Is the Mk7 GTI REALLY better looking than the Mk6 GTI?

[am1w]

I am really struggling to get an answer pro Mk7 GTI on looks alone.

There are design details that I feel impact negatively on its aesthetics:
(1) Its nose, where I find the extra protuberance of the front bumper is very Bruce Forsyth
(2) the continuation of the red design detail through the headlights is a bit kitsch
(3) the ultra narrow profile of the grille gives the car a very tight lipped odd look
(4) the rear tail lights look very Audi Q5 and seem too narrow to suit the chunky rear that is a Golf. (The LED tails on the Mk6 GTI are certainly better looking and more Golflike).

From the many reviews, the Mk7 Golf and the Mk7 GTI in particular are purported to be better to drive than the Mk6. This is termed as progress and one should expect this. (However, Evo Mag felt that the Mk6 GTI was more involving).

To those of you who might be apoplectic with rage that there is this faintest criticism of the Mk7 GTI, I extend the hand of friendship and beg you not to banish me to the Audi Forums.

[DougL]

General opinion is that it looks sharper than the six. I have one and I agree. The seven looks SHARP!

[AAddict]

I am really struggling to get an answer pro Mk7 GTI on looks alone.

There are design details that I feel impact negatively on its aesthetics:
(1) Its nose, where I find the extra protuberance of the front bumper is very Bruce Forsyth
(2) the continuation of the red design detail through the headlights is a bit kitsch
(3) the ultra narrow profile of the grille gives the car a very tight lipped odd look
(4) the rear tail lights look very Audi Q5 and seem too narrow to suit the chunky rear that is a Golf. (The LED tails on the Mk6 GTI are certainly better looking and more Golflike).

From the many reviews, the Mk7 Golf and the Mk7 GTI in particular are purported to be better to drive than the Mk6. This is termed as progress and one should expect this. (However, Evo Mag felt that the Mk6 GTI was more involving).

To those of you who might be apoplectic with rage that there is this faintest criticism of the Mk7 GTI, I extend the hand of friendship and beg you not to banish me to the Audi Forums.

I think pretty much the opposite. No surprise as I'm getting one. The MK7 looks much more masculine, lower and wider, it's lost that tall and ungainly look the MK6 had. The MK6 GTI is a handsome car, but IMO the MK7 is just more classy and stands out more from the regular MK7. The lights, front and rear, look much better than MK6 and are a big leap forward IMO. If you prefer the MK6, then great, no hard feelings, can't wait to chip mine in when I get the MK7 

[Ess_Three]

Same answer as in the Mk6 section:

I'd need to see a Mk7 GTI next to my Mk6 GTI to compare...

But my old man has just picked up a Mk7 GT and every time I see it, I think what a cracking looking car it is.
I never thought that of a 'cooking' Mk6 Golf.

[Running Man]

Yes, just 

[Snoopy]

I am really struggling to get an answer pro Mk7 GTI on looks alone.

There are design details that I feel impact negatively on its aesthetics:
(1) Its nose, where I find the extra protuberance of the front bumper is very Bruce Forsyth
(2) the continuation of the red design detail through the headlights is a bit kitsch
(3) the ultra narrow profile of the grille gives the car a very tight lipped odd look
(4) the rear tail lights look very Audi Q5 and seem too narrow to suit the chunky rear that is a Golf. (The LED tails on he Mk6 GTI are certainly better looking and more Golflike).

From the many reviews, the Mk7 Golf and the Mk7 GTI in particular are purported to be better to drive than the Mk6. This is termed as progress and one should expect this. (However, Evo Mag felt that the Mk6 GTI was more involving).

To those of you who might be apoplectic with rage that there is this faintest criticism of the Mk7 GTI, I extend the hand of friendship and beg you not to banish me to the Audi Forums.

scary but ive just had a similar discussion with someone myself and said the exact same as you.
I dont like the red line in the lights, doors or the smaller rear lights.  It makes me prefer the GTD from tbe front.
I really really wanted to like it but these to me are just not as good looking at the present time. Im sure it will grow on me though.
What I do really like is the 3 doors side window profile it makes it look a little more like the mk1s window shape.

[Gryzor]

All personal opinion I guess, but I think it looks better from every angle.  The rear lights especially were pretty naff on the Mk6 Golf, which is kinda' what put me off getting one.  I wanted a GTI that I was totally happy with, because even on the Mk5 I have now I don't like the ugly black bumper at the back!

[Booth11]

I am really struggling to get an answer pro Mk7 GTI on looks alone.

There are design details that I feel impact negatively on its aesthetics:
(1) Its nose, where I find the extra protuberance of the front bumper is very Bruce Forsyth
(2) the continuation of the red design detail through the headlights is a bit kitsch
(3) the ultra narrow profile of the grille gives the car a very tight lipped odd look
(4) the rear tail lights look very Audi Q5 and seem too narrow to suit the chunky rear that is a Golf. (The LED tails on the Mk6 GTI are certainly better looking and more Golflike).

From the many reviews, the Mk7 Golf and the Mk7 GTI in particular are purported to be better to drive than the Mk6. This is termed as progress and one should expect this. (However, Evo Mag felt that the Mk6 GTI was more involving).

To those of you who might be apoplectic with rage that there is this faintest criticism of the Mk7 GTI, I extend the hand of friendship and beg you not to banish me to the Audi Forums.

My reply as in mk6 section

1.  Don't mind bumper itself but find the bonnet looking a little too long.  It'll soon be as long as a bmw 1 series
2.  Agree
3.  Think it looks fine, but hate the ADC sensor
4.  Totally agree.  I was driving behind a mk7 (not a gti) yesterday for a few miles and got a good look at it.   The tail lights look very small and undersized.  I am surprised at how small the entire rear of the car looks and this is emphasised by the tiny lights.  Quite liking the sharper lines though.

Also looks quite a bit lower at the rear than the mk6, which I like.

[Bill_the_Bear]

No contest:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=430

Especially the rear of the Mk7.

[JoeGTI]

I had a MK6 GTD and now a MK7 GTI.
I think the MK6 is still a great looking car and there are some aspects of the MK7 design that don't sit right with me, but I think it's just a matter of getting used to it.
I quite liked the kicked-up rear windows in the 3 door mk6, I'm still not sure about the straighter lines of the rear windows in the mk7!
I liked the grill in the mk6 with the twin chrome/red stripes. I'd agree that the grill in the new car isn't quite as pretty. The mk6 grill was also gloss black, it's plain old matt black in the mk7.

Where there can be no doubt though is the interior. The MK7 interior is leagues ahead of the mk6 in every way... Apart from the seat headrest design, I preferred the seat headrests in the mk6.