Volkswagen Golf: Mk8 vs Mk8.5
Verdict
The Mk8 is the cheaper Golf at RM170,560 versus RM185,990, so the Mk8.5 asks RM15,430 more. Mechanically they are close: 148 hp and 250 Nm drive the front wheels, and the older car is fractionally quicker to 100 km/h, 8.5 seconds against 8.6. The newer car’s case is safety and packaging: seven airbags and AEB versus six airbags and no AEB shown, plus a 2,631 mm wheelbase against 2,619 mm. Boot and tank stay 380 litres and 50 litres, so daily usability barely shifts.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 if you want the lower outlay, the stated 5.8 L/100 km economy figure and virtually the same performance.
Pick the Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 if you want the newer car’s safety kit, with seven airbags and auto emergency braking.
Key differences
- Price: Mk8 RM170,560; Mk8.5 RM185,990
- Engine: Mk8 1,395 cc petrol; Mk8.5 1,498 cc petrol hybrid/REV
- Transmission: Mk8 conventional automatic; Mk8.5 dry dual-clutch automatic
- 0–100 km/h: Mk8 8.5 seconds; Mk8.5 8.6 seconds
- Safety: Mk8 6 airbags and no AEB shown; Mk8.5 7 airbags and AEB
- Wheelbase: Mk8 2,619 mm; Mk8.5 2,631 mm
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 170,560✓ | RM 185,990 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Engine | 1,395 cc | 1,498 cc |
| Power | 148 hp | 148 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 250 Nm |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 8.5 s✓ | 8.6 s |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.8 L/100km | — |
| CO₂ | 132 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,284 mm | 4,289 mm |
| Width | 1,789 mm | 1,789 mm |
| Height | 1,491 mm | 1,483 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,619 mm | 2,631 mm |
| Boot space | 380 L | 380 L |
| Fuel tank | 50 L | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 7✓ |
| Auto emergency braking | — | Yes |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5 | 5 |
| Road tax / year | RM 70✓ | RM 90 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Mk8
- Lower purchase price
- Slightly quicker 0–100 km/h time
- Stated 5.8 L/100 km fuel economy
- Only 6 airbags
- No auto emergency braking shown
- Shorter 2,619 mm wheelbase
Mk8.5
- 7 airbags
- Auto emergency braking fitted
- Longer 2,631 mm wheelbase
- RM15,430 dearer
- 0–100 km/h is 0.1 seconds slower
- Higher RM90 annual road tax
Mk8 vs Mk8.5 FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 or Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 better?
The Mk8.5 is better on safety, with 7 airbags and AEB. The Mk8 is better on price and is fractionally quicker. If safety kit matters most, take the Mk8.5; if cost matters most, the Mk8 makes more sense.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 costs RM15,430 more than the Volkswagen Golf Mk8. Road tax is also higher, at RM90 a year versus RM70.
Do they have the same performance and boot space?
They are very close. Both make 148 hp and 250 Nm with front-wheel drive, while the Mk8 does 0–100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and the Mk8.5 takes 8.6 seconds. Boot space is identical at 380 litres.