Just my own personal preference but any car that doesn't have physical controls for climate i.e. fan speed, temperature and circulation setting, can go and 'do one'. A perfect example of a designer prioritising form over functionality.
Also prioritising cost cutting. Bear in mind haptic controls, touch screen panels etc are cheaper to produce than physical buttons and dials. It's the same with digital dials versus mechanical dials.
Ours is 23 plate and been fantastic. Only issue it's had is a faulty sunroof switch panel which dealer is replacing. For anyone considering a MK8 Golf, avoid the earlier 20-22 plates. Go for anything with a 72 plate and the gloss black centre console with the newer steering wheel and it's a much improved car to the earlier ones
Great vid. Had a mk8 gti Positives? It’s a brilliant drivers car loved it. Negatives? Software and infotainment was shite. Not having lit ac control is a joke. Acc was great when it worked but it kept trying to slam on the brakes as it would occ misread motorway slip signs in km/h and think it was speeding.
@@ScottishCarClan yeah. Had several 7.5s and they’ve all been brilliant. Don’t get me wrong other than the unlit ac struggle the thinking behind the software was ace. When it worked right the acc would even use gps to slow ya down for roundabouts. It just wasn’t done properly
Thanks for a well balanced review. In your engine line up you omitted the 197bhp/400NM GTD, the variant I have. Similar styling to the GTI. If you can forgive the infotainment system and annoying & intrusive digital “safety” features, it is an enjoyable drive. All the punch you need for overtaking and 60mpg+ on most tankfulls. Good allrounder.
Great vid, I’m a mk4 2022 VRS owner myself, chose due to the added practicality. Word of warning…. My cars booked into the dealer for the 4th time due to black screen and rebooting infotainment system. I absolutely love the car but the issues are ruining the ownership experience. I can only imagine these issues are across the whole VW group to some degree. Miss my mk3 which worked flawlessly for the six years I had it.
I do not agree with the final conclusion, this car continues to give a good kick in the ass on the road to a few cars that in theory should be superior and much more expensive, taking into account that it is not created for that purpose in a utility with sporty overtones and an alternative to the long-term economy of the gti, which makes it give up certain capabilities, but not all, I have insisted that compared to some equivalent models, even from premium brands, it is victorious in terms of features, performance and technology. The problem is that you don't notice this by testing the car for 2 days, you have to have it for at least 2 months or directly own it.
I got 222K miles on my 2015 GTI. Its been pretty good. If I had to start over again, I would use Liquimoly and do the oil changes every 5K miles. It wasnt trouble free but Im gonna buy a 2023 R or GTI
I’ve driven two Golf 8s, the 1.5 150bhp and ehybrid 201bhp and both are unrefined by new car standards in my opinion. The engine boom/drone at motorway speeds is frustrating to say the least.
I love my mk8 gte I do a lot of miles and hardly have to put petro in and for me it’s got enough power when both battery and engine working together And yes mine cost me £42,433 new
yes you can re-charge the battery at anytime via the petrol engine (ICE) it's a very clever system that allows you full control as to how much and when you want to re-charge, so you can always have that boost from the battery if wanted.
I have had so many faults with the infotainment system and jerky gears and failed accelerator on my 23 plate Golf Mk8 that I have had 17 months of fights with the dealer, and VW about the car. About to go to the TMO possibly, but the dealer has now offered the new Mk 8.5 but without specifying yet how much I'd have to shell out as extra. Much as I love Golfs I am not sure I want another new model (which according to the advertising blurb solves all the issues I have been complaining about for 17 months and which does have some more knobs). I don't trust them any more. They are computers, not cars, and like computers, if it goes wrong the answer is just to turn it off and back on again. I agree totally and I have argued for the last 17 months and have written to the motoring press that how come using a mobile phone is illegal and yet we have to look at this screen to do everything? It is totally unsafe. I am not a happy customer and really don't know if I want another new Golf at all. Bring back the Mk 7 from 2019 before they introduced the infotainment system and it had knobs!
you can re-charge the battery at anytime via the petrol engine (ICE) it's a very clever system that allows you full control as to how much and when you want to re-charge, so you can always have that boost from the battery if wanted. Granted you wont get as good a MPG if you do this.
