Summary
The Volkswagen Golf is a five-door family hatchback, available in petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid formats. The current model is the eighth generation and was launched in late 2019. It arrived in the UK in summer 2020 and received a mid-life update in summer 2024.
Unlike earlier versions of the Golf, there is no three-door hatchback version. An estate model joined the range in 2021, while performance models like the GTI, GTE and GTD arrived in the second half of 2020. There’s no electric e-Golf this time around, as the new Golf-sized Volkswagen ID.3 becomes the electric alternative to a petrol or diesel Golf.
Initial reviews of the new Volkswagen Golf at the international launch were very positive, although the overall rating dropped back by several points once more local reviews of UK-spec cars were published in recent months.
The Golf has received praise for being better to drive than its acclaimed predecessor, although its ‘all-digital’ interior has received generally poor reviews from almost all reviewers for not being anywhere as user-friendly as previous models.
As of December 2025, the Volkswagen Golf holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 74%. It scores top marks for its excellent media reviews, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and low CO2 emissions, while running costs are also good. However, Volkswagen’s new car warranty coverage is poor.
- Volkswagen Golf (2012 to 2019) – Expert Rating
- Volkswagen Golf GTI (2020 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Volkswagen Golf R (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Volkswagen ratings, reviews, news and features
Golf highlights
- Great ride comfort
- Excellent safety standards
- Better handling and refinement than the old Golf
- A number of efficient engines to choose from
- Packed with on-board tech
Golf lowlights
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Rivals are more spacious
- Polarising front-end styling
- Interior trim lacks premium feel
- Alternatives have more boot space
Key specifications
Body style: Medium hatchback and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £28,895 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Summer 2024
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“The Volkswagen Golf has remained a favourite car for many buyers for half a century because it does everything expected of it to a high standard and this update will keep it very much in contention with much younger rivals.”
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Match hatchback (2024 update)
Score: 8.2 / 10
Read full review
The Car Expert
Andrew Charman
“The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 retains its core family hatchback appeal, and will appeal whatever your needs – even if some alternatives are more fun to drive.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Tom Wiltshire
More reviews
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
“Volkswagen already had a near-class-leading model with the outgoing Golf, and it didn’t need to do a great deal to this new eighth-generation model to bring it right to the forefront of the competitive family hatchback class.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mk8 Golf offers cleaner engines, an updated interior and the latest on-board tech, but it can’t quite reach the top of the class.”
Author: Alex Ingram
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Match hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf doesn’t quite define the family-car segment in the way that it used to – a Skoda Octavia is more practical, and it remains better value – but there’s no denying that some well-judged tweaks have made VW’s icon better aligned with its own values than it has been for some time. It’s not exactly cheap, but it is well equipped, generally comfortable, neatly finished and, for many people, just the right size.”
Author: John McIlroy
Read review
Model reviewed: Alltrack (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack’s powertrain is well suited and it’s more economical than most SUVs, while possessing genuine off-road ability. The annoying interior technology of the current Golf is a shame, however.”
Read review
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Volkswagen Golf Estate is more practical than ever, but it still can’t match up to some of its rivals.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GTE
“Performance, range and company car tax are all big plus points, although the Volkswagen Golf GTE does look a touch expensive versus its immediate rival plug-in hatchbacks.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE hatchback
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf GTE feels solid to drive and it’s a straightforward plug-in hybrid hatch that those new to electrification will get along with easily. However, it’s an expensive proposition, and Mercedes makes a plug-in A-Class that’s cheaper to buy, cheaper to tax and potentially cheaper to run.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf offers cleaner engines, an updated interior and the latest on-board tech, but it can’t quite reach the top of the class.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Style
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Volkswagen Golf brings worthy upgrades in lots of areas. The new mild-hybrid powertrain is exceptionally refined, the cabin materials and packaging are better than ever and even the geekiest buyer would find it hard to fault the gains in infotainment. But the tweaks to the chassis and cabin layout seem to have brought as many foibles as they have benefits.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Golf is a true benchmark, not just for Volkswagen but for the wider industry. More tech and engines will follow, but this latest Volkswagen Golf already has enough in its locker to make it one of the best compact hatchbacks you can buy.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: GTE
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswgen Golf GTE melds low emissions with hot hatch pedigree.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“An even more mature version of what came before, with a higher-tech and nicer built interior, loads more engine choices and a bit more sparkle to the handling.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Estate
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Estate is sophisticated and practical but some cheaper models offer even more space.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, John McIlroy
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf improves incrementally on the old one in most areas and has a smart new interior”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Life
“Price tag apart, the new Volkswagen Golf is a big step forward over the previous model, and worthy of the nameplate’s strong reputation.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
“A high-class family hatchback with the latest tech, efficient engines and serious fleet appeal.”
