With a starting price of £26,945, the refreshed Volkswagen Golf arrives with essential upgrades to its interior tech and an updated engine line-up. But does this facelift restore the Golf’s standing as the go-to hatchback in its class?
Few models are as synonymous with their segment as the Golf is with compact hatchbacks. Mention a “C-segment hatchback” and most people will draw a blank—say “like a Golf”, and everyone instantly knows what you mean.
In recent years, however, the Golf has seen its once-dominant position slip. This decline has largely been down to Volkswagen’s push towards its electric ID range and, in part, the eighth-generation Golf’s departure from the brand’s hallmark approachability and intuitiveness.
Criticism mostly centred around its overcomplicated infotainment system and a design language that many felt lacked distinction. Now, four years on, Volkswagen has given the Golf a mid-life update—nicknamed the Mk8.5—to address those concerns.
A Much-Needed Tech Overhaul
The most welcome improvement lies inside. The updated infotainment system is now far more user-friendly, addressing one of the Mk8’s biggest let-downs. While the overall dashboard layout remains familiar, usability has been vastly improved, making the Golf feel more polished and complete.
Visually, the changes are subtle but effective. The standard LED headlights are now slimmer and more angular, with optional matrix LED units offering enhanced lighting capabilities. Higher-spec versions also benefit from a new front-end design featuring an illuminated Volkswagen badge and light bar. At the rear, redesigned LED lights complete the look, adding a more refined, modern edge.
Enhanced Plug-In Hybrid Powertrains
Mechanically, the standout update is the introduction of Volkswagen’s second-generation plug-in hybrid systems. The old 1.4-litre engine paired with a 10.6kWh battery has been replaced by a more powerful and efficient 1.5-litre unit and a larger 19.7kWh battery.
As a result, the new eHybrid offers an impressive electric-only range of up to 88 miles—exceptional for a car in this class. Even the sportier GTE variant can travel up to 82 miles purely on electricity. Charging has also seen a significant upgrade: AC charging increases from 3.6kW to 11kW, while DC rapid charging now supports up to 40kW.
Familiar Yet Capable Underpinnings
The Golf Mk8.5 continues to ride on the tried-and-tested MQB platform, with overall length extended slightly to 4282mm—about 2.5cm longer than its predecessor. At 2070mm wide including the mirrors, it remains a compact and agile option well suited to Europe’s narrow roads.
A key technical differentiator remains the suspension setup. While some base models with 114bhp use a simpler torsion beam rear suspension, most variants benefit from independent multi-link rear suspension, offering better ride comfort and handling precision.
Driving Experience and Pricing
On the road, the Golf continues to deliver. Its mild-hybrid powertrain impresses with smooth delivery, excellent refinement and strong efficiency. With adaptive dampers, it strikes a great balance between dynamic handling and a comfortable ride, making it a well-rounded everyday companion.
However, not everything is perfect. The updated design, while more polished, still divides opinion and may not win over critics of the original Mk8’s aesthetics. Pricing is also on the higher side compared to rivals, and there remain some concerns around the long-term reliability of the digital systems—despite clear improvements.