Golf 7.5 Vs The Golf 8: What Are Top 7 Differences? - Buying A Car

Probably the world’s most beloved premium hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf, sets off a new era of the Golf in its eighth generation. If you want to learn how the Golf 8 differs from the previous Golf, here are the seven most significant changes. But before we jump into the list, remember that you can sell your current car quickly and easily on our Instant Offer tool here, before you search for new or used Golf models on AutoTrader here.

Related: Everything you need to know about the Volkswagen Golf

1. Matrix headlights

Golf 7 and 7.5 are equipped with halogen headlamps for both low and high beams, with LED daytime running lights. LED headlights are optional. The new Golf is available with redesigned Matrix LED lights as an optional extra, but regular LED headlights are standard.

2. High-end audio

The latest iteration of the Volkswagen Golf sees it available with an optional Harmon Kardon sound system. This system includes a 12-channel amplifier with 480W output as well as eight speakers, one centre speaker and a subwoofer. It's only the second VW product to be offered with this in-car entertainment arrangement.

3. Two derivatives

The shift to SUVs and crossovers has seen VWSA thin out the Golf range to only include the GTI and the Golf R. Where the previous generation was offered with smaller engines and Comfortline and Highline trims, only the high-performance models will be made available. Looking for something a little less racy? Try the Volkswagen T-Roc on for size.

4. New cockpit

The new Golf trumps its predecessor with the all-new Innovation Cockpit. Consisting of a digital instrument panel and dashboard, the new cockpit definitely feels like a leap forward from the analogue instrument cluster and infotainment dashboard found in the Golf 7.

To add a cherry on top, the new Golf also features a heads-up display: a directly projected virtual image on the windscreen, presenting the driver with a myriad of optional information to display within his direct field of vision. Even the traditional headlight/fog-lights control is replaced with a small digital panel.

5. Travel assist

The Golf 7/7.5 offers the driver safety features such as rear traffic alert and optional adaptive cruise control but, the Golf 8 steps up the safety features with its new Travel Assist. This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, trailer assist, and even an emergency system that will bring the car to a safe stop if the driver suddenly falls ill or becomes otherwise incapacitated.

These features are semi-autonomous, which means that the driver must keep at least one hand on the steering wheel (which has built-in sensors) for these safety features to work. Travel Assist is an optional extra on the Golf 8 GTI.

6. New DSG gear lever

With no manual option in the new Golf 8, the current DSG gear lever is replaced by the new shift-by-wire DSG. Although it might seem like a big leap from the ‘golf-ball’ lever of old, it frees up an ample amount of storage space. It does so by eliminating the need for a mechanical linkage between the transmission and gear lever. The Golf has always been all about practicality!

7. More power

The latest Golf GTI is more powerful than before, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 11 kW more than its predecessor for a total of 180 kW. Torque comes in at 370 Nm, and it still sends that power to the front wheels, with drivers having the option of selecting their preferred driving mode via the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) system. The Golf R sees an even more significant jump in power, delivering 235 kW and 400 Nm of torque to all four wheels.