2022 Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf pricing and specifications

It appears that Volkswagen Australia is currently only offering the Golf hatchback in 2 non-hot hatch variants: Life and R-Line.

Volkswagen Golf Life

Golf Life serves as the entry point to the Golf hatch range. This model starts from $39,788 driveaway.

Key Golf Life specs:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Comfort front seats
• 3-zone climate control
• 10-inch Innovision digital cockpit
• 10-inch satellite navigation screen
• 6-speakers plus central speaker
• Digital Radio DAB+
• LED headlamps
• Wireless charging and App-Connect
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry
• 10-colour ambient interior lighting
• Exit Warning System, Emergency Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Assist, Rear View Camera (RVC), Park Assist

As the car reviewers attested, this is a thoroughly modern Golf.

Volkswagen Golf R-Line

Next in the standard Golf line-up is the R-Line. This is a more sporty-looking model, with sharp exterior features. The R-Line starts from $43,084 driveaway.

R-Line spec highlights:

• 18-inch "Bergamo"-style alloy wheels
• Sports suspension
• Sports seats
• Performance LED headlamps
• R-Line exterior styling elements
• Sports steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls
• R-Line interior touches
• VW progressive steering ratio
• Light Assist
• Ambient interior lighting, with 30 colours
• Driver profile selection
• Tinted rear and rear-side windows

This might be the Golf to go for if you want a little more tech, a stylish exterior/interior, and can't afford the $17,000 leap up to the Golf GTI.

Click on a price to compare car loans for the Volkswagen Golf.

*Not covered by this review, included here for comparison

Pure White is the only no-cost (and solid) paint option for the VW Golf Life.

Premium metallic and pearlescent paint finishes:

• Atlantic Blue Metallic
• Dolphin Grey Metallic
• Reflex Silver Metallic
• Deep Black Pearl Effect

Those paint colours have a Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) of $650.

An exterior paint option, Pomelo Yellow Premium Metallic, has an MLP of $900.

For the Golf R-Line, VW charges $300 for Moonstone Grey Metallic. Reflex Silver isn't listed as an option.

Engine and performance

For 2022, the VW Golf in Australia is sold with 2 different engines and transmissions.

Those are a 1.4-litre turbo petrol, paired with an 8-speed automatic, or a 2.0-litre turbo petrol, splined to a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

Volkswagen 1.4-litre petrol engine

The first engine is a 1.4-litre capacity turbocharged petrol engine from the TSI range. Officially, this engine is from the Volkswagen Audi Group's EA211 line. In this configuration, it outputs a modest peak power of 110kW at 5,000 revs. Maximum torque of 250Nm kicks in early, from 1,500RPM right up to 4,000RPM. On paper, those figures sound almost like a diesel engine.

With the 1.4 TSI, buyers get an 8-speed automatic transmission from Toyota Group-owned AISIN. Interestingly, the gearbox is the first 8-speed auto designed to sit in a transverse layout (aligned perpendicular to the vehicle's length, as opposed to inline with it). Inspiring further confidence in this choice, other renowned carmakers like BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volvo (plus more) have all used it at some stage in their models.

Volkswagen 2.0-litre diesel engine

For the Golf GTI and Golf R, VW deploys a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine. In the GTI, it makes 180kW, from 5,000–6,200RPM and 370Nm across a diesel-like band that starts at 1,600RPM and goes right up to 4,300RPM. Plus, we've heard the GTI and it sounds fabulous, making pops and burbles that reveal its performance credentials.

When bolted into the Golf R, power jumps up to 235kW and the peak torque hits 400Nm.

For the 2.0-litre performance Golfs, Volkswagen opted to use 1 of their 7-speed automatic Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSG).

Car reviewers' impressions of the Volkswagen Golf engine and transmission line-up

How did car reviewers review the Golf engine line-up?

One of the reviewers started by saying the engine was magnificent. They declared it was silky smooth, responsive, and yet easy whenever you need it to be. Interestingly, they also spoke of how the VW Golf outclasses rivals that are still using non-turbo engines, as the Golf has more oomph. A motoring expert wished that VW had brought hybrid options to Australia (they are available in other markets), but conceded that the engine and gearbox combo meant the MK8 Golf was the best model built by VW for ages. The engine sounds as though it's very adaptable, able to work more or less from the off without sweat and rises to the challenge of an overtake with eagerness. A tester wrote that if you've had a Golf before, you'll love the MK8 model even more.

