Used Volkswagen Golf hatchback 2013-2020 review

Very few cars have the classless appeal of the Volkswagen Golf and, with this seventh-generation model that ran from 2013 to the beginning of 2020, VW managed to come up with a car that was not only as multitalented as its predecessors but also improved on them significantly.

The 2020-present VW Golf has since taken up the Golf mantle, but the 2013-2020 one we're focusing on here is truly a tough act to follow.

Engines & Performance: For starters, there’s the range of low-capacity 1.0, 1.4 and later 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines that punch far above their weight in terms of performance yet return impressive fuel efficiency. Then there are the 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines for those who travel on the motorway every day.

Anybody interested in ultra-low-emissions driving might want to consider either the plug-in hybrid GTE or fully electric e-Golf. For those more interested in speed, there's always the hot hatch GTI or ballistically quick Golf R.

The Golf was substantially updated in 2017, with some styling tweaks to the exterior, a range of more efficient engines, some additional trim levels and a new infotainment system for the interior. This later version has become known by the unofficial moniker Mk7.5.

Ride & Handling: To drive, even the regular versions of the Golf are comfortable and stable at any speed, while also offering enough agility and steering sharpness to make them enjoyable.

The Golf also rides better than nearly all of its contemporaries, thanks to its supple suspension, and even the 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI versions that come with a slightly less sophisticated rear set-up are nicely compliant over most broken road surfaces.

Interior & Practicality: The interior is very smart, whichever trim you go for. The dashboard is built from upmarket-feeling materials and is laid out almost ideally, with all the major controls right where you need them to be. The driving position is multi-adjustable and visibility good.

Infotainment is taken care of by an 8.0in touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring. Its graphics are sharp and it has clear menus, but the screen is mounted a little low. A digital instrument panel is an option on most models, and one that's well worth seeking out. It replaces conventional analogue dials and can be set up to display a multitude of information in a clear and concise fashion.

Space up front is plentiful, even for tall drivers, and there's good leg and head room in the rear, even if six-footers won't want to sit behind similarly tall front seat occupants for long. The boot is big enough for a huge weekly shop, or a baby buggy, but probably not both at the same time.

Trims & Equipment: On the regular models, entry-level S trim isn’t lavishly equipped; you get air conditioning and four electric windows (or two on three-door models) but there are no alloy wheels and few other niceties. Move up to the rather better-equipped Match, SE or SE Nav and you'll add 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, power-folding door mirrors and adaptive cruise control, plus many useful driving aids, infotainment upgrades and safety features.

Next up the scale, GT added more luxuries, and later models topped out with R-Line trim, which made the Golf a very smart and well-equipped car indeed, although you'll obviously pay a premium for the extra goodies.

Ride & Handling: To drive, even the regular versions of the Golf are comfortable and stable at any speed, while also offering enough agility and steering sharpness to make them enjoyable.

The Golf also rides better than nearly all of its contemporaries, thanks to its supple suspension, and even the 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI versions that come with a slightly less sophisticated rear set-up are nicely compliant over most broken road surfaces.

The Golf is a little more expensive to buy than most of its contemporaries in like-for-like spec. Some rivals, such as the Skoda Octavia, are even more spacious, but the Golf still offers more than enough space for the average family. And when you take into account all that it offers, the Golf starts to look like it’s worth every penny of its higher price.

What’s more, most versions come with more than enough equipment to satisfy the majority of used car buyers. And because of the Golf’s ubiquity, it’s easy to find an example that suits your wants and needs.

The Golf was substantially updated in 2017, with some styling tweaks to the exterior, a range of more efficient engines, some additional trim levels and a new infotainment system for the interior. This later version has become known by the unofficial moniker Mk7.5. It was replaced by the all-new Mk8 VW Golf in 2020.

Interested in buying a used Volkswagen Golf? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Around £5000 is enough to get you into one of the cheapest examples of this Volkswagen Golf, but, as you might expect, that amount of money will see you sky-high mileage or a Golf that’s been previously written off.

That being the case, it makes sense to up your budget to £7000, which gets you into an entry-level petrol car with average to high mileage and a full service history for a 2013 or 2014 car. While you’ll pay a smidge more for a diesel version, there are so many around that prices aren’t that far removed from the equivalent petrol model.

Up the ante to between £8000 and £9000 and you'll be able to choose from a good selection of 2015 and 2016 cars, while around £10,000 gets you into 2017 and 2018 models. For 2020 examples, expect to pay upwards of £10,000. This will rise depending on the trim to a certain degree, with later R-Line versions fetching a small premium.

