Volkswagen Golf 2021 Review
The long-awaited Golf Mk8 introduces major changes but doesn’t deviate far from a tried-and-tested formulaThe new-generation Volkswagen Golf Mk8 arrives in Australian showrooms this month bearing a fresh design, a swish new interior and more safety and technology. Prices have risen as a result of the equipment and underbody changes, although core elements of the Golf remain largely the same. We’ve always had great expectations with this lynchpin model of the Volkswagen brand, so let’s see just how well the eighth generation stacks up.
Evolution of the breed
Death, taxes and the incremental evolution of the Volkswagen Golf. In today’s fast-paced world, there’s comfort in knowing there’s an eighth iteration of Volkswagen’s venerable hatch finally on sale in Australia.
And perhaps even more so when the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 arrives in showrooms bearing an upmarket new interior, added equipment and safety, and nothing radical in its exterior design.
The Golf has been a mainstay in the car industry since its introduction in 1974. Few cars have stuck to their original blueprint as closely.
But the world is changing, and for a model that has underpinned Volkswagen’s sales volume in Australia for many years, there’s plenty riding on this new-generation Golf.
Pricing push-ups
VW Australia has adopted a new tack with the pricing and structure of the eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf. It no longer plans to compete with rivals on a cut-throat entry price.
As such, the Golf embraces an uptick in pricing and specification that is becoming increasingly common in the small car segment – partly necessitated by more stringent safety standards, as well as our yearning for standard equipment.
The garden-variety Golf range has been pared back to three variants for 2021 – Golf (from $29,350 plus on-road costs), Golf Life (from $34,250) and Golf R Line (from $37,450) – and only the entry-level Golf is available with a manual transmission, an option about five per cent of Aussie buyers are likely to pursue.
Volkswagen is unapologetic about the higher pricing for its small hatchback – up $3560 at the entry point – and its elevated position compared to Asian rivals such as the Mazda3 (from $25,590), Toyota Corolla ($23,895), Hyundai i30 ($23,420) and Kia Cerato ($21,690).
That’s because this is the safest and most tech-laden Golf yet.
The entry Golf is now equipped with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, plus a new 8.25-inch Innovision Cockpit touch-screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The interior itself is distinctly minimalist, with an emphasis on sliding touch controls and the touch-screen rather than hard-wired buttons and switchgear.
Three-zone climate control, four USB-C ports, LED headlights and tail-lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, an electric parking brake and ambient lighting are standard fitment in the base car.
In the mid-range Golf Life we’re driving, the centre screen grows to 10 inches, the wheel size expands to 17 inches and there are more niceties fitted including keyless entry and start, power-folding exterior mirrors and wireless phone charging.
The Golf’s airbag count has grown to eight and there are more standard safety technologies commensurate with its five-star ANCAP rating, although the rating is date-stamped to 2019 when the new-generation model hit Europe and was tested through Euro NCAP.
All variants of the 2021 Volkswagen Golf can accelerate, brake, steer and park automatically with standard fitment across the range of adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and an automated parking system, which form part of VW’s IQ Drive system.
In addition, there’s blind spot assist, rear cross traffic alert, high- and low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a turning assist feature designed to stop head-on crashes when turning into oncoming traffic.
Front and rear parking sensors are likewise fitted standard, ditto a driver fatigue detection system and a tyre pressure loss indicator, so drivers will know if they’ve got a puncture.
Golf Life buyers can further specify their ride with a choice of two optional packages: the $1500 Sound & Vision package and $2000 Comfort & Sound package.
The former introduces an upgraded 480W Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display, while the latter includes ‘comfort’ sports seats trimmed in microfleece cloth, brushed metallic trim inlays, 30-colour ambient interior lighting and a panoramic sunroof.
The Golf is fitted with a space-saver spare tyre and is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia.
The regular Golf range is offered with the option of Volkswagen’s servicing Care Plans, which costs $1100 for three years of $1900 for five years – spaced across 12-month/15,000km intervals.
Trains of thought
The mainstream three-tier 2021 Volkswagen Golf line-up employs a carryover 110TSI powertrain: a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that continues to dole out 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque via the front wheels.
However, for Mk8 iteration of Golf, there’s a new eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission produced by Aisin – replacing the long-serving seven-speed dual-clutch.
Officially, the new duo brings a claimed fuel consumption average of 5.8L/100km (using 95 RON premium unleaded) as well as a 0-100km/h claim of 8.5sec.
Other countries are offered a more efficient and cleaner 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine (also 110kW/250Nm) hooked up to a dual-clutch transmission.
However, these engines are not offered here because of the necessity for a petrol particulate filter that VW says doesn’t suit Australia’s high-sulphur, low-quality fuel.