Reviewers also praised VW for switching to a more conventional 8-speed automatic transmission, which is allegedly quick to respond, has minimal lag, and switches gears with little fuss. A tester explained that on paper, VW had gone backwards with their tech, but actually enjoyed the driving experience more. Reportedly, the 8-speed auto isn't rapid, but it changes gears logically and performs on hills too.

Summing up the engine, a journo placed it as the best in the hatch category, which is quite an accomplishment.

Volkswagen Golf engine and transmission figures

Volkswagen Golf fuel economy

We source our fuel economy from the Government's Green Vehicle Guide (GVG). Here's how the 2022 VW Golf stacks up.

1.4-litre turbo petrol

VW's 1.4 TSI turbocharged petrol uses the following amounts of fuel, according to the GVG:

• Combined: 5.8L/100km
• Urban: 7.2L/100km
• Extra: 5.0L/100km

If you drive 14,000km each year, then the Green Vehicle Guide estimates you'd spend $1,436 annually.

2.0-litre turbo petrol

Obviously, as the Golf GTI has a larger capacity and more powerful engine, you'd expect it to use more petrol.

• Combined: 7.0L/100km
• Urban: 9.3L/100km
• Extra: 5.6L/100km

Those figures equate to an estimated annual fuel bill of $1,790, based on the above driving criteria.

How much petrol did the Volkswagen Golf consume on public roads?

Motoring reviewers tend to share the fuel economy they recorded during their time with a press car, which is helpful. It allows you to get a sense of how close you can get to the official brochure figures provided by Volkswagen. All of the reviewers drove cars with the 1.4-litre petrol engine.

A journo logged 6.2L/100km across a test drive that sounded very much like a combined route, so well within the typical 1-2.0L/100km variance observed with most vehicles. They also commented on how little attention they paid to try to drive frugally. Weirdly, another tester reported figures that were 2.5L/100km higher, though they did not state any more info about the conditions or their driving style. Backing this observation up, a second source shared that they'd seen 7.5L/100km combined fuel use over a week.

Other motoring writers managed to register figures below the official ones, an impressive 5.3L/100km. The final reviewer managed to clock just 0.2L/100km higher than the factory fuel economy numbers. They also noted how much thirstier some rival hatches were.

Averaging out those deviations, you get 6.66L/100km – so still within the 1.0-litre margin we often spot when analysing reviews.

Handling

Google the best-handling hatchback. The VW Golf is going to be on every list, often somewhere near the top. One member of the reviewing panel showered VW with a flattering accolade when they wrote it was the best-driving small car.

And it seems from the opinions of car reviewers that it's very comfortable too. A reviewer driving a base-model Golf found the tall tyre sidewalls absorbed lots of road bumps. They also described the suspension as comfort-oriented, meaning the Golf was a smooth operator. A tester said it had better ride quality than its rivals (they were driving a Golf Life model), saying the ride was velvety and it absorbed bumps readily. Around town, it is apparently nimble and even enjoyable, which isn't something you typically hear about cars. This view was held by another tester who said it was an enriching vehicle drive, even in ordinary surroundings.

From other testers, we noticed words like forgiving and settled, while a sample reviewer described the Golf's ride dynamics as exceptional. They considered the Golf's suspension to be perfectly balanced between overly firm and squishy – in other words, just right. They went on to say that in their eyes, the Golf was nearly unmatched by rivals in the area of bump absorption. This was backed up by another of the expert panel who also said it was the cream of the segment.

In the steering department, it seems the Golf was consistently praised by the reviewers. They said it presented agility as you needed it, but without feeling floaty (though a reviewer stated it had a minor disconnected sensation to it). Others found the steering made the Golf lively and encouraged you to seek out twisty, winding roads. A different tester thought the steering had a nice weight to it, without being overly heavy or fast.

Brakes were said to be firm and immediately effective.

