Volkswagen Golf Hatchback

2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG [2024]

Pre-reg vehicle

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.