The VW Golf seamlessly bridges two disparate worlds: mainstream family cars and their pricier premium counterparts. It’s a remarkable feat, although on the flipside it means the Golf then faces off against a formidable range of competitors, including humbler offerings like the SEAT Leon, Škoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra and more illustrious alternatives, like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class.
The Golf has been going for no fewer than eight generations, and the latest model represents a new direction in its evolution. As well as aiming to maintain its standard blend of dynamic driving and impressive practicality, it introduces a whole host of smart technologies for drivers’ delectation, like the mild-hybrid assistance offered with some of the Golf’s engines to enhance efficiency and performance.
But there are still some big questions to consider. Does the Golf really provide that perfect balance of ‘everyday posh’ for which it’s been lauded for years? Do the latest model’s fancy technologies really add much to the ownership experience? How does it match up against the VW Polo? And how does it compare to the other family cars vying for your attention, especially the Ford Focus, 1 Series and A-Class?
We’re going to dive into all of this—but first let’s check out the Golf’s key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £25,000–£42,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £6,000–£16,000 / £126–£313 a month |
| Trims | 8 |
| Engines | 11 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel, hybrid |
| mpg range across all versions | 67–235 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years/60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £500/£3,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,000/£6,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
For our money, the VW Golf’s entry-level Life trim comes with everything you really need: 16in alloy wheels, single-zone climate control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, adaptive cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, and fabulous parking, visibility and infotainment aids. The Style and R-Line trims might add a few more gadgets for the petrolheads and boast somewhat sharper styling, but these bonuses don’t equate to the price hikes. If you’re looking for more gizmos for your buck, you’re better off checking out some of the Golf’s rivals, including the Škoda Octavia, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. The exception is if you’re after the 1.4 TSI eHybrid PHEV, which is available only with the Style trim, and whose economy figures offset some of the additional cost.
If you’re drawn to the frugal performance of the GTD, keep in mind that it also includes sporty bumpers, 18in alloy wheels, keyless entry and three-zone climate control—but also keep in mind that it’s pricey, especially in comparison to the GTI, which isn’t much more expensive.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The VW Golf slots roughly in the middle of its competitors when it comes to price. It’s more expensive than the Škoda Scala and the more popular versions of the Leon and Focus, but cheaper than the A3, A-Class and 1 Series. What’s more, the Golf is predicted to hold on to its value well, with depreciation slower than that of the A-Class and more in line with that of the A3 and 1 Series.
All the Golf’s petrol engines offer competitive CO2 emissions, and its real-world fuel economy is just as good. The 1.5 eTSI 150 averages 42mpg on a variety of roads, a performance surpassing that of the BMW 118i automatic. If you’re a company car driver, be sure to check out the 1.4 TSI eHybrid, whose electric-only mode and low CO2 emissions go a long way toward keeping benefit-in-kind tax payments down. As for the diesels, the 2.0 TDI 115 records an average economy figure of 65mpg, and even the sporty GTD manages 50.
Safety and security
Every VW Golf comes with lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, a driver fatigue monitor, and a feature called Car2X. Heralded as a technological milestone, Car2X shares information on traffic conditions, as well as any hazards within a radius of 800m, meaning drivers are forewarned of problems or dangers.
The Golf achieved a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with excellent scores across categories, almost matching those of the best cars in the class for adult and child protection, such as the A-Class. It didn’t score quite as highly as the A-Class when it came to protection for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, though.
Reliability
Like most VWs, the Golf comes with a 3-year or 60,000-mile warranty and one year’s roadside assistance. That’s not exceptional these days. It falls behind the 5-year warranties of Renault and Hyundai, and way behind the 7 years’ cover provided by Kia.
The Car Planet verdict
The VW Golf is, without a doubt, a highly recommendable option in the family car class, by dint of its impressive blend of ride and handling and the frugality of its petrol engines, especially the 1.5 TSI 150. But it has less expensive rivals that are both more spacious and better to drive, including the SEAT Leon and Ford Focus, and some of its premium rivals are fitted with superior infotainment systems and higher-grade interiors, including the Mercedes A-Class, Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.
Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand VW Golfs today and let’s get the ball rolling!
