Name: Volkswagen Golf (2020 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Volkswagen Golf Mk8
Rating: 75.0

Summary

The Volkswagen Golf is a five-door family hatchback, available in petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid formats. The current model is the eighth generation and was launched in late 2019. It arrived in the UK in summer 2020 and received a mid-life update in summer 2024.

Unlike earlier versions of the Golf, there is no three-door hatchback version. An estate model joined the range in 2021, while performance models like the GTI, GTE and GTD arrived in the second half of 2020. There’s no electric e-Golf this time around, as the new Golf-sized Volkswagen ID.3 becomes the electric alternative to a petrol or diesel Golf.

Initial reviews of the new Volkswagen Golf at the international launch were very positive, although the overall rating dropped back by several points once more local reviews of UK-spec cars were published in recent months.

The Golf has received praise for being better to drive than its acclaimed predecessor, although its ‘all-digital’ interior has received generally poor reviews from almost all reviewers for not being anywhere as user-friendly as previous models.

As of June 2025, the Volkswagen Golf holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 75%. It scores top marks for its excellent Euro NCAP safety rating and low CO₂ emissions, while running costs and media review scores are also good.

Golf highlights

Great ride comfort
Excellent safety standards
Better handling and refinement than the old Golf
A number of efficient engines to choose from
Packed with on-board tech

Golf lowlights

Fiddly infotainment system
Rivals are more spacious
Polarising front-end styling
Interior trim lacks premium feel
Alternatives have more boot space

Key specifications

Body style: Medium hatchback and estate
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £26,565 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Summer 2024
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“The Volkswagen Golf has remained a favourite car for many buyers for half a century because it does everything expected of it to a high standard and this update will keep it very much in contention with much younger rivals.”

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Match hatchback (2024 update)

Score: 8.2 / 10

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The Car Expert

Andrew Charman

“The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 retains its core family hatchback appeal, and will appeal whatever your needs – even if some alternatives are more fun to drive.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

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Carwow

Tom Wiltshire

More reviews

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
“Volkswagen already had a near-class-leading model with the outgoing Golf, and it didn’t need to do a great deal to this new eighth-generation model to bring it right to the forefront of the competitive family hatchback class.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Match hatchback
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf doesn’t quite define the family-car segment in the way that it used to – a Skoda Octavia is more practical, and it remains better value – but there’s no denying that some well-judged tweaks have made VW’s icon better aligned with its own values than it has been for some time. It’s not exactly cheap, but it is well equipped, generally comfortable, neatly finished and, for many people, just the right size.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: Alltrack (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Alltrack’s powertrain is well suited and it’s more economical than most SUVs, while possessing genuine off-road ability. The annoying interior technology of the current Golf is a shame, however.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mk8 Golf offers cleaner engines, an updated interior and the latest on-board tech, but it can’t quite reach the top of the class.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“The new Volkswagen Golf Estate is more practical than ever, but it still can’t match up to some of its rivals.”
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Model reviewed: GTE
“Performance, range and company car tax are all big plus points, although the Volkswagen Golf GTE does look a touch expensive versus its immediate rival plug-in hatchbacks.”
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Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE hatchback
Score: 7 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf GTE feels solid to drive and it’s a straightforward plug-in hybrid hatch that those new to electrification will get along with easily. However, it’s an expensive proposition, and Mercedes makes a plug-in A-Class that’s cheaper to buy, cheaper to tax and potentially cheaper to run.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf offers cleaner engines, an updated interior and the latest on-board tech, but it can’t quite reach the top of the class.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Style
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Volkswagen Golf brings worthy upgrades in lots of areas. The new mild-hybrid powertrain is exceptionally refined, the cabin materials and packaging are better than ever and even the geekiest buyer would find it hard to fault the gains in infotainment. But the tweaks to the chassis and cabin layout seem to have brought as many foibles as they have benefits.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Golf is a true benchmark, not just for Volkswagen but for the wider industry. More tech and engines will follow, but this latest Volkswagen Golf already has enough in its locker to make it one of the best compact hatchbacks you can buy.”
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Business Car

Model reviewed: GTE
Score: 8 / 10
“The Volkswgen Golf GTE melds low emissions with hot hatch pedigree.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“An even more mature version of what came before, with a higher-tech and nicer built interior, loads more engine choices and a bit more sparkle to the handling.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Estate
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf Estate is sophisticated and practical but some cheaper models offer even more space.”
Author: Andy Goodwin, John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf improves incrementally on the old one in most areas and has a smart new interior”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Life
“Price tag apart, the new Volkswagen Golf is a big step forward over the previous model, and worthy of the nameplate’s strong reputation.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
“A high-class family hatchback with the latest tech, efficient engines and serious fleet appeal.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Life
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Volkswagen Golf is a little bit more precise in its handling but then since 1974 it’s always offered safe and dependable behaviour. Other cars might be more fun to drive, but few can beat the Golf’s all-round appeal.”
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Fleetworld

