2022 Volkswagen Golf Review

After years on top of the hatchback market, the Golf has set the standard for its competitors to meet for what seems like decades now, establishing itself atop its rivals with its refined and well-engineered ride in a surprisingly practical package. 

In 2022, you’ll find both hatch and wagon variants of the Golf body, so with that in mind, just  how good is the latest Volkswagen Golf, and which is the pick of the bunch? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $34,490

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Volkswagen Golf (110TSI R-LINE) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Volkswagen Golf car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Volkswagen Golf lineup kicks off from $34,490 for the entry-level Golf Wagon, while the Golf Life is priced at $35,290 and the Golf Life Wagon is priced at $37,290. 

Stepping up to the Golf R-Line comes at a cost of $38,490, while the range-topping Golf GTI is priced at $54,490. 

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What Features Does the Volkswagen Golf Have?

The entry-level Volkswagen Golf comes riding on a set of 16-inch alloys, and receives a set of LED head and tail lights, three-zone climate control, cloth upholstery, a reversing camera, front and rear-mounted parking sensors, VW’s IQ Drive safety system, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and an 8.25-inch infotainment system with DAB+ radio, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. 

Stepping up to the Golf Life adds a set of 17-inch alloys, keyless entry & start, power-folding side mirrors, comfort seats, ambient lighting package, satellite navigation, wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a powered boot lift for wagon variants and an upgraded 10.0-inch infotainment system. 

Opting for the Golf R-Line adds a set of 18-inch alloys, sport seats upholstered in leather, lowered R-Line suspension and an R-Line exterior styling package, LED performance headlights and an upgraded ambient lighting package. 

Finally, the Golf GTI receives 18-inch alloys, twin exhausts, GTI styling upgrades, adaptive chassis control system and a set of sport seats lined with Tartan upholstery. 

Range Features:

• 16-inch alloys

• LED head & tail lights 

• 8.25-inch infotainment system with DAB+, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Cloth upholstery 

• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Three-zone climate control 

• Reversing camera

• Front & rear parking sensors 

• 17-inch alloys (Life)

• 10.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (Life)

• Satellite navigation (Life)

• Comfort seats (Life)

• Keyless entry & start (Life)

• Powered boot lift (Life Wagon)

• 18-inch alloys (R-Line)

• Sport seats (R-Line)

• Lowered R-Line suspension (R-Line) 

• LED performance headlights (R-Line)

• Adaptive chassis control (GTI)

• Twin exhaust system (GTI)

• GTI exterior styling package (GTI)

Volkswagen Golf Colours

The Volkswagen Golf is available in a range of colours, including Urano Grey, Pure White, Moonstone Grey, Atlantic Blue, Deep Black Pearl, Dolphin Grey, Reflex Silver, Kings Red Metallic, Lime Yellow, White Mother of Pearl and Lapiz Grey. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

It takes only a few moments behind the wheel to realise just how well Volkswagen’s recipe works in the Golf, providing one of the most refined ride qualities of any compact vehicle you’ll find on the market. 

The Golf feels and drives on par with vehicles that are significantly more expensive, while remaining user-friendly, making it perfect for those looking for a comfortable commuter that is more than capable of refined long-distance roadtrips.

The base models receive a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.  

Power on offer in the base model is perfectly suited to casual driving around town, giving you enough power for overtaking situations and remaining easy and exceptionally smooth to drive in the automatic version. 

For those looking for a little more performance, the Golf GTI receives a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque that powers the front wheels with a locking differential, meaning you can push the GTI far further than you can the standard Golf. 

The ride quality on offer in the base model is fantastic for a short wheelbase hatch, mimicking what’s on offer in a premium offering. The cabin shelters you from the noise of the outside world, while the lightweight steering rack and tight turning circle makes it the perfect companion in carparks and tight environments around town. 

As a complete package, it’s difficult to fault the Golf platform as a daily driver, and in a number of ways, it remains the leader of its class in terms of driving refinement. 

Is it Practical and Spacious?

While it might be limited to its hatchback platform, the Golf remains surprisingly practical and one of the leading options for those looking for a comfortable commuter with a premium-appointed cabin. 

A few years ago, the Golf received an updated platform that added significantly to interior space, making it one of the leading options for those looking for a spacious small car. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a sleek interior design featuring a pair of digital displays up top, with an uncrowded central tunnel working its way through the cabin. The large windscreen gives you a great view out of the cabin, while the abundance of headroom adds to the sense of space inside the Golf. 

Practical elements in the front of the cabin include the usual set of cup holders, large door bins either side of the cabin, storage inside the folding arm rest, a narrow storage area beside the gear lever and some additional storage at the base of the dash featuring a wireless smartphone charger in more premium variants. 

Move to the rear and you’ll find a comfortable benchseat with ISOFIX mounts either side of the cabin, with three top tether points to help you secure child seats. Legroom in the rear of the cabin is exceptional, with more than enough room for full-sized adults and a heap of headroom to make your passengers feel more comfortable on long-distance road trips. This sense of space is amplified in the Golf Wagon, which is perhaps the pick of the bunch for families looking in the segment.  

The cabin lacks the width to comfortably seat three large bodies side-by-side, but you won’t hear any complaints from kids in the rear of the cabin thanks to its impressive design and comfortable platform. 

In terms of moving cargo in the rear, the Volkswagen Golf has a boot rated at 374L in the hatchback variant and up to 611L in the wagon variant, which expands to 1,230L in the hatchback and 1,642L in the wagon with the rear seats folded down. 

All up, you really can’t judge this book by its cover because in spite of its size and stature, the Volkswagen Golf is exceptionally practical and continues to lead the pack in terms of interior space and comfort. 

Is it Safe?

The Volkswagen Golf has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 95% for adult protection, 89% for child protection, 76% for pedestrian protection and 80% for its safety assistance technologies. 

As standard, all Volkswagen Golf variants receive autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and multi-collision braking.  

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Volkswagen Golf performs impressively when put under the fuel economy test, with the base model returning fuel consumption figures of 5.8L/100km in hatchback form, while the wagon is rated at 6.0L/100km.

Fuel economy in the performance-based Golf GTI raises to 7.0L/100km on a combined cycle. 

Our Verdict: Is the Volkswagen Worth it?

If you’re looking for a compact car that offers no compromises when it comes to a refined, European driving experience, the Volkswagen Golf remains one of the best options on the market. 

With a surprising amount of interior space and comfort, the Golf is an attractive option for families that don’t want to upgrade to a large SUV, or someone looking for a comfortable commuter that is packed with entertainment and safety features. 

After years on top, the latest Volkswagen Golf is showing no signs of slowing down, and as a result, we highly recommend adding it to your shortlist. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

3. 12-month/15,000km service intervals

4. 374L boot space in hatchback; 611L in wagon

5. Fuel economy ranges from 5.8L/100km - 7.0L/100km 

Pros 

• Smooth, refined driving quality

• Spacious and practical interior design with huge boot in wagon 

• Comprehensive safety equipment suite 

• Impressive fuel economy 

Cons

• Touch-sensitive controls 

• Recent price increases 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Volkswagen Golf Competition