Volkswagen Golf Hatchback (13 on) - Review

This is the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf that follows the original Mk1 launched back in 1976. It doesn’t look a whole lot different from the current Golf but Volkswagen claims it is completely new.

The reason for the similar looks is deliberate. VW says the evolution of the Golf design, with the company continually refining, tweaking and enhancing the car over the years, makes the design timeless.

More room

Thanks to the new Golf growing in length and width (by 56mm and 13mm respectively) there is more interior space. Front passengers get 20mm more leg space and 31mm more shoulder space, while rear passengers are served 15mm more room to dangle legs and 30mm more space to waggle shoulders.

There is also more elbow room front and back. The boot has grown too, from 350 litres to 380 litres, and the boot sill sits lower at 685mm. Rear seats also split as before but a new feature is an optional folding front passenger seat that enables a long load space of 2,412mm – ideal for trips to the DIY shop.

Standard equipment

There will be three trim levels to start with: S, SE and GT, with GTD and GTi models to follow. All Volkswagen Golfs will be fitted with touchscreens in the centre console that is angled towards the driver for better ergonomics.

Lower specification models come with a 5.8-inch colour display while the range-topping satellite navigation systems feature an 8-inch colour screen. Standard features include DAB digital radio, aux inputs including USB, Bluetooth preparation and trip computer.

All Golfs will come with an electronic parking brake with an auto-hold feature that automatically holds the car until the clutch engages. SE models and up will also be fitted with adaptive cruise control that automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front. Also available will be the optional Park Assist – the self-park system already available on other VW models such as Tiguan.

New safety features

Standard on all VW Golfs is a multi-collision brake system that automatically brakes the car after an initial impact if the car hasn't already stopped. All versions bar the entry-level S will also feature Front Assist and City Emergency Braking. Each system is designed to automatically brake the car to a standstill if the system detects an impending accident. Other systems include Driver Alert (monitors driver’s inputs to detect any signs of tiredness), Lane Assist (warns if the car strays out of its lane) and Dynamic Light Assist (controls the high beam so it doesn’t dazzle oncoming traffic).

Less weight and new engines

The new Golf has been on a diet and shed 100kg, plus it gets a new range of engines that are all fitted with stop/start and battery regeneration systems to boost fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

There will be two petrol and two diesel engines to choose from initially. In terms of petrol there is a 1.2-litre TSI with a claimed average of 57.6mpg and 113g/km (road tax band C) and a 1.4-litre TSI with Active Cylinder Technology (system can shut down two of the cylinders to reduce fuel consumption) that can return 58.9mpg and emits 112g/km of CO2 (also road tax band C).

There are two diesels comprising 1.6 and 2.0-litre versions that return a claimed 74.3mpg and 68.9mpg respectively. The 1.6-litre emits 99g/km so currently qualifies for zero road tax while the 2.0-litre emits just 106g/km to qualify for road tax band B.

Prices start just under the outgoing model and come with more kit fitted as standard. So is this seventh heaven for VW? Read the full Volkswagen Golf review to see if it can still top the class.