Volkswagen invited me out to North Carolina for a look at the new Golf GTI and Golf R, as well as the refreshed Jetta and the rest of the 2022 lineup, because they are working on support for wireless CarPlay.
Golf R in 2022.
This is an overview of what the new models will have in the infotainment department for the new model year, rather than an in-depth look at it.
Both Golf GTI and Golf R are used.
The new Golf was launched in a number of international markets a couple of years ago, but only the more performance-oriented Golf GTI and Golf R versions are available in the U.S.
Golf GTI in 2022.
The Golf GTI and Golf R both come with VW's latest MIB3 platform, but in a couple of different flavors.
The 8.25-inch screen in the GTI S trim is compatible with VW's Composition Color system that supports wired CarPlay, while the 10-inch screen in the SE or Autobahn trim is compatible with VW's Discover Pro system. That system has a completely different look, and includes voice control. The Discover Pro system is standard on Golf R, but only in a single high-end trim.
VW has been working to improve the Discover Pro system since it was first released, but it has been criticized for its sluggishness and bugs. I found it to work well in the Golf, and I didn't have a lot of issues with it. The system has a modern look with familiar home screen icons and a dashboard screen that is similar to Apple's CarPlay.
The volume and climate controls are located in a strip below the main screen and can be operated with a left or right finger. I thought it was a creative way to implement streamlined and discreet controls, but the more I've used them, the less I like them. They can be a bit difficult to use, and I would prefer to use a hardware knob or buttons. You have to be careful not to mess up your audio or A/C when using the strip because it is a natural place where you might want to brace your hand.
The system looks good, with a strip of the native interface along the left side that makes it easy to hop out of CarPlay with a home button icon, as well as access to climate and heated/ventilated seat settings.
The Golf GTI Autobahn trim and the Golf R add a head-up display for even more glanceable information, which is standard across all trims.
The GTI and R trims have a wireless phone charging standard. The center stack has a simple cubby under it that has a charging port for my phone.
Two of the four USB-C ports on the trims are charge-only, while the other two are up front and support both charging and data.
Both the Jetta and the GLI.
There is a combination of the MIB3 and older MIB2 systems, with lower-level S, Sport, and SE trims featuring the MIB2 Composition Color systems with a 6.5-inch display. The SEL and GLI Autobahn trims have upgraded MIB3 8-inch systems that support wireless CarPlay and are compatible with wireless phone charging. The SEL's Discover Media system includes navigation, but the GLI's Composition Media system does not.
The car of the future is the 2022, Jetta GLI.
The 8-inch screen in Composition Media makes it easy to switch between functions, including in and out of CarPlay, and there are several fixed buttons surrounding the display that make it easy to hop between functions. It's unfortunate that the lower trims still have only a 6.5-inch screen, because the 8-inch screen really feels like the bare minimum.
The performance of the MIB3 system is solid, but the interface lacks visual interest. It's a good thing that the dark themes are easy on the eyes, but it's not as modern looking as the Discover Pro systems on the ID.4 and Golf.
Apple Maps guidance can be displayed in the digital cockpit for some second-screen flexibility, as well as the ability to turn-by-turn with CarPlay.
My phone stayed in place and it had no trouble delivering a consistent charge, as the wireless charging pad is inside the base of the center stack. There are two data-and-charge ports next to the phone cubby and one in the center console compartment.
The city of Taos.
The SEL and SE trims of the VW have the MIB3 system, but the SEL's Discover Media includes onboard navigation to differentiate it from the SE's Composition Media unit. It is difficult to recommend the base S trim due to it's small size and lack of wireless CarPlay, but the older MIB2 Composition Color system is on the 6.5-inch screen.
The year 2022.
There's not much else to report because the Discover Media system on the SEL trim is the same as the one I tested in the VW at this event. The SEL trims have the same pair of data-and-chargeusb-C ports up front, as well as a well-designed wireless phone charging pad. The rear of the center console has a third charge-only port.
Wrap-up.
VW is pushing the MIB3 platform with wireless phone charging and CarPlay, which is a nice advancement. The lineups can be a bit confusing, with lower trims still featuring the older MIB2 system, while higher trims on the same vehicle get MIB3.
There's significant variation in the overall look of the vehicle, with the large-screen Discover Pro systems found in vehicles like the ID.4 and Golf bearing essentially no similarity in looks to the Discover Media and Composition Media systems found in other vehicles. The MIB3 interface in the car looks closer to the MIB2 systems than it does the MIB3 Discover Pro systems, with improved performance and some extra features.
There will always be a staggered roll out of updated systems like these, but I feel like there's more confusion than it needs to be right now, because it takes time for them to roll out updated systems like these.
Make sure you check the specifications for your desired trim if you're interested in wireless CarPlay. The lowest level S trims on the Golf and Taos do not include it. Some models will not be the same.
