Facelifted Volkswagen Golf 8.5 Arrives, But Does the Price Tag Fit?
The latest Volkswagen Golf 8.5 has arrived in South Africa, marking the 50th anniversary of the Golf in Europe. However, the cost of this “garden variety” Golf may surprise potential buyers, especially in a market favoring SUVs.
Return of a Classic
In 2024, Volkswagen celebrated the Golf’s golden anniversary, and South Africa welcomed the return of the “normal” Golf derivative after the Mk 7.5 production ceased in 2019. The Mk 8.5 facelift model comes with its own considerations, particularly the price point compared to its sportier GTI and R siblings.
The Golf 8.5, which features the 1.4 TSI engine, bypasses the particle filter issues that affect the GTI and R models. This compatibility makes it suitable for regions with lower fuel quality. The focus of this version centers on design upgrades rather than performance.
Design and Interior Enhancements
The Mk 8.5 showcases external design changes, including new headlight clusters with standard LEDs, a revised front bumper and grille, a redesigned bonnet, and the addition of an illuminated logo bar. The rear also sees updates with new LED light clusters, which are reminiscent of the Mk 7.5. These changes provide a cleaner aesthetic, avoiding the criticism the Mk 8 initially received.
Inside, the Golf 8.5 boasts notable improvements, most notably the replacement of the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls with more intuitive physical buttons. The updated 12.9-inch infotainment system, using Volkswagen’s MIB4 software, is also significantly enhanced. All models include a 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster.
On the Road
The Golf’s primary appeal comes from its refinement and the performance of its 1.4 TSI engine. Generating 110kW/250Nm, the engine delivers strong performance for its weight, and the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, activated by a toggle switch, works well, avoiding low-speed issues. While some hesitation exists when downshifting, the overall driving experience is smooth.
The suspension setup effectively balances comfort and control. The steering provides good feedback, making the Golf engaging to drive. The test unit showed an indicated fuel consumption of 7.2 L/100 km. This is somewhat higher than Volkswagen’s claimed 6.3 L/100 km, but still remains fuel-efficient.
Price and Value Proposition
The most notable drawback is the Golf 8.5’s cost. With a sticker price of R604,500, the Life+ test model, when fully equipped, costs R737,200. As a comparison, this price is only R49,100 less than the top-spec R-Line+ without options. Despite these numbers, the Golf 8.5 offers a superior driving experience compared to similar models, with high comfort and refinement levels. Data from the South African Car Market shows that the average price for a new Golf is R650,000 (Source 2024).
Ultimately, the return of the Golf 8.5 caters to loyal enthusiasts who appreciate a more understated style and may not need the high-performance characteristics of the GTI or R models, or the increased bulk of an SUV. Whether this niche appeal will be enough remains a question.
