Golf GTI 8.5 reviews

[joe6]

Stuck on screen blocking half the forward view fairly standard for 2024 model cars. Nobody sticks them in the dash any more...

Doesn't make it a good likeable design though Fred. Why spoil the good imo mk8 dash design?

[Sharpe]

I’m not keen at all on the big screen, much prefer the A3/S3 setup. But the GTI was 8k cheaper than a new S3 so guess I’m going to have to live with it

[fredgroves]

To be fair, if you look through the Mk8 reviews and comments on here you'll see the same thing about stuck on ipads....

The Mk8 screen isn't in a binnacle either.

I think it's not really an issue.

[Carlosfandango]

I Sat in a mk8.5 yesterday, the screen didn’t obscure the view for me through the windscreen at all, it is much smoother though, but not so much as to make me want to chop in my mk8 for an 8.5, there’s not a great deal of difference between the two cars to be honest, I mean, the backlit volume and temp sliders are nice, and the permanent hot keys at the top of the screen are great, but the mk8 is pretty much as good in every other respect, plus there is no way I could spec an 8.5 to be the same as my current GTI without flying over the 40K MSRP mark,

[alland]

The new screen in the Mk8.5 just doesn't look integrated to me. The post above is right, there isn't a great deal of difference between the 8 and the 8.5; it begs the question "why did they bother?". It looks as if the VW bean-counters told the design department not to waste too much time or money on the last fossil-fuel Golf, just get on with the new all singing and dancing full electric Golf which is coming. And I bet you'll struggle to keep that under the 40K threshold if other electric cars are anything to go by!

[fredgroves]

The new screen in the Mk8.5 just doesn't look integrated to me. The post above is right, there isn't a great deal of difference between the 8 and the 8.5; it begs the question "why did they bother?".

Because the Mk8 infotainment was slammed by the press. Thats why.

Google any reviews on the Mk8 and you'll hear them all parrot the same words.

It was bad, but not in the way they described. In a bugged to hell way it was bad.

I suspect the panning from the press probably cost VW an awful lot of sales rightly or wrongly.

PS the Electric Golf is now delayed until 2029 (meant to be 2028) so I doubt they are bothered about that right now in any way at all. Its to replace the ID3 which has been a disaster for VW too.

[alland]

You're right Fred, the Mk8 infotainment system was caned by the motoring press - but not for the way it looked. VW have made very little effort into integrating the larger screen into the dash panel in 8.5, which suggests to me a cheap fix. Pity.
Incidentally, a very senior VW executive was quoted this week on the Parker website saying the Mk8 edition of the Golf (presumably in 8.5 guise) may continue in production until 2032 or even 2035! Apparently this is because the MQB platform has been so successful and is now very near to "perfection". His words, not mine!

[fredgroves]

Yes I think vag are seriously rethinking the electric thing at the moment as they moved early and hoped for dominance but failed.

[joe6]

Porsche have said they intend to continue to produce ice cars post 2030 and possibly post 2035.

[alland]

Correct. The all electric Macan is in full production and is now available in the UK (although you have to sell a kidney to get one). However, Porsche are continuing to make the petrol versions alongside it to "offer the customer a choice". Bearing in mind the Macan is their best seller by some margin, has an element of doubt crept in I wonder?