passat and it really is not easy to hit the right spot with your finger while driving.

[Ralfi]

Yeah Thomas is great and very reserved in his criticism usually, so when he says he hates the touch screen system and shows how slow to respond it is, that puts myself and my wife off the Golf 8 big time. Perhaps in a couple more years they will sort it out, but my wife has gone from "must have a Golf 8" to "I don't want a Golf 8". It's also amazing how car makers keep adding touch screens when they are very hard to use while on the move. I've got the 9inch in my Passat and it really is not easy to hit the right spot with your finger while driving.

Exactly mate. VW have taken a massive step backwards here. Interaction with your car is a big deal & it needs to be as safe/seamless/tactile as possible. Your eyes need to be on the road, not on your screen as you navigate menus....

[Ralfi]

Decent review...Mirrors many out there - great drive, poor internal controls.

Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk review | is it the best GTI yet? - YouTube

& another...Loves the car & sees no issue with no improvement in power...But preferred buttons on the internals.

The chore of selecting sports mode is comical...7 taps minimum (but after mis-tapping, it’ll be more).

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