Great video Andrew and sound advice. The only thing is, adding metallic paint and DCC adds £1400+ to the UK list price, so you’re £300 over the luxury car tax threshold and a few thousand out of pocket for what I think are essential extras. 🤷♀️
Thanks Andrew. Have a read of the video description. You can take first registration and first year road tax off the on the road price to get the list price so this gives you £700 more before you hit the luxury car tax threshold 👍
The modern day scandal is the £40k luxury car tax! Yes, you can get a bog standard, sporty family hatch for under £40k. But god forbid that you want to make the fruits of your labour look nice on the money you have already PAID tax on. AND Ooopps, you've gone over £40k. It's criminal what they're doing to the motorist.
@@andy_xtr3861 They are talking about extra tax on people with paved driveways down in London based on per meter. Only be a matter of time before it's rolled out across the country. You may as well just send them your bank details
Got to agree, how on they justify this is beyond me. I drive a Euro 6 mild hybrid but pay over £500 per year because I dared to work hard and buy a nice car.
I own mk8 clubsport, have to say i love it, 10" integrated screen looks cleaner than that new 12"ipad that looks awkward. Also not a fan 9f the illuminated vw badge and those tacky gti door badges
Great review. I'm of an age where my dream of owning a GTI is either now of never - its really my last chance of purchasing one. I am seriously considering the MK8.5 GTI...if the stars line up and i can get decent trade in for my current car. I had decided that a PHEV is the way to go (like my current car)...but a GTI 8.5 is the only car that can turn my head at this stage in my life. I have had 3 golfs in my life - all diesels - last one being a Edition 40 2L diesel - 150 BHP with DSG - my first car with acceleration that impressed me (I know a sheltered life). then stupidly traded for a Tiguan (Same engine and BHP - nice car but the clutch in the DSG was a dud from day one from new and took VW 8 months to authorise a replacement clutch pack). That was my last VW. However, Your review has been of great benefit to me as it is what I would consider full of info and answers for me in deciding to have a last go at getting one(not that I need to be persuaded too much as it is a GTI). I think a big plus is that GTI's seem to hold value - or at leased they are easy to sell second hand - but my intention would be to hang onto it for a good many years. I don't thrash cars but do use the power for overtaking and it is great to have a bit of power to get to the speed limit :-). Thanks again for a great review with real world answers.
I’ve owned a mk8 GTI S and currently own a mk8 Golf R. I strongly dislike the new wheel, infotainment screen, and badging on the car. However, this platform is so much fun. If you’re looking at buying a new GTI/Golf R and this happens to be what’s available - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I absolutely love these cars.
Best to stick with the 7.5 it's the best looking GTI in a couple of generations. The 8.5 is an improvement over the 8 but still doesn't outshine the 7.5
Hope you're enjoying the GTI Fest Andrew. I'm here and see lots of UK reg Golfs and owners. Weather could be better though! Mk8.5 looking better now I've had the chance to see one up close.
If they are going to make a .5 model for the golf every time, wont it make people wait until the .5 model comes out rather than wasting money on the new model, the Golf 7.5 is the best model ive had I called it the perfect Golf model with all the bells and whistles and issues sorted out. Andrew always love the Golf content 👍👍
you could argue the same about iPhones, obviously different price point but ultimately you can always wait for the next model with companies ramping up development cycles.
@@charlienelson2002 the spec Iv got on my 8 R is the same spec I had on my 7.5 TCR with a few additions, but I loved my TCR, was really sorry to see that go, I may have cried 😭
That stupid iMax screen ruins the entire car. Bigger is better? At what point of absurdly huge do they finally stop growing this stupid thing? It's like a cancer on the dash.
The Mk8 design is perfect with the 8.5” center display with real volume knobs. 😮 The Mk8 in 2024 also has all the upgrades and refinement in the interior and exterior, full paint under the hood, engine covers etc…. The Mk8.5 is almost as good except I much like the larger headlights with the dual beam of the Mk8. I detest the lume “VW” badge and find moving the radar sensors in the lower grille rather than from behind the badge a step backwards. It now adds black plastic up more to eye level above the fog lights and they look off center??? Can’t unsee this. The Mk8.5 way too big center screen looks out of place and obtrusive in a drivers car, and still no physical volume knob. 😢 (Mk8 with 8.5” center screen is the only way to go). It’s a drivers car so you set it up and go from comfort to sport and that’s it. Stop fidgeting with that huge 13” billboard of a center display. Most features are turned off anyways while in motion. The voice commands are idiotic and unreliable. The wheels are perfect but the side badging is not as good as the Mk8. You can’t go wrong with a GTI regardless the generation but the Mk8 GTI is cleaner and purposeful keeping to its German design a bit better over the Mk8.5. In general any GTI is so much better than ridiculous add on wings/spoilers and creases of other Asian hot hatches. The GTI is the “real deal”.
A badge on the door is just weird and be a pain to clean or will leave streaks down door. Looks better than the mk8 will wait to see what used prices are like In a year or so when my rline nears end of warranty.