If you want a faster GTI, clean, average-mileage examples cost from around £10,000, while the hot four-wheel-drive R model will set you back at least £15,000. You'll need at least £15,000 to buy an e-Golf or a GTE, and this will buy you only a 2015 or 2016 car.

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MPG: Ignoring the e-Golf and GTE, the most economical version of the standard Golf is the 1.6 TDI 105, which is capable of 74mpg, according to the older NEDC official figures. In the real world, you can expect it to average 55-60mpg, which is still pretty respectable. Later cars with the 1.6 TDI 115 version of this engine average 68.9mpg (NEDC), or 56.5mpg under the later WLTP tests. The most efficient version of the 2.0-litre diesel can get up to 68mpg (NEDC) or 50-55mpg in the later WLTP tests and in the real world.

Petrol-powered Golfs are also able to achieve impressive economy. According to official NEDC figures, the 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre turbos are capable of 58mpg and 57mpg respectively, equating to 45-50mpg in real-world driving, while even the 2.0-litre turbo in the GTI model is rated at 44mpg, which should mean 35-38mpg out on the road. The 1.5 TSI Evo returns 49.6mpg, according to the WLTP tests.

Road tax: As a result of those consumption figures, CO2 emissions are correspondingly low, so the Golf is very cheap to tax, especially those registered before April 2017. Indeed, all but the performance versions fall into either the £20 or £30 tax band, while the most economical models are actually free to tax. Those registered after April 2017 will pay annual VED at the flat rate, currently £180 a year. To find out more about road tax costs, click here.

Insurance and Servicing: Insurance should be reasonable, with the Golf belonging to generally low insurance groups, bar hot hatch versions (GTI and R).

Servicing is reasonably priced, too. It won’t be quite as cheap as, say, a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra, but the Golf compares well with most other rivals.

Reliability

The 2013-2020 Volkswagen Golf has received varied feedback on reliability and dealer service, as highlighted by our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. Owners commend the car's engine reliability, noting fewer major issues compared to other brands. However, electrical problems, especially with infotainment systems and warning lights, have led to multiple dealer visits for some.

While some owners praise the prompt and courteous service from dealerships, others report high repair costs and lengthy service times. Additionally, a few owners have expressed dissatisfaction with how warranty issues were managed, impacting their trust in the brand. Despite the car's general reliability, inconsistent dealership experiences have caused frustration among some owners.

Discover more about used Volkswagen Golf reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

With so many engine options and specifications to choose from, there’s a Volkswagen Golf out there to suit everyone.

If you do a high mileage – say, 10,000 miles a year or more – you’re probably best off with one of the diesel versions, thanks to their impressive fuel economy. Our favourite is the 2.0 TDI 150.

If you do a lower mileage, however, a petrol version should suit you fine and might pose less of a reliability risk later in life. Petrol-powered Golfs are quieter and smoother to drive, yet are just as punchy and almost as efficient as their diesel brethren. Our favourite among the older cars is the 1.4 TSI 125, and on later cars the 1.5 Evo 130 version.

We reckon the SE, Match and Match Edition trims offer the best balance of equipment and price. All three come with adaptive cruise control, air conditioning, alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, a digital radio tuner and Bluetooth connectivity. Post-2017 models upped the ante even further by offering S, SE, SE Nav, R-line and GT trims, all with even more kit. Our favourite trim of these is SE Nav.

Three and five-door bodystyles are available; the former is very rare in anything other than in GTI and R forms. If you do go for a three-door, make sure you don't pay as much as you would for a five-door model.

Our favourite used Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI Evo 130 SE Nav 5dr

The Ford Focus is good fun to drive and has been one of the best sellers in the family car class for many years. However, it isn’t quite as comfortable as the Volkswagen Golf, nor does it have such a classy interior.

The same can be said for the Vauxhall Astra, although it does offer exceptional value for money as a used buy, thanks to its heavy depreciation. It’s also comfortable, roomy and, with the right engine, reasonably economical.

If you want a Golf with a little extra flair, you could try the Seat Leon. It’s sharper to drive, but its interior doesn’t feel quite as classy as that of the Golf. However, second-hand prices are highly competitive, making it one of our favourite used cars in this class.

This is also true of the Skoda Octavia. This car’s big plus point is the space it offers. While it’s similar in size to the Golf, it has a much bigger boot and more room in the rear seats.

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Interested in buying a used Volkswagen Golf? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.