Volkswagen Golf (2020) Review

October 2019

2020 Volkswagen Golf revealed

Volkswagen has officially launched the eighth-generation Golf. The new compact family hatch will reach UK showrooms in 2020 and feature lower running costs, hybrid power and a futuristic digital cabin.

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf will compete against the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Vauxhall Astra, but offer more choice with buyers getting the choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains. Fuel economy figures and CO2 ratings are still to be confirmed, but Volkswagen says fuel costs will be up to 17 per cent lower than the outgoing Golf.

The four-cylinder 2.0 TDI turbodiesel is available with outputs of 115PS or 150PS and will be "amongst the world's cleanest combustion engines", according to Volkswagen, with a twin dosing dual AdBlue injection system reducing harmful nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx) by up to 80 per cent. A high performance GTD will be launched in late-2020.

The petrol engines start with the familiar three-cylinder 1.0 TSI - with 90PS or 110PS - while the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI has outputs of 130PS or 150PS. Almost all of the petrols get the option of a mild hybrid system - badged eTSI - with a 48-volt motor and battery pack harvesting energy under braking and boosting fuel economy by using the captured energy to assist the engine.

The Golf GTE will be the only version that will connect to the mains via a plug, with the electric Golf being dropped from the range to make room for the ID.3.

The GTE's hybrid system - an electric motor linked to the 1.4 TSI petrol engine - develops 245PS and gets a more powerful 13kWh lithium battery pack that will allow it to travel further on pure electric power, although Volkswagen hasn't said what the improvement will be over the existing 31-miles you get with the outgoing model.

The powerful 2.0 TSI will be added to the range in late-2020 when the GTI is expected to be launched, while the potent 4Motion R version of the Golf will arrive in early-2021. Until then, the GTE version of the Golf will be the most powerful version on sale at launch.

All hybrid versions are automatic only, with the GTE using a six-speed DSG gearbox while the eTSI petrols are linked to a seven-speed DSG 'box. All of the other petrol and diesels will use a new six-speed manual transmission as standard.

Buyers get the choice of four trim levels - S, SE, SEL and R-Line - and all models get LED exterior lighting and a 10-inch infotainment as standard. The interior shows a significant reduction in cabin clutter, with almost all of the buttons from the dashboard being replaced with touch sensitive controls.

A fully digital instrument cluster is also standard across the range, while an optional Ask Alexa voice control system will allow the driver to browse music or check the weather reports without taking a hand off the wheel.

As you might expect, Volkswagen has refreshed the Golf's already comprehensive array of driver aids, which now includes a semi-autonomous cruise control system that will control the brakes, acceleration and steering on the motorway. A Car2X system will also allow the car to communicate with other Golfs - within a range of 800 metres - to warn the driver of potential road hazards or traffic delays.

Volkswagen hasn't released any specifications about the size of the interior or the boot, but the new-gen Golf will be 29mm longer than the outgoing model - now 4284mm - while the car's width has been shaved by a single millimetre to 1789mm.

February 2020

Volkswagen Golf prices announced

March 2020

Orders open for R-Line trim and eTSI mild-hybrid engines

R-Line features bespoke body styling, 17-inch Valencia alloy wheels, rear tinted windows and sports suspension. On the inside, the R-Line features front sports seats, an R-Line multifunction steering wheel and brushed stainless steel pedals. Ambient lighting allows the driver to choose from 30 different colours.

The R-Line, plus the already on sale Golf Life and Golf Style trims, are now available with Volkswagen’s new eTSI mild hybrid powertrain. This combines a 1.5-litre, 150PS TSI engine to a mild hybrid system, comprising a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and 48-volt belt starter generator. The starter generator takes on the role of the alternator and starter, and also operates as a small electric motor providing a boost when pulling away. The generator also starts the TSI engine, with the system allowing the car to coast with the engine shut off as much as possible while the car is in motion, for optimal efficiency, while ensuring almost imperceptible transitions between engine-off coasting and engaging the petrol engine.

May 2020

1.0 TSI engine added to Volkswagen Golf range

This new engine will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox and only with Life trim, priced at £23,300.

With the compact, three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged engine installed, the Golf is able to sprint to 62 mph from standstill in 10.2 seconds, before going on to a top speed of 126mph. The new engine results in the Golf being capable of returning between 49.6-53.3 mpg on the combined WLTP cycle, while emitting between 121-129 g/km of CO 2 on the WLTP cycle.