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VolkswagenGolf (2020-)

Available new
Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
2020 model + 2024 update tested

£26,944Typical price

Test score

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The Golf is one of VW’s bestselling models in the UK and is a perennial favourite and a traditional standard bearer for mass-produced family cars. While it largely follows a familiar recipe, there have been some radical changes in some areas of this new version. Is it still a good choice for families? Find out in our full Volkswagen Golf (2020-) review.

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
What’s it great at?
What’s it like to drive?
How reliable is the Volkswagen Golf (2020-)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Model reliability 0-4 years
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Dec 2025Last checked by Which?
Sept 2020First reviewed by Which?
Jun 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

A blue Volkswagen ID.4 maneuvering around orange traffic cones on a test track, with a grassy hill in the background.

How we test cars

23 Oct 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

Driving performance

Overall
Acceleration
Gearbox and transmission
Brakes

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Build quality
Seat space
Boot space (small SUVs and medium cars)

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Model reliability 0-4 years

How we test model reliability 0-4 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years. A car cannot be a Best Buy if: It's available to buy new and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and has a 5-9-year model reliability score of two stars or less; or it's only available on the used market and launched less than five years ago and has a 0-4-year model reliability score of two stars of less.

Model reliability 5-9 years

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Available new
New price	£26,944 - £45,322
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	46.3 to 58.8mpg
Length	4,282 to 4,284mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,789mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,080mm
Height	1,483 to 1,491mm
Driver max height
Second-row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.1 m
On sale date	06 February 2020
Model years tested	2020 model + 2024 update tested
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£11

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	1.5 TSI Life
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (116hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	12.15p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£61
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	127
Official fuel economy: WLTP	51.4 to 52.3
Braked tow load (KG)	1300kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	650kg
Engine test date	12 December 2024
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine and trim name	2.0 TDI SCR Life
Fuel	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (115hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£64
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	127
Official fuel economy: WLTP	58.9 to 62.8
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	690kg
Engine test date	17 November 2021
Car test programme	2017

Engine three
Engine and trim name	1.0 eTSI
Fuel type	Mild-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1-litre (110hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	45 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.35p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£61
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	136
Official fuel economy: WLTP	50.4 to 54.3
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d
Braked tow load (KG)	1300kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	630kg
Engine test date	02 December 2020
Car test programme	2017

Engine four
Engine and trim name	1.5 eTSI Style DSG
Fuel type	Mild-Petrol-Hybrid
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (150hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	13.21p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	145
Official fuel economy: WLTP	46.3 to 47.9
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	690kg
Engine test date	18 May 2020
Car test programme	2017

Engine five
Engine and trim name	2.0 TDI SCR Style DSG
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (150hp)
Transmission	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£48
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	126
Official fuel economy: WLTP	60.1 to 62.8
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	1600kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	730kg
Engine test date	29 April 2020
Car test programme	2017

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VolkswagenGolf (2020-)

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test cars

Ease of driving

Driving performance

Comfort and practicality

Euro NCAP

Safety kit

Model reliability 0-4 years

Model reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Brand reliability 10-15 years

How this product's score compares with other new and used cars we've tested

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Seat

Cupra

Audi

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VolkswagenGolf (2020-)

where to buy or sell

pros

cons

What's included?

Test results

Specifications

Best Buys & Don't Buys

Suggested Alternatives

Seat

Cupra

Audi

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