Volkswagen Golf Review (2024)

Introduction

Half a century. That is how long Volkswagen has been making the Golf.

In 50 years, VW has refined, refined and refined – and the kingpin of family hatchbacks has gone from strength to strength.

That is despite the recent surge in SUV popularity, which the Golf has so far sustained, even though year-on-year figures show a related slump in sales.

Now on its eighth generation, the German manufacturer has revealed its latest mid-life facelift, aiming to cement its place at the top of the charts.

Volkswagen plans on an all-electric version, which is likely a few years off. So, this revised Golf hatchback - joined by a facelifted Golf estate version - should be enough to mitigate any hunger pangs for now.

Although the car’s celebrated status is partly due to the historic success of the legendary hot hatch, the GTI, and, in more recent years, the even hotter Golf R, the standard car has earned a formidable reputation in its own right.

In fact, the Golf - helped by its five-decade longevity - is one of the world’s top three best-selling cars of all time (whether it's second or third depends on whether you include the Ford F-Series, in case you were wondering).

So, this new one has big shoes to fill – let’s see how it gets on.

At a Glance

The newish Golf looks similar to the pre-facelifted version.

In both hatchback and estate, the headlights are new and thinned out towards the centre of the grille, while the bottom of the lower grille tapers slightly at the sides. That is about it, although there are new designs of alloy wheels to choose from.

The Golf had already undergone subtle yet significant changes from the previous seventh generation, making it more aggressive while tidying up the design.

Now, a less intrusive upper grille, sportier lower grille, and more pronounced creases at the bonnet's edges, enhance the look. At the sides, the crease running along the top and bottom of the doors is also more prominent, adding definition.

The boot opening is bigger, too, compared with the seventh generation, which includes a long strip of chrome to mimic rear tailpipes.

You would be hard-pressed to notice much difference from the pre-facelifted version, though that's common. However, the changes are there if you look closely enough.

It is undoubtedly more imposing than the previous generation.

Key Features

Technically, the Golf GTE (the sporty plug-in hybrid) and the GTI (the classic hot hatchback) are considered part of the same lineup nowadays.

However, for this review, we'll be excluding them.

For the hatchback, the entry-level Life trim offers 16-inch alloys, a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, satellite navigation, and voice control, plus a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument display.

You also get keyless entry, automatic LED headlights and taillights, maze cloth comfort seats, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, and a wireless phone charger.

Match trim upgrades to 17-inch alloys, adding rear tinted glass, keyless locking, automatic high beam and a rear-view camera.

Style trim adds body-coloured bumpers, chrome-trimmed window bottoms, cornering lights, LED Plus headlights, microfleece seat inserts, leatherette door inserts and arm supports, sports seats, interior ambient lighting, and three-zone climate control.

R-Line boasts aggressive front bumpers, Sardegna cloth front seats and Art Velour inner bolster sides, front and rear carpet mats, brushed stainless steel pedals, carbon grey decorative inserts, premium sports seats, sports suspension and dynamic steering.

Top-of-the-range Black Edition adds 18-inch alloys, an all-black colour scheme, matrix LED headlights and dynamic indicators.

The estate range is simpler, featuring just Life, Style, and R-Line trims, whose specs are nearly identical to those of the hatchback.

In terms of power, there are several four-cylinder engines, including a new 1.5-litre petrol producing 115PS. Those sniffing out more performance can opt for a 150PS version, both with a six-speed manual gearbox, both called TSI.

Both are also offered with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, which adds mild-hybrid (MHEV) assistance called eTSI.

A 2.0-litre TDI diesel also outputs 115PS or 150PS, although depending on the trim, you get a manual or automatic transmission.

Finally, there's a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre petrol and an electric motor, with a combined total of 204PS. Its battery capacity has been upgraded to 19.7kWh, increasing all-electric range up to 88 miles.

Not all the above are available on every trim - on the hatchback, only the 115PS petrol is offered at entry-level, while the top-spec Black Edition is only supplied with the 150PS petrol non-hybrid mill.

The diesels are available only with Match and R-Line trims, while the plug-in hybrid is exclusive to Style trim.

The estate offers more flexibility regarding engine selection at entry-level, although the plug-in hybrid isn't offered.

Performance & Drive

We are driving a handful of Golfs here, including the 115PS petrol and diesel hatchbacks in Match trim and with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Zero to 62mph takes 9.9 seconds in the petrol and 10.2 seconds in the diesel. However, the seven-speed DSG automatic reduces these times to 8.4 seconds and 8.0 seconds, respectively. Nevertheless, the manual is equally refined, with smooth, trouble-free cog changes.

Both petrol and diesel units feel reasonably responsive. But, the latter has more low-end shove thanks to its superior torque off the line, even if the petrol offers better acceleration overall.