Great video Andrew 👌. The kings red GTI is near identical to my cars spec, although mine is a 22MY so there are interior trim differences, sat in a 8.5 yesterday, the screen looks ok in my opinion, and definitely works more smoothly. I’m Contemplating an 8.5, but can’t really justify entering the 40k bracket to get similar spec, without any huge differences bar the screen and extra horses, the inner menus of the infotainment are very similar, but I do love the permanent hot keys at the top of the screen, and the slider illumination is a bonus! Although I don’t even notice it not lighting up any more., I’ve had virtually zero software problems either, so can’t complain about that either to be honest! Again, Great video. Although I’m very jealous of your Wolfsburg trip 🙁. 👍 Weirdly, I had a replacement engine cover about a year ago, it now has a hard plastic one like the 8.5, strange that the later Mk8 hasn’t got one. 🤷♂️
New car looks better and I like the new alloys but GTI badge on door is naff - interior is ok and whilst I prefer Merc A class dash - choice btw this and an A250 I’d take the Golf as in 2024 it is peak hot hatch
Great review as ever Andrew. As an older Golf enthusiast, (started with a Mk1 GTI in 1976), the attraction was always the relatively conservative & timeless design, compared with other performance hatchbacks (eg Honda Civic!). For me, the current performance Golf models are spoilt by the OTT wheels (esp.2025 GTI). Unfortunately, it's not possible to opt for different wheels without firstly going to 19"" & secondly, breaking the £40k tax barrier. I'm sure that a more conservative, no cost 18" wheel option would broaden the appeal considerably. I'll stick to my 2.0 TSI Black Edition 4 Motion, bought after watching your video review ! (I love it)
Definitely liking everything I am seeing and hearing about this car - sounds like they've really worked on the disappointing bits of the 8.0. As you say, the GTI is probably enough for the road despite my softspot for the clubsport.
You gripe regarding kings red not being painted under bonnet is probably because it’s tinted lacquer which means you need a dark ground coat then the metallic will be PINK and the lacquer has yellow and red dye added…. It’s a real pain and time consuming, Oryx white will need a white ground coat that’ll be why they are like this.
This 8.5 looks great. I had a 7.5 manual and switched to a 20 plate cupra leon auto last summer and love it. When the 2 year extended warranty ends on that I will look for a GTi 8.5 hopefully in red with
I do like the look of the mk8.5. It looks like an overall cleaner design compared to the mk8 apart from the door badges and infotainment system. Although they still not gone and fitted bonnet struts like the mk7.5 and older had.
completely agree. it's not the worst, like it still sits a bit low compared to others (Honda), but the screens from the later mk8s were totally fine. they actually looked nice from an aesthetics POV.
12.06 Regarding the engine cover, there is now a new one on its way out. At least I got a new one in January this year. I have a 23 R that came with a cover and this had to be removed due to the risk of fire. The new cover is made of hard plastic, not foam plastic.
I didn’t wait for the 8.5 because the 8 in 360 trim here in the US (ie with all the autobahn dynamic goodies and wheels and summer tires) had a manual. The last ever manual gold to be sold in the US.
@@volkswizard I got mine in basic S trim. Smaller screen. Volume and tuning knobs. Tartan cloth. Perfect. And the summer tires (on the R wheels) transform traction away from standstill and the handling has very little understeer. It’s a near perfect road car. I can use ALL of it’s performance. It doesn’t have the balance, feel and precision of my manual 718 Cayman of course, but it’s my daily driver. It’s fun and easy going when you want it to be. I can live with the infotainment, although I have had a recurring fault with it phoning carnet service by itself over and over. That one is still being diagnosed.
Frint end is leagues better. They addressed everything that people had issues with for the most part and brought back some buttons on the wheel at least.
With all the complaints about the placing of the GTI badge on the side door, I totally agree. Because the Logo wont fit over the GTE or E Golf edition panel because of the cutout for the e access door. So if that door is not there, couldn’t we just remove the GTI logo from the door and stick them where they belong, the front fender? Asking for my cousins friend.
Getting rid of the elegant, wing-shaped side fender badge is an inexplicable design decision to me - have always considered that one of the most distinctive and quietly elegant features of the MK7 and MK8 design. And just tacking on a prosaic "GTI" in its place only accentuates its absence. Generally, think the MK7.5 was a simpler and more elegant design (less fussy front bonnet, more sculpted / less flat rear end, much classier-looking interior) even if the MK8-8.5 is the better/faster car. To my eye, the Golf design from MK3 to MK8 has been a story of consistent refinement and improvement that reached a kind of formal perfection at MK7.5, and has taken a mild but clear step backwards since then.
The 8.5 is looking much better overall now, but the illuminated front badge and the GTI badge on the doors manages to be even worse than the light-bar introduced in the mk8. Absolutely horrendous those three things. VW also still continues on being cheap on GTI/R brakes... even Seat Leon Cupras used to have an option for 4 pot front brembo calipers around the same time as the mk7's. A shame really.
Spent the day in Wolfsburg looking around these today, lovely cars especially in Kings red with thos Queenstown wheels. The badges on the doors look absolute crap, if I bought one I would have to take them off. Driving home tomorrow in my Mk7 gti pp which I love driving.
I've got a red 3dr manual 7.5 GTi with DCC and I just can't bring myself to like either the 8 or 8.5. I don't like the styling, and I don't like the touchscreen stuff. I don't like that I can't have a manual, or a 3 door, or a solid red paint colour (I think the metallic red looks like pink). I don't know that to replace my car with, even though I love it, and that's a new experience for me
I keep looking for a suitable replacement for my 3dr manual 7.5R but not found it yet. . . sometimes it’s better to want what you have, than have what you want 👍😎
Mucking about with those settings on the screen while driving…..how is that any different to using a mobile device while driving? Dangerous if you ask me. I think all these screens in cars you can interact with should switch off automatically while the car is in motion, unless you are using the navigation function. Manufacturers should put the heating controls etc back on switches that you can feel, instead of having to take your eyes off the road to read a menu screen. Lovely car otherwise but I do NOT like those door badges
It’s legal to use a phone while driving, just not to hold it and use it. Regardless you don’t need to be fiddling with anything to drive without due care so not using the infotainment screen isn’t a solution, driver discipline is. This bigger screen takes a lot less mental effort than the mk8 one which in itself was better than 7.5
Great vid Andrew, have been looking forward to this ahead of potentially ordering an 8.5 GTI. To your point about keeping the card under £40k, do you happen to know if there is any difference between DCC and DCC for 19's? I'd be tempted to take the stock wheels and upgrade later to 19s but not sure if this is an issue if you spec DCC for 18s?
