In March 1974, the first production Volkswagen Golf rolled out of the factory. The new hatchback family car, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was designed as a successor to the fabled and frugal Beetle and, thanks in part to its modern design and styling, it would go on to prove a terrific success.
The introduction of the now-legendary GTI in 1976 would further solidify the VW Golf’s position in the history books, and establish yet another nameplate that would enjoy immense popularity for decades to come. The sales were coming thick and fast, regardless; by the end of 1976, over one million Golfs had already found homes.
Now that we are on to the eighth-generation Golf, more than 35 million have been built in total, with economical TDI diesel engines, high-performance petrol engines and electric motors all fitted under the bonnet of the popular family car at some point, and tens of millions of families have enjoyed them as a new car or as a used car.
Not all generations of Golf models have been alike, however, with each often adding new features and functionality to improve upon the capabilities of the long-running model. Read on for our rundown of every generation of Volkswagen Golf.
Volkswagen Golf Generations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Volkswagen Golf Pros and Cons
- Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2020-)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012-2020)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (2008-2012)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2003-2008)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1997-2003)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (1991-1997)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk2 (1983-1991)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk1 (1974-1983)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Volkswagen Golf years are the best?
For us, the smartest money goes on a Mk7 Golf, so a car from between 2012 and 2019. One of these is a modern enough car to satisfy the technology-hungry tastes of most present-day car-buyers, with touchscreen infotainment, smartphone connectivity and various electronic driver aids, but a used MK7 comes at a very useful price advantage compared with the newer Mk8 Golf that replaced it in 2020. Compare it with the Mk8 in other ways, and you’ll notice barely any inferiority. It’s just as roomy, just as practical, just as posh-feeling inside and it’s just as good to drive, with punchy engines, a comfortable ride and smart handling. In some ways, the Mk7 is even better than the Mk8: for one thing, it’s not blighted by the same over-reliance on touchscreen technology, and so avoids all the ergonomic challenges that brings. Yes, a used Mk7 is an incredibly well-rounded car for an incredibly tempting price.
Which Volkswagen Golf years are the worst?
Many believe the worst Golfs to be the Mk3 and Mk4 iterations. These were successful in taking the appeal established by the Mk1 and Mk2 versions, and building on it by adding more practicality, more technology and more safety. However, these additions also brought considerably more weight to the car, while power outputs remained largely similar, so some of the Golf’s earlier dynamic sparkle was lost. Happily, the Mk5 was a proper return to form for the Golf in that regard, and many others.
Is a used Volkswagen Golf a good deal?
It certainly can be, but be sure to pick a good one. The Golf helped Volkswagen conjure up an image for solid reliability over the years, but the various surveys and studies doing the rounds suggest that the Golf’s reliability - and Volkswagen’s, for that matter - might not be as unimpeachable as the firm’s advertising would have you believe. Whatever generation you choose, insist on a full service history, with evidence of prompt remedial work, to give you the best chance of avoiding a turkey. Petrol-engined cars also tend to be appreciably more reliable than diesels, and while DSG dual-clutch automatic gearboxes can be very prone to faults, their manual equivalents tend to suffer very few issues.
Volkswagen Golf Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Posher image than your average family hatchback
- Polished and comfortable driving experience
- Lots of choice over bodystyle, engines and trim levels
Cons:
- Generally pricier than more humble rivals
- Perhaps not as reliable as VW would have you believe
- Fairly average for space and practicality
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (2020-)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk8
- No three-door model available in the line-up anymore
- Interior heavily reliant on touchscreens and steering wheel touchpads receives some criticism for usability issues
- Mild hybrid tech introduced for regular petrol engines
The Mk8 Golf is, as was the case with the Mk6, an evolution of its predecessor. It uses effectively the same MQB platform but its revamped exterior styling offers reduced drag, fractionally aiding its efficiency, refinement and performance. A variety of hybrid powertrains are offered, too, helping improve fuel consumption and emissions compared with the Mk7.
Trim levels include entry-level Life, mid-range Style and sporty Golf R-Line, with generous specification across the board including alloy wheels, air-conditioning and much more. The major highlight of the new generation, however, is the wide array of advanced safety, driver assistance and media technologies that are now available; lane assistance, all-LED lights, a digital instrument panel, natural voice control and more make the new Golf even easier to live with and more appealing to a modern audience. As a result, the Mk8 will no doubt continue to build upon the success of the earlier models, and contribute in earnest to raising the current total of 35 million Golfs that have been built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 review
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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2012-2020)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk7
- Attention-grabbing 300hp Golf R proved very popular
- e-Golf variant was the first all-electric Golf (though the arrival of the ID.3 electric car meant there would be no Mk8 Golf EV)
- New MQB platform made the Golf 100kg lighter than its predecessor
- Automatic emergency braking (AEB) available for the first time
- Golf GTE plug-in hybrid popular with company car buyers
- SUV-inspired Golf Alltrack had raised ride height and extra body cladding
Efficiency was the name of the game for the Mk7 Golf. Fortunately, the introduction of the new MQB platform reportedly helped reduce its kerb weight by some 100kg compared with its predecessor which, coupled with more economical engines, reduced its emissions and fuel use. Volkswagen claimed heady reductions in consumption of up to 23 per cent, so its efforts were evidently not in vain.
