Volkswagen Golf lovers are everywhere! If you don’t drive a Golf, you’ll probably know someone who does, regularly declaring that they wouldn’t dream of driving anything else. With over 33 million sales worldwide to date*, this best-selling VW regularly appears near the top of the charts when it comes to the UK’s most popular car.
Throughout the course of its 43-year history, the VW Golf has progressed from a small family car, built to replace the Beetle, to an iconic motoring favourite. Grab your golf clubs and take a stroll down the front 9 with Swansway Group to discover the evolution of the VW Golf.
Mk1 Golf (1974 - 1982)
- Engine: 1.1 to 1.8 cc
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Weight: 750 - 970kg
- Power: 49 - 112 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 8.2 - 16.5 secs
- Top Speed: 87 - 114 mph
- Length: 3,705mm
- Width: 1,610mm
- Height: 1,410mm
Car Fact: The VW Golf was introduced in USA and Canada as the VW Rabbit
Mk2 Golf (1983 - 1992)
- Engine: 1.3 to 1.8 cc
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Weight: 845 - 940kg
- Power: 55 - 125 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 8.6 - 18.7 secs
- Top Speed: 94 - 119 mph
- Length: 3,874mm
- Width: 1,665mm
- Height: 1,415mm
Car Fact: The Mk2 Golf saw the introduction of advancements such as the catalytic converter, ABS and four-wheel drive.
Mk3 Volkswagen Golf (1991 - 1996)
- Engine: 1.4 to 2.9 cc
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Weight: 1,030 - 1,410kg
- Power: 55 - 190 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 7.5 - 16.2 secs
- Top Speed: 102 - 140 mph
- Length: 4,020mm
- Width: 1,690mm
- Height: 1,425mm
Car Fact: Airbags were first introduced to the Mk3 Golf in 1992
Mk4 Volkswagen Golf (1997 - 2004)
- Engine: 1.4 to 3.2 cc
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Weight: 1,085 - 1,475kg
- Power: 75 - 240 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 6.6 - 13 secs
- Top Speed: 106 - 155 mph
- Length: 4,149mm
- Width: 1,735mm
- Height: 1,439mm
Car Fact: After he became pontiff, a 1999 Mk4 Golf, once belonging to Pope Benedict XV1, was sold by a private seller for €189,000.
Mk5 Volkswagen Golf (2005 - 2008)
- Engine: 1.4 to 3.2 cc
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Weight: 1,201 - 1,617kg
- Power: 90 - 240 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 6.6 - 12.9 secs
- Top Speed: 108 - 155 mph
- Length: 4,204mm
- Width: 1,759mm
- Height: 1,485mm
Car Fact: In 2004, VW introduced the Golf Plus, a mini MPV, 95mm taller than the standard Mk5.
Mk6 Volkswagen Golf (2009 - 2011)
- Engine: 1.2 to 2.0 cc
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Weight: 1,154 - 1,339kg
- Power: 80 - 270 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 5.5 - 13.9 secs
- Top Speed: 106 - 155 mph
- Length: 4,213mm
- Width: 1,779mm
- Height: 1,469mm
Car Fact: Heralded as one of the safest cars in its class, the Mk6 Golf was awarded 2009 Euro NCAP Safest Car of the Year.
Mk7 Volkswagen Golf (2012 - 2021)
- Engine: 1.0 to 2.0 cc
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Weight: 1,136 - 1,520kg
- Power: 84 - 296 bhp
- 0 - 60 mph: 4.9 - 13.6 secs
- Top Speed: 111 - 155 mph
- Length: 4,255mm
- Width: 1,799mm
- Height: 1,452mm
Car Fact: The Mk7 Golf is broader and longer than the previous version, yet magically weighs up to 100kg less!
Golf GTE
- Engine: 1.4 Petrol TSI Plug-in Hybrid
- Transmission: 6-speed auto DSG
- Weight: 1,615kg
- Power: 2.4/150 PS/Kw (Max Combined)
- 0 - 60 mph: 7.6 secs
- Top Speed: 138 mph
- Length: 4,270mm
- Width: 1,799mm
- Height: 1,457mm
Car Fact: The Golf GTE can cover up to 31 miles in all-electric driving mode, charging in as little as 2h 15m.
Mk8 Volkswagen Golf (2021 - Present)
- Engine: 2.0 TDI
- Transmission: 7-speed DSG
- Weight: 1,615kg
- Power: 115PS (Max Combined)
- 0 - 60 mph: 10.4 secs
- Top Speed: 126 mph
The Future VW Golf
With more than four decades under its belt, the VW Golf has enough stamina to go on and on and on… What will the VW Golf of the future look like?