Read review
Daily Mirror
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Life
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Volkswagen Golf is a little bit more precise in its handling but then since 1974 it’s always offered safe and dependable behaviour. Other cars might be more fun to drive, but few can beat the Golf’s all-round appeal.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 130hp Life
“The 1.5-litre manual offers everything a traditional fleet driver could ask for, but the Volkswagen Golf’s digital revelations in terms of layout and usability are sadly hit and miss. The mild-hybrid and forthcoming plug-in hybrid versions should suit the car more, however, and offer further fleet incentives.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The interior shows a significant reduction in cabin clutter, with almost all of the buttons from the dashboard being replaced with touch-sensitive controls.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5 TSI
“It’s got grip where you want it, is a bit nose heavy, and has an overly aggressive lane-keeper to make sure you don’t take the racing line, but apart from that it’s a Golf. And that means it’s brilliant.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic estate Alltrack
Score: 8 / 10
“In a world of SUVs, the four-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack is a niche choice – but quite a compelling one.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“Now into its eighth generation, the Volkswagen Golf still feels like the benchmark hatchback, from the entry-level Life to the sporty Golf R.”
Read review
Motors
Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf delivers a high-quality interior, efficient engines and is impressively refined.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Volkswagen dials up the tech for new Golf”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed: 0
“Honestly, you won’t go far wrong with any Golf because… it’s a Golf. It’s brilliant. Of course it is.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Golf may not be hugely different to look at from the outside but it definitely has the wow factor on the inside, and it’s packed with the very latest technology.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf GTE is a lovely and clever car that’s surprisingly difficult to recommend despite that. It’s very good in many ways, but it’s no sports hatch and you’ll get more for your money elsewhere.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Life
Score: 8 / 10
“VW has done just enough to keep the Golf near the top of its game. But beneath the surface, it no longer feels all-conquering; there’s a sense corners have been cut, particularly in suspension tuning and sound deadening; as a result, this is merely a good car, where the previous one was truly great.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
Score: 8 / 10
“Forget the Golf 8 description, think of this as Golf 7.55 and you see a host of welcome upgrades and genuine innovation, although parts of the facia and the central touchscreen aren’t very easy to use and don’t seem very progressive.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“New eighth-gen Volkswagen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 85%
Safety assist: 79%
The Volkswagen Golf was originally tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019, being awarded a five-star rating. The facelifted model was re-tested in October 2025 under the latest – tougher – Euro NCAP protocols, where it retained its five-star score.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE
Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: November 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.6 / 10
Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.9 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.3 / 10
Both the 1.5-litre petrol and plug-in hybrid GTE models received 3.5-star ratings from Green NCAP in 2021. These are solid ratings for petrol (or predominantly petrol) cars, and it’s interesting that the plug-in hybrid GTE shows little eco benefit over the regular petrol engine in the Green NCAP testing process.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Fuel consumption | Average | Score |
| Petrol models | 51 mpg | C |
| Diesel models | 61 mpg | A |
| CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Petrol models | 124 g/km | B | ||
| Diesel models | 121 g/km | B | ||
| Plug-in hybrid models | 7 g/km | A |
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| Plug-in hybrid models | 85 miles | C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 22 | B |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £149 | A |
| Year 2 | £435 | A |
| Year 3 | £717 | A |
| Year 4 | £958 | B |
| Year 5 | £1,288 | B |
| Overall | £3,547 | B |
The Volkswagen Golf has a very good set of running cost scores, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data.
Fuel consumption is good to excellent, depending on whether you’re driving a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid model. Emissions levels are also impressive – although this is Volkswagen, the world’s most infamous emissions cheaters, so who knows if you can trust their latest numbers…
Insurance and servicing costs should also be very competitive for the first five years of ownership.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 1262
Average repair cost: £570.50
Last updated: April 2025
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
As of June 2025, the Volkswagen Golf has a fairly average overall reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. However, this applies to all Golf models in MotorEasy’s database, so will be a combination of the current Mk8 and the previous Mk7 (pre-2020).