Disappointingly, Volkswagen Australia has no plans to import plug-in hybrid or diesel-powered Mk8 Golf models at this stage – despite the resonance around those powertrains overseas.
All variants of the Golf Mk8 are suspended by MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension – still a clear point of difference from most competitors.
The new Volkswagen Golf isn’t actually ‘all-new’, but rides on an updated version of the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture that debuted in the Golf Mk7 and now finds more than eight million homes a year.
That translates to carryover dimensions – 4284mm length, 1789mm width and 1456mm height – as well as a familiar circa-1350kg kerb weight.
Familiar space
The push upmarket with the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 is most evident inside the cabin.
It simply bristles with the fitment of its two new digital displays, while also introducing a centre fascia and dashboard that significantly reduces the number of buttons and switches in the cabin, creating a cleaner, more upmarket ambience.
Even the fly-by-wire gear shifter has been miniaturised to create more room up front, bolstering considered storage options and cubbies across both passenger rows.
All told, we’re a fan of the new layout. Not only does it raise the bar for small hatch presentation, it is also surprisingly user-friendly.
At first glance, yes, there’s a bit of trial and error in navigating some of the touch-screen commands, but we soon became accustomed to the system’s layout.
Better still, there’s a level of customisation on offer that allows you to shortcut many simple tasks. For example, you can bring the recirculated air button to the front menu of the touch-screen to spare the multi-step process – ditto with numerous other functions.
Our one bugbear with the infotainment system – at least on the test car provided – is that it takes quite a while to boot up and feels a bit slow to change between screens.
Otherwise, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf 8 is impressive and thoughtful with its cabin layout and presentation.
Storage is plentiful, as are charging points courtesy of four USB-C ports spread across the cabin.
The rear seats remain suitable for a couple of adult passengers. Rear air vent access and two ISOFIX attachment points and top tether points also ensures the Golf’s amenity as a family chariot.
For some, however, a 374-litre boot area could ultimately put paid to the Golf’s full-time family car prospects, even with a space-saver spare tyre fitted to maximise the available space.
Redeeming dynamics
The 2021 Volkswagen Golf drives largely the same way as its predecessor. And that’s no bad thing.
The hatchback continues to set the benchmark for small car dynamics, ably juggling refinement and comfort with a weighty handful of cornering finesse.
The Golf’s low-speed passage has been markedly improved with the installation of a torque-converter automatic, sparing the tendency of the predecessor to lurch or hesitate upon setting off.
It’s a cinch to navigate through car parks and tight spaces, but we’d welcome installation of an overhead 360-degree camera in Golf Life specification.
The Golf 8 remains composed and controlled on all matter of road surfaces. The ride on 17-inch wheels reflects imperfections in the surface underneath – without any jarring or thudding – and larger undulations are quickly dispatched by its tautly-suspended body.
Even though there are no seismic changes for 2021, meaningful weighting to the Golf’s steering and basic controls still feel a step ahead of the competition.
It feels stable on B-grade roads and processional highway driving alike, unperturbed by crosswinds and big hills. The 1.4-litre is a known quantity in this respect, and it continues to deliver useable torque and strong real-world efficiency (6.0L/100km on test) with the introduction of the new eight-speed auto.
Equally, the Golf remains the pick of the garden-variety bunch for a twisting, undulating back road, whereupon the communicative chassis and quick-witted electronics are given more opportunity to enamour the driver.
The engine happily spins to its power peak at 5000rpm and onwards to redline.
Front-drive origins, the drivetrain’s occasionally tendency to scramble for traction and all-rounder Bridgestone rubber ultimately impose something of a performance ceiling.
But there’s good news on that front, too: stay tuned as we test the new Volkswagen Golf GTI in the coming week.
Evolutionary change
Despite this being a new generation, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf really only feels like a small, incremental step forward.
But that doesn’t necessarily count against it.
Overall, the new Golf retains the core character of the vehicle before it, making for a nice constant in a world that is forever changing.
How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Life cost?
Price: $34,250 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
Related: New Volkswagen Golf faces supply and demand issues
Related: New Volkswagen Golf pricing revealed
Related: Model Preview — Volkswagen Golf 8
Related: Volkswagen Golf 2020 Review – International
Related: Five ways the Volkswagen Golf 8 changes the hatchback world
Related: New Volkswagen Golf Mk8 revealed
- Huge improvement in interior presentation and standard equipment
- Retained Golf dynamics and on-road poise
- The Golf’s low-speed smoothness has improved with new automatic gearbox
- New infotainment system is slow to start up and to take commands, no overhead camera
- No plug-in hybrid or diesel options on the table
- Although widespread, price increases are a difficult pill to swallow
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