Not a fan of the mk8. It seems they have cut costs massively compared to the mk7.5. Too many bugs in VAG software too. My old man's Ateca is a nightmare. Shame really.
Why no mention of the GTD within the review? It’s got the same set up as the GTI and with just under 200bho and mid 50’s mpg, in my opinion provides a good balance between performance and economy. Considering this is supposed to be a Golf MK8 review, there was too much focus on the GTE being test driven rather than a blended report detailing all the other options that are available. I think the video needs re-named to 2020 Golf Mk8 GTE review.
I have the gtd mk8....or should i say its stuck in a vw garage after they screwed up a simple software update..they killed it😡😡.. they've had it a month so far with another month to go before the part turns up... big If... useless service by VW...Im paying for a car i don't have that they broke 🤬.....
ive been dailying a mk6 gti for the last 7 years. currently has 130k miles. these cars require a little bit more attention to detail with maintenance (mostly valve cleanings every 50k miles or so due to being direct injection) and if you do spend the time on them they will reward you. if you are the type of person to only do oil changes on the engine and expect the car to do 300000 miles then I would suggest buying something boring like a toyota. I believe the extra time and cost is worth not wanting to kill myself every time I go for a drive due to how uninspired most ecoboxes are.
@@rileyhance318"boring like a Toyota". Toyota do make cool interesting cars though (Yaris/Corolla GR, GR86, Supra). Let's be honest Polo, Passat, Tiguan etc are hardly exciting by any means.
@@jdmguy44 gr86 is a subaru and the supra is a bmw. my point was that out of the normal cars everyday people buy from them. I would take the chassis tuning, cabin isolation, and refinement in a golf over a corolla. Plus those non boring "toyotas" you just mentioned arent going to be reaching the 300000 mile mark either. you would need to go for their beige eco boxes to do that. my point stands
@@rileyhance318 My point also stands strong that all VWs are dull and boring to look at and drive. They are not interesting (or high on quality/reliability) There can be no arguments there! That applies to regular Golf's too. Incidentally l had a Golf diesel as a company vehicle so I draw from experience on that one. Yet even Golf GTi's and the Golf R are not exactly characterful or very involving performance cars and pretty dull to look at. The Golf R looks the same as a Golf R. line. Then you come to the rubbish interiors of VW's today with those awful haptic/ touch capacitive controls (cost cutting) and notoriously glitchy infotainment systems with crashing/rebooting issues. VW? Not for me.
@@jdmguy44 try getting 320hp to the wheels with a software flash on a corolla. and vws use the same multilink suspension as the Porsche 911. i enjoy them bc of how easily they go together. vw audi group platforms are like legos. new vw interiors arent my favorite and vw knows it too which is why they are back pedaling for the 8.5 generation but at the same time toyota interiors are 6 years behind everyone else
Just my own personal preference but any car that doesn't have physical controls for climate i.e. fan speed, temperature and circulation setting, can go and 'do one'.
A perfect example of a designer prioritising form over functionality.
Also prioritising cost cutting. Bear in mind haptic controls, touch screen panels etc are cheaper to produce than physical buttons and dials. It's the same with digital dials versus mechanical dials.
Ours is 23 plate and been fantastic. Only issue it's had is a faulty sunroof switch panel which dealer is replacing.
For anyone considering a MK8 Golf, avoid the earlier 20-22 plates. Go for anything with a 72 plate and the gloss black centre console with the newer steering wheel and it's a much improved car to the earlier ones
I’ve had my 1.6tdi blue motion match for 8 years.totally dependable, comfortable and economical.
Im 19 and have the means to afford one of these and this definitely helped me make my final decision, insurance is 2k mind 😅
Great vid. Had a mk8 gti
Positives? It’s a brilliant drivers car loved it.
Negatives? Software and infotainment was shite. Not having lit ac control is a joke. Acc was great when it worked but it kept trying to slam on the brakes as it would occ misread motorway slip signs in km/h and think it was speeding.