That said, both feel slightly restrained as if it's not enough for the Golf's needs. Those who spend time on dual-carriageways and motorways may prefer the additional flexibility that the 150PS petrol and diesels provide.

The 150PS petrol also includes cylinder deactivation, running the car on only two cylinders when the other two aren’t required, helping with fuel savings.

Still, the lower-powered petrol and diesel Golfs suffice as around-town runabouts, or for driving in stop-start rush-hour traffic.

The plug-in hybrid, too, offers plenty of performance and, of course, far superior fuel economy. However, it's arguably overkill and ups the price - although it’s a great choice if you’re after a company car.

Regarding handling, the 150PS engine feels marginally better thanks to its multi-link axle rear suspension. However, the lower-powered variants we're driving feel almost as adept at cornering, thanks to numerous adjustments made by Volkswagen.

The steering has been modified, too, weighting up nicely at speed and feeling very accurate, letting you place the car with precision, while the body roll is well controlled.

Considering these are standard Golfs that lack the performance focus of the GTI and R models, they're very impressive to drive. As a result, it’s possible to put a smile on your face without parting with more hard-earned cash on a more expensive version.

Our Match trim test cars come with 17-inch wheels, which offer a reasonably comfortable ride, though given the Golf’s suspension is set up slightly more firmly to aid handling, there is something of a compromise. Nevertheless, it’s adept at soaking up potholes and creases in the road surface.

You get 18-inch alloys in the Black Edition, but those with 17 inches don’t look out of place, and the larger rims sacrifice more ride comfort than necessary.

The estate is a similar story - the handling isn't quite as good as the hatchback's, although the R-Line trim we tested has stiffer sports suspension, offering increased agility.

For an estate car, it's impressively responsive in the corners, even on the models without the sports suspension. However, the steering doesn't offer the same weightiness as the hatchback at speed, and potholes in the road are slightly more noticeable.

You might want to consider the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). This system features adaptive dampers which enable you to switch between handling and comfort by stiffening or softening the suspension on demand.

We rarely recommend optional extras, but in this case, it makes a noticeable difference to the ride comfort and handling, offering you more control of how the car is set up.

Running Costs & Emissions

With plenty of combinations, there are lots of figures to get through.

The 1.5-litre TSI 115PS engine we tested returns 50.9-52.3mpg depending on the trim, emitting 123-126g/km of CO2.

With mild-hybrid assistance and the DSG automatic gearbox, it'll manage 53.4mpg and emit 120g/km of CO2.

Choosing the higher-powered 150PS petrol returns 50.5-50.9mpg and 126-127g/km of CO2 with the manual, while the mild-hybrid DSG automatic improves to 52.6-53.0mpg and 121-122g/km of CO2.

For the diesels, the 115PS variant is only available in Match trim with a six-speed manual transmission. It returns 63.5mpg and 117g/km of CO2.

The 150PS version can only be had with R-Line trim with the DSG automatic, returning 60.5mpg and 123g/km of CO2.

These are all dwarfed by the Style-trimmed plug-in hybrid, which, despite producing 204PS, returns an astonishing 992.4mpg and emits just 6g/km of CO2, although admittedly, you'll likely not get near these figures in practice.

Nevertheless, the latter as a company car is a no-brainer thanks to the significant Benefit In Kind tax savings that eco-friendly vehicles generate.

Volkswagen could have a better reputation regarding reliability nowadays, with the formerly dependable German brands dropping down the league tables in recent years.

Interior & Technology

The Golf’s interior is essentially unchanged, but the previous one was nice, offering a wholly decluttered and minimalist appearance.

The lack of buttons, dials, and switches is very noticeable at first glance, a sure indicator that most of the car’s systems have been buried within the infotainment screen.

But while that’s fine if the infotainment system is impressive, Volkswagen used to have one of the most frustrating systems on the market. That fly in the ointment has flown away now, though - as we're happy to say, it's finally had a makeover.

There is a two-tiered dashboard. On top of the lower tier is the infotainment screen, which looks good in tablet form and is slightly positioned towards the driver, thanks to the curve of the dash.

This larger screen was available as an option before but is now standard on all models.

It is crisper and more responsive, with more straightforward menu selections and easier-to-use physical buttons on the steering wheel, which VW has reintroduced after facing criticism.

The touch-sensitive slider, used to adjust the volume and air conditioning settings, remains - but it's improved over the outgoing model, making it easier to use. Those who drive regularly in the dark will be relieved that the slider, whose infuriating and perplexing lack of illumination made it challenging to find, now lights up.

Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit Pro - the instrument display - is also attractive. It offers a crisply clear screen with customisable information layouts, including displaying the map when the SatNav is in use.

