I’m 3 weeks in to ownership of a June 2021 GTI in Atlantic Blue.
I had a mk7.5 PP in the same colour which I (perhaps foolishly) sold last year:
I spent the intervening year in an M3. An epic car in every way and something I’m glad to have owned:
So here is the mk8. The options fitted are the 19” alloys and a reversing camera. The only thing missing which I would have specced from new is the winter pack as I do miss heated seats. I had set out to buy a Dolphin Grey car but my local VW dealership messed me about, essentially refusing to honour a deal we’d agreed in principle so I travelled a little further to view this one. It was mint inside and out with only 4,500 miles. I do like blue so a deal was done:
I ensured the software was updated to 1890 prior to collection. Touch-wood I’ve had no issues with assist systems thus far, although the heated steering wheel has a mind of its own!
I’ve fitted a full set of OEM mud-flaps and will be getting it ceramic coated. Compared to my mk7.5 I don’t really feel much difference on the road. I don’t mind the touchscreen climate etc. it’s all very simple to use. The only thing I would swap is the steering wheel, I find the haptic controls require a tad more concentration to use than physical buttons and I keep accidentally changing radio station with my right hand! Definite improvements are the seats, wireless phone charging/CarPlay, blind spot detection and the configurability of the dials. The costs saving elements of the trim, front brake callipers etc are a shame but I don’t feel like it’s less of a quality product. All in all, still the best do-it-all daily for sensible money.