Summary
The Volkswagen Golf is a medium-sized family hatchback, available in three- and five-door hatchback body styles, and as an estate. Over more than 40 years, the Golf has been one of the biggest-selling names in automotive history.
This model is the seventh generation, or Mk 7, and was launched in late
The Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 was also available as a taller Golf SV MPV version and performance models called the Golf GTI and Golf R. These models are not included on this page.
The Golf received consistently good scores from UK media sources compared to rival cars, and has been widely praised for its refinement and
No longer on sale, the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf has a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 70%. It scored top marks in media review scores from journalists, while running costs and CO2 emissions are also low (helped by the plug-in hybrid version). However, it’s safety score is poor because its Euro NCAP rating has long expired due to age.
- Volkswagen Golf (2020 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
Golf Mk 7 highlights
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Good fuel economy
- Fun performance
- Wide range of different models
Golf Mk 7 lowlights
- Hatchback version lacks boot space
- Confusing infotainment system
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £18,765 on-road
Launched: Winter 2012/13
Last update: Winter 2016/17
Replaced: 2020
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf continues to be an impressive all-rounder that justifies its price premium over family hatchback rivals.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre TDI 150 diesel manual R-Line
Score: 8 / 10
“You may be hesitant to choose a diesel VW but this Golf is well worth the £25,720 price. In fact ditching the R-Line in favour of the £24,725 GT version is wiser still, as all you lose are a couple of R-Line badges and other aesthetic trinkets.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre TSI Evo 150 petrol automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“This new 1.5-litre petrol is a pretty good antidote to some of VW’s recent engineering ills. No, it probably won’t ultimately prove as economical as a TDI, and yes, some rivals will involve the driver more than this latest Golf.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)
Score: 8.6 / 10
“An automotive institution, the Volkswagen Golf should be on the shortlist of anyone considering a compact family hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: (estate range review)
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Estate is a very practical version of the popular hatchback. It’s not the cheapest model in its class, but it’s one of the best.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf defines the family hatchback class, for good reason.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Golf is a hugely capable and high quality car that goes about it’s business in a fuss-free fashion. It may not break any boundaries but it does everything you want it to and it does it very well. As an all-rounder it can’t be bettered. In fact, it’s pretty much perfect.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“Excellence abounds, although a replacement is due soon”
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Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 8.6 / 10
“Estate version of the best hatch isn’t the roomiest but it’s highly desirable”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: (range review)
“Pound for pound, it’s one of the best cars on the market, and now it pays attention to the tech-hungry generation, it will find its way onto even more driveways.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: GTE Advance
Score: 8 / 10
“It even has a satisfying turn of speed, thanks to a kick from the electric motor.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Estate range
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Estate will cost you a bit more than some rivals. But it’s worth the extra because it’s more comfortable and its boot is both cavernous and clever. It’s an excellent family estate.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 8 / 10
“Volkswagen’s devilishly desirable hatchback just got better, keeping its class lead in terms of build, driving appeal and sheer solidity. The diesels are economical but expensive, while the GTI is even more a lithe road warrior than before, but for everyday driving the new 1.5 TSI (with a DSG gearbox) is hard to beat.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: (estate range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s taken Volkswagen a surprising amount of time to get here, but finally we have a Golf Estate that’s up with the best.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“As an all-rounder, the Golf simply cannot be beaten.”
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2012
Date expired: January 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 65%
Safety assist: 71%
Note on safety rating
The Volkswagen Golf was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012 and was awarded a five-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2019 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Volkswagen Golf to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 1.6 TDI 4×2 Manual
Overall score: 0 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.7 / 10
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 1208
Average repair cost: £570.22
Last updated: August 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of August 2024, the Volkswagen Golf has a fairly average overall reliability score of 62%, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. However, this applies to all Golf models, so will be a combination of this Mk7 model (2012-2020) as well as newer (2020 onwards) and older (pre-2012) models.
The average repair cost of £570 is better than average – although it’s still more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is certainly worth bearing in mind.
The majority of problems with the Golf relate to the engine, and they’re also fairly expensive with an average repair cost of about £850. Gearbox problems are even more expensive at more than £1,300.
If you’re looking at a used Volkswagen Golf, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 134 g/km | A | 124 – 146 g/km | A – B |
Diesel models | 137 g/km | B | 129 – 165 g/km | A – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 18 | A | 13 – 26 | A – B |
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Volkswagen Golf
As of August 2024, there have been 14 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on this generation of the Volkswagen Golf, which is too many to fully list here. These cover braking systems, software, airbags, engine issues, seat head restraints and more.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Volkswagen dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Golf, you should insist that any outstandi
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Golf has received
2022
- Motor Trader Awards – Best Used Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Used Car
2019
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Car
2018
- Auto Express Awards – Compact Family Car of the Year
- Fleet World Honours – Best Lower Medium Car
- Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Car
- DieselCar & EcoCar Top 50 – Best Medium Car + Best Plug-In Hybrid
- Sunday Times Motor Awards – Commuter Car of the Year
2017
- Auto Express Awards – Compact Family Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Golf, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 Cactus | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault Megane | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra
- Volkswagen Golf (2020 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Volkswagen Golf at The Car Expert
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