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VolkswagenGolf (2013-2020)

Medium
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Used only

£7,701Typical price

Test score

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There are few more recognisable sights on the road than the Volkswagen Golf. Despite the Mk7 being a completely new model when it was launched in 2013, it's unmistakably a Golf. Updated in February 2017, it's now got more cutting-edge technology on board. But does the popular VW Golf have what it takes to keep rivals at bay? Read our full Volkswagen Golf review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Volkswagen Golf (2013 to 2020)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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

Nov 2024Last checked by Which?
Oct 2019First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2013Released

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

How we test cars

20 May 2025

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

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

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of two stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. Any car that receives three stars can't be a Best Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Safety kit

How we test safety kit

We factor in the safety equipment that’s factory-fitted or optional, along with how well the car protects its occupants and pedestrians in the event of an accident. We also test how easy it is to fit a variety of child car seats.

Model reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test model reliability 5-9 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.

Car reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test car reliability 10-15 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
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Medium
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£7,701 - £17,237
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	47.9 to 74.3mpg
Length	4,255 to 4,562mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,799mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,030 to 2,035mm
Height	1,491 to 1,515mm
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 m
On sale date	01 January 2013
Lowest pence-per-mile cost	£8.60

Latest tested engine
Engine and trim name	1.6 TDI SCR Comfortline
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (115hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	11.31p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£70
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	132
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6d-Temp
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	670kg
Engine test date	11 March 2019
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine and trim name	1.5 TSI ACT BMT Highline DSG
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (130hp)
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	12.71p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£67
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Medium
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	135
Official fuel economy: NEDC	57.6
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6c
Braked tow load (KG)	1400kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	660kg
Engine test date	21 November 2017
Car test programme	2017

Engine three
Engine and trim name	1.5 TSI ACT BMT Highline
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.5-litre (150hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
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	12.5p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£67
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	135
Official fuel economy: NEDC	55.4
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6c
Braked tow load (KG)	1500kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	640kg
Engine test date	15 May 2017
Car test programme	2017

Engine four
Engine and trim name	1.0 TSI Bluemotion Comfortline
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1-litre (115hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
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
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	118
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	600kg
Engine test date	01 October 2015
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine five
Engine and trim name	1.6 TDI Bluemotion Trendline
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (110hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
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	8.6p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£37
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	99
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1000kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	630kg
Engine test date	08 November 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

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