8.5 vs 8, big improvement?

[m4t_lee]

Just one for those who have gone from an 8 to an 8.5 GTI or CS, are they pretty much the same or night and day?

I was looking at the CS but they're a bit expensive, the 8's are a fair bit cheaper but I hear lots of grumblings about the software particularly. Is the software and infotainment much better in the 8.5? from 7 - 7.5 it was the same but a nicer screen for example

TIA

[JoeGTI]

I'm one of those thats gone from an 8 to an 8.5.

The new infotainment is a major step forward, I cannot emphasise just how much better it is. And I say that as someone who got on OK with the MK8 system and never had many issues with glitches or gremlins. It’s a lot more than a larger screen. The whole thing is better thought out, much easier to use, much more intuitive. So you still have to disable lane assist and all those annoying aids on every journey, but doing so is way less of a faff with the 8.5. The menus and layouts make sense. And then you have heater and temp controls that are illuminated at night. It’s a way more significant change (infotainment wise) than the 7 to 7.5.

Aside from that, interior-wise at least, there's no changes of note. The main MFD screen also has a slightly refreshed look, but its fairly subtle.

Driving wise, it may be just my early-days perception, but the car feels more composed, the DCC seems to be doing a better job at soaking up the bumps and the car feels a bit more "solid". Hard to describe, and it could be a touch of new-car-effect too.

Exterior wise, I think the changes they've made to the front end in particular and the gloss black treatment has lifted the looks considerably. I think its a very handsome car now whereas the MK8 was a little iffy looks-wise from some angles imo!

[DrivenToDistraction]

I was looking at the CS but they're a bit expensive, the 8's are a fair bit cheaper but I hear lots of grumblings about the software particularly. Is the software and infotainment much better in the 8.5? from 7 - 7.5 it was the same but a nicer screen for example

TIA

I came from a 7.5 but every single review of the 8.5 highlights the welcome return to proper buttons on the steering wheel vs the haptic ones on the 8. This seems to be a bigger issue amongst reviewers than actual mk 8 owners, but I think everyone prefers tactile switches that can't be activated by accident. VW have had to retain the haptic buttons for the 8.5 Golf R (for reasons that are just too boring to explain ..) but all other Golfs have dispensed with them. For me, it is just like the 7.5!

I agree with JoeGTI about the infotainment system. Some think the display is just too big, but it certainly works very well and is logically laid out. The 8.5 CS is a real looker. I would have loved one, but funds would not stretch that far. And you also have to pay the luxury car tax.

[fredgroves]

A bit better which is what you'd expect from a .5 upgrade.

The cost differential between the two will be crazy though - I'd guess easily 10k and you'd be looking at luxury tax on a new 8.5 now regardless of spec!

Worth 10k+ more? I guess only you can decide.

Most of the mk8 gremlins did get sorted... and my guess is that the 8.5 is too new to have seen some of the issues crop up yet. For example I think the steering wheel problems are yet to come - because its the same bloody component, just with a lower end model button set installed.

[alland]

Hi all. It's interesting to come across posts from you guys concerning pros and cons of Mk8 v Mk8.5,so I thought I'd offer some observations.
I have a 2024 Mk8 GTI. It was an ex-demo car, 2 months old at purchase, and (luckily) I was unaware of the problems earlier cars had regarding the infotainment system and steering wheel haptic buttons - curing of which seem to be the main "pros" for the 8.5. Happily, during my year of running my Mk8, I have had absolutely no problems whatsoever with the software - possibly, according to a very knowledgeable contact at my local VAG dealership, my car has always had the latest software version (currently 1985). I guess I have been lucky, because I think the car is a pleasure to own and drive (I'm 74,and have had almost every generation of GTI except the MK4 but including the Mk1 Campaign).
I will no doubt eventually find myself in the 8.5, but I agree fully with others regarding the new infotainment screen; it's just too big and is not integrated as well as the Mk8 screen. It looks OK in a Tiguan, but not in a Golf imho. With GTI's now, it's hard to keep under the "luxury vehicle" tax robbery, but I do that already so only a bit of pain there. Also, I'm not keen on the GTI badges on the 8.5 being stuck on the doors below the side mirrors - nothing like as good looking as the Mk8 version. And to me the button replacement on the steering wheel may NOT be the instant cure for those problems; my learned friend told me the problem was not the buttons, but the steering wheel itself - which is the same!
Little things, but I find it hard to believe the Mk8.5 is such a massive stride in front of the Mk8.

[JoeGTI]

Also, I'm not keen on the GTI badges on the 8.5 being stuck on the doors below the side mirrors - nothing like as good looking as the Mk8 version.

That's easily resolved...

[WelshGolf]

Went from a Clubsport 8 - 8.5 and as said above really, the improvements are the infotainment which is much better. The clubsport did get a tweak to it's turbo I believe and I feel it's got better low end torque than the 8. Visual tweaks on the outside make it a bit better and I love the new wheels.   

[WebRoP]

The MK 8.5 is quite a bit quicker (see Carwow race between them) and more composed on the road than the Mk8 and the infotainment system and steering wheel controls are much better. Also the exhaust notes are much better on the Mk8.5, more sporty sound and it's real sound on the outside.

[WelshGolf]

The MK 8.5 is quite a bit quicker (see Carwow race between them) and more composed on the road than the Mk8 and the infotainment system and steering wheel controls are much better. Also the exhaust notes are much better on the Mk8.5, more sporty sound and it's real sound on the outside.

Did they do a comparison? I thought they only did GTI v CLubsport v R?

[Carlosfandango]

Also, I'm not keen on the GTI badges on the 8.5 being stuck on the doors below the side mirrors - nothing like as good looking as the Mk8 version.

That's easily resolved...

I chose to go about correcting the awful decision to add a large GTI to the front doors in a slightly different way using modified front grill emblems.