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Volkswagen Golf · Volkswagen UK configurator — Golf Hatch Life (updated eighth generation), official native-alpha product render (firstLevelThreeQuarterView)

Volkswagen Golf
Photo 1 of 62

Volkswagen Golf · Volkswagen UK configurator — Golf Hatch Life (updated eighth generation), official native-alpha product render (firstLevelThreeQuarterView)

Volkswagen · Golf

Golf

Released April 2024

The updated eighth-generation Golf hatchback, sold with petrol, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines from 115 PS up to the 333 PS four-wheel-drive Golf R, suited to buyers who want a mid-size family hatchback.

Body
Hatchback
Powertrain
Petrol, Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power
113–328 bhp
Range
81–88 mi
Boot
381 l

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the facelifted Golf fixes much of the Mk8's frustrating interior tech and remains an easy, comfortable all-rounder with smooth, responsive engines. Common criticisms are a ride that gets unsettled on poor surfaces, some road noise at speed and cabin quality and space that are only average; What Car? and Auto Express found some rivals better to drive.

From autocar.co.uk, whatcar.com and autoexpress.co.uk

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Powertrain
Petrol, Mild hybrid, Plug-in hybrid
Power
113–328 bhp
0–62 mph
4.6–9.9 s
Top speed
126–168 mph
Engine or motors
1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI petrol (115 or 150 PS), 1.5 eTSI 150 PS with 48V mild hybrid, 1.5 TSI eHybrid plug-in hybrid (204 or 272 PS system output), 2.0-litre TSI (265 PS GTI, 300 PS GTI Clubsport, 325 PS GTI EDITION 50, 333 PS R); bhp converted from Volkswagen's PS figures
Torque
220 Nm (115 PS), 250 Nm (150 PS), 350 Nm system (eHybrid), 400 Nm system (GTE), 370 Nm (GTI), 400 Nm (GTI Clubsport), 420 Nm (GTI EDITION 50 and R)
Gearbox
6-speed manual (1.5 TSI), 7-speed DSG (1.5 eTSI, GTI and R), 6-speed DSG (eHybrid and GTE)
Drive
Front-wheel drive; 4MOTION four-wheel drive with R-Performance Torque Vectoring on the R

Range and charging

Zero-emission range (WLTP)
81–88 miles
Battery
19.7 kWh
Fastest charging
40 kW
Economy (WLTP)
34.6–252.5 mpg
Range detail
WLTP electric range: 88 miles combined, 108 miles city (eHybrid); 81 miles combined, 96 miles city (GTE)
Charging
19.7 kWh net battery on eHybrid and GTE; up to 11 kW AC (2 h 30 min to full) and 40 kW DC (5–80% in about 26 minutes)
Efficiency
WLTP combined: 52.8–53.6 mpg (115 PS), 50.7–52.0 mpg (150 PS manual), 52.7–54.3 mpg (150 PS eTSI), 252.1–252.5 mpg plus 12.1 kWh/62 miles (eHybrid), 212.4 mpg plus 12.8 kWh/62 miles (GTE), 40.0 mpg (GTI), 38.4 mpg (GTI Clubsport), 37.1 mpg (GTI EDITION 50), 34.6–34.9 mpg (R); depends on trim
CO2 emissions
119–186 g/km (petrol and mild hybrid), 25–30 g/km (plug-in hybrids), WLTP

Practicality

Body
Hatchback
Seats
5
Boot
381 litres
Length
4,282 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Weight
From 1,306 kg
Boot
381 litres (petrol and mild hybrid), 374 litres (GTI), 273 litres (eHybrid and GTE), to the height of the rear bench
Towing
Up to 1,300 kg braked (115 PS), 1,500 kg (150 PS), 1,600 kg (GTI), 1,700 kg (eHybrid, GTE and R); no towing figure given for the GTI Clubsport or GTI EDITION 50
Size
4,282–4,296 mm long, 1,789 mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1,454–1,483 mm high; 2,620–2,630 mm wheelbase; 11.1 m turning circle; weight is Volkswagen's unladen figure with driver, 1,306 kg (115 PS) to 1,662 kg (GTE)

Tech and safety

Infotainment
12.9-inch MIB4 touchscreen with navigation, wireless App-Connect (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) and IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT; 10.2-inch Digital Cockpit Pro; wireless phone charging; optional head-up display and Harman Kardon audio
Driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control, Front Assist emergency braking and Lane Assist standard; Travel Assist and Emergency Assist on DSG models from Style; Park Assist Pro standard on GTE; Area View optional
Warranty
3 years or 60,000 miles; high-voltage battery 8 years or 100,000 miles (eHybrid and GTE)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • eHybrid has an 88-mile WLTP electric range and 40 kW DC charging
  • Engines range from 115 PS to 333 PS, including GTI and R performance models
  • 12.9-inch touchscreen with illuminated climate and volume sliders

Cons

  • Boot shrinks from 381 to 273 litres in the eHybrid and GTE
  • Only the R has four-wheel drive
  • The entry 115 PS model takes 9.9 seconds to reach 62 mph

Closest rivals

Model
BodyPowertrainPowerRangeBootReleased
BMW1 Series
HatchbackMild hybrid, Petrol168–296 bhp––Oct 2024
ToyotaGR Yaris
HatchbackPetrol276 bhp–174 lMar 2024
MGMG3
HatchbackPetrol, Hybrid113–191 bhp–293 lMar 2024

Sources

  1. volkswagen.co.uk/en/new/golf.html/__ui/technical-data.app
  2. volkswagen.co.uk/en/new/golf.html
  3. vwpress.co.uk/assets/applications/original/42267-volkswagen-golf-core-models-pr…
  4. vwpress.co.uk/releases/5118
  5. vwpress.co.uk/releases/5148
  6. vwpress.co.uk/releases/5170
  7. vwpress.co.uk/releases/5400

Photo: Volkswagen UK configurator — Golf Hatch Life (updated eighth generation), official native-alpha product render (firstLevelThreeQuarterView)

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