Really good video I’ve been waiting for and you didn’t disappoint at all. Only a couple of things :- My Pure white 24 plate GTI mk8 came with an engine cover and fully painted under the bonnet, so maybe it’s just if you have white? Maybe the cover is because the mk8.5 was coming out too? I consciously got the mk8 before the mk8.5 came out so it was interesting to see if I made the right choice. For me I think I have, but I can understand either way as some changes are subjective. I spec’d mine just under 40k so it was good you mentioned that 😊👍
Great review Andrew and helped to pushed me over the line to order one on a lease at a very appealing £252pm fully maintained. Now just have to wait 16-20 weeks! Thanks for the help - this may be last of the line for ICE GTI so it just had to be done 😊
You sure you’re getting a 8.5 and not an 8. I was looking at lease loco and they had version 8s for about that money (the last of the lot) and then they started showing the 8.5 but never at that money.
I don't know about this one. I didn't love the MK8. I drove a number of them, the anniversary, the 380, the Autobahn and I just don't love the car. I found myself perfectly happy leaving in my MK7.5. I thought the MK8.5 might be the answer. It hasn't grabbed me yet. I'll hold out and see what the Golf R does for me this time and see if I jump for that. I just can't get past the cheaper feeling interior and the eyelashes on the edges of the headlights. Straight on view of the front is fine, but I can't for the life of me understand why VW thought this was a good styling element. I know it's a weird thing to get stuck on but I absolutely hate it. I thought it was gone on the MK8.5, but that just must be the colors I've seen it on that hide it better.
Sorry, but the design of the 8 is just way more elegant than the 8.5 with that weird squared off front. And that giant tablet 🥹. Honestly, they just should have improved the interface somewhat & offered some really cool colors.
Just trying to to spec mine and am getting close to £40k. Rear passenger airbags are an option -£310 which may take me over the car tax barrier. I’m wondering if these are necessary. I kind of feel that if they were a necessity they would be standard. But I then feel the right thing to do would be to pay a bit extra for piece of mind. Can’t find much online on the value of these types or airbags. Any thoughts?
I don’t see many cars with them and they certainly don’t add value but if you frequently carry rear seat passengers then they are sensible. Don’t forget to deduct first year tax and registration fee from RRP to get list price which is what the luxury car tax is based on 👍
Engine cover issue was the same on the cupra leon too. Was shocked when I picked my brand new car and it had no cover. Haha it's been sorted now though.
Great video, must admit when you put it through its paces through that bend it made me smile! I’ve moaned endlessly about the screen but must admit it looks like it works brilliantly. Sadly with current prices my 7.5 is likely the last GTI I can justify affording.
@@r3games1985 Disagreed. VW saving measures are everywhere with materials and fit and finish. There’s not even gas operated struts for the bonnet opening, just prop up stays. Too much in the way of flashy finishings and features and they are persevering with those awful sliders for the heating.
Hi Andrew- my 2022 GTi in the standard white has the engine bay painted plus the dealer last November fitted the engine cover, as importantly I had the adaptive DCC suspension,winter pack and camera fitted plus Adelaide’s and just came under £40k all planned of course, always look forward to a Volkswizard Video Blog, keep up the good work, maybe worth mentioning to your followers that subscription cost nothing?
Interesting and honest quick review Andrew of these two GTI’s. I’m tempted by the facelift model with a few options DCC, Queenstown, Kings red, HK sound plus service it works out at about £43k. Im in my final year for PCP so tempted to change up.
Get it debadged. Will look better and easier to clean. Using a wash mitt on my mk8 Golf R I’m constantly having to pick off bits of lint from the cheap and tacky R badges.
Was your car fitted with the Intelligent Speed Limiter which is now compulsory as of 7th July. If so, did it just warn you with a buzzer or did it physically prevent you from exceeding the posted speed limits. Either way I know it can be turned off but ONLY before you set off. My question - how did you turn it off?
Thanks Andrew, great stuff. If you add DCC and metallic paint options to keep the price under £40k, and then add the bigger wheels later, will the DCC option for the 18" wheels still work properly with the 19"s? (though perhaps I have just become confused by VW's UK Configurator).
The 8 has that nice place for the tag in front. The 8.5 doesn’t. It’s just so weird to me that the designers decided having a tag just hang down looks better.
Don't you think the big 12.9 inches screen is too big, and it prevents you from seeing the road just close to the front bumper? It seems insane to put such a big screen in the field of view. Especially if the driver is not tall.
I’m looking at getting a 1.5l 150ps golf style, coming from a Mini Cooper 134ps. Anyone think this is a good choice? I’m worried about how economical it is on fuel compared to my mini. Thank you
That was my conclusion as well, but are you sure the P11d price is what the "luxury car tax" is based on? I know it should be but can't find a definite answer.
Very informative thank you. That screen, talk about incongruous! DCC should be standard. Overall I think the car is a slight improvement, 8.25 rather than 8.5.