A range of advanced features, including an automated emergency braking system for city driving and adaptive cruise control, were also made available. The highly regarded and eminently tunable R variant of the seventh-generation Golf was also launched in 2013 and quickly established a new benchmark for hot hatch performance. In total, around six million Mk7 Golfs were built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk7 review
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Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (2008-2012)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Two-door convertible
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk6
- Won World Car of the Year in 2009
- Adjustable suspension – known as Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) - is introduced
- Golf GTD diesel a 50 mpg hot hatch
The more sharply styled sixth-generation Golf was a relatively short-lived model on paper, in part because it was effectively a heavily reworked fifth-generation Golf. That, however, didn’t stop it from garnering plenty of attention – and, in 2009, it was awarded the prestigious World Car of the Year award.
One of the contributing factors in its success was the high degree of safety offered, which helped it attain a maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. This generation of Golf also packed a wide range of hi-tech features, including an energy recovery system, LED tail lights and hill start assist; the net result was a car that was much more refined, safer, easier to drive and more comfortable. Enthusiasts’ needs were sated by models such as the Volkswagen Golf R and GTI, too. However, the shortened production run meant that a comparatively low 2.95 million were built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk6 review
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Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (2003-2008)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5
- Impressive GTI marked a return to form for the performance end of the range
- Supercharged and turbocharged TSI engines were an impressive – if complex – way of improving fuel economy in petrol models
For many, the Mk5 Golf was the high point in the model’s history. Laser welding was employed in the fabrication of its underbody, roof and side panels, which helped make it far stiffer; this, in conjunction with a new four-link rear suspension set-up, made it far better to drive. Power outputs also continued to climb, as did the list of available technology, which now included bi-xenon headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
Volkswagen continued to introduce new body styles, too, such as the Golf Plus in 2006. This larger Golf offered more interior space, making it more appealing to those with families. Not long after, the total count for Golfs produced since 1974 climbed past 25 million. In 2008, when the Mk5 Golf was withdrawn, a total of 3.4 million had been built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk5 review
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Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1997-2003)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Two-door convertible
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk4
- Golf takes a significant step upmarket
- First fully galvanised Golf
- Four-wheel-drive R32 was first car to feature DSG twin-clutch gearbox
If you’re looking to buy a used Golf that’ll run and run, make a beeline for the Mk4. Besides being the first fully galvanised Golf, which helped stave off corrosion, it had a particularly high-quality body and durable engines, including turbocharged four-cylinder petrols and diesels, as well as the petrol 3.2-litre VR6 in the new flagship R32 derivative.
This generation was also offered with technology such as satellite navigation, in 1997, and electronic stability control in 1999. A six-speed manual gearbox was offered, too, and the launch of the R32 in 2002 heralded the arrival of the first production dual-clutch transmission. When all was said and done, almost five million Mk4 Golfs had been built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (1991-1997)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Two-door convertible
- Five-door estate
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk3
- Narrow-angle six-cylinder VR6 engine added pep to the Mk3
- Golf estate model introduced for the first time
- Mk3-based convertible finally replaces long-in-the-tooth Mk1-based model
The third-generation Golf built upon the technical benchmark established by its predecessor by introducing safety-related technologies such as front airbags. These, which arrived in 1992, were later joined by side airbags in 1996. Other advancements included the use of environmentally friendly water-soluble paints and, later in its life, the use of laser welding in the construction of the car’s shell.
There was good news for those seeking a more upmarket and relaxed experience, too, as the launch of the Mk3 Golf also marked the introduction of the VR6-engined variant. This muscular compact hatch was ideal for those who wanted high performance and luxury in a car with a small footprint. The first estate variant of the Golf was also launched in 1993, widening the car’s appeal to those with families or hobbies. In the end, some 4.8 million were built.
Volkswagen Golf Mk2 (1983-1991)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk2
- Second-gen Golf Bigger and sturdier than original, with more prominent grille and bumpers
- Key tech improvements include 16-valve engines, power steering
Aside from making the Mk2 Golf larger, to improve interior space, Volkswagen also sought to deliver a vehicle packing a wide range of modern technologies, which would help it meet ever-shifting customer demands, as well as increasing efficiency and addressing safety concerns.
Consequently, the launch of the second-generation Golf hatchback marked the introduction of features such as power steering, anti-lock brakes, all-wheel drive, four-valve cylinder heads, supercharging and catalytic converters. Electric and hybrid powertrains were experimented with, too, as Volkswagen explored what the automotive future might look like. By the end of 1990, more than 12 million VW Golfs – including one million GTIs – had been built in total. When production of the second generation drew to a close in 1991, a total of 6.3 million had been assembled.
Volkswagen Golf Mk1 (1974-1983)
Bodystyles
- Five-door hatchback
- Three-door hatchback
- Two-door convertible
Notable features and facelifts of the Volkswagen Golf Mk1
- Striking styling penned by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro
- Volkswagen Golf GTI effectively the grandfather of the entire hot hatch genre
The first generation of Golf marked a significant departure from the preceding Beetle. It adopted a front-engined, front-wheel-drive layout – a modern and safer set-up at the time – and features such as the rear hatch boosted its practicality tremendously. Its fresh and sharp exterior design also made it far more appealing to buyers, while also serving up benefits such as excellent all-round visibility.
Diesel variants were soon offered, widening the appeal of the new Volkswagen, and the introduction of the Golf Cabriolet, Caddy Van and now-legendary GTI hot hatch ramped up the VW Golf’s popularity even further. By February 1982, over five million had been built, and when production was phased out in 1983, almost seven million had made it onto the roads.