Of course, if you really push the car hard, as journos do, things get a little more edgy. A tester noted you could feel bumps mid-corner more, but another proclaimed the Golf Life had the heart of the GTI Golf. They even went as far as flatteringly calling it a warm hatchback.

The Golf was singled out as the pinnacle of daily-driving cars. You can't get much better than that.

Interior and equipment

What's the interior of the Volkswagen Golf like?

In short, as you'd expect.

Almost all of the interior, according to the car reviewers, feels hefty and solid. Even when they pushed things like the transmission tunnel to try and get them to wiggle, they couldn't. Apparently, not even a millimetre. Little touches like cloth-lined bottle bins imbue the cabin with that sense of quality. Other testers evidenced this, saying the interior was high-end and solid.

Almost unanimously, the reviewers concluded that the interior was modern and minimal. The digital cockpit is apparently very easy to use, works well and is highly customisable. A journo stated that VW does digital instrument clusters better than every other carmaker. This was confirmed by a second reviewer who described it as the benchmark for digital cockpits. The displays are ostensibly nice and bright, with good contrast.

Reviewers found the seats were not only comfortable but also aesthetically pleasing. A lack of comfort, according to a tester, is a non-issue. This view was held by others in the motoring panel, who said the Golf had phenomenally cosy seats. Reviewers who drove a Golf Life noticed that the interior was meticulously designed, with a subtle VW logo formed from neat stitching across the seat upholstery. A journo also viewed the driver's seat as low and hunkered down, while still possessing plenty of adjustability to fit a wide variety of human frames. It seems universally, the motoring writers thought the MK8 Golf's seat represented a progression over the previous model's pews.

Second-row dwellers get things like air vents, USB chargers and reasonably-sized door pockets. The space available is reportedly sufficient for 2 passengers 6-feet or taller. This was confirmed by a second reviewer, who noted that backseat space is adequate, though not excessive. They believed most passengers would have ample room. Despite this, a motoring journo placed the Golf as the standard for the medium-size hatch class, thanks to the amenities available.

However, a reviewer perceived some small cost-saving measures. Things like less flocking on surfaces, a conventional bonnet stay rod (as opposed to a bonnet that lifts with gas struts) and a higher prevalence of plastic throughout the interior were believed to be signs of the accountants having a say. Something else that bugged a few of the testers was the infotainment system and how it now lacks a lot of physical switchgear. They said that it required an additional step to change climate settings, which could get a little irritating. Another motoring expert mentioned that this was intrusive and attention-demanding. Meanwhile, a reviewer also complained that while the ergonomics were generally excellent, there wasn't any back-lighting for the remaining physical temperature controls meaning it was tricky to operate.

Some of the motoring panel seemed to take issue with the infotainment software. They concluded that the icons were too small, requiring you to be extremely accurate when operating the system, which is made all the more tricky when driving on pot-holed bitumen. A panellist complained that the screen wasn't as reactive as they'd like. This led them to plug in their smartphone via Apple Carplay/Android Auto to meet their infotainment needs.

Boot-wise, the Golf has 374-litres VDA of storage volume. Fold the seats forward and you'll have a pretty IKEA-friendly 1,230-litres and a loadspace that measures 1,493mm x 1,003mm. How big is that? Well, if you think in IKEA terms, theoretically long enough to accept the super popular KALLAX shelving unit (flat-packed). How does that compare to other popular models?

The Golf has 157 litres more storage volume than the Corolla, which has a total of 217 litres (unless you go for the ZR Hybrid, which claims 333 litres). The Hyundai i30 has 395 litres with the seats up and 71 extra litres with the seats down at 1,301 litres. The Kia Cerato has 434 litres, making it one of the larger hatchback boots on the market. The Mazda3 has 295 litres VDA. The Golf is pretty good then for boot proportions.

If you need a bigger boot, you could always buy a Golf Wagon, since that model has 611 litres of boot space, which opens to 1,642 litres with the seats down.

In summary, the Golf's interior is generally user-friendly, sophisticated, futuristic in appearance and dependably practical.

Volkswagen Golf safety, security and driver assists

Volkswagen Golf interior and comfort features

Volkswagen Golf exterior highlights