I get that, the thing about the Mk8 Golf is that the wider media repeatedly for all its 4 years in production, often incorrectly, banged on about the failings of the infotainment system. Therefore it’s important for praise where due as the new system is good. Now let’s hope the media can concentrate on the dynamics and stop comparing GTIs to the Civic Type R which with no auto option is only going to appeal to tiny minority of GTI buyers (hence why VW ditched the manual GTI).
I do like the front end more than the 8, but I also think the grill area between the painted portions is too large. It's still not better looking than the Mk7 era.
Excellent video as always Andrew. The only way that big screen is ever going to look ok in my opinion is with a dash redesign but I doubt the bean counters would sanction it. Shame really as it's a nice looking car.
On my 23 Golf regular pure white (base color) under the hood is also fully painted. (no clear coat though) So i wonder if the reasoning is not price addition related , maybe its about the color white for some reason unknown to me.
I'm happy to have my MK8, the facelift just ain't doing it for me. The only thing I like about it is the upgraded infotainment system but other than that there's no other part that feels like an upgrade at all.
I have a mk4 Cupra Leon 300 at moment, been offered a Golf 265 GTi, I have to decide by tomorrow Monday which. Ive not driven the Golf, what would you do ? Money wise keeping the 300 I have is a lot cheaper.
@karjuntsang6365 What I prefer about the 7.5 is that it was available as a 3 door. 3 door hot hatches looked so much better than 5 door ones. It's a real shame that market trends killed 3 door cars.
![OhGeesy x Lefty Gunplay - What It Iz [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/L0yzW9t2ixk/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video Andrew and sound advice. The only thing is, adding metallic paint and DCC adds £1400+ to the UK list price, so you’re £300 over the luxury car tax threshold and a few thousand out of pocket for what I think are essential extras. 🤷♀️
Thanks Andrew. Have a read of the video description. You can take first registration and first year road tax off the on the road price to get the list price so this gives you £700 more before you hit the luxury car tax threshold 👍
@@volkswizardthank you, obviously missed that & extremely useful. I watched every second of your video though. 😂👍
Let’s be honest; if you own either of these you’re not in a bad place in life 👍
The modern day scandal is the £40k luxury car tax! Yes, you can get a bog standard, sporty family hatch for under £40k. But god forbid that you want to make the fruits of your labour look nice on the money you have already PAID tax on. AND Ooopps, you've gone over £40k. It's criminal what they're doing to the motorist.
Agreed & all planned. The car has become the go to cash cow for governments, councils and anything else short of money.
Electric cars will now face the same tax from April 2025 😮
@@andy_xtr3861 They are talking about extra tax on people with paved driveways down in London based on per meter. Only be a matter of time before it's rolled out across the country. You may as well just send them your bank details
Got to agree, how on they justify this is beyond me. I drive a Euro 6 mild hybrid but pay over £500 per year because I dared to work hard and buy a nice car.
@@davebridge5580 Planned...
I own mk8 clubsport, have to say i love it, 10" integrated screen looks cleaner than that new 12"ipad that looks awkward. Also not a fan 9f the illuminated vw badge and those tacky gti door badges
Great review. I'm of an age where my dream of owning a GTI is either now of never - its really my last chance of purchasing one. I am seriously considering the MK8.5 GTI...if the stars line up and i can get decent trade in for my current car. I had decided that a PHEV is the way to go (like my current car)...but a GTI 8.5 is the only car that can turn my head at this stage in my life. I have had 3 golfs in my life - all diesels - last one being a Edition 40 2L diesel - 150 BHP with DSG - my first car with acceleration that impressed me (I know a sheltered life). then stupidly traded for a Tiguan (Same engine and BHP - nice car but the clutch in the DSG was a dud from day one from new and took VW 8 months to authorise a replacement clutch pack). That was my last VW. However, Your review has been of great benefit to me as it is what I would consider full of info and answers for me in deciding to have a last go at getting one(not that I need to be persuaded too much as it is a GTI). I think a big plus is that GTI's seem to hold value - or at leased they are easy to sell second hand - but my intention would be to hang onto it for a good many years. I don't thrash cars but do use the power for overtaking and it is great to have a bit of power to get to the speed limit :-). Thanks again for a great review with real world answers.
Do not overthink and buy one ASAP! (MK8 GTI Owner tells you)
The wheels on the 8.5 look amazing but those side badges look like Halfords specials.
I wonder if you can get a delete on the side badge?
That door gti badge just doesn't work. I'd have to remove it.
I agree.
I'd buy the gold old fender badges and DIY install them.
@@richweston6202
Absolutely.
If I ordered one of these, the first thing I would ask the dealer to do is have it removed.
I’ve owned a mk8 GTI S and currently own a mk8 Golf R. I strongly dislike the new wheel, infotainment screen, and badging on the car. However, this platform is so much fun. If you’re looking at buying a new GTI/Golf R and this happens to be what’s available - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. I absolutely love these cars.
I’m sticking with my 7.5 for a bit. Love switches and knobs ! RickGTI….. 🌴🇺🇸
I switched to 8 it is way better in everyway : design, technology, power and resale value
@@loganpadayachee6048 until the MK 9 arrives.
@@RickGTI2019mk9 won’t be petrol only
Best to stick with the 7.5 it's the best looking GTI in a couple of generations. The 8.5 is an improvement over the 8 but still doesn't outshine the 7.5
That GTI badge on the door is absolutely horrendous
Tacky I would say. Why not put a small subtle GTI badge on the rear door window surround as they've done on the front door with the volkswagen name.
Looks like an aftermarket decal.
The previous one looks better.
