Yeah, the whole point of climate control is 'set and forget'. No need to be constantly adjusting it.
The Mk7.5 already has plenty touchscreen controls, just not for the heating controls or driving modes. To me, it's not the touch screens that are the issue, it's the long winded design of the user interface. Hopefully they can improve on that with a software update at a later date. I do slightly lament the loss of the physical buttons on the steering wheel though, and am yet to see how this isn't tech for the sake of tech.
Volkswizard in his YouTube review of the new SEAT Leon, mentions a few things about the new generation of VAG interiors that may allay some (but perhaps not all) concerns people have about them.
Looks are always subjective. Some will prefer the 1 Series, and that's fine. But personally I still prefer the Golf.