Volkswagen Golf MK1 [1974-1983]

The Volkswagen Golf has a history of 50 years, started with a big challenge: to take the place of the famous Volkswagen Beetle, produced in more than 21.5 million copies. For this, a new vision was needed, which the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro had: a modern and compact design, a transverse engine and front-wheel drive. It was the formula for success, with the Golf quickly becoming a hit, reaching one million units produced in just two and a half years.

The VW Golf represented a radical change in the hatchback segment, winning over customers with its maneuverability and low fuel consumption. The first Golf was available with several types of petrol and diesel engines, with displacements ranging from 1.1 liters to 1.8 liters and power ranging from 50 hp to 112 hp.

In 1979, the convertible version of the Golf model appeared, as well as a pick-up version known as the Caddy. In the United States, the Golf was known as the Volkswagen Rabbit. By 1983, over 6 million units had been sold, and the model was awarded Car of the Year in Europe.

Volkswagen Golf MK2 [1983-1991]

Volkswagen was not intimidated by the success of the Golf Mk1, but saw it as a challenge to improve it, so it was already preparing the Golf Mk 2. The dilemma was that some Volkswagen engineers wanted to radically change the design to keep up with rivals, and others they wanted to stay true to the original concept so as not to disappoint their fans.

This is why the Golf has never shocked its customers from one generation to another, but has always offered them significant improvements. Such was the case with the Mk 2, which retained the distinctive elements but brought more generous interior space, lower fuel consumption, ABS, power steering or all-wheel drive.

In terms of engines, the Golf had a simple but effective offer, on petrol or diesel. The Mk2 was a true phenomenon, selling over 6.4 million units worldwide.

Volkswagen Golf MK3 [1991-1999]

The 90s brought many changes to the world, and the next Golf had to be up to par. So Volkswagen’s chief designer drew the Mk3 with a rounder, more angular design and distinctive new oval headlights.

The interior was upgraded and received a dashboard with a taller center stack. Volkswagen offered a variety of front- or all-wheel-drive powertrains, with power ranging from 60 hp to 190 hp.

Also, a new convertible version was launched in 1993, but also the first station wagon version called Variant. The Volkswagen Golf III outperformed very popular models at the time, winning the title of European Car of the Year in 1992, with almost 5 million units produced.

Volkswagen Golf MK4 [1997-2006]

The design of the fourth generation Golf was handled by Hartmut Warkuß and he did an excellent job. Golf 4 was the most popular and widespread model. The exterior continued to have the rounded shape with rounded headlights.

The interior was new with an instrument cluster dashboard with illuminated dials, an LCD screen and an infotainment system option.

Volkswagen offered a wide range of engines, diesel or petrol.

Volkswagen Golf MK5 [2004-2009]

In 2004, Volkswagen launched a new generation of Golf, which impressed with its increased comfort. Without radically changing the design, Volkswagen kept the rounded lines, but brought more modernity to the interior.

The Golf 5 had a varied offer of engines, diesel or petrol. At the same time, Volkswagen has also expanded the range of derivative models, with Golf Plus and CrossGolf.

Volkswagen Golf MK6 [2008-2014]

Volkswagen presented a new generation of Golf in 2008, which had to face an economic crisis and a struggling car industry. The result was a Golf with a modernized design, which stood out with new headlights and taillights and a changed bumper.

Golf 6 also brought a quality boost to the interior, where the dashboard and infotainment system were more refined. The Golf 6 also came with new technologies such as the parking assistant, the start-stop system and the touchscreen multimedia system.

The Golf 6 offered a wide and efficient range of engines, among which the BlueMotion version stood out, emitting only 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer. Also, Golf 6 was available in Golf Plus, Variant and Cabriolet derivatives.

Volkswagen Golf MK7 [2012-2017]

Volkswagen launched a new generation of Golf in 2012, which is based on the MQB modular platform of the Volkswagen Group, also used by Audi A3 or Seat Leon. The exterior design was more sculpted and dynamic, with new headlights and taillights. The interior was completely upgraded, with a standard 5.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 8-inch navigation screen.

The Golf 7 also came with advanced technologies such as lane keeping assistant, automatic emergency braking system and traffic sign recognition system. The Golf 7 also offered a range of petrol and diesel engines, as well as hybrid and electric variants.

The Golf 7 was named Car of the Year in Europe in 2013 and in the world in 2014, with sales of over 6 million units.

Volkswagen Golf MK7 Facelift [2017-2020]

In 2017, the Volkswagen Golf 7 Facelift was launched. Its appearance was now somewhat clearer, with angular LED headlights, LED taillights, a narrow grille and a new bumper.

Inside it had a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a new 9.2-inch touchscreen was available as an option.

Under the hood, there were gasoline or diesel engines. For the first time, the Volkswagen E-Golf is among the first fully electric cars manufactured by Volkswagen, with an autonomy of 300 kilometers.

Volkswagen Golf MK8 [2020-2023]

The eighth generation represents a step towards the future. With a more fluid and aerodynamic exterior design, the Golf also brought new elements, such as the illuminated front grille or LED matrix headlights. The interior is fully digitized, with a virtual cockpit and a central touchscreen that integrates all the car’s functions.

The powertrain options now have three ETSI mild-hybrid engines and two plug-in hybrid engines, in addition to the existing TSI petrol and TDI diesel options.

Volkswagen Golf MK8 Facelift [2024-PRESENT]

In 2024, the Volkswagen Golf 8 received a facelift that brings a slightly modified exterior design, with slightly redesigned headlights, with a new light signature, but also an illuminated logo on the front.

Inside, we find a much larger multimedia screen, 10.4 inches on the basic equipment, and a 12.9 inch screen on the higher ones.

Under the hood, the Golf has a range of engines with gasoline, mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions, but it also offers turbo diesel engines.