I love the Alfa Romeo style wheels on the new model golf they are beautiful
Hope you're enjoying the GTI Fest Andrew. I'm here and see lots of UK reg Golfs and owners. Weather could be better though! Mk8.5 looking better now I've had the chance to see one up close.
If they are going to make a .5 model for the golf every time, wont it make people wait until the .5 model comes out rather than wasting money on the new model, the Golf 7.5 is the best model ive had I called it the perfect Golf model with all the bells and whistles and issues sorted out. Andrew always love the Golf content 👍👍
The perfect Golf IMO and I will keep on saying it is the Golf 7 Clubsport "Edition40" hands down the most fun
you could argue the same about iPhones, obviously different price point but ultimately you can always wait for the next model with companies ramping up development cycles.
@@charlienelson2002 the spec Iv got on my 8 R is the same spec I had on my 7.5 TCR with a few additions, but I loved my TCR, was really sorry to see that go, I may have cried 😭
@@youngatwork1 exactly tech is advancing so much on cars 🫣
@@shameboy2 yes I had fun in my 7 GTD so I can imagine the club sport was superb 👌🏻
The GTI badge on the 8.5 sides looks so tacky...it's like an after thought
I agree. I’d have them removed
The facelift was definitely a much needed change. Now it looks like a proper GTi.
That stupid iMax screen ruins the entire car. Bigger is better? At what point of absurdly huge do they finally stop growing this stupid thing? It's like a cancer on the dash.
The Mk8 design is perfect with the 8.5” center display with real volume knobs. 😮 The Mk8 in 2024 also has all the upgrades and refinement in the interior and exterior, full paint under the hood, engine covers etc….
The Mk8.5 is almost as good except I much like the larger headlights with the dual beam of the Mk8. I detest the lume “VW” badge and find moving the radar sensors in the lower grille rather than from behind the badge a step backwards. It now adds black plastic up more to eye level above the fog lights and they look off center??? Can’t unsee this.
The Mk8.5 way too big center screen looks out of place and obtrusive in a drivers car, and still no physical volume knob. 😢 (Mk8 with 8.5” center screen is the only way to go). It’s a drivers car so you set it up and go from comfort to sport and that’s it. Stop fidgeting with that huge 13” billboard of a center display. Most features are turned off anyways while in motion. The voice commands are idiotic and unreliable.
The wheels are perfect but the side badging is not as good as the Mk8. You can’t go wrong with a GTI regardless the generation but the Mk8 GTI is cleaner and purposeful keeping to its German design a bit better over the Mk8.5. In general any GTI is so much better than ridiculous add on wings/spoilers and creases of other Asian hot hatches. The GTI is the “real deal”.
A badge on the door is just weird and be a pain to clean or will leave streaks down door. Looks better than the mk8 will wait to see what used prices are like In a year or so when my rline nears end of warranty.
@@charlienelson2002 just move the n badge on the gte not the rest would of been easier
I just got my 2024 GTI S model in the King's Red a lil over a month ago and I luv it !!! Just don't get all the hate but to each their own I guess. 😎
Hey Andrew, I took my Golf in for a service three weeks ago to my local dealer. The car came back with an engine cover 😀
😂👏🏻
Good video but why does everyone have to be "super" excited. Isn't just excited enough 😅
Great video Andrew 👌. The kings red GTI is near identical to my cars spec, although mine is a 22MY so there are interior trim differences, sat in a 8.5 yesterday, the screen looks ok in my opinion, and definitely works more smoothly. I’m Contemplating an 8.5, but can’t really justify entering the 40k bracket to get similar spec, without any huge differences bar the screen and extra horses, the inner menus of the infotainment are very similar, but I do love the permanent hot keys at the top of the screen, and the slider illumination is a bonus! Although I don’t even notice it not lighting up any more., I’ve had virtually zero software problems either, so can’t complain about that either to be honest! Again, Great video. Although I’m very jealous of your Wolfsburg trip 🙁. 👍
Weirdly, I had a replacement engine cover about a year ago, it now has a hard plastic one like the 8.5, strange that the later Mk8 hasn’t got one. 🤷♂️
New car looks better and I like the new alloys but GTI badge on door is naff - interior is ok and whilst I prefer Merc A class dash - choice btw this and an A250 I’d take the Golf as in 2024 it is peak hot hatch
A250 and a GTI are two different cars.
vw is level of toyota not mercedes
Great review as ever Andrew. As an older Golf enthusiast, (started with a Mk1 GTI in 1976), the attraction was always the relatively conservative & timeless design, compared with other performance hatchbacks (eg Honda Civic!). For me, the current performance Golf models are spoilt by the OTT wheels (esp.2025 GTI). Unfortunately, it's not possible to opt for different wheels without firstly going to 19"" & secondly, breaking the £40k tax barrier. I'm sure that a more conservative, no cost 18" wheel option would broaden the appeal considerably. I'll stick to my 2.0 TSI Black Edition 4 Motion, bought after watching your video review ! (I love it)
Definitely liking everything I am seeing and hearing about this car - sounds like they've really worked on the disappointing bits of the 8.0. As you say, the GTI is probably enough for the road despite my softspot for the clubsport.
Those door badges are a crime
Yeah looks cheap
Needs the " blades" back
@@loganpadayachee6048 just looks like someone bought the emblems and stuck em on themselves
@@betteheadbettehead4800 yep looks terrible and out of place without them
You gripe regarding kings red not being painted under bonnet is probably because it’s tinted lacquer which means you need a dark ground coat then the metallic will be PINK and the lacquer has yellow and red dye added…. It’s a real pain and time consuming, Oryx white will need a white ground coat that’ll be why they are like this.
