Volkswagen Golf
The Golf is a compact car made by Volkswagen since 1974, sold across eight generations.[9]
8 of 8 entries illustrated · 8 generations. Entries are ordered by generation, with regional versions listed together. Dates are labelled by what the sources state — production, introduction or market — and photos are checked for the right generation.
First generationMk1Production 1974–1983
Second generationMk2Production 1983–1992
Third generationMk3Production 1991–1998
Fourth generationMk4Production 1997–2006 (Europe)
Fifth generationMk5Production 2003–2009
Sixth generationMk6Production 2008–2013
Seventh generationMk7Production 2012–2020 (Europe)
Eighth generationMk8Production 2019–present
Volkswagen Golf Mk1
Production May 1974–September 1983[1]
Volkswagen Golf Mk2
Production September 1983–1992[2]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk2 was larger than the Mk1, with a slightly longer wheelbase.[2]
- It brought a larger bodyshell and a wider range of engines than the Mk1.[2]
Facelifts: August 1987 — Larger grille slats were introduced with the August 1987 facelift.[2]; August 1989 — Big bumpers were introduced on the European market with an August 1989 facelift.[2]
Volkswagen Golf Mk3
Production 1991–1998[3]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk3 introduced the first estate version of the Golf.[3]
Volkswagen Golf Mk4
Production October 1997–2006 (Europe)[4]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk4 was a deliberate attempt to take the Golf further upmarket with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels.[4]
Volkswagen Golf Mk5
Production August 2003–2009[5]
No sourced summary of the changes from the previous generation yet.
- In the United States and Canada the Mk5 was sold as the Rabbit, while the GTI kept the GTI name.[5]
Volkswagen Golf Mk6
Production 2008–2013[6]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk6 was largely based on the Mk5 and was described as a re-engineered facelift of it.[6]
Volkswagen Golf Mk7
Production 2012–2020 (Europe)[7]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk7 moved to the MQB platform, shared with the third-generation Audi A3, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia.[7]
- It was 20 mm wider than the Mk6, with a 59 mm longer wheelbase.[7]
Facelift: November 2016 — A facelift of the Mk7 was presented in November 2016.[7]
Volkswagen Golf Mk8
Production 2019–present[8]
Changes described by the sources
- The Mk8 uses the MQB Evo platform, shared with the fourth-generation Audi A3 and SEAT Leon.[8]
Facelift: January 2024 — The Golf range received a mild facelift, known as the Mk8.5, in January 2024.[8]
Gaps in this history
- Facelifted versions (Mk4.5, Mk7.5, Mk8.5) are not separate generations and are not separate entries. Derived models such as the Cabriolet, Variant and GTI are not covered individually.
References
- Volkswagen Golf Mk1 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 11 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk2 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk3 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk4 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk5 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk6 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk7 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf Mk8 — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
- Volkswagen Golf — Wikipedia Reference work (read 13 October 2026)
Wikipedia sources link to the exact revision that was read. Specifications differ between markets, years and versions; each figure is shown with the market and version its source states.