Fully-loaded Volkswagen Golf 8.5 TSI nearly the price of a GTI - is it worth it?

South Africans can finally buy an ‘ordinary’ Volkswagen Golf once again, following the release last week of the 1.4-litre TSI models.

When VWSA introduced the Golf 8 back in 2021, the local division opted to only introduce the ‘performance’ models, starting with the GTI and then the R.

But with the facelifted Golf 8.5 GTI being delayed due to South Africa’s poor fuel quality, VWSA has opted to reintroduce the Golf 1.4 TSI models in order to keep the nameplate from falling away completely in Mzansi.

Priced from R580,900 to R688,100, before options, many social media users are questioning whether it really has a significant enough price advantage over the current Golf 8 GTI.

The GTI performance model is still listed for sale on VWSA’s website, with a starting price of R853,400.

We configured a fully loaded Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI R-Line Plus on the local configurator and it came to R801,400, once all the tasty options had been added.

These extras include a panoramic sunroof (R19,000), IQ.Drive driver assistance features package (R27,500), ‘Discover’ infotainment and navigation system (R25,500), Harman Kardon sound system (R14,500), panoramic sunroof (R19,000), Head-up Display (R12,000) and electrically folding towbar (R14,000).

That’s over and above the already-generous list of features fitted as standard to the R688,100 Golf R-Line Plus, which includes Matrix LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels and Vienna leather seats, with heating, cooling and electrical adjustment upfront.

The fully loaded 1.4 TSI is barely R50,000 cheaper than the base GTI, albeit with a lot more features. The standard GTI has a similar list of features to the standard R-Line Plus, including the Vienna leather seats, but it doesn’t come with the Matrix LED headlights, or even park assist for that matter.

Load up the Golf 8 GTI with every conceivable optional feature and you are looking at a bill of R976,800. Ouch!

But which is better then - a loaded up Golf 8.5 GTI or a standard Golf 8 GTI?

It really depends on what you’re looking for in a car. If having the latest design and decadent specification levels is at the top of your priority list, and you’re happy with average but acceptable performance, there is a good argument for buying a fully-specced 1.4 TSI.

It is technically a newer car than the GTI as it benefits from the Golf ‘8.5’ facelift, which brought numerous exterior and interior design changes as well as an enhanced infotainment system and new features.

The GTI is an older model, and might not be on sale for much longer in its current guise, but if you are the kind of person who enjoys driving then there is really no question to be asked here.

The GTI is powered by a 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine that produces 180kW and 370Nm, while the TSI makes do with the familiar 1.4 turbopetrol that produces 110kW and 250Nm.

The GTI sprints from 0-100km/h in an impressive 6.4 seconds, according to claims, while the 1.4 TSI does the deed in a still-respectable 8.5 seconds.

But it’s not just about straight line speed.

To allow the kind of sharp handling that performance hatch buyers expect, the GTI also has a meticulously engineered sports chassis package.

This includes Adaptive Chassis Control, with adjustable shocks, as well as an electronic limited-slip differential and Progressive steering.

If you are a petrol-head of any kind, then the Golf GTI is undoubtedly worth the extra R50,000 over the fully-loaded TSI. But given that it is a relatively dated model, it might be worth looking for a good example on the second hand market.

Or you could wait for the new Golf 8.5 GTI, which now has 195kW, but this facelifted model has yet to be officially confirmed for South Africa, due to the aforementioned fuel issues.

IOL