Just picked up my 8.5 GTI in Kings Red today ….. simply outstanding 👍
This 8.5 looks great. I had a 7.5 manual and switched to a 20 plate cupra leon auto last summer and love it. When the 2 year extended warranty ends on that I will look for a GTi 8.5 hopefully in red with
Mk3 Cupra is a great car still
Easy to remove those ridiculous side GTI logos and perhaps go to a dealer and order the wing ones from the 8
I prefer the 8, just needs a stage 1 to sort the power out.
I do like the look of the mk8.5. It looks like an overall cleaner design compared to the mk8 apart from the door badges and infotainment system. Although they still not gone and fitted bonnet struts like the mk7.5 and older had.
Anyone else remember when the Mk7R was £30k, and people scoffed at the prospect of a GOLF costing £30k. That was 8 years ago.
that massive screen is horrendous....LOL
completely agree. it's not the worst, like it still sits a bit low compared to others (Honda), but the screens from the later mk8s were totally fine. they actually looked nice from an aesthetics POV.
That I agree otherwise not worth the switch for the price
Horrendous? It's not. It's just a bit too big and bit to high up.
the software is better on the infotainment
12.06 Regarding the engine cover, there is now a new one on its way out. At least I got a new one in January this year. I have a 23 R that came with a cover and this had to be removed due to the risk of fire. The new cover is made of hard plastic, not foam plastic.
I didn’t wait for the 8.5 because the 8 in 360 trim here in the US (ie with all the autobahn dynamic goodies and wheels and summer tires) had a manual. The last ever manual gold to be sold in the US.
The 360 is interesting and one that I've completely missed, I get the appeal for sure.
@@volkswizard I got mine in basic S trim. Smaller screen. Volume and tuning knobs. Tartan cloth. Perfect. And the summer tires (on the R wheels) transform traction away from standstill and the handling has very little understeer. It’s a near perfect road car. I can use ALL of it’s performance. It doesn’t have the balance, feel and precision of my manual 718 Cayman of course, but it’s my daily driver. It’s fun and easy going when you want it to be. I can live with the infotainment, although I have had a recurring fault with it phoning carnet service by itself over and over. That one is still being diagnosed.
I just picked up a ‘24 380 6MT for the same reasons. I could do without that stupid big screen on the ‘25, so that was an added bonus.
The volkswagen Jamiroquai is back!
I have a mk8 GTi in Atlantic blue but would happily take the 8.5 in white I think!
Frint end is leagues better. They addressed everything that people had issues with for the most part and brought back some buttons on the wheel at least.
With all the complaints about the placing of the GTI badge on the side door, I totally agree. Because the Logo wont fit over the GTE or E Golf edition panel because of the cutout for the e access door. So if that door is not there, couldn’t we just remove the GTI logo from the door and stick them where they belong, the front fender? Asking for my cousins friend.
Getting rid of the elegant, wing-shaped side fender badge is an inexplicable design decision to me - have always considered that one of the most distinctive and quietly elegant features of the MK7 and MK8 design. And just tacking on a prosaic "GTI" in its place only accentuates its absence.
Generally, think the MK7.5 was a simpler and more elegant design (less fussy front bonnet, more sculpted / less flat rear end, much classier-looking interior) even if the MK8-8.5 is the better/faster car. To my eye, the Golf design from MK3 to MK8 has been a story of consistent refinement and improvement that reached a kind of formal perfection at MK7.5, and has taken a mild but clear step backwards since then.
I know that new is better in many ways yet I tend to like some of the older cars .
Just been on the configurator Andrew and I’m really struggling to get DCC and pan roof without going over 40k
The 8.5 is looking much better overall now, but the illuminated front badge and the GTI badge on the doors manages to be even worse than the light-bar introduced in the mk8. Absolutely horrendous those three things.
VW also still continues on being cheap on GTI/R brakes... even Seat Leon Cupras used to have an option for 4 pot front brembo calipers around the same time as the mk7's. A shame really.
Spent the day in Wolfsburg looking around these today, lovely cars especially in Kings red with thos Queenstown wheels. The badges on the doors look absolute crap, if I bought one I would have to take them off. Driving home tomorrow in my Mk7 gti pp which I love driving.
I've got a red 3dr manual 7.5 GTi with DCC and I just can't bring myself to like either the 8 or 8.5. I don't like the styling, and I don't like the touchscreen stuff. I don't like that I can't have a manual, or a 3 door, or a solid red paint colour (I think the metallic red looks like pink). I don't know that to replace my car with, even though I love it, and that's a new experience for me
I keep looking for a suitable replacement for my 3dr manual 7.5R but not found it yet. . . sometimes it’s better to want what you have, than have what you want 👍😎
Mucking about with those settings on the screen while driving…..how is that any different to using a mobile device while driving? Dangerous if you ask me. I think all these screens in cars you can interact with should switch off automatically while the car is in motion, unless you are using the navigation function. Manufacturers should put the heating controls etc back on switches that you can feel, instead of having to take your eyes off the road to read a menu screen. Lovely car otherwise but I do NOT like those door badges
It’s legal to use a phone while driving, just not to hold it and use it. Regardless you don’t need to be fiddling with anything to drive without due care so not using the infotainment screen isn’t a solution, driver discipline is. This bigger screen takes a lot less mental effort than the mk8 one which in itself was better than 7.5
Great vid Andrew, have been looking forward to this ahead of potentially ordering an 8.5 GTI. To your point about keeping the card under £40k, do you happen to know if there is any difference between DCC and DCC for 19's? I'd be tempted to take the stock wheels and upgrade later to 19s but not sure if this is an issue if you spec DCC for 18s?