It’s a shame that less tech would have made your experience better. An all too common theme with many modern cars.
@@ScottishCarClan yeah. Had several 7.5s and they’ve all been brilliant. Don’t get me wrong other than the unlit ac struggle the thinking behind the software was ace. When it worked right the acc would even use gps to slow ya down for roundabouts.
It just wasn’t done properly
Thanks for a well balanced review. In your engine line up you omitted the 197bhp/400NM GTD, the variant I have. Similar styling to the GTI. If you can forgive the infotainment system and annoying & intrusive digital “safety” features, it is an enjoyable drive. All the punch you need for overtaking and 60mpg+ on most tankfulls. Good allrounder.
Great vid, I’m a mk4 2022 VRS owner myself, chose due to the added practicality. Word of warning…. My cars booked into the dealer for the 4th time due to black screen and rebooting infotainment system. I absolutely love the car but the issues are ruining the ownership experience. I can only imagine these issues are across the whole VW group to some degree. Miss my mk3 which worked flawlessly for the six years I had it.
I do not agree with the final conclusion, this car continues to give a good kick in the ass on the road to a few cars that in theory should be superior and much more expensive, taking into account that it is not created for that purpose in a utility with sporty overtones and an alternative to the long-term economy of the gti, which makes it give up certain capabilities, but not all, I have insisted that compared to some equivalent models, even from premium brands, it is victorious in terms of features, performance and technology.
The problem is that you don't notice this by testing the car for 2 days, you have to have it for at least 2 months or directly own it.
My golf has been a nightmare, software issues, new gateway, however software updates have not resolved it
Paying by subscription is an insidious, rather unpleasant thing.
I've been the proud owner of an MK8 GTi and have loved it all this time. However, I must admit, I do have some concerns about its reliability.
Tech related or mechanically?
I got 222K miles on my 2015 GTI. Its been pretty good. If I had to start over again, I would use Liquimoly and do the oil changes every 5K miles. It wasnt trouble free but Im gonna buy a 2023 R or GTI
What issues did you have @@bucknut2000
I thought the conclusion was: exterior: tech, interior: tech, driving: tech… oh wait, tick! 😂 great review! It is a high tech car after all
High tick car 😏
I’ve driven two Golf 8s, the 1.5 150bhp and ehybrid 201bhp and both are unrefined by new car standards in my opinion. The engine boom/drone at motorway speeds is frustrating to say the least.
I love my mk8 gte I do a lot of miles and hardly have to put petro in and for me it’s got enough power when both battery and engine working together
And yes mine cost me £42,433 new
I really enjoy your video! Thanks!
So when the battery runs out you have only 150hp?
Doesn’t the battery get power from the fuel ?
yes you can re-charge the battery at anytime via the petrol engine (ICE) it's a very clever system that allows you full control as to how much and when you want to re-charge, so you can always have that boost from the battery if wanted.
I have had so many faults with the infotainment system and jerky gears and failed accelerator on my 23 plate Golf Mk8 that I have had 17 months of fights with the dealer, and VW about the car. About to go to the TMO possibly, but the dealer has now offered the new Mk 8.5 but without specifying yet how much I'd have to shell out as extra. Much as I love Golfs I am not sure I want another new model (which according to the advertising blurb solves all the issues I have been complaining about for 17 months and which does have some more knobs). I don't trust them any more. They are computers, not cars, and like computers, if it goes wrong the answer is just to turn it off and back on again.
I agree totally and I have argued for the last 17 months and have written to the motoring press that how come using a mobile phone is illegal and yet we have to look at this screen to do everything? It is totally unsafe. I am not a happy customer and really don't know if I want another new Golf at all. Bring back the Mk 7 from 2019 before they introduced the infotainment system and it had knobs!
But when the battery runs out, should work as a hybrid(Toyota style) without losing power?
You lose around 100bhp without the power coming from the battery.
