Volkswagen Golf 8.5 Review: A Return to Greatness?

The Volkswagen Golf is as iconic to the automotive world as Coca-Cola is to soft drinks. It’s a vehicle that needs no introduction, having been a staple of the compact car segment since 1974. With over 37 million units sold globally, including 2.3 million in the UK, it’s a name synonymous with reliability, performance, and practicality. However, like Coke’s infamous 1985 attempt to change its formula, the 2020 Mark 8 Volkswagen Golf introduced changes that left many loyal customers dissatisfied.

Volkswagen listened to the feedback and, with the Volkswagen Golf 8.5, they’re bringing the car back to its roots. This model is a return to the classic formula that has worked for decades, but with a touch of modern innovation. Let’s dive deep into what makes the Golf 8.5 stand out, exploring its design, tech improvements, driving performance, and practicality.

Exterior Design: Classic with a Modern Twist

At first glance, the Golf 8.5 looks very much like its predecessor, the Mark 8. This is typical of Volkswagen’s design philosophy; they prefer evolution over revolution. However, upon closer inspection, the subtle changes become more apparent. Here are some key upgrades:

• LED IQ Lights: Both the front and rear lights have been reshaped for a sleeker look. The 3D-effect LED IQ lights at the back, with customizable hello and goodbye patterns, add a modern, premium touch.
• Illuminated VW Badge: A standout feature, the illuminated VW badge on the grille. While you may not notice it much during the day, at night, it creates a visually striking effect, giving the car a high-end feel.
• Streamlined Facelift: Overall, the facelift gives the car a sharper, cleaner aesthetic without losing the familiar Golf silhouette that everyone loves.

Key Exterior Features:

Interior: Thoughtful Design with a Focus on Comfort

The Volkswagen Golf 8.5 might not be the flashiest when it comes to interior design, but it excels where it matters most: comfort, usability, and practicality. Volkswagen has clearly listened to customer feedback and made subtle yet impactful improvements to the cabin, which makes the Golf 8.5 an inviting place to be, especially for everyday drivers.

Key Interior Upgrades:

• Physical Controls Return: One of the biggest gripes with the Mark 8 Golf was the over-reliance on haptic touch controls for simple functions like climate control and volume. In the Golf 8.5, Volkswagen has brought back physical buttons for these functions, drastically improving ease of use.
• Backlit Temperature Sliders: The previous model’s temperature sliders weren’t backlit, making them difficult to see at night. This simple but essential fix makes a world of difference, especially for night driving.

Seating and Comfort:

• Supportive Front Seats: The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, making long drives comfortable. While not quite luxury-level, they are ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue.
• Adequate Rear Space: The rear seats offer enough legroom for most passengers, although taller individuals may find the space a bit tight for long journeys. However, it’s on par with what you’d expect from a hatchback in this class.
• Multiple USB Ports: Both front and rear passengers benefit from USB-C ports, ensuring that devices stay charged, a must for families and tech enthusiasts alike.

Infotainment System: Fixing Past Mistakes

The infotainment system was the Achilles’ heel of the Mark 8 Golf. Volkswagen tried to introduce cutting-edge tech with haptic touch panels and sliders, but it was met with widespread criticism for being unintuitive and difficult to use. This time, Volkswagen has taken the feedback seriously and made significant improvements.

• Physical Buttons Return: One of the most requested changes was the reintroduction of physical buttons for essential functions like volume control and temperature settings. The haptic feedback panels from the Mark 8 were awkward and unreliable, leading to frustration among drivers.
• Backlit Temperature Controls: In the Mark 8, the temperature sliders lacked backlighting, making them difficult to use at night. The Golf 8.5 corrects this oversight, improving nighttime usability.
• Redesigned Software and Hardware: The infotainment system has been completely overhauled with new hardware and software, offering a smoother, more responsive experience. The system now feels more intuitive, though some quirks remain, especially when it comes to accessing climate control settings, which are still buried in menus.
• Voice Recognition and ChatGPT: A standout feature is the improved voice recognition system, now integrated with ChatGPT. This allows for more natural voice commands, such as “Hey Volkswagen, change the screen to dark mode,” enhancing the overall driving experience.

