Volkswagen Golf – What you need to know

The hugely anticipated eighth generation of Volkswagen Golf lobbed here mid-2021, brimming with technology including the semi-autonomous IQ.Drive system and a host of new standard features.

Like its predecessor, the Mk8 Golf ‘core’ models (as Volkswagen Australia describes them) come in three trim levels, but badged this time as Golf, Golf Life and Golf R-Line.

All are powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a choice of a six-speed manual (on the base model) or eight-speed auto transmission, with drive reaching the front wheels.

At the top of the range, the Golf GTI sticks with a 2.0-litre turbo tied to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto with sport mode.

To get behind the wheel of the entry-level Golf Mk8 you’ll need $29,350 plus on-road costs for the 1.4-litre turbo with a six-speed manual. That comes with the following standard features:

• IQ.Drive
• 10.25-inch digital cockpit
• 8.25-inch capacitive infotainment touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Cloth seats
• Three-zone air-conditioning
• Leather-clad steering wheel

While there are seven colours in the palette for the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, only one won’t cost you more.

The three metallic and single pearl-effect finishes will set you back $600 and a further $300 for premium metallic on the Golf and Golf Life. Premium paint on the R-Line adds $300. All paint finishes except for the $300 premium metallic are standard on the GTI.

It wouldn’t be a Golf without option packs and in this latest model there are two, the first being a Sound and Vision pack for the Golf Life and R-Line. For $1500 you get a 480-Watt Harman Kardon sound system with eight speakers, a subwoofer, a 12-channel amplifier and head-up display.

Buy a GTI and order the Sound and Vision pack and you also get four sound settings to personalise your music.

Exclusive to the Golf Life is the $2000 Comfort and Style pack comprising ambient interior lighting with a choice of 30 colours, comfort sport front seats with microfleece and cloth trim, along with a sunroof.

If you just want a sunroof, it’s $1800 but only available as a single item on the R-Line.

If leather trim is a must-have, then the GTI is also a must, and then you must tick the Vienna leather seating option that is a component of the $3800 Luxury pack. Those seats are heated and cooled too, and the driver’s pew electrically operated with a memory setting, plus you get a heated steering wheel and a sunroof.

Headlining the plethora of safety tech in the Volkswagen Golf 8 is the manufacturer’s latest driver assist suite, dubbed IQ.Drive, which is standard in all variants.

It includes a semi-autonomous setting that accelerates, brakes and maintains the Golf’s position within its lane and is perfect for highway motoring.

IQ.Drive also includes front assist with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, auto oncoming braking when turning to avoid a collision, side assist with rear traffic alert, driver fatigue detection, a rear-view camera and a left mirror tilting function when reversing so you don’t kerb bash or rash your alloy wheels.

Parking should never be feared again with the Golf’s park assist system, along with its optical parking display that works in conjunction with the front and rear distance sensors. Then there’s manoeuvre braking to help in confined areas, tyre pressure monitoring and, in auto variants, traffic jam assist.

Add to that six airbags, proactive occupant protection that activates a host of safety features when a potential accident is detected, three ISOFIX child seat anchor points, hill start assist in autos and auto-hold in manual models, traction and stability controls, anti-lock brakes, rain-sensing wipers and a multi-collision braking function.

If that’s not enough, you can order the Golf Life – as a minimum – for the exit warning system and emergency assist, and if you want the convenience of auto high beam headlights, tick the box marked R-Line.

As you’d expect, the GTI comes with all of the above plus adaptive chassis control, a dynamics management function and a front differential lock.

In the entry-level Volkswagen Golf Mk8 you operate Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth music streaming, phone connectivity and the AM/FM radio through the 8.25-inch colour touch-screen.

Facing the driver is a 10.25-inch digital colour screen that in a single view shows the speedo, tacho, gear and driving mode selected, driver assist settings and warnings plus ancillary gauges.

A step up to the Golf Life, R-Line or GTI delivers the Innovision digital pro dash and its 10-inch capacitive and customisable screen that can be operated by voice and/or gesture control. It comes with all the apps and functions found in the Golf with the addition of satellite navigation.

