The MK8 for me is a bit of a dichotomy really. When it was first launched I hated the looks and the interior. When the performance models were launched, I didn't like (and still don't like) the huge gaping front plastic grill or the foglight design on the GTI's, but it did look better on both the Clubsport and R models. So my opinions on the external styling have certainly softened over time, but I'm biased and will still say, overall the MK7.5 in my humble opinion is the most pleasing and sorted styling wise of the models.
The interior for me is where it falls down. I'm in my late 50's so certainly not the playstation generation, but I just don't like the completely buttonless interior and "minimalistic" design. Also, and I know these aren't biggies, but it continues to annoy me how VW in every preceding facelift or model type continue to remove things to please the beancounters. I know for instance going from the MK7.5 to the MK8 we've lost, hydraulic bonnet stay, illuminated door sill trims (or sill trims of any kind), flecked glovebox lining, CD player, SD Card slots, undersea drawers etc. Like I say not biggies and if you like the car enough certainly not enough to deter you, but it's not like they are cheap cars to begin with, with the R especially in bog standard form now costing just under £40k. Sure I know you get better ambient illumination options (especially now in the back) which is nice, but that feature on it's own, wouldn't make me choose this car over another.
I could forgive all the above if the new Golf was dynamically leaps and bounds about the old and the new tech was really "wow". However from my (albeit limited) time in a MK8 Clubsport that I test drove some months ago, whilst you could argue that dynamically it has moved on, it's certainly not night and day and you really have to be pushing on at some speed to really notice any appreciable difference. But the tech was just horrible. Sure I might get used to it over time, but in the short drive I had with it, there must have been at least 3 or 4 warnings come up on screen (ACC not available, Park pilot not available etc), and the infotainment screen (and thus the climate controls) completely locking up and freezes not once but twice in a 2 hour drive.
I'm sorry, but owners should NOT be the beta testers for this software, and I feel for the owners of MK8's that are still experiencing major software issues over a year after taking delivery. That simply is not acceptable but sadly looks like the way of the future for VW and quite a few other marques. I too think that my current MK7.5 GTI will be my last VW as I think they have just lost the plot and are only interested really in EV cars, and customer service levels from the dealership network and the UK headquarters are just so bad.