Volkswagen Golf Review

The Golf Mk7 reached international showrooms in January 2013. At launch in Europe there were three or five-door hatchbacks, as well as a choice of 1.2 TSI or 1.4-litre TSI petrol engines and 1.6 TDI and 2.0-litre TDI diesels.

An 85g/km 1.6 TDI BlueMotion was introduced in May 2013, alongside the 181bhp GTD. At the same time, the GTI hot hatch appeared in regular 217bhp or Performance (226bhp) forms. The 295bhp four-wheel-drive Golf R was introduced in March 2014, just before the Golf Estate, and then a year later the electric e-Golf arrived, with an official range of up to 118 miles.

The hybrid Golf GTE of March 2015 combined a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with a 100bhp electric motor. A 1.0-litre TSI BlueMotion appeared in September 2015, and claimed 99g/km emissions. 

As all Golf Mk7 engines are turbocharged, even the smallest-capacity units serve up reasonable power, although we’d go for the 1.4 TSI over the 1.2 and the 2.0 TDI over the 1.6 as they’re usefully more muscular yet still economical. The Golf GTE is very impressive, but expensive and rare.

The entry-level S trim is spartan, although it does feature a DAB radio and colour touchscreen display, air-con plus electric mirrors and front windows. SE spec adds powered rear windows, 16-inch alloy wheels and emergency city braking, while the GT has 17-inch alloys, sports suspension plus front and rear parking sensors. The mid-range, high-value Match, introduced in July 2014, comes with parking sensors all-round and electrically folding door mirrors.

Alternatives to the Volkswagen Golf Mk7

The Audi A3 uses the same platform and mechanicals as the Golf, but has a plusher cabin. BMW’s 1 Series comes in a variety of bodystyles and is extremely well built, plus it offers some really efficient engines.

Matching the Golf on image but not space is the MINI; while rear seat access is awkward and the boot is small, it’s good to drive and very well built. If practicality is more important, don’t overlook the Ford Focus; it’s a cracking car that’s great to drive, well equipped and reliable. Plus, as it’s in plentiful supply, it’s far cheaper than the Golf. The Opel Astra and Peugeot 308 major on value, but aren’t as well built and not as good to drive, either.

What to look for: 

Wipers

The driver’s side wiper can smear the windscreen when it rains. Switching the original Valeo blades for Bosch alternatives seems to do the trick.

Parking brake

While the electronic parking brake has so far proven reliable, it seems to be something that really polarises opinion; owners either love it or hate it.

Infotainment

The touchscreen multimedia system generally works well, but some drivers have struggled to pair their phones and it doesn’t read all MP3 players.

Headlights

Lots of owners aren’t impressed by the Golf’s standard headlights (not xenons), so bulb swaps are common, usually for Osram Nightbreakers. 

Interior

The Golf doesn’t have the most imaginative dash design, but it’s intuitive and ergonomically sound with a high-quality finish. The seats are supportive and offer plenty of adjustment; there’s lots of room for four adults, although five is a squeeze. Plus, the generous 380-litre boot increases to 1,270 litres.

Running costs

Golf owners can choose from fixed-interval or variable servicing. The former requires checks every 12 months or 10,000 miles; the latter allows up to 20,000 miles and two years between services, depending on how the car is used.

Most engines feature a cambelt which needs replacing every five years or up to 140,000 miles. Brake fluid should be renewed after three years, then every two years.

Recalls

The Golf Mk7 has been recalled just once so far. A total of 303 cars built in April 2015 were called back due to a risk of the suspension collapsing because of a manufacturing fault with the front wheelbearing housing. Any affected cars got new castings made to a higher standard.

Volkswagen issued a recall in March 2016 for 2.0 TDI Golfs, as part of its high-profile emissions debacle.

While it’s true that Volkswagen’s reputation and sales took a knock with the Dieselgate scandal, residual values for used cars remain relatively unaffected, so don’t expect to scoop any bargains. When we checked, the company confirmed the Mk7 isn’t affected by the emissions recall.