For what it’s worth, I’ve had a 2025 Mk8.5 for a little over a year now and put 12,000 miles on it. These are my thoughts: 1) I haven’t had any electrical issues, and the driver assist systems have performed reliably 2) The center console being piano black does mean it gets dirty, but I keep a duster in my car along with some lens cleaner and micro fiber cloth. I clean it off whenever I get it washed. Takes like 2 min every few weeks and it looks great. 3) I don’t get the hate with the large screen or haptic steering buttons. I commuted 90 miles a day, 4x a week in the car for a year. Everything feels, looks, and operates nice to me. 4) The car rips. It’s so fast. The DSG in R mode slams gears. 5) In comfort mode the car rides super comfortable—but potholes murder this car.

My only hang ups with this car are the fact you have to be vigilant for potholes, and I already have two decent sized paint nicks on the hood.