Volkswagen Golf MK7 vs Volkswagen Golf MK8

Volkswagen Golf

MK7 · 2012 – 2020

The seventh-generation Golf (MK7), on the MQB platform.

Volkswagen Golf

MK8 · 2020 – 2026

The eighth-generation Golf (MK8), on the MQB Evo platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Golf

Pick the Golf for a balanced mix of refinement, practicality and driving enjoyment.

Best engine: The 1.5 TSI (150 hp) or 2.0 TDI (150 hp).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Golf

Pick the Golf for a balanced mix of refinement, practicality and driving enjoyment.

Best engine: The 1.5 eTSI (150 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

1.5 TSI 150 · Petrol vs 1.5 eTSI 150 · Petrol

	Volkswagen Golf	Volkswagen Golf
Power	150 hp	150 hp
Torque	250 Nm	250 Nm
0–100 km/h	8,2 s Winner	8,5 s
Top speed	216 km/h	224 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	116,3 hp/t Winner	114,9 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	116 g/km Winner	126 g/km
Consumption (WLTP)	5,1 L/100km Winner	5,5 L/100km

Dimensions & space

	Volkswagen Golf	Volkswagen Golf
Boot	380 L	381 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.270 L Winner	1.237 L
Wheelbase	2,64 m Winner	2,64 m
Length	4,26 m	4,28 m
Ground clearance	13,9 cm	14,0 cm
Turning circle	10,9 m	10,9 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.600 kg	1.600 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Volkswagen Golf	Volkswagen Golf
Platform	MQB (transverse)	MQB Evo (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA211 1.0/1.2/1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI	EA211/EA211 Evo 1.0/1.5 · EA888 2.0 (GTI/R) · EA288 Evo 2.0 TDI · eHybrid/GTE PHEV
Transmission	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG	7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6d
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Volkswagen Golf

DQ200 DSG service (automatic)
Water pump/thermostat module on EA211
AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)

Volkswagen Golf

MIB3/MIB4 software campaigns (early)
DQ200 DSG service (1.0/1.5)
AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)

Pros

Volkswagen Golf

Light MQB platform with sharp handling
Thrifty, smooth TSI/TDI engines
Solid build quality

Volkswagen Golf

Modern MIB4 electronics post-facelift (2024)
Wide, efficient engine range
Strong driver-assistance systems

Cons

Volkswagen Golf

EA111 chain (early 1.4 TSI, pre-2014)
Plastic water pump needs checking

Volkswagen Golf

MIB3 software on early cars (pre-facelift)
Capacitive controls pre-facelift

Driving experience

Volkswagen Golf

Balanced, comfortable and easy to place. The Golf rides with a maturity unusual for a hatchback, stays quiet at speed, and steers accurately with well-judged weighting. Front-drive versions are safe and predictable; 4MOTION on the R adds serious cross-country pace and traction. The 1.5 TSI is the sensible everyday pick — smooth and economical — the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance choice, and the GTI and R versions add real performance. The DSG is quick; the manual is crisp. Body control is composed, and while the Golf is not overtly sporty, it does everything well without fuss.

Volkswagen Golf

Well-rounded, comfortable and effortlessly easy to live with. Steering is light, accurate and quick, the ride supple and settled, and the Golf soaks up everything from city streets to motorway miles. Front-drive is safe and predictable, while 4MOTION on the R adds immense all-weather traction. The 1.5 eTSI is smooth and frugal with its 48-volt boost, the 2.0 TDI pulls strongly and sips fuel, and the GTE plug-in glides on electric power. The 7-speed DSG is quick and slick; the manual light and precise. Overall a do-everything hatch that is comfortable, capable and hard to fault.