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 130hp Life
“The 1.5-litre manual offers everything a traditional fleet driver could ask for, but the Volkswagen Golf’s digital revelations in terms of layout and usability are sadly hit and miss. The mild-hybrid and forthcoming plug-in hybrid versions should suit the car more, however, and offer further fleet incentives.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The interior shows a significant reduction in cabin clutter, with almost all of the buttons from the dashboard being replaced with touch-sensitive controls.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5 TSI
“It’s got grip where you want it, is a bit nose heavy, and has an overly aggressive lane-keeper to make sure you don’t take the racing line, but apart from that it’s a Golf. And that means it’s brilliant.”
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Motoring Research

Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic estate Alltrack
Score: 8 / 10
“In a world of SUVs, the four-wheel-drive Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack is a niche choice – but quite a compelling one.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 9 / 10
“Now into its eighth generation, the Volkswagen Golf still feels like the benchmark hatchback, from the entry-level Life to the sporty Golf R.”
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Motors

Score: 9 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf delivers a high-quality interior, efficient engines and is impressively refined.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9.2 / 10
“Volkswagen dials up the tech for new Golf”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 0
“Honestly, you won’t go far wrong with any Golf because… it’s a Golf. It’s brilliant. Of course it is.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Golf may not be hugely different to look at from the outside but it definitely has the wow factor on the inside, and it’s packed with the very latest technology.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“The Volkswagen Golf GTE is a lovely and clever car that’s surprisingly difficult to recommend despite that. It’s very good in many ways, but it’s no sports hatch and you’ll get more for your money elsewhere.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol automatic Life
Score: 8 / 10
“VW has done just enough to keep the Golf near the top of its game. But beneath the surface, it no longer feels all-conquering; there’s a sense corners have been cut, particularly in suspension tuning and sound deadening; as a result, this is merely a good car, where the previous one was truly great.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Style
Score: 8 / 10
“Forget the Golf 8 description, think of this as Golf 7.55 and you see a host of welcome upgrades and genuine innovation, although parts of the facia and the central touchscreen aren’t very easy to use and don’t seem very progressive.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“New eighth-gen Volkswagen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 78%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid GTE

Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: November 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.2 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.6 / 10

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol manual

Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: February 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 6.2 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.9 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.3 / 10

Both the 1.5-litre petrol and plug-in hybrid GTE models received 3.5-star ratings from Green NCAP in 2021. These are solid ratings for petrol (or predominantly petrol) cars, and it’s interesting that the plug-in hybrid GTE shows little eco benefit over the regular petrol engine in the Green NCAP testing process.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 1262
Average repair cost: £570.50
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of June 2025, the Volkswagen Golf has a fairly average overall reliability score, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. However, this applies to all Golf models in MotorEasy’s database, so will be a combination of the current Mk8 and the previous Mk7 (pre-2020).

The average repair cost of £570 is also about average – but much more than the cost of a used car warranty, which is certainly worth bearing in mind.

The majority of problems with the Golf relate to the engine or suspension, and although engine repairs usually cost around £900, suspension issues fortunately tend not to be too expensive with an average repair cost of about £240. Gearbox problems are expensive, at more than £1,300, but the good news is that these are relatively rare.

If you’re looking at a used Volkswagen Golf, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	51 mpg	B	– mpg	E – E
Diesel models	61 mpg	A	– mpg	E – E

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	124 g/km	A	117 – 194 g/km	A – D
Diesel models	121 g/km	A	108 – 165 g/km	A – C
Plug-in hybrid models	7 g/km	A	6 – 27 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	85 miles	C	38 – 89 miles	C – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	22	A	13 – 50	A – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£149	A
Year 2	£435	A
Year 3	£717	A
Year 4	£958	A
Year 5	£1,288	A
Overall	£3,547	A

The Volkswagen Golf has an excellent set of running cost scores, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel consumption is good to excellent, depending on whether you’re driving a petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid model. Emissions levels are also impressive – although this is Volkswagen, the world’s most infamous emissions cheaters, so who knows if you can trust their latest numbers…

Insurance and servicing costs should also be very competitive for the first five years of ownership.

Security rating

Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research

Rating: Superior | Good | Basic | Poor | Unacceptable
Relay Attack: Fail

Date: 2019

The Volkswagen Golf automatically scored a ‘Poor’ security rating from Thatcham because it is susceptible to a relay attack. This is a popular form of vehicle theft where thieves intercept the signal from your car key – even if it’s inside your house – then use it to remotely open and start the car.