Warming up the engine
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The Golf name dates all the way back to 1974, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. It’s among the best-known hatchbacks in the world, and also one of the best full stop - for many years now the answer to the question, ‘which family hatchback should I buy?’ has been ‘buy a Volkswagen Golf’.
The eighth-generation Golf arrived in 2020 and while it introduced a few ergonomic foibles that made some people question whether the Golf’s crown had slipped, it’s just as much an all-rounder as its predecessors, and a bit of a no-brainer if you’re shopping for a family hatch. The car’s ubiquity and wide range of models means there’s plenty of choice on the used market too, so out there somewhere there’s probably a Golf for you.
Some will argue that part of the Golf’s shine has worn off with the latest model, introduced in 2020. That’s mainly down to its more touchscreen-heavy interior layout, which isn’t as logical to operate on first acquaintance as some of its predecessors were, and even when you’re familiar it still has some ergonomic frustrations.
Don’t let those reservations make you think the Golf is a bad car though, because it’s still among the best family hatchbacks on the road. In many ways it’s very similar to its Mk7 predecessor sold from 2012 to 2020, and that car was very hard to fault - both generations look modern, feel well-built, and have practical cabins that slot easily into family life.
You aren’t short of options with the Golf either. The latest model brought back the previous car’s wide range of petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid, and the extensive range of performance models - you can get a sporty Golf with petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid power, and as the range-topping Golf R with well over 300 horsepower and all-wheel drive. Once you do get used to the screens and touch-sensitive buttons too, the interior layout is still great, the driving position excellent, and the car generally a pleasure to drive and live with.
Competition comes from all sides for the Golf, whether you’re considering mainstream rivals like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, Honda Civic and Renault Megane, or more premium options like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. That the Golf bears comparison with any of them shows how adept it is as an all-rounder.
So broad is the Golf range that there’s no real right answer to this. The sporty versions, the GTI, GTE, GTD, and Golf R, all have their own pros and cons but are all ultimately still Golfs at the end of the day, so just as practical and nearly as easy to live with as even the most basic car. There’s a lot to be said for the most basic Golf too, which still drives well, doesn’t use much fuel, and has decent equipment levels. The best options for most people though will be somewhere in the middle of the range - the 1.5 TSI petrol, or if you do a lot of miles, one of the diesels, and Style or R-Line trim.
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There’s been a broad range of trim lines on the Golf over the years, and a hefty proportion of the current range is made up of the sportiest models - each of which is differentiated by different colours and details, as well as simply its equipment. VW offers several options on all models too, so keep an eye out for extra kit on used examples.
The Volkswagen Golf’s exterior dimensions are:
The Volkswagen Golf’s boot size is:
Keep an eye out for the tax on GTE, GTI, and Golf R models, as the first two of these are close enough to the government’s £40,000 threshold for attracting a VED surcharge, and the R is comfortably over it. This means they’ll cost £600 a year to tax at current rates (£590 for the GTE, thanks to being an ‘alternative fuel vehicle’), until the car’s seventh year on the road. It may not affect all GTEs and GTIs, but those it does will cost a pretty penny, since the regular tax rate for petrol and diesel Golfs is £190, and £180 for the plug-in hybrids.
Insuring your Golf starts with the 1.0 TSI Life in group 14. Opt for the 1.5 TSI 150 and insurance starts from group 19, while diesels begin a little lower, in group 17. The GTD and GTE find themselves in group 27, the GTI in group 28, and the Golf R from group 31. These insurance groups are par for the class - most other family hatchbacks will cost similar money to insure, like for like.
£26,806
£28,999
£17,591
£16,995
£17,560
£16,999
£17,895
£28,450
£18,320
£25,599
£31,990
£21,990
£20,991
£27,888
£27,899
£19,489
What is the most popular colour for Volkswagen Golf ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Volkswagen Golf ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Volkswagen Golf ?
What is the most popular engine for Volkswagen Golf ?
What is the average mileage for Volkswagen Golf ?
22848
How many Volkswagen Golf cars are available for sale?
1457