Really good video I’ve been waiting for and you didn’t disappoint at all. Only a couple of things :- My Pure white 24 plate GTI mk8 came with an engine cover and fully painted under the bonnet, so maybe it’s just if you have white? Maybe the cover is because the mk8.5 was coming out too? I consciously got the mk8 before the mk8.5 came out so it was interesting to see if I made the right choice. For me I think I have, but I can understand either way as some changes are subjective. I spec’d mine just under 40k so it was good you mentioned that 😊👍
Great review Andrew and helped to pushed me over the line to order one on a lease at a very appealing £252pm fully maintained. Now just have to wait 16-20 weeks! Thanks for the help - this may be last of the line for ICE GTI so it just had to be done 😊
Thanks Jimmy🙌🏻£252 pm is unbelievable, I might even be able to scrape that together 😅
Blimey. How many miles per year and how many years for that lease deal?
@@davidmaslen60632 years and 6k per year so they’re not financing much depreciation!
You sure you’re getting a 8.5 and not an 8. I was looking at lease loco and they had version 8s for about that money (the last of the lot) and then they started showing the 8.5 but never at that money.
@@davidmaslen6063 yep factory order 8.5
wow. I hope I can put those tail-lights in my mk8 gti, they look super cool!
Haha, just like 7.5 light on a 7 😂👍
Mamma mia!!!! Just waiting for the price of the Clubsport before making a decision and you make my wait tougher!!!!😂😂😂😂
I don't know about this one. I didn't love the MK8. I drove a number of them, the anniversary, the 380, the Autobahn and I just don't love the car. I found myself perfectly happy leaving in my MK7.5. I thought the MK8.5 might be the answer.
It hasn't grabbed me yet. I'll hold out and see what the Golf R does for me this time and see if I jump for that. I just can't get past the cheaper feeling interior and the eyelashes on the edges of the headlights. Straight on view of the front is fine, but I can't for the life of me understand why VW thought this was a good styling element. I know it's a weird thing to get stuck on but I absolutely hate it. I thought it was gone on the MK8.5, but that just must be the colors I've seen it on that hide it better.
What cheaper feeling interior? It's pretty much Audi at this point. Have you ever been in one?
Sorry, but the design of the 8 is just way more elegant than the 8.5 with that weird squared off front. And that giant tablet 🥹. Honestly, they just should have improved the interface somewhat & offered some really cool colors.
Just trying to to spec mine and am getting close to £40k. Rear passenger airbags are an option -£310 which may take me over the car tax barrier. I’m wondering if these are necessary. I kind of feel that if they were a necessity they would be standard. But I then feel the right thing to do would be to pay a bit extra for piece of mind. Can’t find much online on the value of these types or airbags. Any thoughts?
I don’t see many cars with them and they certainly don’t add value but if you frequently carry rear seat passengers then they are sensible. Don’t forget to deduct first year tax and registration fee from RRP to get list price which is what the luxury car tax is based on 👍
Engine cover issue was the same on the cupra leon too. Was shocked when I picked my brand new car and it had no cover. Haha it's been sorted now though.
Great video, must admit when you put it through its paces through that bend it made me smile!
I’ve moaned endlessly about the screen but must admit it looks like it works brilliantly.
Sadly with current prices my 7.5 is likely the last GTI I can justify affording.
The VW Golf 7.5 was the high water mark for this model. Better function and less unnecessary razzmatazz in the finishing.
Only people who still have a 7.5 say that. The 8.5 is now the high water mark easily.
@@r3games1985 Disagreed. VW saving measures are everywhere with materials and fit and finish. There’s not even gas operated struts for the bonnet opening, just prop up stays. Too much in the way of flashy finishings and features and they are persevering with those awful sliders for the heating.
Hi Andrew- my 2022 GTi in the standard white has the engine bay painted plus the dealer last November fitted the engine cover, as importantly I had the adaptive DCC suspension,winter pack and camera fitted plus Adelaide’s and just came under £40k all planned of course, always look forward to a Volkswizard Video Blog, keep up the good work, maybe worth mentioning to your followers that subscription cost nothing?
Interesting and honest quick review Andrew of these two GTI’s. I’m tempted by the facelift model with a few options DCC, Queenstown, Kings red, HK sound plus service it works out at about £43k. Im in my final year for PCP so tempted to change up.
New 8.5 GTI looks great with Kings Red. And I didn't like original MK8 GTI in Kings Red.
If you’re willing to spend that much $$ on a Golf, you might as well buy the MK7.5 Golf R after a years time of it being out.
Got my mk 8.5 Gti on order in basic spec , can't wait !
Get it debadged. Will look better and easier to clean. Using a wash mitt on my mk8 Golf R I’m constantly having to pick off bits of lint from the cheap and tacky R badges.
Was your car fitted with the Intelligent Speed Limiter which is now compulsory as of 7th July. If so, did it just warn you with a buzzer or did it physically prevent you from exceeding the posted speed limits. Either way I know it can be turned off but ONLY before you set off. My question - how did you turn it off?
Thanks Andrew, great stuff. If you add DCC and metallic paint options to keep the price under £40k, and then add the bigger wheels later, will the DCC option for the 18" wheels still work properly with the 19"s? (though perhaps I have just become confused by VW's UK Configurator).
The 8 has that nice place for the tag in front. The 8.5 doesn’t. It’s just so weird to me that the designers decided having a tag just hang down looks better.