The average repair cost of £570 is also about average – but much 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 or suspension, and although engine repairs usually cost around £900, suspension issues fortunately tend not to be too expensive with an average repair cost of about £240. Gearbox problems are expensive, at more than £1,300, but the good news is that these are relatively rare.
If you’re looking at a used Volkswagen Golf, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Volkswagen Golf
| Overall rating | D | 28% |
| Petrol or diesel models | E | 15% |
| Electric or hybrid models | C | 50% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Volkswagen’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered by car manufacturers in the UK, and worse than rival brands in a similar price bracket as the Golf. The duration is three years, with a limit of 60,000 miles, which is pretty basic. Some rivals offer up to seven years of cover.
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the Golf plug-in hybrid version has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
Warranty on a used Volkswagen Golf
- If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Volkswagen Golf from an official Volkswagen dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
- If you are buying a used Volkswagen Golf from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
- If you are buying a used Volkswagen Golf from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.
If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Volkswagen Golf
Date: January 2024
Recall number: R/2024/014
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2020 to 08/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 26,721
Defect: On certain vehicles with electromechanical brake servo and DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) of a limited production period, there is a possibility that a heat protection mat was incorrectly fitted. In individual cases, the brake fluid reservoir can melt and cause a brake fluid leak into the engine compartment.
Remedy: A check of the installation of the heat protection mat on affected vehicles will be conducted. If necessary, the correct heat shield condition will be restored, and in a damage case, the damaged components will be replaced.
Date: April 2022
Recall number: R/2022/086
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2019 to 02/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 1,868
Defect: The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was, in some cases, produced with too little so-called fire sand.
Remedy: An additional protective insulating mat is to be fitted to the switching unit for the high-voltage battery.
Date: March 2022
Recall number: R/2022/074
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 02/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 7,579
Defect: Engine compartment covers were fitted that, regardless of use (very sporty driving style or poor road condition) and operating period, could come loose from their attachment.
Remedy: On all affected vehicles, the engine compartment cover has to be removed.
Date: September 2021
Recall number: R/2021/320
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2019 to 05/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 145
Defect: The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose, resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.
Remedy: Vehicles are not to be driven, and the bolted connection of the input rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal must be checked and, if necessary, retightened.
Date: February 2021
Recall number: R/2021/320
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 124
Defect: Faulty crash sensors for airbag and restraint systems may have been fitted in the front doors.
Remedy: The crash sensors in the front doors are to be checked and, if necessary, replaced.
Date: June 2020
Recall number: R/2020/176
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2020 to 05/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 4,630
Defect: The e-call service may not function.
Remedy: Update the Online Control Unit software on affected vehicles.
As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on this generation of the Volkswagen Golf range to address different issues.
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 outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Security rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail
Date: 2019
The Volkswagen Golf automatically scored a ‘Poor’ security rating from Thatcham because it is susceptible to a relay attack. This is a popular form of vehicle theft where thieves intercept the signal from your car key – even if it’s inside your house – then use it to remotely open and start the car.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Volkswagen Golf has received
2025
- Autotrader Awards – Best car for new drivers
2024
- News UK Motor Awards – Sunday Times Legend Car + The Sun Legend Car
2022
- Auto Express Awards – Best Used Family Car
- Motor Trader Awards – Best Used Car
2021
- Fleet News Awards – Best Lower Medium Car
2020
- News UK Motor Awards – Sunday Times Car of the Year + Best Family Car
- Auto Trader Awards – Best Car for Long Distances
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Volkswagen Golf, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Current models: Citroën C4 | Audi A3 | BMW 1 Series | Ford Focus | Honda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Peugeot 308 | SEAT Leon | Skoda Octavia | Skoda Scala | Suzuki Swace | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra
Discontinued models: Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010 to 2021) | Citroën C4 Cactus (2014 to 2021) | Fiat Tipo (2016 to 2024) | Honda Civic (2017 to 2022) | Mini Countryman (2017 to 2024) | Peugeot 308 (2014 to 2021) | Renault Megane (2016 to 2022) | Skoda Octavia (2013 to 2019) | Vauxhall Astra (2015 to 2021)
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Volkswagen Golf at The Car Expert
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