Infotainment Highlights:

• Physical buttons for volume and temperature
• Backlit temperature sliders for nighttime use
• Improved voice recognition powered by ChatGPT

Driving Experience: Still Feels Like a Golf

The driving experience is where the Golf 8.5 truly shines. It feels familiar yet refined, with Volkswagen focusing on perfecting the formula rather than reinventing it.

• Balanced Steering: The Golf has always been praised for its balanced steering, and the 8.5 is no different. The steering is neither too light nor too heavy, providing a comfortable driving experience for both city streets and highways.
• Comfortable Ride: Whether you’re navigating city traffic or cruising on the motorway, the Golf 8.5 offers a smooth and comfortable ride. Adaptive suspension is available as an optional extra, allowing drivers to adjust the stiffness of the suspension based on road conditions or driving preferences.
• Predictable Handling: The handling is as predictable as ever, making it an excellent car for both daily commutes and weekend getaways. While it might not be the most exciting hatchback in the market, it’s incredibly dependable.

Engine and Performance: Efficiency Meets Practicality

Under the hood, the Volkswagen Golf 8.5 offers a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. This engine comes in two variants: 131 PS and 150 PS. The mild hybrid system uses a belt-driven generator that acts as a small electric motor to provide additional torque when needed. However, this system is more focused on efficiency rather than performance.

• 0-62 mph in 8.4 seconds: The car delivers respectable acceleration, but it’s not a sports car. The Golf 8.5 prioritizes smoothness and efficiency over speed.
• Active Cylinder Management: The Active Cylinder Management system automatically shuts off two cylinders when they’re not needed, contributing to the car’s impressive fuel efficiency.
• 50 mpg achievable: With careful driving, you can achieve up to 50 miles per gallon—a significant improvement over many competitors in the same class.
• Plug-in Hybrid Options: For those who want even greater fuel efficiency, the plug-in hybrid version of the Golf 8.5 offers a staggering 942 miles per gallon. However, this figure assumes that you’re frequently charging the battery and not letting it run flat, which may not be realistic for all drivers.

Performance Overview:

Practicality: Compact Yet Versatile

When it comes to practicality, the Golf 8.5 doesn’t quite measure up to larger family cars like the Nissan Qashqai, but it holds its own in the hatchback category. The boot offers 381 liters of space, which is a bit smaller than some competitors. However, the underfloor storage and adjustable boot floor help maximize the available space.

• Rear Seats: In the back, the space is adequate for most passengers. It’s not the roomiest hatchback, but it’s certainly comfortable enough for short to medium-length trips.
• Storage Solutions: Volkswagen has included clever storage solutions, such as wide door pockets and an additional iPad/phone holder in the rear doors. While it doesn’t match the storage versatility of a Skoda Octavia, the Golf does enough to meet most drivers’ needs.

Competitors: How Does the Golf Stack Up?

The Volkswagen Golf 8.5 faces stiff competition in the compact hatchback market. Here’s how it compares to some of its key rivals:

• Peugeot 308: Offers more personality and a unique interior design, but falls short on all-around practicality.
• Honda Civic: Known for its build quality and spaciousness, but it lacks the premium feel of the Golf.
• Ford Focus: Arguably more fun to drive, but doesn’t match the Golf’s refinement.
• Toyota Corolla: Renowned for reliability, but the driving experience isn’t as engaging.

Each of these competitors has its strengths, but when it comes to being a well-rounded, all-purpose vehicle, the Golf 8.5 still holds the crown.

Final Verdict: Is the Golf 8.5 Back to Being the Best?

Volkswagen has learned from its mistakes with the Golf Mark 8 and has taken a significant step in the right direction with the Golf 8.5. By focusing on the core aspects that made the Golf a household name—simplicity, practicality, and reliability—they’ve managed to win back many loyal customers who felt alienated by the previous version’s over-reliance on tech.

While it may not be the most exciting car in its segment, the Golf 8.5 is once again the benchmark for compact hatchbacks. Its blend of efficiency, comfort, and practicality makes it the go-to choice for those who want a dependable, well-rounded car. And with the return of physical buttons and improved infotainment, it feels more like the classic Golf we’ve come to know and love.