Trevor Ng
The Volkswagen Golf is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is Volkswagen's best-selling model and is among the world's top three best-selling models, with more than 35 million units sold as of 2019. The Golf has been developed over eight generations, with the Mk7 model introduced in 2012 and the Mk8 model in 2019. The Golf has won awards, including the World Car of the Year in 2009 and 2013. The VW Golf TSI is the standard model, while the VW Golf GTI is a sportier version with three trim levels. The Golf R is a performance AWD hatchback, and the e-Golf is an electric version.
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What You'll Learn
Volkswagen Golf Mk1
The Volkswagen Golf Mk1 was introduced in 1974 as a replacement for the Volkswagen Beetle. It was the first generation of the VW Golf and featured various engines and body configurations. All Mk1 Golfs featured a front-mounted inline 4, with power going to the front wheels. The most notable variant is the Mk1 GTI, which is considered the archetypal "hot hatch", a class of sporty small cars popular in the 1970s and early 1980s. The Golf Mk1 GTI was offered with a 1.8-litre engine, and special factory editions of the model were sold under different names in several European countries. Total production of the Golf Mk1 GTI reached 462,000 units.
The Golf Mk1 received VW model designation Type 17. Production started in March 1974, and sales officially began in May 1974. The Mk1 Golf was designed by Giugiaro, who considered it the most important design of his career. The car featured Giugiaro's signature "origami" or "folded-paper" style, emphasizing sharp corners and flat planes. Early prototypes included rectangular headlamps and wide tail-lamp assemblies, but these were replaced with round headlamps and narrower rear lamps by the time production started.
In August 1979, a sedan version of the Golf Mk1 called the Jetta was introduced. It was essentially a Golf Mk1 with a trunk grafted on, and it was offered in two- and four-door versions. The Jetta was a sales success in North America but lagged behind in Europe. A convertible version of the Golf Mk1, called the Type 155, was also introduced in 1979.
The Golf Mk1 was sold as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico. A facelifted version of the Golf Mk1 was produced in South Africa as the Citi Golf from 1984 to 2009. Production of the Mk1 Golf ended in 1984, but the Mk1 Golf Cabriolet remained in production until 1993. The average price of a Volkswagen Golf Mk1 is $15,317.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk2
The Volkswagen Golf Mk2 is the second generation of the Volkswagen Golf, succeeding the Volkswagen Golf Mk1. It was introduced in September 1983 and ended production in late 1992, replaced by the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. The Mk2 was a front-engined, front-wheel-drive hatchback, which retained the overall look of the Mk1 but with a slightly more rounded form. It was larger than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase and larger exterior dimensions, resulting in a weight increase of about 120 kg. The exterior design, developed by VW design director Schäfer, kept the general lines of its predecessor while adding a more modern touch.
The Mk2 was available as a 3- and 5-door hatchback, with 2-door and 4-door sedan variants marketed under the Volkswagen Jetta name. It did not have a cabriolet version; instead, Volkswagen continued producing the Mk1-based convertible with minor changes. Notable variants of the Mk2 included the GTI, Rallye, Country, and G60 limited editions. The GTI model, introduced in 1985, featured a fuel-injected engine with an 8-valve or 16-valve version, the latter capable of speeds over 220 km/h.
During its production run, the Mk2 underwent several external style revisions. One notable change was the removal of quarterlight windows in the front doors, along with the introduction of larger grille slats in 1987. Another significant change was the introduction of ""Big Bumpers"" in the European market in 1989, which became standard on all GTIs in 1990.
The Mk2 was Volkswagen's highest-volume seller from 1983 to 1992, with approximately 6.3 million second-generation Golfs built. It received recognition, such as the "Car of the Year" award in 1985 by the British motoring magazine "What Car?". The average price of a Volkswagen Golf Mk2 is $16,385, with recorded sales ranging from $2,700 to $87,000 depending on the model year and variant.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk4
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4, also known as the VW Type 1J, is a compact car and the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf series. It was launched in October 1997 for the 1998 model year and was the best-selling car in Europe in 2001. The Mk4 was deliberately designed to take the Golf series further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels. It was replaced in late 2003 for the 2004 model year by the Volkswagen Golf Mk5 in European markets, but production continued in South America and China for developing markets until 2014.
