Amit Saraswat 
Volkswagen has showcased a comprehensive overhaul for the eighth-generation Golf, aiming to keep it relevant until its electric successor, the Mk9, hits showrooms at the end of the decade. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the renowned German hatchback, known for being the brand’s all-time best-seller, has received a significant facelift comprising technological upgrades, usability enhancements, material improvements, and a refreshed aesthetic both inside and out.
Scheduled to hit the UK market in April 2024, the 2024 Golf is keen to reclaim its position as Europe’s top-selling model by sales volume. Hindered by supply chain challenges and a dip in popularity, the outgoing Golf slipped in the sales charts behind competitors like the Peugeot 208, Dacia Sandero, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Renault Clio.
The exterior of the new Golf boasts distinctive styling elements, including an illuminated Volkswagen badge at the front, which has been made possible by recent changes in Europe’s advertising laws. A reprofiled front bumper with redesigned air ducts, featuring a honeycomb insert on the GTI variant, contributes to a refreshed look.
Notable changes also include angular LED headlights, optionally available with VW’s IQ Light HD matrix technology, new side sills underneath the doors, a more prominent spoiler on the GTI, and restyled LED tail lights. The colour palette has expanded to include four new metallic shades, with a black roof option introduced on GTI, GTE, and R-Line variants.
Internally, Volkswagen has upgraded the Golf with a new multifunction steering wheel, reverting to button controls, criticism regarding the previous capacitive controls. The cabin receives a boost in perceived quality through the use of higher-quality materials. A revised instrument display with new model-specific graphic skins is positioned in front of the driver, offering a refreshed visual experience.
One of the standout features of the 2024 Golf is the introduction of VW’s fourth-generation infotainment system, MIB4. Already seen in models like the Tiguan, Passat, ID 3, and ID 7 saloon, this system promises quicker processing times, revamped menus, and slicker graphics. The system comes in a standard 10.4-inch size or optional 12.9-inch touchscreen display and includes a new ChatGPT-powered voice assistant. This voice assistant allows control over various functions such as air conditioning, telephone, navigation, and internet access.
Addressing ergonomic concerns, Volkswagen has revised the touch slider for temperature and volume control, now backlit with improved software for quicker reactions. Additionally, the upgraded Golf introduces Volkswagen’s 360-degree View, Park Assist Plus, and Park Assist Pro systems as options, enabling remote parking via smartphone.
Under the hood, the powertrain lineup has undergone a revamp, introducing new long-range plug-in hybrids, updated petrol and diesel options, and increased power for the GTI hot hatch. The plug-in hybrid models feature a second-generation petrol-electric drivetrain, with a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine and an electric motor. The 2024 GTE, for instance, boasts 270PS, an increase of 22PS over its predecessor, and a larger 19.7kWh lithium-ion battery for improved electric range and faster charging.
While the 116PS 2.0 TDI and non-hybrid 1.5 TSI models retain a standard 6-speed manual transmission, others are equipped with an automatic dual-clutch transmission, available in either 6- or 7-speed options. Prices for the 2024 Golf are yet to be announced but are expected to see a slight increase, positioning the entry-level petrol car at just under GBP 30,000 and the auto-only GTI at around GBP 40,000.
