2023 Volkswagen Golf

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf comes standard with the following features:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and tail lights
• Rain-sensing window wipers
• 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit
• 8.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• Tri-zone climate control
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Cloth upholstery

The Life adds the following:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Power tailgate (wagon only)
• Power-folding side mirrors
• 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro (configurable digital instruments)
• 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Seven-speaker sound system
• Wireless phone charger
• Satellite navigation
• 10-colour interior ambient lighting
• Keyless entry and start
• Comfort front seats with lumbar adjustment
• Luggage partition
• Emergency Assist
• Exit warning system

The R-Line adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• R-Line exterior trim
• Lowered (15mm) R-Line suspension
• Progressive steering
• LED performance headlights
• Rear privacy glass
• 30-colour interior ambient lighting
• Sports seats with leather trim

The GTI adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• GTI exterior trim and highlights
• Twin exhaust pipes
• LED grille strip
• Adaptive Chassis Control
• Tartan-trimmed sport seats

The range-topping Golf R adds:

• 4MOTION all-wheel drive
• Torque vectoring
• 19-inch ‘Estoril’ alloy wheels
• Performance front brakes (358mm discs)
• Six drive modes (including Drift and Special)
• Extended rear roof spoiler (hatch)
• Adaptive dampers
• Sports exhaust
• Matrix LED headlights
• 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with R modes
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front sports seats
• Power driver’s seat with memory

On the core range, metallic paint is a $600 option while premium metallic paint is a $900 option.

The following shades are available on the core range:

• Candy White
• Deep Black
• Dolphin Grey
• Reflex Silver (excludes R-Line)
• Moonstone Grey (R-Line only)
• Atlantic Blue
• Pomello Yellow

All shades are a no-cost option in the GTI, but for Kings Red which costs $300. The following shades are available:

• Pure White
• Dolphin Grey
• Deep Black
• Moonstone Grey
• Atlantic Blue
• Kings Red

The Golf R is available in three exterior paint colours:

• Pure White
• Lapiz Blue metallic
• Deep Black pearl

Pricing for the service packages are as follows:

Three-year service

Golf $1450

Golf GTI $1600

Golf R $1700

Five-year service plan

Golf $2400

Golf GTI $2800

Golf R $3000

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf in base, Life and R-Line trims, are powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque.

These models are front-wheel drive and use an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

The Golf GTI upgrades to a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 180kW and 370Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It’s also front-wheel drive but includes a locking front differential.

Volkswagen claims the Golf GTI can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.

The Golf R hatch is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235kW and 400Nm. This is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with drive sent through a 4Motion all-wheel drive system.

Volkswagen claims the Golf R hatch can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds.

The Golf R Wagon on the other hand has the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine but with the European tune which adds 20Nm, taking the total to 420Nm. It also has a petrol particulate filter (PPF).

Volkswagen claims the Golf R Wagon can o the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.

For all that’s changed, the Mk 8 Golf still feels like a Golf.

It’s smooth and quiet, with a planted feeling that wouldn’t be out of place in a bigger, more expensive car.

The switch from a dual-clutch transmission to a more conventional torque converter means the new Golf uses more fuel than its predecessor, but it also makes it smoother and easier to drive in the city.

Even the best dual-clutch transmissions carry some kind of learning curve, the eight-speeder in the new Golf doesn’t.

It’s smart enough to keep the 1.4-litre engine in its torque band most of the time, slurring inoffensively from gear-to-gear when you’re cruising.

As has always been the case, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Golf is an effortless companion. Its outputs are down on what you get in the latest warm hatches from Hyundai and Kia, but its buttery smooth power delivery and torquey mid-range mean you never need to work it hard.

Where it does feel like a backwards step is when you’re in a hurry. Even in Sport mode the eight-speed Golf doesn’t snap through the ratios with the confidence of a DSG, and taking charge with the paddles isn’t as satisfying.

Is that likely to worry the average owner? Probably not, although it’s arguably more of an issue in the sporty Golf R-Line than in its more demure siblings.

The coat of polish applied to the engine extends to the ride and handling, too. The R-Line sits 15mm lower than the regular Golf, but it soaks up the worst the city can throw at it without breaking a sweat.

It’s a bit firmer than the related Skoda Octavia, but it’s still perfectly usable day-to-day.

In traditional Volkswagen fashion, body control is tight without feeling outright sporty. It deals with speed bumps in one movement, the body settling quickly.

Unlike some of its rivals, Volkswagen has stuck with a multi-link rear suspension on the Golf. That has a negative impact on boot space, but it also contributes to the car’s planted, neutral feeling from behind the wheel.

Flick it into a corner and the nose just goes where you want it to, with very little in the way of understeer or lairy, lift-off oversteer.

Even in R-Line guise the Golf majors on low-fuss stability rather than outright thrills, although it’ll put a smile on your face if you’re willing to take it by the scruff of the neck.

It’s not perfect, though. The tyres are noisy on the highway, especially Australian coarse-chip highways, and Volkswagen’s adaptive cruise control won’t pass to the left of a slower car.

In Europe, where lane discipline is drummed into drivers from day one, that’s a good thing. In Australia, where it’s common for drivers to sit in the right lane doing 10km/h below the limit, it’s annoying.

The $1500 Sound and Vision package available on the Golf Life and R-Line adds the following:

• Head-up display
• Harman/Kardon nine-speaker sound system

The $2000 Comfort and Style package available on the Golf Life adds:

• Microfleece cloth trim
• Comfort sport front seats
• 30-colour interior ambient lighting
• Panoramic glass sunroof

The $3800 Luxury package available on the Golf GTI adds:

• ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Powered driver’s seat with memory
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic glass sunroof

The $2500 Sound and Style package available on the Golf GTI adds:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Head-up display
• Harman/Kardon nine-speaker sound system

A panoramic glass sunroof is a standalone option on the R-Line, R hatch, and R Wagon, and costs $1800, $1900 and $2000, respectively.

Another standalone option for the Golf R hatch and wagon is a Harman Kardon sound system for $1000.

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km and Volkswagen offers three- and five-year prepaid service packages.

A look at the Volkswagen Australia website reveals the Golf 110TSI Life and R-Line, along with the GTI, are in stock at some dealers.

Volkswagen sold 1926 examples of the Golf in 2021.

While the Volkswagen Golf is pricier than before, it still stacks up well against its competition (especially against its Skoda rival, funnily enough) and packs more standard equipment than the old car. That the IQ. Drive suite of technology is standard from the base level is commendable.

There’s also still that basic Golf goodness, with a polished ride/handling balance and a smooth powertrain that is none the worse for having dropped the dual-clutch auto.

The Golf has long been a benchmark in the European C-segment plus a consistent top-seller. A higher base price and increasing movement to SUVs over here in Australia may dent Golf sales but the Mk8 should still be at the top of your list if you’re in the market for a circa-$35k hatchback.

The latest Golf is no longer the most important hatchback in the Volkswagen range. The new ID.3 electric car is designed to take the Golf formula into a new era.