The street legend returns! Introduced later in the year 2025, the Golf MK8.5 made shockwaves after launching in not just the usual GTI and R variants, but also in the more standard TSI variant. Now, though, the infamous GTI badge 8.5 has launched alongside the tamer TSI, and we have finally gotten behind the wheel briefly at a Volkswagen Driving Experience.
Headline figures see the GTI gain more kW power, which now takes the total power output to 195 kW and 370 Nm via the same smooth but quick-shifting 7-speed DSG gearbox. All power is sent to the front wheels via an electronic slip-diff, allowing for a more balanced steering while accelerating to properly apportion power to the wheels and steer clear of unnecessary understeer.
For more mechanical detail, the MK8.5 Golf GTI gains some updates to the chassis, like a front MacPherson strut setup that is accompanied by a four-link rear axle setup for sharper handling. In fact, the Germans did some wizardry in the steering by giving the vehicle a progressive variable-ratio steering system, which is quicker and should provide a sharper and more direct turn-in.
Now, as much as we weren't let out onto a racetrack to fully whip the car in a typical manner, the experience was more about traveling in a real road scenario to let the car shine in an area where it somewhat excels, which is in-ride comfort and the balance between switching from Sport mode to Comfort mode. Speaking of which, the car offers four driving modes: ECO, Comfort, Sport, and the configurable Individual setting.
Good news, the car comes with all the goodies fitted as standard. This means that the car is well-equipped with amenities like a sunroof, class-leading IQ Matrix LEDs, and a light bar for the front of the vehicle, full leather ( heated and ventilated ) seats in the interior, and some redesigned lights at the rear.
Volkswagen did mention that the first available units being offered in full spec were part of a new strategy to bring in cars sooner to avoid unnecessary wait times and delays in receiving them. That means you can only choose the car's color at purchase for now and will most likely have to wait for later options, which will allow for more selections, such as a different wheel design or, hopefully, those signature Tartan cloth seats that pay homage to the very first Golf.
Interior usability also goes up a notch because buttons make a return after the not-so-famous haptic feedback buttons got a sour reception from... well, anyone. That's not all, because the Golf GTI gains the MIB 12.9-inch display that comes standard with navigation and seamless connectivity, while the driver gets an updated version of VW's Driver Display that gains a bit more configurability, allowing one to change views, etc.
Some more interior gains consist of GTI badging here and there ( need that), a carbon fiber-like material that can be found on some parts of the dash and door paneling, a pulsating engine start/stop button, stainless steel paddles, and the now more prominent gear selector that isn't a gear knob, which works well, though.
The drive. I must say it was a dream come true for me to get a hold of the halo car that is the GTI. A South African staple in a neighborhood that needs little to no introduction, even though the drive was based on driving on the ever-so-busy roads of JHB, the car kept me eager and excited to see what it had in store for me.
The first part of the drive saw me take part as a passenger, which gave me the opportunity to admire the car from the perspective of being driven around. The cabin is quiet unless you step on it; then you are initiating an encore for the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder to take the center stage. However, even the engine is more or less quiet half the time, allowing you to actually think-or lack thereof- for a while.
The seats? Body-hugging, but just enough and not too much ; they were comfortable for the long-ish drive from Volkswagen Headquarters to Muldersdrift, where we were scheduled for lunch and cool-down time. My more experienced driving partner decided to explore a more eccentric driving pattern when we got to familiar routes that consisted of bends, straights, and sharp turns. It was then that the GTI showed us exactly what it has up its sleeve, and that is the ability to have fun at literally a push of a button.
Switch the driving mode to sport, and the car gets serious. The noise levels rise and are accompanied by that VRRPHAA element we all know, want, and love, although more on the downshifts than upshifts. Still, it was quite the experience. My turn came when it was time to drive back to the office and to the airport to cover time, which means we had to be quick and evade JHB traffic. It was a drive that left many smiles, as the car showcased its stunning ability to balance both comfort and performance, making overtaking (safely) and fighting to stay within the speed limit so much fun.
All things aside, the GTI seems not to fail as the benchmark of all things hot hatch for many reasons. It looks good, it sounds good, and still drives quite well. So what's left to say, really, is that I cannot wait to have this car on test and live with it on a daily basis.
The car has a purchase price of R908,000, which is interesting since it hasn't yet reached the million rand mark. My math is not good at all, but the Golf R, which is on the cards for Mzansi, is more likely going to skip ahead and be priced at a million rand, leaving some space between the two cars. Could Volkswagen introduce the GTI 50th Edition to the lineup? We hope so. According to them (VWSA), the car isn't available due to a combination of struggling to find units because of high demand, along with the fact that our fuel quality isn't at the highest suitable level. So, we hope that it gets better. For sure.