Don't you think the big 12.9 inches screen is too big, and it prevents you from seeing the road just close to the front bumper?
It seems insane to put such a big screen in the field of view.
Especially if the driver is not tall.
I’m looking at getting a 1.5l 150ps golf style, coming from a Mini Cooper 134ps. Anyone think this is a good choice? I’m worried about how economical it is on fuel compared to my mini. Thank you
Andrew the VW website allows you to select P11d prices at the summary stage. GTI with Kings Red paint and DCC is £39,770. Beating the luxury car tax!
That was my conclusion as well, but are you sure the P11d price is what the "luxury car tax" is based on? I know it should be but can't find a definite answer.
Did you completely miss that the front VW logo is now illuminated?!
How does it sound, do you get any pops at all when you try for them? like you get on the clubsport mk 8?
NO. I have a clubsport muffle put on my mk8 and it sounds WAY better. Looks better as well.
@@r3games1985 video showed quite a few pops and bangs which was nice to see
Great review. You might want to get a new camera or lens or video wasn't exported in high quality from video editor. All the best!
Very informative thank you. That screen, talk about incongruous! DCC should be standard. Overall I think the car is a slight improvement, 8.25 rather than 8.5.
You can see the desktop in the 8.5 from the outside 😂
So the 7.5 is still the better car then!
TCR
Doubt it
7.5 is a old outdated car at this point.
haha loool
Mk8 drive well better than 7.5, stop being biased
A much closer match to my BMW 128ti, will be interested to drive one to see how it compares.
Ill take the mk8 with a manual trans over the auto only mk8.5
I miss car reviews that actually focussed MOSTLY on the driving experience and not the friggin infotainment.
I get that, the thing about the Mk8 Golf is that the wider media repeatedly for all its 4 years in production, often incorrectly, banged on about the failings of the infotainment system. Therefore it’s important for praise where due as the new system is good. Now let’s hope the media can concentrate on the dynamics and stop comparing GTIs to the Civic Type R which with no auto option is only going to appeal to tiny minority of GTI buyers (hence why VW ditched the manual GTI).
Will the 8.5 gti be available in manual do you know, or will it be dsg only.
no manual
@@FeN1xDD thanks gutted 😢
@@FeN1xDD ugh wtf???
How did they get 20 more hp from the same engine? Did they tune it?
hi all, any suggestions on interior door/parcel shelf rattle fixes, golf mk8 life, doesn't ride as smoothly as mk7. any help would be grateful.
Finally GTI offers a steering wheel with physical buttons.
Ooh those side badges really look like an after thought. i'd have those off straight away.
So is the difference in HP just a tune? I wonder if any parts are different and swappable to the mk8.
Fiddling with the software.
Is DCC available on the S trim for the 8.5 or is this a different trim being driven?
We don’t have an S trim in UK but it’s definitely available on R line upwards
Great video..but ill stick with the Elantra N.
I do like the front end more than the 8, but I also think the grill area between the painted portions is too large. It's still not better looking than the Mk7 era.
Excellent video as always Andrew. The only way that big screen is ever going to look ok in my opinion is with a dash redesign but I doubt the bean counters would sanction it. Shame really as it's a nice looking car.
Great video as always! We just scored warranteed engine covers for the MK8 here in the USA, I gave up hope on those long ago!
The front end of the 8.5 GTI is really an improvment. Not so much for the R.
So would you choose the 2025 Mk8.5 GTI or Cupra Leon 300?
Can you fit a golf bag and clubs into the trunk with removing the driver from the bag or lowering the back seat?
Just lower the 1/3 backseat section that's what I always do.
On my 23 Golf regular pure white (base color) under the hood is also fully painted. (no clear coat though)
So i wonder if the reasoning is not price addition related , maybe its about the color white for some reason unknown to me.
Best golf GTi V after twenty years, it’s very funny !!!
Excellent review Andrew. Maybe an 8.5 is worth it after all.
I am extremely surprised on the exhaust note, there are lots of pops when you drive this around.
The old 245 did it too. But is it real or through the sound system?
Sounds quite nice when you put your foot down. Is that piped in?
Yes. "Soundaktor"
Does the engine have indirect and direct injection?
Is there a dipstick to check the oil level?
What for? The car just tells you everything about the oil. Including the exact days counting down to get it changed lol.
@@r3games1985 okok, hahaha
I'm happy to have my MK8, the facelift just ain't doing it for me. The only thing I like about it is the upgraded infotainment system but other than that there's no other part that feels like an upgrade at all.
I have a mk4 Cupra Leon 300 at moment, been offered a Golf 265 GTi, I have to decide by tomorrow Monday which. Ive not driven the Golf, what would you do ? Money wise keeping the 300 I have is a lot cheaper.
8.5 GTI is definitely a step forward
In the end went for neither and getting Lexus Nx 450h instead😂
@@FeN1xDD how is lower bhp step forward lol
@@hassyg4083 you believe bhp is the part where we are going to compare hot hatches ?))
Interesting review. I’m loving my Tiguan R but it’s likely my next car will be a Golf GTI, Clubsport, or R
I have the 7.5 and looks so much better than the 8
Aye you just can’t afford one of these lol😂
Have to strongly disagree with you mate
@@apexiv6919 no problem. Your opinion.
@@vintageyu-hi-oh4271 I can afford one of these but the looks on 7.5 is more to my liking
@karjuntsang6365
What I prefer about the 7.5 is that it was available as a 3 door.
3 door hot hatches looked so much better than 5 door ones.
It's a real shame that market trends killed 3 door cars.