It doesn’t really run out during any realistic on road driving.
you can re-charge the battery at anytime via the petrol engine (ICE) it's a very clever system that allows you full control as to how much and when you want to re-charge, so you can always have that boost from the battery if wanted.
Granted you wont get as good a MPG if you do this.
So is the GTE 30miles charge works with the 1.4L petrol hydrid or does it do 30miles just the electric motors by itself self?
It does around 30 miles on electric only
reviews a plugin hybrid and does not mention about pure ev drive? may be unaware of that.
Not a fan of the mk8. It seems they have cut costs massively compared to the mk7.5. Too many bugs in VAG software too. My old man's Ateca is a nightmare. Shame really.
Why are the callipers red?
I hate the dash , for some reason my wife likes it. I'd avoid
GTD?
GTE
Why no mention of the GTD within the review? It’s got the same set up as the GTI and with just under 200bho and mid 50’s mpg, in my opinion provides a good balance between performance and economy.
Considering this is supposed to be a Golf MK8 review, there was too much focus on the GTE being test driven rather than a blended report detailing all the other options that are available. I think the video needs re-named to 2020 Golf Mk8 GTE review.
Would you recommend for a first car??
It’s fairly expensive for a first car but if you have the budget then by all means go ahead! They are very easy to drive.
I bought Audi A3, much better, costs the same as Golf and it has buttons!
Worst interior controls in the known universe. Had a mk6 and mk7 from new, would not touch the mk8 with a 10 foot pole. VW have ruined it.
Nobody wants their car to reach mega miles everybody likes a change let's be honest.
I have the gtd mk8....or should i say its stuck in a vw garage after they screwed up a simple software update..they killed it😡😡.. they've had it a month so far with another month to go before the part turns up... big If... useless service by VW...Im paying for a car i don't have that they broke 🤬.....
Wow! Hope you got a courtesy car in the meantime! Keep us posted on how it goes.
I think the Leon is a better looking car.
Would not touch this brand due to its poor reliability (see What Car, Auto Express and many other surveys) and the brands recent past shenanigans.
ive been dailying a mk6 gti for the last 7 years. currently has 130k miles. these cars require a little bit more attention to detail with maintenance (mostly valve cleanings every 50k miles or so due to being direct injection) and if you do spend the time on them they will reward you. if you are the type of person to only do oil changes on the engine and expect the car to do 300000 miles then I would suggest buying something boring like a toyota. I believe the extra time and cost is worth not wanting to kill myself every time I go for a drive due to how uninspired most ecoboxes are.
@@rileyhance318"boring like a Toyota". Toyota do make cool interesting cars though (Yaris/Corolla GR, GR86, Supra). Let's be honest Polo, Passat, Tiguan etc are hardly exciting by any means.
@@jdmguy44 gr86 is a subaru and the supra is a bmw. my point was that out of the normal cars everyday people buy from them. I would take the chassis tuning, cabin isolation, and refinement in a golf over a corolla. Plus those non boring "toyotas" you just mentioned arent going to be reaching the 300000 mile mark either. you would need to go for their beige eco boxes to do that. my point stands
@@rileyhance318 My point also stands strong that all VWs are dull and boring to look at and drive. They are not interesting (or high on quality/reliability) There can be no arguments there! That applies to regular Golf's too. Incidentally l had a Golf diesel as a company vehicle so I draw from experience on that one. Yet even Golf GTi's and the Golf R are not exactly characterful or very involving performance cars and pretty dull to look at. The Golf R looks the same as a Golf R. line. Then you come to the rubbish interiors of VW's today with those awful haptic/ touch capacitive controls (cost cutting) and notoriously glitchy infotainment systems with crashing/rebooting issues. VW? Not for me.
@@jdmguy44 try getting 320hp to the wheels with a software flash on a corolla. and vws use the same multilink suspension as the Porsche 911. i enjoy them bc of how easily they go together. vw audi group platforms are like legos. new vw interiors arent my favorite and vw knows it too which is why they are back pedaling for the 8.5 generation but at the same time toyota interiors are 6 years behind everyone else
Far too expensive, complicated and heavy. Go for a skoda vrs. Much better car