The Golf Mk4 was produced in Germany, South Africa, Slovakia, Brazil, Belgium, and China, with some Eastern European locations such as Bosnia and Herzegovina also contributing to manufacturing. The interior of the Mk4 was largely similar to its predecessor, the Mk3, with some notable exceptions. These included a Mk4-style three-spoke leather steering wheel, a textured dashboard, heavily bolstered front seats with side airbags, and a chromed finish on several parts, including the inner door handles, emergency brake button, and front seat belt anchors.
The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 was available in both three and five-door hatchback variants, as well as a five-door station wagon. The European Golf wagon, launched in the spring of 1999, was nearly identical to the North American Jetta Wagon, with only minor differences in parts such as headlights and bumpers. The Golf Mk4 was introduced to North America in mid-1999, offering a 2.0-litre gasoline engine and a 1.9-litre TDI engine with 48 mpg.
The Golf/Jetta Mk4 engine choices included a range of petrol and diesel options, from 1.4-litre to 3.2-litre engines, with power ranging from 90 to 150 PS. While the Mk4 was generally well-received, some owners have noted that the engines are prone to burning oil, especially the petrol versions. Despite this, the Mk4 is considered a solid and reliable choice, with some owners praising its durability and performance.
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Volkswagen Golf Mk5
The Volkswagen Golf is one of the world's best-selling models, with over 35 million units sold as of 2019. The Golf Mk5 was introduced in Europe in the autumn of 2003 and reached the UK market in early 2004. In North America, Volkswagen reintroduced the Rabbit nameplate when it launched the Mk5 in 2006.
The Mk5 GTI was named 2007 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine in December 2006. This generation was the only one in Canada to have the GTI as a separate nameplate rather than a trim of the Golf. The Mk5 GTI featured an innovative DSG transmission and a 200 PS TFSI engine, which contributed to its higher retail price.
The Golf Mk5 GT offers a choice of a 1.4-litre petrol engine in a twincharger (TSI) configuration, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine, or a 2.0 (FSI) direct injection petrol engine. The TSI petrol and diesel engines are available as 125 kW versions. The PD diesel engine has 350 N⋅m of torque, which is more than the range-topping R32.
The station wagon version of the Golf Mk5 debuted at the International Geneva Motor Show in March 2007. It was marketed as the Golf Variant in European markets, the Jetta SportWagen in the US, and the Vento Variant in Argentina and Uruguay. The three-box sedan variant of the Mk5 Golf was marketed as the Jetta in North America and Europe, replacing the Bora name. It was also known as the Volkswagen Bora in Mexico and Colombia, the Volkswagen Vento in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, and the Volkswagen Sagitar in China.
The Golf Plus variant of the Golf Mk5, introduced in December 2004, is 95 mm taller than the standard Golf and 150 mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touran. It was replaced by the Golf Sportsvan in 2014, with a refresh in December 2008. A crossover-styled version was released as the CrossGolf (Golf Plus Dune in the UK) in 2006.
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Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a turbocharged hatchback that has been in production since at least 2017. It is one of the world's best-selling car models, with over 35 million units sold as of 2019.
The 2025 Golf GTI has a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, which makes 241 horsepower. This model has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which offers quick shifts. The 2025 Golf GTI can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, according to tests. In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2025 Golf GTI is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg for city driving, 32 mpg for highway driving, and 27 mpg combined.
The 2025 Golf GTI has introduced new technology features, including a larger touchscreen, an improved voice assistant, and updated infotainment software. It also has new steering-wheel controls, replacing the previous touch-sensitive buttons. The headlights and taillights have been revised, along with new wheel designs.
The Golf GTI is known for its sharp handling, powerful powertrain, and practicality. The 2025 model continues this tradition, offering an engaging driving experience, comfortable interior, and ample room for passengers and cargo.
The Golf GTI has received recognition for its performance and features, making it a well-rounded vehicle in its segment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Volkswagen Golf is a C-segment car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. It is one of the world's best-selling models, with over 35 million units sold as of 2019.
The two main models are the VW Golf TSI and the VW Golf GTI. The GTI is the sportier version of the two.
There are three Volkswagen Golf GTI trim levels: S, SE, and Autobahn.
The VW Golf GTI S comes with Driving Mode Selection and App-Connect technology as standard.
The Golf Mk8, which was introduced in December 2019, is the latest model.
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