The reliance on touchscreen controls in place of conventional physical buttons, knobs, or dials was criticised as being frustrating and unintuitive to use. The vehicle can also be upgraded with new functions after purchasing it, such as adaptive cruise control, WiFi hotspot, online-based voice control, Light Assist, navigation and Wireless App-Connect. Instead of physical buttons, a touch-sensitive panel houses controls for various functions, including the headlights and air conditioning/ventilation. The interior receives a major overhaul, replacing the traditional analog instrument panel with an entirely digital 10.25' driver's display and either an 8.25' or 10' centre touchscreen for multimedia. The Mk8 features several technological advancements, including standard LED headlights on all models and optional matrix LEDs, an advanced head-up display, a shift by wire system on models with the dual-clutch gearbox, Alexa integration, and an NFC mobile key with compatible Samsung smartphones via eSIM. The Golf Estate (Variant) was revealed in September 2020, alongside a rugged 'Alltrack' version with slightly raised suspension, body cladding, and all-wheel-drive.

The three-door hatchback has been discontinued, leaving the five-door hatchback as the only model available at launch.

The dimensions are roughly the same as the Mk7, 29 mm longer, and 10 mm narrower with a similar wheelbase. A more prominent downward arch at the nose contributes to a reduced drag coefficient the Mk8's is C d=0.275 compared to the Mk7's C d=0.29, giving a drag area of 0.61 m 2. At the rear there are new L-shaped taillights similar to those of the T-Roc. The exterior of the Mk8 has evolutionary design changes, with a new two-dimensional Volkswagen logo and more angular styling. The Golf Mk8 uses the same revised MQB platform as the fourth-generation Audi A3 and SEAT León.

It was launched in Wolfsburg on 24 October 2019, and arrived in German showrooms in December 2019. The Volkswagen Golf (Mk8) (also known as the Golf VIII) is a compact car, the eighth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk7.

Volkwagen gl golf review