Should you buy one?

Volkswagen’s facelift tweaks have made a good car far better. It’s as practical as it was, but it’s a little more efficient than before and it’s fitted with a far more user-friendly infotainment system. Plus, the interior is far more user friendly thanks to its new, common-sense steering wheel buttons and backlit climate controls.

Plus, Volkswagen’s improved plug-in hybrid system makes the Golf an even more compelling package for company car drivers. A maximum WLTP range of 88 miles is very impressive – it means you’ll rarely need to use the petrol engine for commuting and, if you have somewhere to charge at home, you’ll save a fortune in fuel bills.

There are some rival family hatchbacks that are better in specific areas. The Ford Focus is more engaging on a twisty road and the Skoda Octavia is much more practical. And the Golf still isn’t a good enough all-rounder to beat the Honda Civic (which won the 2023 Parkers Car of the Year award). Still, Volkswagen’s updates have brought the Golf far closer to its competitors.

What we like

It’s difficult to express just how much of an improvement Volkswagen’s new infotainment system has made to the Golf’s interior. The Golf has gone from having one of the worst touchscreens in its class to one of the best. We also love that the brand’s designers have banished the old car’s infuriating haptic steering wheel buttons.

The Golf is also very comfortable and very easy to live with. The car’s standard suspension is great at isolating the cabin from motorway lumps (especially when teamed with the car’s smallest 16-inch alloy wheels) – and even the entry-level petrol engine can return around 50mpg on a gentle cruise.

What we don’t like

Over the past decade, family hatchbacks have grown larger – but the Golf’s dimensions have stayed much the same. That means its boot is merely average for the class while rear legroom is adequate rather than generous for tall adults.

We’re also a little disappointed that Volkswagen has retained the Golf’s climate sliders rather than switching back to physical dials. They’re easier to use at night, now they’re backlit, but you can still poke them by mistake when you’re using with the touchscreen.

The standard Golf also isn’t as fun to drive as its rivals. But, if you want to own a Golf that’ll set your hair on fire, there’s always the GTI or R hot hatchbacks, both of which benefit from the same facelift improvements.