NEW 2024 Volkswagen Golf F 8 R-Line Facelift Full View Interior and Exterior

2024 Volkswagen Golf 8 R-Line

00:00 Exterior
02:17 Trunk
03:03 Exterior pt2
03:47 Interior
04:46 Steering wheel, sun roof, interface
07:39 Interior pt2 - backseat
11:03 Engine
11:27 Dynamic 360 view

Introduction

There are household names and then there’s the Volkswagen Golf. Indeed, it’s been so popular for so long that it’s almost guaranteed you know someone who owns one.

The key to this family car's success is arguably its ability to defy class boundaries. The Golf range starts at less than £30,000 yet it's not unusual to see a royal driving one. Indeed, it looks just as at home among premium models such as the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class as it does with mainstream rivals including the Ford Focus and Seat Leon.

All that is especially impressive when you consider that the Golf has managed to do it for eight generations. A 2024 mid-life update to the Golf Mk 8 has kept things largely the same, but includes changes to the infotainment system designed to address criticism of its lack of user-friendliness.

All that is especially impressive when you consider that the Golf has managed to do it for eight generations. A 2024 mid-life update to the Golf Mk 8 has kept things largely the same, but includes changes to the infotainment system designed to address criticism of its lack of user-friendliness.

So has Volkswagen done enough to ensure the latest VW Golf deserves a place among the best family cars? Read on to find out...

Overview

The VW Golf is a highly recommendable choice if you're looking for a family car. Some rivals are more spacious inside and better to drive, and premium rivals have higher-grade interiors, but a 2024 update has improved the usability of the Golf's infotainment. We think Match trim with the 1.5 TSI 150 petrol engine is the best combination – although company car drivers will be better off choosing the Golf eHybrid plug-in hybrid

Engine, 0-60mph and gearbox

You get plenty of engine choices when it comes to the VW Golf, starting with the 113bhp 1.5 TSI 115 and 148bhp 1.5 TSI 150 petrols. While the TSI 115 keeps the cost down, we think it's worth paying more for the TSI 150 because it’s swifter getting up to motorway speeds and when overtaking (0-62mph takes 8.6 seconds)

If you’re more concerned with efficiency, the 1.5 eTSI mild-hybrid or the 1.5 TSI eHybrid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) will appeal. Both are quick off the line and get up to speed easily, but the big difference is that, where the eTSI uses a small electric motor for a power boost, the eHybrid can officially drive on electricity alone for 88 miles.

Diesel fans will enjoy how strong the entry-level 2.0 TDI 115 feels at low revs. It makes for relaxed progress but is by no means fast. The more powerful 2.0 TDI 150 should be more than quick enough for everyday driving.

Suspension and ride comfort

On its standard suspension, the Golf rides potholes and ridges around town pretty adeptly, and with similar ease to the Mercedes A-Class. As speeds increase, it becomes a little more unsettled over minor imperfections, and doesn’t quite match the body control of the firmer BMW 1 Series.

Opting for one of the 150 engines gives you a more sophisticated rear suspension set-up that makes the ride less fidgety, while R-Line gets lowered sports suspension that’s noticeably firmer but still perfectly acceptable.

Handling

The Golf’s light steering is great for town driving but some might prefer a bit more heft and directness for faster, twistier roads. R-Line trim combats that with its Driver Profile Selection system, which allows you to select a Sport mode to add extra weight, but the steering on the Golf still isn't as sweetly calibrated as on the Ford Focus or as alert and responsive as with the 1 Series.

If a sharper drive is your thing, you should also consider the Seat Leon because it's more agile and fun, with less body lean during cornering than the Golf. The Golf R-Line (not to be confused with the much more powerful VW Golf R) has lowered sports suspension does improve things, making it keener to change direction and reducing body lean, but it’s still not as sharp as the Leon.

Alternatively, you can opt for the adaptive DCC suspension to gain the ability to stiffen things up on demand. If that’s still not sporty enough, the Golf GTI should be enough to scratch the itch for anyone chasing hot-hatch performance.

Quality

It's not as opulent inside as a Mercedes A-Class and is not bolted together as well as the BMW 1 Series while the Mazda 3 has a better finish. It’s not all bad news, though: the Golf still ranks above some mainstream family cars on quality, including the Ford Focus and the Skoda Scala.

Readmore:https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/go...