The Volkswagen Golf has been a popular choice for drivers in the UK since its introduction in the 1970s.  The car has undergone several upgrades and redesigns over the years, and the eighth-generation VW Golf delivers yet another exciting addition to the line-up.

So, what can UK drivers expect from the 2023 VW Golf?

VW Golf Trims

The entry-level Volkswagen Golf is the Life trim. It provides LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless start, multi-colour ambient lighting and climate control. The 10" touchscreen is the same across every other Golf model and features DAB radio, sat-nav, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, you also get wireless smartphone charging and the Virtual Cockpit digital instruments.  

Move up to Active trim, and you benefit from tinted windows, a welcome light projection, a new design of 16" alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, decorative dash inserts, 30-colour ambient lighting, heated washer jets and three-zone climate control. 

The Style trim adds 17" alloys and further exterior design upgrades, such as a full-width LED light strip across the front of the vehicle. This trim also provides more advanced LED 'Plus' headlights with a cornering function, memory functions for the door mirrors with puddle lights, upgraded seats and upholstery, and additional driver assist features, such as Travel Assist. The Travel Assist function can accelerate, brake and steer itself under close supervision on suitable roads.

Premium R-Line models add unique styling details and more illuminated elements inside and out, alongside a sports suspension, a drive mode selector, progressive steering and sports seats with integrated headrests.

VW Golf Design and Exterior

The 2023 VW Golf boasts a sleek, modern design with clean lines and a sporty look. The car features a wider stance, a longer wheelbase, and a more aggressive front end with a more prominent grille and LED headlights. The car's rear is also updated with LED taillights and a new bumper design.

While powerful LED headlights are standard, you can upgrade them on lower trims to the same LED 'Plus' headlights equipped on the Style model that can direct light around corners. While they aren't cheap, you can purchase optional Matrix LED headlights, which allow drivers to leave the full beam on without dazzling other motorists. However, they are included as standard if you opt for a GTD model.

The Golf 2023 is available in a range of flat, metallic or premium exterior paint options. The flat or solid colours include Pure White, Urano Grey and Moonstone Grey. Premium colour options you can choose from are Atlantic Blue, Deep Pearl Black, Dolphin Grey, Lime Yellow and Reflex Silver. Premium colours include the Kings Red or Oryx White Mother-of-Pearl.

VW Golf passenger space

The 2023 VW Golf boasts impressive passenger space, making it a comfortable and practical choice for families and groups of friends. The car's cabin has been designed to maximise space, with ample legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats.  The driver and passenger seats are well-padded and comfortable in front of the car and can be easily adjusted to find the perfect driving position.

The car's wide stance also means that there is plenty of shoulder room, allowing for a comfortable ride even on longer journeys. In the vehicle's rear, passengers are treated to even more space. The Golf's longer wheelbase means plenty of legroom is available, even for taller passengers. The rear seats are also well-padded and supportive, making them a comfortable place to spend time on the road.

One of the benefits of the Golf's design is that the car has a relatively high roofline, which provides plenty of headroom in both the front and rear seats. This is particularly useful for taller passengers who often struggle with headroom in smaller cars.

Overall, the 2023 VW Golf offers generous passenger space, making it a practical and comfortable choice for families and groups of friends. Whether taking a long road trip or commuting to work, the Golf's spacious cabin ensures everyone can travel comfortably.

VW Golf Engine and Performance

The 2023 VW Golf has numerous engine options, including petrol, diesel, and hybrid models.  

Petrol

You can choose from three TSI-badged petrol engines, all with a six-speed manual as standard. The 1.5 TSI is an extremely popular engine as it's powerful but has little engine noise unless you push it hard.

In addition to the standard petrol variants is a 48-volt mild-hybrid version of each petrol model, branded as eTSI - these are only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox. This drivetrain utilises a 48v lithium-ion battery charged by regenerative braking and a special starter-generator to enable the Golf to coast with the engine off to help save fuel. 

The eTSI feels very sprightly when pulling away as there’s a smile-inducing blast of electrical assistance, and it's fun to drive on twisty country roads. 

The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 108bhp and has a top speed of 126mph.