The Golf Life is also the most affordable way to have wireless phone charging and connectivity. And while the Golf and Golf Life have audio, voice control, driver assist system access and digital screen changes on the steering wheel, the Golf R-Line and GTI deliver these functions on a sports steering wheel.

For the entry-level model in the Volkswagen Golf 8 range, the basic Golf’s interior fit-out is generous, with three-zone climate control, front cup holders, bottle holders in the doors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, heated door mirrors, cloth trim, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a centre console with storage and arm rest, and vanity mirrors in both sun visors.

If you want the convenience of seat-back storage pockets, cup holders and an arm rest for rear seat passengers, head for the Golf Life. The Life also gives you a choice of 10 ambient interior light colours and, to spark up the cabin, chrome around the vents, mirror and window switches, and what Volkswagen calls ‘nature-brushed’ decorative inlays for the dash and front doors.

The Golf Life’s comfort front seats feature a different cloth trim to the entry model and there’s adjustable lumbar support for both front seats. Outside, the door mirrors fold electronically and incorporate LED turn signals.

Everyone likes to step into a clean car and the Golf Life comes with floor mats to protect the carpet from grubby shoes.

A 12-volt socket can be very handy, and though you won’t find it on the entry-level Golf, all variants come with a lit luggage compartment, a cargo cover, bag hooks and variable floor level.

Does a flat-bottom sports steering wheel and sports front seats draped in microfleece and sport cloth appeal? Then the Golf R-Line is the one for you. The sporty theme continues in the R-Line with carbon grey dash and front door garnish and a choice of no less than 30 interior lighting hues.

What about privacy glass for the back doors and rear window? Then stick with the Golf R-Line that stands out with its gloss black lower body extensions and a bigger air intake in the exclusive front bumper which incorporates a spoiler. Although each variant has a rear diffuser the Golf R-Line has its own diffuser finished in gloss black with chrome trim.

A range of drive modes adds a new dimension to your motoring and if you want to experience this feature within the core models, it’s still the Golf R-Line for you.

Whereas the Golf R-Line rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels, the Golf Life has 17-inch alloys and the base Golf has 16-inch rims.

All Golf variants come with LED headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, but only the Golf R-Line has LED performance headlights and unique DRLs. The Golf R-Line also features poor-weather lighting and cornering lights.

Only the entry-level Golf misses out on illumination of the door handle recess and surround lighting.

In addition to the features in the Golf R-Line, the Golf GTI comes with an auto-dimming mirror, sports pedals, black headlining and special sports front seats with unique trim and trademark red stitching.

Outside, the Golf GTI stands out, rolling on 18-inch ‘Richmond’ alloy wheels, backed by red brake callipers and featuring an exclusive tail-light cluster. Glass for the rear windows and hatch glass are all dark tinted.

It has dual chrome-tipped exhausts and its front bumper has a large lower intake with honeycomb grille. The front spoiler is finished in black and the grille has the signature GTI red stripe and bold GTI badging. The rear diffuser is black, as are the lower side panels and roof spoiler.

All core models in the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 range are powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine producing 110kW and 250Nm.

If you want to change gears yourself, the base-grade Golf and its six-speed manual is your only choice, as the Golf Life and R-Line are standard with an eight-speed auto with sports mode. The auto is optional in the basic Golf variant.

If you still have some cash to splash and want plenty of dash, the iconic Golf GTI has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine putting out 180kW and 370Nm. It’s tied to a seven-speed DSG gearbox with sport mode.

Unless you are hell bent on a manual, the price of the entry-level Volkswagen Golf doesn’t cut it for me.

When you delve into its features as we have and compare it to the Golf Life, you may well come to the same conclusion: that the mid-spec core model hits the sweet spot in terms of equipment levels and overall value.

However, if the purse strings were torn open I’d sign up for a GTI and have it sitting in my shed in a heartbeat.

How much does the Volkswagen Golf cost?
Golf (m) – $29,350
Golf (a) – $31,950
Golf Life (a) – $34,250
Golf R-Line (a) – $37,450
Golf GTI (a) – $53,100

*Prices exclude on-road costs