The top of the lower dashboard tier appears in silver in the bottom two trims, although it’s notable that the top three trims only get a black colour, which doesn’t look as nice.

Despite this, our pick of the interiors is Style trim with its mistral grey upholstery, which brightens things up nicely.

Overall, the Golf’s interior may look the same, but with a decluttered cabin design like this, improving the infotainment system is the difference between your experience being one of exasperation or calm relaxation.

While the lack of physical buttons can still frustrate, Volkswagen has at least finally listened to all the negative feedback and taken action.

Boot Space & Practicality

Finding a comfortable driving position is easy in the Golf.

There is plenty of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel, and legroom and headroom are generous in the front, although there's no electric adjustment offered.

There is enough width to keep front seat occupants well apart.

In the rear, it's a similar story. Despite the slight slope in the roofline, there should be enough headroom for the tallest of backseat occupants.

Legroom is decent, too, although very tall passengers may wish they could move their feet a little further away, especially if you’ve got a tall occupant in the seat in front.

Three adults in the back is doable. But, unsurprisingly, it won't be that comfortable on longer journeys, especially with a hump in the floor.

Boot capacity measures 381 litres (611 litres in the estate), expanding to 1,237 litres (1,642 litres in the estate) with the rear seats down – and, helpfully, they almost fold flat. Despite this, they only fold in a 60:40 split, not the more versatile 40:20:40 split of some cars - but that’s typical for this class.

However, cargo capacity figures drop to 273 litres and 1,129 litres in the plug-in hybrid version because the battery pack is accommodated underneath the boot floor. That means underfloor storage isn’t available in the PHEV. Still, it’s included on all other models with height adjustment. Therefore, you can almost entirely remove the loading lip, making transporting heavy or bulky items easier.

And yes, you can fit a set of golf clubs in your Golf – it would be ironic if you couldn’t.

There is a good amount of storage space inside the cabin for your belongings, with reasonably sized door pockets, a wireless charging tray for your phone, and a fairly large glove compartment, in addition to a cubby underneath the centre console.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested the Golf in 2022, where it achieved a five-star rating. As the new model just received a facelift, this rating will suffice.

It scored 88% for adult occupants, 87% for children and 82% for safety assists.

The VW's safety kit includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, advanced driver attention and a drowsiness monitor, dynamic road sign display and a lane keeping system with lane assist. The Golf also houses a front-facing camera for distance control, oncoming vehicle braking including swerve support, front and rear parking sensors, extended pedestrian protection measures, and a tyre pressure loss indicator.

Match trim and above get a rear-view camera, while Style trim and above get semi-automated driving assistance with travel assist and lane keeping system.

All Golfs will also be fitted with a device called Car2x, which can detect incidents a mile ahead, as reported by other road users. Automatic parking will soon be offered as an optional extra.

Options

There is a long list of extras available on the Volkswagen Golf.

Dynamic steering, keyless entry/go, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control and a winter pack, which includes heated front seats and steering wheel, are offered.

Sports suspension, heavy-duty suspension, a head-up display, a rear-view camera, and additional driver assistance systems, along with LED matrix headlights, performance headlights, and automatic high beams, can also be added.

An upgraded SatNav voice control system and a Haram Kardon premium sound system are available, too.

Ambient lighting, art velour upholstery, and many accessories, from floor mats to bike carriers and mudflaps to GPS trackers, can be added as well.

Some of these features are standard in higher-spec cars, though.

Rival Cars

The Ford Focus offers the best competition for the Golf regarding driving performance, while the Mazda 3 provides more luxury.

The Kia Ceed, Vauxhall Astra, Seat Leon, Peugeot 308 and Toyota Corolla are also well worth considering.

There are estate versions of all the above, except for the Mazda, too.

There is also the all-electricMG5 EV.

Verdict & Next Steps

Overall, the Volkswagen Golf continues to be the pinnacle of family hatchbacks, and this latest version only reinforces that.

The Golf is practical, enjoys well-refined engines, decent performance, reasonable fuel economy and handles very well, while retaining good ride comfort.

We recommend the Match trim we drove. It is barely more expensive to lease than the entry-level Life but offers a broader choice of engines and a couple of useful extras.

On balance, we prefer the 150PS engines over the 115PS variants, although there’s nothing wrong with the latter. And choosing between petrol and diesel is more about your own needs and preferences than which one is better, as they’re all decent.

The R-Line trim we tested is lovely for the estate version, but it's more expensive than the Life base model, which offers many more engines compared with the entry-level hatchback.

The VW Golf has always been the epitome of a quality family hatchback, and that's more the case now than ever before.

Where to next?

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**Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top leading independent car website reviews of the VW Golf hatchback.

**Correct as of 23/09/2024. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles annually, over a 24 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments, or £2,051.91 (Plus admin fee) Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.