Diesel engines

The diesel engine options for the 2023 Golf in the UK include a new 2.0-litre TDI engine with two different power outputs: 113 bhp and 148 bhp. Both engines are four-cylinder and come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 148 bhp engine is also available with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox as an option.  

Both diesel engines are fantastic options for motorists who regularly drive long journeys. Due to around 70mpg on longer runs, it has over a 600-mile range. This makes the punchier TDI 150 an excellent choice for motorway miles.

The 113 bhp engine has a top speed of around 126 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of approximately 10.5 seconds. The 148 bhp engine has a top speed of about 135 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of roughly 8.5 seconds. This engine is popular for drivers wanting more performance and power without sacrificing fuel economy. 

Hybrid and Electric engines

Drivers can choose from two different plug-in hybrid VW Golf engines: the sporty and more powerful GTE or the sensible eHybrid. Both of these hybrid models blend a 1.4 petrol engine with a large battery pack and an electric motor. The eHybrid, with 204hp (same as the old GTE mode) feels powerful with a 0-62mph time of only 7.4s, and the electric-only performance can sufficiently keep up with city or motorway traffic reasonably easily.

Because the eHybrid places more importance on efficiency as opposed to performance, it has a more extended electric-only range than the GTE. According to official figures, at over 40 miles on a single charge, it falls into a lower company car tax bracket than the GTE and is more efficient in the real world.  

High-performance VW Golf engines

Plug-in hybrid GTE

The plugin-in GTE fuses the fuel efficiency of a plug-in hybrid with plenty of the performance of a hot hatchback. Power from the petrol engine is the same as the eHybrid, but the combined power with the electric motor correlates to a total output of 400Nm of torque and 245hp, enough for a speedy return of 0-62mph in 6.7sec.  

Golf GTI and Clubsport details

Typically, the VW Golf GTI and Clubsport are the most favoured fast Golfs, and for a good reason. Since the late 1970's, the GTI has been sold in the UK and is firmly established as the longest-running hot hatch franchise. The latest eighth-generation model continues the popular formula of a 2.0-litre turbocharged front-wheel drive variant with stylish looks and a superb feel when driving at high speeds. You're guaranteed nothing but exciting performance with a maximum power of 245hp for the GTI model and 300hp for the Clubsport.

Range-topping Golf R leads the way

At the top of the range is the Volkswagen Golf R, which delivers a punchy 320hp and four-wheel drive to give the world’s leading hot hatches a run for their money. 

VW Golf Boot space

There is enough room in the luggage compartment for your weekly family food shop, and you can also fit in a small set of golf clubs or a fold-up baby pram. Overall, luggage space is good for the class, as you can store up to five suitcases underneath the parcel shelf of all Golf models, including the GTE.

All models except the plug-in hybrid VW Golf GTE and the eHybrid have a height-adjustable boot floor. That lets you create two separate compartments and, when lifted, irons out the step, which is created when you fold the rear seats down.

VW Golf Safety

The VW Golf is one of the safest cars to drive, and Euro NCAP awarded their full five-star rating in 2019, with impressive adult and child occupant protection ratings of 95% and 89%, respectively. Even the base entry version is loaded with plenty of the latest safety tech.

All trims are provided with adaptive cruise control, which makes drivers' lives easier on long motorway journeys and adds a second pair of eyes to a certain extent. The Front Assist system measures the distance between your car and the vehicle in front, warning you if you're getting too close. If the car detects a possible collision, it will alert you again and prepare the brakes for emergency braking. At speeds up to 19mph, the City Emergency Braking technology will brake automatically for you if you don't respond in time - and increase the pressure on the brakes if you do react.

Other standard safety equipment includes automatic headlights, eight airbags, and an active bonnet which pops up to provide additional cushioning if you hit a pedestrian.

All models benefit from VW's impressive Car2X wireless communication feature, which exchanges information with other vehicles and the traffic infrastructure. For example, if there’s a hazard or an incident further up the road, it can alert you in advance.

Overall, the latest VW Golf is another exciting addition to the VW range, with its sleek design, advanced technology, and range of engine options. Whether you're looking for a comfortable family car or a sporty drive, the Golf 2023 is sure to impress.